Such Things are Not to Become the Standard (07/19/02)
“If, in modern times, in special circumstances a guru has given dīkṣā through his representative or through cassette, this still cannot be accepted as the ultimate principle for everyone at all times and in all places. A guru may give dīkṣā through the medium of his representative or cassette to a faithful person who is living in a remote place, and cannot personally come before his guru due to circumstances. But this is a temporary situation arising out of extreme circumstances only. Whenever it is possible, the guru will himself personally give dīkṣā.”
G___ Mahārāja,
Well, of course the guru will try to do that personally.
I guess X__Mahārāja has heard about the clicker replacing the tulasī-mālā, and I don’t blame him for pointing out that such things are not to become the standard. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with the above statement.
Before we heard that he was saying that Initiation via tape was bogus and that the guru was cheating the disciple because the disciple was not qualified.
We arrived safely after a long trip and we are now in Govindajī Gardens.
Keep me posted. I’ll be checking my email twice a day.
Affectionately,
Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha
