Re: bhakti satra no certificate not needed to go hame to God head

Dear lowerthanarat, Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! What you have said is true. I think the system of certificates etc. was introduced by the Acharyas like Shrila Swami Prabhupada in order to inspire and encourage every one to carefully study the Holy Writings of our Acharyas. The certificate is not the goal of studying the Holy Books. Neither it is the ticket to Goloka Vrindavana in the literal sense. It is only a small token of appreciation and recognition from the senior devotees in regards to the efforts the spiritual student puts in to deeply study the Holy Scriptures. It will encourage other devotees also to take up the study in the same manner. Though it is not at all a necessary qualification to preach the Holy Names but it also is a good parameter to know which devotee has sincerely studied the Holy Books of the Acharyas. If the certificate makes a Bhakti student proud, then the certificate is useless. The devotee should feel that, "I am receiving the certificate because I am not a spontaneous devotee but am lower than other advanced devotees who do not need any certificates." The mood of humility is important in all situations in Bhakti. One can also receive knowledge from advanced Shiksha Gurus and that should be the goal of a spiritual University. In the Gaudiya Math, Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada also awarded different Bhakti titles to devotees in recognition of their study of Holy Books, Services etc. This is the same as certificates. It is an intimate exchange of appreciation and encouragement from the senior Gurus and Devotees of the sincere and studious efforts of the spiritual student. Of course I agree that no one can claim that only those who attend seminars in a spiritual classroom can attain the spiritual world.

Daaso'smi, Swami Gaurangapada.

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