Governing Body Commission Resolutions (March, 1987)
1. Ramesvara is removed as member of GBC.
2. Bhagavan’s resignation is accepted by GBC.
3. Bhavananda is removed as member of GBC.
4. Whereas Jagajivana Goswami has decided that he can better serve Srila Prabhupada’s movement in a different capacity and has tendered his resignation from GBC body, the GBC accepts his resignation and gives him their blessings for his future preaching career.
5. Pancadravida is hereby expelled from ISKCON.
6. Sundararupa Swami’s request for leave of absence from GBC was rejected by the GBC body. He no longer has a GBC position.
7. Brahmananda is removed from the GBC.
8. a) Whereas Kirtanananda Swami, by his words and deeds has systematically obscured and minimized His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada’s pre-eminent position as the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON;
b) Whereas Kirtanananda Swami in word and deed rejects the Governing Body Commission as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, and by so doing is dismantling Srila Prabhupada’s vision of unity;
c) Whereas Kirtanananda Swami is, in defiance of GBC policy and over the GBC’s protest, establishing in North America, India, and Malaysia, temples and institutions controlled by himself alone, thus creating a movement separate from ISKCON;
d) Whereas in word and deed, Kirtanananda Swami, while acting independently of ISKCON authority, systematically misrepresents ISKCON to the public, the media, and the government, and thereby brings ISKCON into jeopardy;
e) Whereas, as indicated by GBC investigations, numerous, serious illegal acts have occured within his jurisdiction;
The ISKCON GBC hereby expels Kirtanananda Swami from ISKCON and thereby removes all his rights and responsibilities related to ISKCON. The ISKCON GBC further issues a notice of non-participation forbidding Kirtanananda Swami to participate in the functions of ISKCON.
9. The GBC approves the text of a letter to all ISKCON devotees regarding the resolution No. 8. above. After two days of Istagoshti held amongst all Srila Prabhupada disciples and chaired by Atreya Rsi, the GBC body met in the presence of all Godbrothers and passed the following resolutions.
10. Resolved that all Godbrothers may participate in all discussions.
11. Only GBC men may give proposals, amendments, and finally vote on these proposals.
12. Resolved that the GBC authorize a committee to execute the following mandate:
a) To interview the GBC men and others with relevant information, discuss, and then to express a simple majority vote of confidence or no confidence in the 17 existing GBC members; notes on all members will be accompanied by a voting count and a specific written list of points of rectification.
b) To propose 10 additional candidates for GBC positions in whom the committee feels best exemplify the qualities of GBC members as per Prabhupada’s instructions, and in whom the committee has full confidence, to work under as GBC members.
c) To propose specific checks and balances to insure the integrity and purity of the GBC membership.
13. The committee of Godbrothers should, in the presence of all GBC and guests, evaluate GBC men in terms of their gunas and karma as given by Srila Prabhupada. Special attention to be given to:
a) Sadhana
b) Character
c) Ability to enthuse preaching
d) Ability to give and take sadhu sangha
e) Vijnana or practical understanding as applicable to management.
14. That each GBC member be evaluated based on qualities mentioned by Srila Prabhupada in his letters and qualities of Vaisnavas as included in Srila Prabhupada’s books and letters.
15. That the committee first praise the good qualities of each Vaisnava before entering the discussion on weaknesses.
16. That the committee propose fifteen or more names, amongst whom the GBC may elect ten (10) or more.
17. The members will be constituted of the committee elected by the five-man North American GBC committee. Other than those present (forty- two), additional will be added by the vote of the assembled body of Godbrothers. The additional eight (8) men elected to the committee are:
a) Sri Ram prabhu
b) Harivilas prabhu
c) Vegavan prabhu
d) Vrikodara prabhu
e) Vishwambar Goswami
f) Somaka Goswami
g) Ajamila prabhu
h) Abhay Charan Swami
18. That the committee convene immediately and meet for the next two days to make recommendations as to steps for rectification and improvements for each of the GBC members on a case by case basis.
19. Satsavarupa Maharaj resignation is accepted effective at the end of the Mayapur meeting 1987.
20. Atreya Rsi will be given an (up to) three-year leave of absence from GBC and Ministry of Finance positions, effective at the end of 1987 meetings when new GBC assignments are completed.
21. That all new GBC members admitted during the 1987 General Meeting shall be acting GBC members with full voting rights for one year. Each new GBC member thus admitted shall be subject to reconsideration by two- thirds vote at the 1988 General Meeting. If the requisite two-thirds favorable vote is received he shall be shall be re-appointed for a further one-year term as acting GBC member with full voting rights and shall be eligible for admission as a full GBC member at the 1989 General Meeting.
