What is the GBC?

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), established the Governing Body Commission (GBC) to be the ultimate managing authority for the society. In ISKCON’s Direction of Management written on July 28, 1970, Srila Prabhupada states:

As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established. I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at any time I may be out of the scene, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of temple management, propaganda for Krishna consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard.

Srila Prabhupada reaffirmed the position of the GBC in his final will drafted in June, 1977:

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority of the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Through legal documents, training, and discourse, Srila Prabhupada clearly identified the GBC as the highest managerial body in ISKCON.

At present, the GBC body is comprised of thirty-four members who are individually responsible for overseeing the management and spiritual standards of ISKCON centers in assigned geographic regions. GBC members also supervise specific projects, initiatives, and ministries. Following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, the GBC body convenes yearly in Mayapur, West Bengal for their Annual General Meeting, during which time they discuss proposals, specific issues and projects within ISKCON, and pass resolutions by way of a voting process.

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ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for

GBC Meeting Highlights Report 9 March 2024 The final day of the GBC meeting commenced with the worship of SrilaPrabhupada and reading from Srimad Bhagavatam 8.5.47.The EC extended a warm welcome to Acyuta Priya Dasa, congratulating him on his appointment as a GBC member. Acyuta Priya Das was designated as Co-GBC alongside Bhaktivaibhava Swami for Ukraine and GBC for Moldova.The GBC EC assessed the zonal assignments of GBC members.The Appointment of Standing Committees and Global Duty Officers werereviewed and members cast their votes.Prahladananda Swami presented the list of Sannyasa Candidates, with the Valmiki Dasa approved to take sannyasa this year. Other candidates on the sannyasa waiting list are Atmarama Dasa, Govindananda Dasa, Savyasaci Dasa, Rukmini Krishna Dasa, Nanda Kumar Dasa, Shanta Nasimha Dasa, Visvavasu Dasa and Kamalalocan Dasa.In the post-lunch session, the appointments of Ministers, Standing Committees, and Global Duty Officers were reviewed, and members cast their votes. Vaisesika Dasa was appointed as the Minister for Book Distribution, with heartfelt gratitude expressed to Vijaya Dasa for his dedicated service as Minister of Book Distribution over the years. Vijaya Dasa extended his best wishes to Vaisesika Dasa in his new role.Gopal Krishna Goswami was reelected as the Secretary, and Revati Raman Das was appointed as the second-in-line signatory.Krishnadas Kaviraj Dasa (GBC Deputy) facilitated the straw voting process for the following proposals. For each proposal, he presented a summary, resolution, and highlighted the Plus, Minus, and Interesting points.Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each proposal and cast their votes: -Leasing of cows suspended- Initiating in the Presence of One’s Diksa GuruMembers expressed appreciation for those who resigned from GBC services - Bhakti-bhusana Swami, Bhaktimarga Swami, Malati Devi (who remains in office till the end of 2023) Niranjana Swami and Radhanath Swami. Gratitude was also extended to Revati Raman Dasa, the outgoing Chair, for his steadfast services during the year 2023.Appreciation and thanks was conveyed to Ananda Tirtha Dasa and Radha Sundari Devi, the Secretariat and all volunteers who contributed various services at the GBC Office throughout the meetings. The volunteers received a gift from Guru Prasad Swami, in-coming Chair, as a token of appreciation.Hare Krishna ... See MoreSee Less
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GBC Meeting Highlights Report 8 March 2024 The meeting commenced with Guru Puja and a reading from Srimad Bhagavatam.Krishnadas Kaviraj Dasa (GBC Deputy) facilitated the straw voting process for the following proposals. For each proposal, he provided a summary, resolution, and highlighted the Plus, Minus, and Interesting points. Members in attendance engaged in a detailed discussion and cast straw votes on the matter of Reinstating the position of Assistant GBC and Acting GBC.The post-lunch session featured a presentation on Deity worship by Nrsimha Kavaca Dasa. During his presentation, Nrsimha Kavacha Dasa shared the following updates related to the Deity Worship Ministry:Conducted online and offline teaching courses at Mayapur.Organized a Temple Worship Course in New York for 10 days, receiving a highly favorable response.Integration of deity worship model into the Bhakti Shastri Course.Achieved an increased number of followers on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and publication of the Deity Worship newsletter.Hosted the 8th European Head Pujari Sanga.Facilitated Deity Installations at various temples, including New York, Badshahpur, Gurugram, East of Kailash at Delhi, Mauritius, and more.Conducted temple visits to assess and uphold Deity worship standards.The presentation concluded with Nrsimha Kavaca Dasa addressing questions posed by GBC members.The following GBC members offered their resignation from GBC services - Bhakti-bhusana Swami, Bhakti Marg Swami, Malati Devi, Niranjana Swami and Radhanath Swami. The members voted in favor of accepting the resignations, and as a result, their resignations were officially accepted.Hare Krishna. ... See MoreSee Less
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HH Jayapataka Swami received his Bhaktivedanta Degree on 7 March. Here he shares his message with devotees upon receiving the certificate Two of ISKCON Mayapur Co-directors Hridaya Caitanya Dasa and Subheksana Dasa along with Course presenter Atul Krishna Dasa presented the Degree to Jayapataka Swami on behalf of Mayapur Institute where Maharaj undertook the study and examination of Srimad Bhagavatam. ... See MoreSee Less
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HH Jayapataka Swami received his Bhaktivedanta Degree on 7 March as part of the SGGS event. Two of ISKCON Mayapur Co-directors Hridaya Caitanya Dasa and Subheksana Dasa along with Course presenter Atul Krishna Dasa presented the Degree to Jayapataka Swami on behalf of Mayapur Institute where Maharaj undertook the study and examination of Srimad Bhagavatam. ... See MoreSee Less
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The GBC EC members presented the GBC Annual Report for 2023 to Srila Prabhupada and the assembled devotees on 7 March 2024 soon after the inauguration of Gaura Purnima Festival at Mayapur. The GBC members and Ministers were present at the event. ... See MoreSee Less
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