The Governing Body Commission of ISKCON

Dear ISKCON Community Members,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

In light of the tragic natural disaster that has already claimed over one hundred lives in Nepal and Tibet with over one thousand more missing, we call upon you all to please pray for those who have been affected by this catastrophe.

We have received the devastating news that seventeen dear devotees from our
ISKCON communities in Ireland, South Africa, and the UK are currently missing. They were participating in an annual pilgrimage to Gosainkunda.

Let us come together to offer our heartfelt prayers to those affected by this disaster and to support ISKCON Nepal in this time of great need. May they be blessed by the grace of the most merciful Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

Hare Krishna,

Your servants,
Madhu Sevita Das
Govardhana Das
Devakinandan Das,
GBC Executive Committee

Statement on the Formation of the
“Puri Engagement Committee”

14 August 2026
Hare Krishna Dear Devotees,
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The GBC Executive Committee has established the Puri Official Committee to coordinate ISKCON's engagement regarding the observance of Ratha-yatra outside India and ISKCON’s interactions with leaders of Jagannath Puri temple, especially the King of Puri and his administration.

The Committee has been entrusted with developing a coordinated approach that safeguards ISKCON's devotees, projects, reputation, and other assets while fostering respectful and constructive dialogue. Its work will include assessing the issues involved, coordinating communications and engagement, articulating ISKCON's position regarding Ratha-yatra dates, and preparing recommendations for consideration by the GBC at its upcoming Mid-Term Meeting and beyond.

The Committee held its inaugural meeting on 6 August 2026, during which it adopted its Terms of Reference, confirmed its membership, and agreed on its working procedures.

The Committee members are:
Govardhana Dasa (GBC, Convenor)
Gauranga Dasa (GBC, Puri Committee)
Anuttama Dasa (GBC Minister of Communications)
Parijata Devi Dasi (GBC Communications, GBC ESO)
Braj Hari Dasa (ISKCON Bureau, Puri Committee)
Krishna Kirti Dasa (Convenor, ISKCON India Scholars Board)
Brajprem Dasa (President, ISKCON Puri Project)
Mukunda Chaitanya Dasa (Gajapati Dist. Duty Officer, Odisha)

Advisory and Support
Nanda Kishor Dasa (GBC Executive Support Office - ESO)

The Committee has commenced its work and will engage with the relevant stakeholders over the coming weeks. It will also keep ISKCON’s devotees periodically informed as its work progresses.

The GBC Executive Committee requests devotees to keep the Committee and its service in their prayers.

- Issued by GBC Communications

Update on the Third Meeting of the
Global Vaishnavi Diksha Guru Committee

7 August 2026

Hare Krishna Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The Global Vaishnavi Diksha Guru (GVDG) Committee convened its third meeting on 4 August 2026, under the chairmanship of Govardhana Dasa, First Vice-Chairman of the GBC Executive Committee, with representatives from the Regional Governing Bodies and the invited speaker, Hridayananda Dasa Goswami, participating.

Representatives from the following Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs) and zones were present: African RGB, Euro RGB, Fiji, India Bureau, Latin America RGB, North America RGB, and Singapore.
The meeting began with prayers and a reading from the Srimad Bhagavatam.

The meeting formed part of the Committee's ongoing process of hearing a broad range of perspectives regarding the GBC Resolution on Vaishnavi Diksha Gurus. During this meeting, presentations were given by Hridayananda Dasa Goswami and a representative of the European Regional Governing Body (Euro RGB). Bhakti Vikas Swami had also been invited to present but was unable to attend the meeting.

A representative of the Euro RGB presented two papers, Introduction: Defining the Role of All Preachers, Men or Women, in ISKCON and Way Forward: Rethinking ISKCON's Culture. The presentations outlined the Euro RGB's reflections and recommendations for the Committee's consideration regarding the GBC Resolution on Vaishnavi Diksha Gurus, - with particular emphasis on strengthening ISKCON's preaching mission, enhancing cooperation and accountability within ISKCON, and supporting the guru-disciple system.

Hridayananda Dasa Goswami's presentation explored principles of scriptural interpretation, including the relationship between guru, sadhu, and shastra, and the application of spiritual principles according to time, place, and circumstance in ISKCON's preaching mission.

Following the presentations, Committee members engaged in discussion and sought clarification on various points raised.

The Committee remains committed to conducting its work in a respectful spirit, considering the diverse perspectives received while seeking to preserve ISKCON's unity and serve the mission of Srila Prabhupada.

- Issued by GBC Communications