22. That Guru Gauranga dasa is approved as an acting GBC member with full voting rights and shall be eligible for confirmation as a full GBC member at the 1988 General Meeting.
23. That the present GBC body immediately select five (5) new members.
24. Harivilas to travel to Africa to investigate the situation in that continent and report to all GBC in that regard. Harivilas is to attempt to recruit Giriraj Swami to go with him on this trip.
25. The temple President’s resolution to have Harivilas Prabhu off the GBC is overruled. Harivilas Prabhu is appointed Secretary.
26. Any qualified and needed GBC men be appointed this year.
27. The following new GBC men were elected:
a) Ravindra Swarup Das
b) Ganapati Swami
c) Agrani Swami
d) Niranjana Swami
e) Harivilas Das
28. The following new GBC men were elected:
a) Kavicandra Maharaj
b) Yasomatinandana prabhu
c) Guru Prasad Maharaja
d) Bhaktibhusana Maharaj
e) Danavir prabhu
f) Sivaram Maharaj
g) Bhakti Caru Maharaj
29. The following new GBC men were elected:
a) GourGovinda Maharaj
b) Vrkodar Prabhu
c) Prithu Prabhu
30. That with Bhaktitirtha Maharaja’s approval, the GBC will request Visvambhar Maharaj to preach in French-speaking Africa for the coming year.
31. That the GBC rule stating that a sannyasi would hold his danda for ten years is superseded by a quote from CC. Madhya-lila, Ch.5 142-143:
“However, when one is elevated to the status of hamsa or paramahamsa, after touring and preaching the bhakti cult, he must give up the sannyasa staff.”
32. Resolved that “when a person becomes a member of ISKCON or assumes an office within ISKCON, he does so upon the condition of submission to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of ISKCON; and however much he may be dissatisfied with the exercise of that jurisdiction, he shall refrain from invoking the supervisory power of a civil court but shall seek redress of any grievance(s) through the ISKCON judicial
process. Otherwise, he may be removed from office and/or his membership in ISKCON terminated,” be referred to the Minister of Legal Affairs. (Provisional Order)
33. All resolutions be categorized as a rule of order law, or provisional order at the time of passing. (Rule of Order)
34. That as per Ambarisa Prabhu’s request, the GBC body gives its unanimous blessings to him to give at least 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the Manhattan property for the establishment of a cultural center in Manhattan, under the direction of the local ISKCON authorities and thereafter that he concentrate his energy on establishing the large cultural project envisioned by Srila Prabhupada for
Washington D.C. (P/O)
35. That every GBC man give $100 to cover the annual GBC executive budget of $3,000. (P/O)
36. That a “GBC Resolutions Revision Committee,” consisting of Gurugauranga Prabhu, Kavichandra Swami, Danavir Prabhu, Rabindra Swarupa Prabhu, and Jayapataka Maharaja be formed to propose a revision of the GBC Resolutions (to be adopted by a mail vote before the 1988 General Meeting). (P/O)
37. That the amount of time a GBC member arrives late to meetings be calculated and that he be penalized in equal loss of voting rights in increments of three-hour sessions in the following year’s annual meeting. (Vote: 12 in favor, 6 against, 3 abstentions). The executive officers will be penalized twice as much as non-executive members. (R/O)
38. That the GBC recommend that Srila Prabhupada be glorified in kirtan only by the words, “Jaya Prabhupada” and not “Jaya Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada” or “Jaya Gurudeva.” (Law of ISKCON)
39. That the annual GBC meeting in Mayapur be held before the Gaura Purnima festival so that the temple president’s meeting be held just prior to the festival and that the “Vrindaban festival” be held after Gaura Purnima. (P/O)
40. That this year’s resolution(s) of the GBC body concerning Kirtanananda Swami be personally notified to him. The executive secretary should draft a letter to be approved by the executive committee (17 voted yes, 4 voted against). (P/O)
41. That the North American GBC Council and the Indian GBC Council each are authorized to invite Kirtanananda Swami to their next meeting.(P/O)
42. That Jayapataka Swami and Nitaichand Swami will call an Istaghosti in Mayapur and explain to the disciples the position of Bhavananda prabhu. (P/O)
43. That Jayapataka Swami will be the sole GBC in Karnatika and Kerala. (P/O)
44. That Prabhavisnu Swami and Jayapataka Swami will be Co-GBCs in Tamil Nadu. (P/O)
45. That an Indian General Council of GBC should meet three times a year. (P/O)
46. That it is preferable that any future change of GBC men in India first be discussed in the Indian General Council of GBC and then their suggestion be presented to the International GBC meeting for a decision. (P/O)
47. Zonal Assignments:
a) Agrani Swami
GBC:Caribbean, Bermuda.
