What is Initiation?

Initiation is the process that fills devotees with transcendental knowledge, frees them from sinful reactions, and blesses them with mantras that bring them closer to their spiritual master and Krishna. Initiation is not just a one-time ceremonial act; actually, it is only the beginning of a process. Therefore Srila Prabhupada uses the phrase “process of initiation.” In his purport to Caitanya Caritamrta (Madhya 24.256), he writes, “This is the process of initiation. The disciple must vow that he will no longer commit sinful activity — namely illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication. He promises to execute the order of the spiritual master. Then the spiritual master takes care of him and elevates him to spiritual emancipation.”

To be eligible to take Harinam initiation, the candidate has to ensure the following things:

• To be eligible to take Harinam initiation, the candidate has to ensure the following things:
• Have taken shelter minimum 6 months before of applying for initiation.
• Serving continuously under or favorably connected to a ISKCON approved temple/Bhakti Vriksha/Namahatta/Gurukul etc for minimum last 12 months.
• Completion of ISKCON Disciples’ Course.
• Official recommendation letter from the temple president/authorized official authority.
• Filled documents (recommendation letter, IDC certificate, Essay, Oath and bio-data) has to be submitted to the GKG Office prior the initiation exam and interview.
• Candidates have to write the answers of the GBC Harinam initiation philosophical questions. This can be done at your local ISKCON authorized center. If you wish to write the philosophical test at GKG office please let us know beforehand. However, you have to bring the assessed answer sheet (if you are writing the philosophical answers at your local center) while coming to GKG office for your oral interview.
• Appear on the oral interview test at GKG office before the deadline provided by the office.

To be eligible to take Brahminical initiation, the candidate has to ensure the following things:

• Harinam initiated for at least 12 months from an ISKCON authorized guru.
• Completion of Bhakti Sastri is mandatory to be eligible to apply for 2nd initiation.
• Completion of ISKCON Disciples’ Course (those who didn’t take this course before).
• Devotees who are actively engaged in temple deity worship or temple deity kitchen dept. will be considered to apply for 2nd initiation. Guru Maharaja says, there is no need to take 2nd initiation if someone is not engaged in any temple deity worship or deity kitchen. For worshiping home deity, 2nd initiation is not mandatory. Just by chanting Harinama without any offense one can go back to Godhead.Therefore the temple presidents or eligible authorities are requested to recommend only those who are needed for temple deity worship/deity kitchen and not to encourage everyone to take 2nd initiation.
• Serving continuously under or favorably connected to a ISKCON approved temple/Bhakti Vriksha/Namahatta/Gurukula etc for minimum last 12 months.
• Official recommendation letter from the temple president/authorized official authority. Please keep a note of the above mentioned point #4.
• Filled documents (recommendation letter, IDC certificate, Essay, Oath and bio-data) have to be submitted to the GKG Office prior to the initiation exam and interview.