What is Sistacara?

Sometimes behavioural patterns for Vaisnavas are deemed incorrect or inappropriate by authorities, even though such authorities are sometimes unable to cite specific scriptural reference to support their decisions. Pradyumna prabhu wrote about this in a letter to Satsvarupa Maharaja. His letter became a topic for a GBC meeting. An essential part of the letter is as follows: “Much of the knowledge written here is not found in sastra, but is called sistacara–that which has been taught by the conduct of the past guru parampara. It has not been specifically mentioned in any sastra, but still it is accepted as authoritative because of being seen to be the conduct of previous acaryas and their disciples.” (Letter dated 7 August, 1978)