Co-GBC: with Guru Prasad Swami:Mexico
b) Balavanta prabhu
Minister of Legal Affairs
c) Bhakti Bhusana Goswami
GBC:Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: Chile
d) Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami
GBC:Manipur, Andra Pradesh, Hyderabad farm
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: Nagaland,
Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, Bhutan (?), Arunachal-Pradesh, Meghalaya
Co-GBC with Prabhuvishnu Swami: Burma
Co-GBC with Giriraja: Sri Lanka, France
Co-GBC with Harivilas prabhu: Bay Area (USA)
Co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami: Bombay, Kuruksetra
e) Bhaktitirtha Swami
GBC: Central Africa
Co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Swami: Kenya
Co-GBC with Harivilas: North Africa
Co-GBC with (not determined): Northwestern
Africa and all other Africa not already named
f) Bhakti Caru Swami
Co-GBC with Sivarama Swami: England,
Scotland, Wales and Channel Islands
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: Calcutta
Co-GBC with Danavir prabhu: Belgium
g) Danavir prabhu
GBC: Holland, Luxembourg, Israel, Greece, Cyprus
Co-GBC with Bhakti Caru Swami: Belgium
h) Ganapati Swami
GBC: St. Louis, Denver/Boulder, Salt Lake
City/FOI, San Diego, Phoenix, Laguna Beach,
Fullerton
Co-GBC with Yasomatinandana prabhu: Chicago
Co-GBC with Harivilas: Los Angeles, Topanga
i) Giriraja Swami
GBC: South Africa, Spain, Portugal,
Mauritius, Pakistan
Co-GBC with Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami:
France Sri Lanka
j) Gurugauranga prabhu
Minister of Justice
k) Guru Prasada Swami
GBC: Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Central America
Co-GBC with Agrani Swami: Mexico
l) Gopal Krsna Swami
GBC: Goa, West Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Punjab, Harayana, Dehli, Chandigarh, Jammu,
Kashmir
Co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami: East Uttar
Pradesh
Co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami: Vrindaban,
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh
Co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami and Niranjana
Swami: Montreal
Co-GBC Yasomatinandana: Kenya
Co-GBC with Bhakti Swarupa Damodara: Bombay
m) Harikesa Swami
GBC: East Germany, West Germany, Switzerland,
Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland,
Russia, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Roumania, Bulgaria,
Yugoslavia, Albania, Liechtenstein.
Co-GBC with Sivarama Swami: Hungary
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: Mayapur
n) Harivilas prabhu
Co-GBC with Bhakti Swarupa Damodar: Bay Area
(USA)
Co-GBC with Ganapati Swami: Los Angeles
Co-GBC with Bhaktitirtha Swami: Morocco,
Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt
GBC: Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab
Emirat, Oman, North and South Yeman,
Afghanistan, Hardwar, Hrisikesa.
Co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami: Seattle,
Vancouver
o) Jagadisa Goswami
Minister of Education
Co-GBC with Hrdayananda Goswami: Italy
Co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami: Vrindaban,
Montreal, West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan
Co-GBC with Harivilas prabhu:Vancouver farm,
Seattle GBC: Ottawa, Toronto
p) Hrdayananda Swami
GBC: Brazil
Co-GBC with Niranjana Swami: Florida
Co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami: Italy
q) Gourgovinda Swami
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: Orissa
r) Jayapataka Swami
GBC: Peru, Ecuador, Boliva, West Bengal
Kanatala,Kerala, Pondichery, Maldives,
Bhutan, Adaman, Nicobar Islands.
Co-GBC with Bhakti Bhusana Swami: Chile
Co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami: Bihar, Sikkim,
Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Tamil Nadu
Co-GBC with Kavichandra: Thailand
Co-GBC with Bhakti Caru Swami: Calcutta
Co-GBC with Harikesa Swami: Mayapur
Co-GBC with Vrikodara prabhu: New Talavan,
New Orleans, Murari Sevak, Atlanta, North and
South Carolina, Georgia Alabama Missouri,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Smokey Mountains
Co-GBC with Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami: Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya.
