I wrote the answer to you in an Inbox Tereseji when you asked me the exact same question before. I will post that answer here:
"Lord Chaitanya taught quite a lot, and these teachings were heard and written down by His associates. His direct work was Sikshastakam (the 8 verses) which summarized Gaudiya philosophy. He also gave direct instructions to many of His disciples. The most important instructions were to Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami and the dialogue between them can be found here (
Sanatan Goswami's instructions, starts from verse 99) and (
Rupa Goswami's instructions starts from verse 136). These instructions are also found in Chaitanya Bhagavata quite beautifully.
Later Jiva Goswami (who was also a disciple of Rupa and Sanatana) also systematized the philosophy into 6 books (called Sandarbhas) and provided Vedic backing for it (in His six Sandarbhas). Lord Chaitanya also took some crucial elements from the teachings of the 4 Vaishnav Sampradaya (and their acharyas) and incorporated them into His to form the Gaudiya Sampradaya. That is why we are indebted to the other Vaishnav Sampradayas and their acharyas and we always worship the dust of their Lotus Feet.
From Ramanujacharya He took:
1) concept of unalloyed devotion free from karma and jnana (ananya-bhakti)
2) service to the devotees bhakta-jana-seva
From Madhavacharya He took"
1) complete defeat of impersonal monism philosophy (kevale-advaita-nirasana)
2) worship of the deity of Krsna, understanding it to be eternal (krsna-murti-sevana)
3) He also borrowed from Madhavacharya the
dasa-mula (10 philosophical teachings) and that is why the Lord took Diksha in Madhava's sampradaya.
From Visnuswami (Rudra Samparadaya)
1) the sentiment of total dependence on Krsna (tadiya-sarvasva-bhava)
2) the path of spontaneous devotional service (raga-marga)
and from Nimbarkacharya:
1) the necessity of taking exclusive shelter of Radhika (ekanta - radhikasraya)
2) the exalted mood of the gopis' love for Sri Krishna (gopi-bhava)
Thus Gaudiya philosophy thus can be summerized as follows:
aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena va kalpita
srimad bhagavatam pramanam amalam prema pum-artho mahan
sri-caitanya mahaprabhor matam idam tatradarah na parah
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is worshipped along with His transcendental abode Vrndavana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the
gopis of Vrndavana.
Srimad Bhagavatam is the spotless authority on everything and pure love of Godhead is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (
Caitanya-matta-manjusa by Srila Viswanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Lord Chaitanya gave to this world
rasa-vicara. While the other Acharya's are relatively silent on this issue, He spoke about what actually happened in the spiritual world and the steps to attain it. He said that each and every soul had a specific relationship with Krsna (or another incarnation of Lord Visnu) in a specific mood (neutral, servant, brother, parent or lover). In based upon that mood, one would attain a spiritual body by which one will enter into Vaikuntha and be with Sri Krsna always forever engaging in spiritual pastimes which were ever blissful and new. These steps of Bhakti (starting from
Sradha-faith and going all the way up to
Prema) was recounted in Rupa Goswami's Bhaktirasamrta Sindu. He taught (Krsna Prema) was the fundamental religion of the soul and once has a right to Bhakti regardless of caste, gender of social status (in-fact he rejected the caste system present at the time). Haridasa Thakur was of muslim birth, and so the caste Brahmins rejected him (and also the Muslims) but Lord Chaitanya himself buried Haridas's body when he disappeared. His glories are endless, maybe I will speak about it in a later post. There is a song related to his disappearance we Gaudiyas sing whenever a Vaishnav passes away, in the mood of seperation.
Lord Chaitanya taught God is the ultimate storehouse of bliss, and we being His parts, desire to unite with Him (i.e get His association) and therein lies our bliss and satisfaction.
Lord Chaitanya also has a very special position in our Sampradaya because He is worshipped as Bhagavan alongside Sri Krsna. The worship of Lord Gauranga deva and especially that of our Lord Nitai is crucial to understanding in our understanding of Radha Krsna"
Yup that is the the essence.
suno suno nityananda, suno haridas
sarvatra amar ajna koroho prakas prati ghare ghare giya koro ei bhiksa
bolo `krsna', bhajo krsna, koro krsna-siksa iha bai arna boliba,
bolaiba dina-avasane asi' amare kohiba"
Listen, listen, Nityananda! Listen, Haridasa! Make My command known everywhere! Go from house to house and beg from all the residents, `Please chant Krsna's name, worship Krsna, and teach others to follow Krsna's instructions.' Do not speak, or cause anyone to speak, anything other than this."
