International Society for Krishna Consciousness – Website of the Governing Body Commission – The Official Website of the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

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)

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

ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

5 days ago

SAVE THE DATE: ISKCON LEADERSHIP SANGA (ILS) 2025Dear Leaders,Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.The GBC is pleased to announce the next ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) 2025.About ILS: The ILS has been the prime gathering of ISKCON’s current and future leaders since its inception in 2012. Srila Prabhupada instructed the leaders of his society to gather once a year at Sri Mayapur. The ILS offers leaders an opportunity to engage and associate with leaders from around the world, share experiences and insights and discuss common challenges and successes with others performing similar services. This upcoming ILS will place special emphasis on our Temple Presidents. If you currently serve in this role within ISKCON, we request your participation in this significant event.Event Details:Date: 18 February - 21 February 2025Location: Mayapur, IndiaPlease save the date in your calendars. More detailed information about the event will be shared in the coming months.- Issued by GBC Communications ... See MoreSee Less

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ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

6 days ago

GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT3 April 2024We are pleased to present the GBC Online Meeting Report for 3 April 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting and the key topics discussed.The meeting commenced with a reading by Prahladananda Swami from Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10. The main topics discussed during the meeting were the final preliminary discussion on Guru Projects and Guru Dakshina in ISKCON and the GBC Executive Support Office (ESO) Work Plan. 1. Guru Projects and Guru Dakshina Paper: Badrinarayan Swami presented the Guru Projects and Guru Dakshina paper, which underwent a step-by-step review by the GBC members during Zoom meetings arranged by the GBC Executive Committee (EC) on 24 January, 2024, and 7 February, 2024. The paper focuses on the relationship between ISKCON, the GBC, the diksha guru, and the disciple, emphasizing defining principles for spiritual masters, disciples, and various managerial authorities. The paper is divided into two parts: part one outlines principles related to guru services, while the second part aims to build on the foundation of these principles. During the meeting, Badrinayaran Swami led the review of the concluding section of Part One of the paper relating to ‘Principles of Project’ and the ‘Conclusion’. The section on ‘Principles of Project’ stated the general principles that all diksha-guru inspired projects should adopt. The ‘Conclusion’ section noted the absence of clear standards regarding ‘guru-dakshina’ and ‘guru inspired projects’ and outlined how this proposal is of deep importance as it will provide standards and guidelines to help diksha-gurus act according to expected practices. The proposal aims to foster harmonious working relationships between ISKCON’s diksha-gurus, other ISKCON leaders, local temples and the ISKCON community. Once finalised and approved by the GBC, a committee will be established to lead the implementation of these principles and establish the relevant supporting structures.An overview of the paper was presented by Badrinarayan Swami to attendees at the Sanga for GBC, Guru and Sannyasi (SGGS) on 6 March 2024 at Mayapur for information and feedback. 2. ESO Work Plan Proposal: The Organizational Development (Org Dev) Committee, a non-executive arm of the GBC, submitted the ‘GBC ESO Work Plan' proposal. The GBC Executive Support Office (ESO) is a new office that seeks to improve the cohesion and effectiveness of the GBC and GBC EC focusing on: - Improving governance- Enhancing administrative throughput- Increasing alignment between the respective offices, committees, ministries, and their interactions with the GBC and other stakeholders- Improving GBC communications and engagement The workplan which was approved by the GBC outlines the short, medium and long-term priorities for the ESO in support of the above objectives. The ESO was established by the GBC mid 2023 and after a six month onboarding and integration process the team have now officially begun their service. The ESO is comprised of four directors who have deep managerial expertise, serving both in an ISKCON context and in a secular context. The Directors are Nanda Kishor Dasa (Executive Director), Jayalalita Devi Dasi (Director, Support to Ministries & Standing Committees), Krsnanaam Dasa (Director, Corporate Services) and Parijata Devi Dasi (Director, GBC Communications). - Issued by GBC Communications ... See MoreSee Less

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ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

4 weeks ago

Sending Prayers and Condolences for Namacarya Prabhu (GBC Deputy from South Africa), who passed away on March 22, 2024.Namacarya Prabhu was a loving and committed disciple of HHBhakti Caitanya Swami and a dedicated grand-disciple of ISKCON’s founder acarya, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He appeared in South Africa on 15th February 1957. He has great love and attachment to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet. He has been a member of ISKCON since 1988 where he first came into contact with the devotees and was inspired by HH Krishna Das Maharaj at that time. He received first initiation on Rama Navami day in 1997 and second initiation on 1998. He has served Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON selflessly and did anything for Srila Prabhupada’s service without hesitation. Over the many years, Namacarya Prabhu served with dedication by (amongst others): -book distribution, -supporting harinamas,-his enthusiastic classes,-cooking and doing aratis for Their Lordships Sri Sri Nitai Gaurahari, -raising funds for the temple, -being temple president in ISKCON Lenasia, -being regional secretary for ISKCON in South Africa, -being a deputy GBC, -being a mentor to disciples of Bhakti Caitanya Swami, -being a Bhakti Shastri mentor/teacher,-inviting and serving the devotees lovingly at his family home. His love for Srila Prabhupada has always been and remains prominent and he always stood up to support Srila Prabhupada’s standards. He read Srila Prabhupada’s books daily and is attached to the Holy Name. Namacarya Prabhu is a most beloved husband of Kaishori devi dasi and most beloved father to Yogesvari devi dasi, Syama Kishor das, Dhira Gauranga das and Gandharvika Sundari dasi. He is also a beloved Gandfather to Tarini Gaurangi. He is known for his exemplary fatherly love, care, wisdom and guidance to his family and to the devotees. The devotees love him for his gentle heartedness and sweet sense of humour.Namacarya Prabhu, was transferred from Mayapur to the ICU at Apollo Hospital in Kolkata in second week of March 2024 as he was suffering from bronchitis and renal failure. He left his body in the hospital on the morning of 22 March 2024. - Issued by GBC Communications ... See MoreSee Less

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ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

1 month ago

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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ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC)

1 month ago

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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