s) Kavichandra Swami
GBC: Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: Thailand
Co-GBC with Mukunda Goswami: Hawaii
t) Mukunda Goswami
Minister of Public Affairs
Co-GBC with Kavicandra Swami: Hawaii
u) Prabha Visnu Swami
GBC: Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Papua and New Guinea
Co-GBC with Bhakti Swarupa Damodar: Burma
Co-GBC Jayapataka Swami: Bihar, Sikkim, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Tamil Nadu
Co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Swami: Eastern Uttar
Pradesh (including Allahabad, Faizabad,
Bakraich, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Rae Boerreli,
Bara Banki
v) Prithu Prabhu
GBC: Ireland, Northern Ireland
w) Niranjana Swami
GBC: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Maine
Co-GBC with Tamal Krsna Goswami: Connecticut
Co-GBC with Jagadisa Swami and Gopal Krishna:
Montreal
Co-GBC with Hrdyananda: Florida
x) Rupanuga prabhu
GBC: Baltimore, Washington D.C., Tennessee
(without Murari Sevak farm), Maryland,
Virginia, Institute of Vaisnava Studies
y) Sivaram Swami
Co-GBC with Bhakti Caru Swami: England,
Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands
Co-GBC with Harikesa Swami: Hungary
z) Tamal Krsna Goswami
GBC: Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Nebraska, Iowa, Hong Kong, New York, China,
Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Phillipines, New
Jersey, Indonesia.
Co-GBC with Vasudeva prabhu: Polynesia
Co-GBC with Niranjana Swami: Connecticut
aa) Ravindra Svarupa prabhu
GBC: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware.
(Detroit, Gita-Nagari, Philadelphia)
bb) Vrikodara prabhu
Co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami: New Talavan,
New Orleans, Murari Sevak, Atlanta, North and
South Carolina, Georgia Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Smokey Mountains
cc) Yasomatinandana prabhu
GBC: Gujarat
Co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Swami: Kenya
Co-GBC with Ganapati Swami: Chicago
dd) Vasudeva Prabhu
GBC: Fiji Islands
Co-GBC with Tamal Krsna Goswami: Polynesia
NOTE: The North american GBC committee will be consulted for
all matters pertaining to New Vrindaban
48. That Bhavananda Prabhu, after hearing from appropriate devotees shall decide, in close consultation with deputed GBC members, his proper engagement in devotional service according to guna and karma. It is the consensus of the GBC body, however, that he will not be properly situated as a sannyasi.
49. That on behalf of the GBC body and its members a delegation of GBC men shall go to Srimad B.R. Sridhar Maharaj for the following purposes:
a) to offer apologies and beg forgiveness for whatever offenses any ISKCON member has committed against him, knowingly or unknowingly.
b) to humbly request him not to reinitiate or rename any of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples or disciples of ISKCON gurus in good standing.
c)to request that he also ask his followers that they preach without aggression toward ISKCON, that is without criticizing ISKCON or trying to recruit ISKCON devotees, we, in turn, express our determination to preach without criticizing him or his followers; we shall propose that ISKCON devotees and devotees following Srimad B.R. Sridhar Maharaja direct their preaching and recruiting energies toward the fallen, suffering non-devotees.
The delegation of GBC members shall be composed of the following:
Hrdayananda Goswami, Bhakti Caru Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami.
50. That Sivaram Swami should be the sole GBC member for England, Scotland, Wales, and Channel Islands. Bhakti Caru Swami is assigned to preach in England.
51. A. That both Vrindaban and Mayapur establish local construction committees consisting of at least five senior trusted men who can meet regularly. The committee’s responsibilities include:
a) Establishing plans and budget
b) Determining construction timetable
c) Receiving funds and producing accounts
d) Appointing local construction supervisors to actually do building
e) review construction progress and prepare a report every two months (to be partially reprinted in ISKCON World Review) to include:
1) Donations received
2) Financial statement
3) Work done
4) Work yet incomplete
5) Projection of costs and time schedule
B. That all ISKCON temples and farm communities contribute a weekly amount to complete Srila Prabhupada’s samadhis based on the relative size of the temples determined by BBTratings.
Small — $30 per week,
Medium — $60 per week,
Large — $100 per week,
Maha large — $150 per week.
It is the responsibility of the GBC man to ensure all temples in his zone comply. Third world countries are to contribute at the discretion of the GBC body. All contributions are to be listed in ISKCON World Review, which should bring to light deficiencies in remittances, as well as praise the temples or individuals who contribute more than their quota. Bombay has pledged 2 lakhs and Calcutta RS. 50,000 per month.
