Siksanam

For many years now we have been faced with the anomaly, if you don’t live in the temple and follow all the rules and regulations for at least a year there is every chance that you will not be even recognised as a ‘devotee’.

Qualifications:  Accepting the instructions or sacred order of Lord Caitanya; chanting Hare Krishna (minimum one round); worshipping Lord Krishna (visiting the temple or otherwise cultivating devotional service as far as possible); and reading the teachings of Lord Krishna (Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and other books of Srila Prabhupada). [Note: Since this broadly correlates with sraddha or sat-sanga stages of devotion, they can generally be called "Satsangi" or Sraddhavan".

Qualifications:  Chanting a minimum of four rounds of Hare Krishna japa; refraining from meat-eating; believing in Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; possessing a devotional attitude; and avoiding grossly immoral acts (drugs, prostitution, etc.)

Qualifications:  Chanting a minimum of eight rounds of Hare Krishna japa; refraining from intoxication, meat-eating, gambling, and extra-marital sex; offering of bhoga to devotional pictures; establishing an altar at home; and generally accepting the process of sadhana bhakti.

Qualifications:  Practicing the minimum standard of Krishna Consciousness for ISKCON members, as given by Srila Prabhupada, namely chanting a minimum sixteen rounds of Hare Krishna japa; refraining from intoxication, meat-eating, gambling, and illicit sex; and generally showing a strong conviction in Krishna Consciousness.

Qualifications:  Same as Srila Prabhupada Asraya, with additional faith and surrender in an authorized spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession. Must have been practicing Srila Prahupada Asraya standard for a minimum of six months. They should pass the exam provided for in ISKCON Law.

Brahmana initiation