The Daiva Sangam is a self-organizing, self-governing organization worthy of the trust of all participants based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and organized according to chaordic principles. All activity and relationships are principle-driven and it is the responsibility of every participant to understand the principles and make sure they are followed. The Daiva Sangam is powered from the periphery (from the rank and file), unified from the core (senior members/leaders).
This page provides some of the basic principles of DVS. Your appreciation of these principles will be improved if you have read and understand the chaordic principles first. Links to other important documentation are provided in the column to the right.
Our principles are established by Srila Prabhupada in his teachings and writing.
As he is our Founder-acharya, our guru, our lord, our ever well-wisher, we make it our stated purpose to dedicate our lives to fulfill his mission. We surrender our sense gratification and any other acts of living to achieve this vision
In the effort to achieve this, we pledge ourselves to our community, to the mutual support of each other, both materially and spiritually
We consciously live the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, understanding that Sri Krishna is the owner of everything, that we are entitled to our quota and no more; and as such, we practice the gift economy based on devotional service. This means that we consciously reject the dominant atheistic, materialistic culture that we are bred and raised in, desiring to establish the Bhagavat culture as a living reality
We pledge ourselves to developing integrity of character you following the four positive regulative principles: truthfulness, mercy, cleanliness and austerity (and their negative minimums)
We pledge ourselves to learn, understand and practice the Bhagavat culture as presented in Srila Prabhupada's books and supplementary Vedic literature. Srila Prabhupada's books are the basis of our actions
Endeavoring to please Sri Krishna in all that we do by keeping this consciousness in mind, doing our every activity with quality to our best ability
Our individual purpose is to know ourselves by guna and karma, and engage ourselves accordingly; to work according to our nature and make a contribution from there
As service to Sri Krishna, ourselves and humanity at-large, to engage in harinam sankirtan daily
Our every endeavor is done for the purpose of pleasing Sri Krishna
Organizational Concept
The Founder-acharya
As the founder-acharya Srila Prabhupada is, and will always be, the guiding light of the sanga
He is the guru (teacher) of everyone in the sanga due to the fact that all learn from his books and teachings
His position is sacrosanct and may never be diminished or replaced
This sanga makes use only of his un-edited, original books
All members are trained to understand his pre-eminent position as one of their primary gurus
The Purpose and Goal
The goal is to expand the sanga across the entire world for the purpose of establishing a transcendental culture, known as the New Culture, as described herein
There are three levels of organization: the local ABC, the ABC body, and the temple president/local leader
The ABC
The ABC are understood to be a brahminical body and are advisors to the society
In this regard they have no decision-making capacity that effects the entire sanga
The ABC will make it their business to train participants for the purpose of expanding the reach and influence of the sanga as far as possible
The Mission
The Mission is to establish the transcendental culture of Daiva-varnashrama and its adjunct, the varnashrama culture
The purposes of the Mission are:
To perform harinam sankirtan as the yuga-dharma
To educate the public regarding the reality of our existence, both materially and spiritually
to train members in knowledge of Krishna Consciousness and the New Culture, and
to establish the New Culture by recruiting, training and placement
The mission therefore has two areas of focus: city and village
Training of the public is to be accomplished by book distribution and holding of lectures and events where the public is invited
All establishments in population centers are to be considered temporary
All properties so used are to be rented
For this reason we shall not install murtis of Sri Sri Radha Krishna in population centers
Use of premises donated for our purposes are allowed
if title to properties is donated, the properties are to be sold, and the properties rented
Proceeds will be used to develop the local village community
Some portion of the proceeds may be kept against future rent payments
Expansion of the Mission
Anyone who is properly trained and who follows the principles can, on their own volition, expand the effort in any way they see fit.
Proper training means the basic instructions of Krishna Conscious philosophy and training in chaordic method of management
Initiative for expansion lies with the individual person as they are inspired to do so
Each center thus established must follow Srila Prabhupada's DOM
Each center will always remain autonomous and independent; Any local leader may expand his efforts to the extent of his ability. But there can not be any union of temples that has jurisdiction over others regardless of their relative success
Those who establish a temple and varnashrama training college will have the post of temple president, as a servant-leader with responsibilities and duties as described below
The ultimate authority of the temple lies with the individual members themselves
Members are those who have been inducted into the society and who live in the local area and support the temple by their service and financial contributions
For specific actions, a group of three or more may elect a temporary leader to organize their efforts
Specific actions for which such meetings may be called are:
To require the action of the TP on some matter that affects the overall welfare of the temple, but is being ignored
If the president fails in his expected behavior or in his duties to the temple, to replace him
If the residents are unhappy with their relationship with their ABC, to replace him
Said leaders will call a meeting of all participants to hear the whys, wherefores and proposals
A three-fourths majority vote is required to replace the temple president, or ABC
Each center is morally bound to give audience to the ABC and consider their suggestions carefully. In the end they may take, and be responsible for, their independent decision
If the local ABC is concerned about the actions of a specific temple leader he may bring the case to the ABC body for consideration.