C. Zonal areas will entrust a local trustee representative to receive samadhi remittances and fulfill the following duties:
a) Transfer funds to samadhis
b) Record all donations and encourage prompt payment
c) Review comprehensive report submitted by Vrindaban and Mayapur construction projects
d) Represent questions or complaints
e) Carry out on-site inspections for verification
D. That local construction committees should at least include the following devotees:
Vrindaban Mayapur
Gopal Krishna Goswami Jayapataka Swami
Dhanadhar Swami Harikesa Swami
Bhurijana Prabhu Hari Sauri Prabhu
Damodhar Pandit Prabhu Kadamba Kanana Prabhu
Toshan Krishna Prabhu Satadhanya Prabhu
Hansa Rupa Prabhu
Kesi Damana Prabhu
Druva Prabhu
Rupa Vilas Prabhu
It is also recommended that the following devotees act as treasurer/trustees as outlined above for the following areas: (other areas can be added)
1) Australasia — Nareswara prabhu as Chairman of Trustees
for International coordination
2) North America — Atreya Rsi prabhu
3) Northern Europe — Kirtiraja Prabhu
4) Southern Europe — Madhusevita Prabhu
5) South America
6) South Africa
7) East India –Adridharan Prabhu
8) West India — Yasomatinandana prabhu
Priority should be given to completing the Vrindaban Samadhi. The Mayapur Samadhi should, however, be supplied money for essential protection work required. Further, it must be pointed out that in light of the Mayapur Samadhi’s relationships to the entire Mayapur city project, it is not altogether unlikely that BBT funds could, to some extent, be used if necessary. Mayapur could begin receiving some
regular money so long as it does not impede Vrindaban progress.
Yearly marathons deserve considerations on the part of temples in some recommended international manner.
52. That Mukunda Goswami shall be the GBC member for the ILMT.
53. That Bhavananda Swami’s status as an ISKCON guru is suspended.
54. That a devotee who has received first initiation from Srila Prabhupada has become Srila Prabhupada’s disciple. By accepting second initiation from a Godbrother after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance, the disciple further confirms his relationship with Srila Prabhupada and also becomes a disciple of that initiating Godbrother. The second initiation strengthens, not diminishes, one’s standing as Srila Prabhupada’s disciple. (The above mentioned disciples should be included in all Prabhupada Vyasa Puja books as disciples of Srila Prabhupada). A disciple should always respect a worthy Godbrother from whom he has received second initiation. What such a devotee and the second-initiating guru expect from one another in their relationship shall arise from their own mutual understanding.
55. That there should be no personal seat for gurus in the temple room other than Prabhupada’s Vyasasana. One asana shall be present in the temple room for use as an asana for giving Srimad Bhagavatam class.
Grand disciple of Srila Prabhupada can sit on the floor if they consider that it is improper to sit on the same asana used by their diksa guru.
56. That the only gurupuja inside the temple room will be for Srila Prabhupada.
57. That the disciples of present gurus may worship their guru outside the temple room.
58. That the disciple can keep the picture of his guru on the altar while offering arotik. The picture must be substantially smaller than those of the disciplic succession or be placed on a lower level. After the arotik, the picture should be taken away.
59. That the book Bhagavatam must be higher than the speaker and the stand should be at least as opulent as the speaker’s asana according to Vedic Custom.
60.* That all honorific titles should not be used in the public forum but can be used in communications between disciples and disciples to their guru. Any titles like His Divine Grace should be treated as above.
61.* That no one should declare himself or allow himself to be declared an acharya or present acharya for a geographical area or for ISKCON. There should not be any official use of the word acharya.
62. That Vyasapuja for present gurus should only be observed on one day a year coinciding with the birthday of the guru and this celebration can be held in the temple room.
63.* That in the temple room kirtan, only the name of Prabhupada and his predecessors can be chanted. The words ISKCON guru vrinda ki jaya is to be used in the prema vani prayers in place of the existing prayers.
64.* That a new devotee who follows the four regulative principles and chants sixteen rounds for the first six months should chant Prabhupada’s pranama mantra and worship him as founder acharya of ISKCON and his siksha guru.
During the second six month period the disciple may choose his future diksa guru and chant his pranama mantra. After a period of at least one year, the devotees may become eligible to be initiated.
65. That if a guru is engaged in sense gratification violating either one or more of the regulative principles but there is hope that he can be rectified, then his disciples should allow time for such rectification to take place and they should take shelter of Srila Prabhupad and senior Vaisnavas as siksha gurus.
66. That if a guru has become hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and it has been shown either by observation or from his own admissions that he has been regularly violating the regulative principles of Krishna Consciousness and that there is virtually no hope for his rectification, then the disciple should reject him and may accept re-initiation.
67. That if the Spiritual Master takes on demoniac qualities and becomes inimical to ISKCON he should be rejected and the disciple may take re- initiation.
