Is God a Myth?
Many people claim nowadays that God is a myth made up to induce those who are less intelligent to accept moral principles. They reason that if one can be moral without God, there is no need for God.
But before we blindly follow the atheistic herd we should carefully consider some important points:
Since God means the original source of everything, atheism means to believe that everything came out of nothing. But where is the scientific evidence to establish that anything can come out of nothing? There is unlimited evidence to prove that one thing comes from another thing and zero evidence to establish that something can come out of nothing. So if we want to be scientific and not dogmatic or fanatical, we must accept the existence of God, the original something.
I wish to know the prerequisites for initiation. From what I understand one needs to do 16 rounds of japa daily and follow all 4 abstinences for at least 6 months. Further, one has to be recommended by 2 ISKCON temple authorities to a particular spiritual master who then interviews you before giving initiation. Is this true?
Thanks,
S.T.
Once you have proved your steadiness in these your local ISKCON authority (only one is required) will recommend to the ISKCON guru of your choice for initiation. Then it is up to the guru to decide whether he will initiate or not. An interview is generally not required. In most cases the guru will initiate anyone who is recommended by their local ISKCON authority. One who is initiated and is strictly following his initiation vows has already attained immortality. He has become deathless.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
But before we blindly follow the atheistic herd we should carefully consider some important points:
Since God means the original source of everything, atheism means to believe that everything came out of nothing. But where is the scientific evidence to establish that anything can come out of nothing? There is unlimited evidence to prove that one thing comes from another thing and zero evidence to establish that something can come out of nothing. So if we want to be scientific and not dogmatic or fanatical, we must accept the existence of God, the original something.
Answers by Citing the Vedic Version
Question: Prerequisites for Initiation
My humble obeisances to Srila Prabhupada and to you, Guruji.I wish to know the prerequisites for initiation. From what I understand one needs to do 16 rounds of japa daily and follow all 4 abstinences for at least 6 months. Further, one has to be recommended by 2 ISKCON temple authorities to a particular spiritual master who then interviews you before giving initiation. Is this true?
Thanks,
S.T.
Answer: The Stepping Stones to Immortality
Your understanding is mostly correct. One must be chanting at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mahamantra every day on japa beads while simultaneously strictly avoiding illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling.Once you have proved your steadiness in these your local ISKCON authority (only one is required) will recommend to the ISKCON guru of your choice for initiation. Then it is up to the guru to decide whether he will initiate or not. An interview is generally not required. In most cases the guru will initiate anyone who is recommended by their local ISKCON authority. One who is initiated and is strictly following his initiation vows has already attained immortality. He has become deathless.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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