The decision of the ABC body is to be given great consideration, and should be followed. Still the decision to do so or not rests on the local man.
If the ABC is remains unhappy with the actions of the president he may call a meeting of the local members to explain his position. The members themselves may, or may not, then decide to take a vote on the matter
If the local authority deviates significantly from the standards those who are aware of the deviation are duty bound to bring notice to the members of the local temple. Following the procedure established in the DOM the members themselves may replace the president or other local officer
After the specific action is taken, the group is dissolved and the authority of the temporary leader is withdrawn
The individual temple is, and will always be, the largest unit of organization
There can never be any union of temples for any political or other purpose, except temporarily.
At the outset the temporary union must declare declare their purpose, goals, and date of dissolution, which cannot be more than five years.
The temples may voluntarily comibine their efforts to create others which will be independent and un-beholding when established
The purpose of each temple is to preach and attract people to Krishna Consciousness and the New Culture
Expansion may take place in any number of ways and directions that are compatible with our Principles and Practices
The New Culture
The New Culture is the Daiva-varnashrama culture
The New Culture is to be land-based
Economic support for the New Culture is derived from agriculture
Use of money is to be minimized to the greatest extent possible
Self-sufficiency (group-sufficiency) is one of the major goals of the New Culture
Local infrastructure development is among our highest priorities
Skill development in trades, crafts, animal husbandry, simple and appropriate technology and the arts are among our highest priorities
For other purposes a simple majority is sufficient
Members may vote yes, no, or no objection
Except for the three-fourths majority to mentioned immediately above, members may together decide on any other decision-maing and voting process
All new members are to be taught that the purpose of the sanga is to create the New Culture, an alternative culture that is land based and that follows the principles of Daiva-varnashrama and Varnashrama Dharma
New members may elect participation in any of the three areas: harinam sankirtan, the New Culture, and Krishna Consciousness, and any combination of the three
Those who elect only harinam sankirtan shall be tutored in understanding of the yuga-dharma after which they may officially join the sankirtan party and attend temple functions
Those who elect harinam sankirtan and the New Culture will be trained in the principles of Daiva-varnashrama and Varnashrama Dharma; they must be trained in the basics of Krishna Consciousness
Those who elect the New Culture only will be trained in the principles of Varnashrama Dharma, Daiva-varnashrama and the basic elements of Krishna Consciousness
Those who elect Krishna Consciousness must be trained in all three areas
New members will remain in the cities during the training period; during this time their business will be:
Harinam sankirtan minimum of four hours daily; generally two hours each at peak travel times: morning, noon and evening
Training in Krishna Consciousness and varnashrama culture
Training in methods of self-sufficiency
After the training period is completed, with only minor exceptions, all are to be transferred to the local village
Each temple must have a varnashrama college with two curiculums: Krishna Consciousness and varnashrama principles
Syllabi will be developed for training programs as described above
Redress
Any member who feels s/he has been improperly dealt with by temple authorities may petition the ABC for redress
The ABC will then call a meeting of the local members for a hearing
The petitioner may allow another person of their choosing to present their case
The local members upon hearing the testimony of both parties will make a decision and prescribe a course of action/compensation
Local members may choose a board of 5 elders to adjudicate such matters
Said board may themselves decide what majority will carry the motion prior to commencement of the hearing, i.e., simple, 2/3, 3/4, or unanimous depending on the circumstances under consider.
Law of the land
No temple representative may disrespect the law of the land
Civil disobedience on the part of the members is not acceptable
Members-in-training are under the jurisdiction of the TP
However, the TP has no command over their actions outside of officially sanctioned temple activities and may not be held responsible for what they may do as free individuals
Children
Children are to be taught all curriculum as required by the government
More...