68. That if it is ascertained either by the admission of the guru or through irrefutably reliable witness(es) that the guru was fallen at the time of giving initiation, then the disciple has a legitimate reason to reject him and take re-initiation.
69. That there should not be any public worship of a guru who is suspended.
70. That disciples of a suspended guru while performing arotik to the Deities should offer the various articles through Srila Prabhupada to the disciples succession.
71. That while offering obeisances in a public place the disciples of a suspended guru should recite Srila
Prabhupada’s pranama mantra aloud and should chant the mantras to the suspended gurus silently or not at all.
72. That a devotee may serve as a guru in ISKCON after receiving majority approval by a council consisting of all the GBC members of his zone and at least ten senior devotees in that zone. This group of devotees should apply the criteria for gurus recommended in accordance with Srila Prabhupada’s books and by the GBC body in its codes, guidelines andrules. (Amended on page 152 by resolution number 18 on April 4 1987)
GBC compulsory rules for approval of new gurus
a) Must be strictly following the four regulative principle and chanting 16 rounds daily.
b) Must have been an initiated disciple for at least ten years.
c) Must not have had a falldown within 5 years.
d) Must have no record of moral turpitude either in his present activities or his previous record.
e) Must not have allegiance to a spiritual authority outside of ISKCON unless approved by the GBC, i.e. he must have no loyalties to anything other than to Srila Prabhupada (non-Prabhupada loyalties);
f) Must not be lacking in understanding and knowledge of the shastra;
g) Must support the GBC system in ISKCON and follow the GBC;
Guidelines for Approval/Disapproval
a) Should have a Bhaktivedanta or Bhakti-vaibhava degree in philosophy
b) Should not cause doubt about his ability to follow the code of conduct;
c) Should not be involved in “abnormal situations.” An example of this is cited as a disrupted or abnormal family life which could distract a guru from his guru duties or otherwise prove a disruption for him.
d)Must always be conscientious about presenting proper philosophy;
e)Must always behave responsibly
Privileges of ISKCON members concerning gurus.
a) Privilege to Accept Initiation from Guru of Choice –
Any member of ISKCON may accept initiation from the guru of his choice according to mature faith and desire for advancing in Krishna Consciousness. This is provided the guru is eligible to initiate, the candidate is qualified, and that the procedures authorized in this regard are adhered to.
b) Privilege to listen to any bona fide ISKCON guru’s tapes.
c) Privilege of an initiated devotee to serve in ISKCON.
d)Privilege of a disciple to glorify his guru.
Code of Conduct for a guru
a) Standards of action of guru in a temple.
1) No canvassing for disciples
* 2) No transferring disciples without permission of authorities.
3) No preaching which distracts faith of existing disciples
4) Must cooperate with ISKCON spiritual authorities.
5) Must show good example for other devotees
6) Must work and preach for the interest of the temple
7) No initiating of any disciple who has not been recommended
8) No initiating until one’s blessing to be a diksa guru is given.
9) Coordinate ceremonies with temple schedule
10) Should not keep separate accounts unless authorized. (Bank accounts in personal name.)
b) Standards for a guru with ISKCON Spiritual Authority
[Note: a “spiritual authority” is a temple president, regional secretary, local GBC representative, etc.]
1. Must cooperate with ISKCON spiritual authorities
2. Must preach to disciples and others to cooperate
3. Must act according to service position no guru position.
4. Must not undermine spiritual authorities in any way.
5. Must show financial records if need arises
6. Must avoid confrontation and settle misunderstanding amicably.
c) Standards for a guru in relation with GBC zonal secretaries:
1. Must act under supervision and coordination of GBC zonal secretaries
2. Must not leave temple or move without informing GBC
[ This refers to a guru shifting his residence. As this may affect the temples and devotees, the GBC zonal secretary should be consulted beforehand.]
d) Standards for a guru in relation with the GBC body.
1. Must respect GBC (Body) as representative of Srila Prabhupada.
(A spiritual master is servant to the previous acaryas, therefore respecting the GBC as Srila Prabhupada’s representative indicates adopting a respectful serving attitude towards the GBC).
2. Must follow directives of GBC
3. Must stop initiations if asked to do so by the GBC body.
4. Must follow disciplinary codes as prescribed by GBC Body.
General Codes of Conduct
a) Protect the faith of all disciples
b) Encourage the faith of new people in ISKCON
c) Allow disciples to accept initiation from the guru of their faith
d) Instruct all devotees to follow GBC system and guru parampara
e) Not to initiate without receiving full blessings
* f) To surrender one’s disciples to the ISKCON temple structure
g) To be accountable to the spiritual authorities for one’s acts
h) Provision for candidate changing his mind on guru choice
73. That Mukunda Swami’s resignation from the service of GBC corresponding secretary is approved. Danavir Prabhu is approved as the new GBC corresponding secretary.
