2nd Initiations
We, agtSP, are receiving requests for second initiation from several people to whom we have given 1st initiation.
This communication from ISKCON Houston is very nice.
"Maharaja! Hare Krishna! Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I pray all is well on your side.
I’m writing to let you know that we received an inquiry from your disciple ABC dd regarding a letter of recommendation for Brahmin initiation. We have sent her the criteria required for 2nd initiation of our temple standards. At this time she does not meet the requirements. It is up to you maharaja if you would like to give her second. Attached is the policy. Thank you - XYZ dd (ISKCON Houston)."
The Temple Standard is very nice.
Eg. Committed to doing service on Temple altar, fixed in first initiation standard, regular technical financial service.
Need, simple sane relationship with Temple service and administration et al.
Only thought that comes to our head is that 2nd iniation is often called "Brahmanical Initiation". In general Srila Prabhupada gives fantastic description in NOI 5, and we see that it is more Daivi Varna Ashrama Dharma.
In this age 1st initiation if sufficient, but if you are going to be serving as higher class Vaisya, administrator or Brahmin in ISKCON then it is important to become Dvija formally and observe the formalities.
Eg. Jayananda Das' ''brahmana thread'' was black from auromobile grease and he told me he had forgotten some of the Mantras, yet he was way, way, beyond second initiation standard.
The same applies in our thoughts about Bh. Sastri exam. Prabhupada said that it was not so necessary for Pujari's since it was a Sankirtan, preacher's, diploma and Pujari's had there won Sastra to learn.
Anyone we have given gayatri mantras to want to start giving second initiation?
We hear H. H. Haridasa Das in Manipur will start initiating formally in March.
That is very nice.
He has been a real, prominent, Siksa guru for so many people we initiatied there.
Also, Vana mali, Sadhu bhusana Das et al.