Ecclesiatical Matters
The teachings of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, as our founder-acharya, are the basis for all of our actions
We are specifically organized to fulfill the mission and vision of His Divine Grace in establishing a transcendental culture all over the world
Siddhanta
In all matters we follow the teachings of His Divine Grace given in his books, letters and recorded conversations
Where His Divine Grace has given equivocal instructions, or wherever his instructions are not totally clear, clarification is to be sought from guru, shastra and sadhu
In this matter the "guru" is typically represented by the ABC body; however their decisions must be consistent with sadhu and shastra
Sadhu is taken to be the other branches of the Gaudiya sampradaya, excluding ISKCON and those who hold, or have held for long periods, positions of authority in ISKCON (whose GBC have repeatedly deviated from guru, shastra and sadhu; and those who have supported the GBC in their misconceptions)
A panel of Sadhus will be comprised of the most senior members of the followers of Srila Prabhupada who will convene by use of the internet as is possible.
Any questions arising needing clarification by the sadhus will be discussed on online forums established for this purpose, and conclusions reached by consensus
All participating in this forum must be qualified in terms of sadhana, and must support their positions with shastra
Shastra is taken to be the books of His Divine Grace, and the works of our acharyas, principally Rupa Goswami in Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, and Sanatana Goswami in Hari Bhakti Vilas, and including other bona fide shastras.
Guru tattva
Specifically in the matter of guru-tattva, the the course to be followed is that given by Sanatana Goswami in Hari Bhakti Vilas
Any person whose guru has departed this world has the adiakary to accept diksa disciples without approval of any other person or body
In no circumstance is guru to be regarded as a political position
There will be no intervening party between guru and disciple
There will be no ecclesiastical authority above the guru
All members of this sanga are to be trained to understand guru tattva, how to identify a bona fide spiritual master, and their own responsibility in choosing a spiritual master
The official position of the Daiva Sangam is that any sadhaka that will take the role of initiating guru must become bona fide in the sense that Srila Prabhupada defines this expression.
Fall of the Jiva
In this instance Srila Prabhupada was equivocal in his teaching, therefore we turn to guru, shastra and sadhu for clarification
All other Gaudiya Vaishnavas, and all other sampradayas deny the concept that the jiva, once achieving liberation can fall from the spiritual world to the material world
Based on guru, shastra and sadhu this is the position of this sanga
Sampradaya Intitiation
All participants and especially aspiring disciples are trained that Srila Prabhupada is their foundational guru
Upon proper training, those seeking initiation may ask a suitable guru for association
By associating with the guru for some time they both will determine the suitability of the relationship
After both guru and disciple agree to the relationship diksa may be offered
Harinam will be given according to the principles established by Srila Prabhupada
Chanting 16 rounds minimum and following the regulative principles
The regulative principles are defined as truthfulness, mercy, cleanliness and mercy
These regulative principles have the minimums established by Srila Prabhupada in the negative sense for those aspiring for initiation, either harinam or diksa: no meat eating, no illicit sex, no gambling and no intoxication
In this regard, the definition of "illicit sex" is any sexual activity except with one's wedded spouse.
In this regard, gambling includes speculation in the stock and derivatives markets
Following the principles of Vaishnava siddhanta, in the case of the fall of one's spiritual master from the principles of spiritual life, there is no need for re-initiation, as other initiations (diksa) are explicitly forbidden according to Vaishnava siddhanta
Sannyasa
May be offered to any qualified devotee over 50 years of age without other considerations
Exceptional persons may be considered at a younger age
Has no institutional position, no political position, and is never to be offered a political position
Represents nobody except himself
Sannyasis are allowed to hold the position of the ABC, but not TP
Daiva-varnashrama Principles
All persons will choose one of four ashramas and one of four varnas and follow the principles (dharma) of each
Additionally, each member participating in the Daiva-varnashrama Sangam will follow the same minimum standards as those living in Srila Prabhupada's temples: 16 rounds, morning sadhana, 4 regulative principles, etc.
Daiva Varnashrama means to follow the minimum standard established by Srila Prabhupada in order to live in his temples. Those who cannot meet this standard are candidates for varnashrama dharma.
As Varnashrama dharma provides a place for everyone who agrees to follow the culture, regardless of how fallen, there is no minimum standard of spiritual behavior. They may not follow the principles closely but are encouraged to minimize the four sinful activities by regulation, and encouraged to increase their sanga with the devotees by hearing, chanting, taking Krishna prasadam, etc.