74. The GBC Body gives its authorization to move the Pancha Tattva Deities from the Bhaktivedanta Village CA. to a suitable temple (Probably to Hawaii temple). (See page 152 Resolution 19)
75. That the GBC Executive secretary will hold in his possession all the report cards on individual members presented by the 50 devotee committee. These report cards will be held with the utmost confidentiality.
76. That ISKCON devotees should strictly avoid hearing or speaking personal criticism of Srimad B.R. Sridhar Maharaja.
77. That to avoid offences to Srila Prabhupada and to avoid offences to his Godbrothers the GBC reminds all ISKCON devotees of Srila Prabhupada’s instruction that we should avoid the association of His Godbrothers.
78. That Pancadravida Swami may be readmitted as a member of ISKCON at any time at the discretion of the GBC Executive Committee.
79. That a majority vote shall mean that a motion carries when more than half of the voting members present vote in favour of it. In the event that a majority of members present do not do so, the motion is not lost if there is less than a majority against it. In this case the chairman shall reopen the floor for a reasonable period of further discussion. At his discretion the Chairman shall close the floor to discussion and again put the original motion to a vote. If the motion then receives an absolute majority, it carries. If it does not receive an absolute majority but there is no absolute majority against it, the motion shall be tabled or referred to circular vote by mail. If the motion receives an absolute majority against it, it fails.
80. That a two thirds vote shall mean that a motion carries when two thirds of the voting members present vote in favour of it. In the event that two thirds of the voting members present do not do so, the motion is not lost if the vote in favour constitutes both an absolute majority and two thirds of the votes cast.
In this case, the chairman shall reopen the floor for a reasonable period of further discussion. At his discretion, the chairman shall close the floor to discussion and again put the original motion to vote.
If the motion then receives both an absolute majority and two thirds of the votes cast, it carries. If not it fails.
81. That Prahaladananda Swami is authorized by the GBC Body to initiate disciples.
82. That the following devotees are authorized by the GBC Body to initiate disciple. Bhakti Caru Swami, Kavicandra Swami, Trivikrama Swami, Prabavishnu Swami, Shivaram Swami.
83. That ISKCON guru daksine is the property of ISKCON to be used for the benefit of the Krsna Consciousness Movement.
Therefore such daksine is to be kept in a special account, preferably an ISKCON account, with at least two signatures.
Account records are to be kept. (P/O)
84. That disciples of a suspended guru when offering bhoga to the deities in the temple or in any ISKCON establishment, (like restaurants,etc) outside the temple must offer through Srila Prabhupada to the disciplic succession.
85. That the resignation of Hari Sauri Prabhu as a member of the GBC Body is approved.
86. That a committee be formed of three sannyasis in good standing and three householders fully engaged in devotional service, to function as an advisory council to the GBC. They shall take petitions from sannyasis, who are feeling difficulty and having doubts about their ability to remain in the sannyasa asrama and they shall advise them through strong preaching and compassion. The council shall be empowered to either save the sannyasi or recommend that the sannyasi leave the ashram and take up householder life.
All sannyasis shall be informed of the existence of this committee. It shall be completely confidential and those breaking the confidentiality shall be censured and removed from the council.
The council shall help the sannyasi in the case of his accepting the grihastha ashram through personal support, and relocation or creating a new engagement, and if need be, by helping the local situation through preaching or other arrangements.
The committee shall be composed of the following devotees:
Jagadisha Swami, Jayadvaita Swami, Trivikrama Swami, Ravindrasvarupa prabhu, Balavanta prabhu and Bhakta Rupa prabhu.
87. The following is the GBC position on guru suspension.
a) Warning (or censure) –
That when a deviation or neglect of spiritual practices is detected and the deviation or negligence is not very severe or habitual, or when guru is transgressing the approved guidelines and codes for guru behavior (such as canvassing disciples, etc) the guru should be warned (or censured) confidentially.
b) Probation –
That if the warnings are not heeded or if the deviation or neglect of spiritual practices are of a more serious nature, or if the transgressions of guru codes of behaviour are repeated and serious, the guru may be put under probation with specific conditions which regulates his guru functions (including temporary withdrawal of authorization to initiate new disciples).
In addition he may be given general recommendations or specific activities to perform as guidelines for his rectification and eventual reinstatement.
c) Suspension –
That if a guru repeatedly breaks one or more of the regulative principles or acts in a manner which seriously and harmfully disregards existing ISKCON or GBC policies or left his ashram of sannyasa without authorization or left the association of devotees and the ISKCON movement, or completely deviates from standard sadhana, he should be suspended.
If a guru is suspended he cannot give initiation, nor maintain an absolute siksa position in relation with his disciples, nor be introduced as initiating spiritual master, nor perform his guru functions such as Vyasa Puja or the acceptance of daksine.
d) Removal –
If the guru becomes openly inimical to Srila Prabhupad or ISKCON; or otherwise acts demonically; or becomes an impersonalist (mayavadi) or who preaches the philosophy of unauthorized or asampradaya against Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s principles; or blatantly and consistently defies ISKCON and GBC policies; or when when one becomes hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and material attachments, as per shastric injunction, he shall be removed from his position as initiating guru.
e) Renunciation of guru responsibilities –
That in situations where a guru becomes hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and material attachments and unable to function or continue acting as spiritual master for his disciples, he may renounce his position and request the GBC to give direction to his disciples for their further advancement in Krishna Consciousness.
f) Permission of disciples to accept re-initiation –
That a disciple of a suspended guru who has severely lost his faith or who has developed an offensive mentality towards his initiating guru, and who is not able to regain his faith, even after hearing so many instructions in the matter, may take permission from the spiritual master for release from vows to accept another initiating guru, take guidance from local GBC men and apply relevant ISKCON laws in this regard; or take permission from the GBC body.
88. That approval is given for the Deities located at Colo Farm, Sydney, Australia to be temporarily re-located in the North Sydney temple until a permanent location is purchased.
89. That Jagadisa Goswami is approved as Co-GBC of Spain.
90. That, in the event of a vacancy on the GBC executive committee, the proper procedure shall be as follows:
The vacant post of Chairman shall be assumed by the Vice-Chairman.
The vacant post of Vice-Chairman shall be filled by the runner-up candidate from the election which originally brought the Vice-Chairman to office, or in his absence or declination, the next runner-up candidate, etc.
The vacant post of Secretary shall be filled by the runner-up candidate from the election which originally brought the secretary to office, or in his absence or declination, the next runner-up candidate, etc.
Thus, there shall be three voting members [officers] of the GBC executive committee as all times.
91. That after a guru candidate is approved by a council [see resolution #22, page 139] his name shall be sent to all GBC members. If three GBC members express serious doubts in writing to the council within three months of having been notified, the candidates shall not accept the role of initiating guru, and his case shall be considered at the next annual general meeting of the GBC. In the event that any of the above mention GBC members subsequently withdraws his doubts in writing, thus bringing the number of such GBC members to less than three, the guru candidate may then take up the role of initiating guru.
92. That upon sale of the property of Bhaktivedanta Village, it is to be understood that the BBT loan for the initial purchase of the property is to be paid back by the zone responsible for the purchase.
93. That during the upcoming year any proposal shall be considered and brought to vote through the mail only if it fulfils one or more the following requirements;
1. It was duly submitted before the annual meeting within the prescribe time limit via the corresponding secretary but was not brought to vote at the annual general meeting.
2. It was presented at the annual general meeting by the Chairman but a majority of the voting members present voted that it be handled as a correspondence proposal.
3. It was unanimously approved by the executive committee as an emergency proposal.
Such a proposal shall be termed as “correspondence proposal,” and shall be handled according to the following “very general” procedure.
1. The GBC executive committee will send the proposal(s) to all members.
2. Sixty days will be allowed for the exchange of opinions.
3. All comments and amendments to the proposal(s) will be sent to the members.
4. The GBC executive committee shall compile all comments and amendments. It shall list the original proposals and all amended variations and shall send them to the members.
5. A vote will called for by mail. The GBC executive committee will establish a deadline by which the members shall cast their correspondence vote.
94. That an explanation of the activity and significance of the 50-man committee shall be written by Jayadvaita Swami for the information of the devotees in general.
95. That the following devotees are authorized by the GBC body to initiate disciples: Bhaktibusana Swami, Smita Krsna Swami, Rohini Suta das, Sacinandana das, Krsna Ksetra das, Avinas Candra das, Astaratha das.
96. That Bhagavan das and Rameswara das are suspended as ISKCON gurus.
97. That Harikesa Swami, as a member of the Mayapur Samadhi Committee, shall determine when if excess funds are available from the Vrindavan Samadhi account which could be utilized by the Mayapur Samadhi. [This is verbatim from the minute book]
98. That no GBC meeting shall exceed the scheduled limits of 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (morning session) and 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM (afternoon session), unless the members unanimously concur that an emergency exists. In the event of an emergency, the maximum extension per session shall be one hour only.
