The Governing Body Commission of ISKCON

STATEMENT FROM THE ISKCON GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION ON SRILA PRABHUPADA AND THE ROLE OF GURUS IN ISKCON

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) passed several resolutions during its Mid-Term General Meeting 2026 regarding the need to better educate ISKCON devotees with "a clearer understanding and articulation of, the qualification and service of all gurus, and their relationship with ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the ISKCON society, and ISKCON’s managerial line of authority." To help achieve this, the GBC determined there should be a temporary moratorium on initiations from December 1, 2026 to Gaura Purnima 2027.

The resolutions are below in full:

---- CLARITY ON THE ROLE OF GURUS AND DISCIPLES IN RELATIONSHIP TO SRILA PRABHUPADA AND ISKCON TO BE PROVIDED BY THE GURU SERVICES COMMITTEE ----

Whereas, within the ISKCON society there is a need for further clarification on the relationship of ISKCON gurus with ISKCON, and ISKCON’s managerial line of authority,

Whereas, elder ISKCON gurus are passing away and younger devotees are taking up the responsibility of serving as guru, sometimes for large number of disciples,

Whereas, it is seen that some disciples of ISKCON gurus need to better understand their relationship with ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON’s managerial line of authority,

Therefore, the GBC directs the Guru Services Committee to research and highlight Srila Prabhupada’s writings and instructions, existing GBC authorized papers and statements, and relevant ISKCON laws to better educate and clarify for ISKCON members:
The role of an ISKCON guru in relationship to ISKCON and ISKCON’s managerial line of authority,

The proper mood of a disciple towards their initiating guru and other ISKCON authorities,

That gurus in ISKCON have the responsibility in instructing their
disciples how to advance in Krishna consciousness, but may not have the expertise to guide disciples in matters of marriage, employment, child rearing, investment of funds, and other areas of life,

The Guru Services Committee shall also determine if educational processes need to be developed or adapted within ISKCON to clarify these issues.

The Guru Services Committee will consult with the various RGBs around the world, the India Bureau, and ICC to better consider how misunderstandings in these areas have manifested in their regions and seek their input to resolve them.

This research is also intended to compliment and support the work pursued under the Terms of Reference Working Committee.
To be completed by the AGM 2027.

---- SEEKING CLARITY ON THE COMPARATIVE ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SIKSA AND DIKSA GURUS WITHIN ISKCON ----

Whereas, there is a need within ISKCON to better understand the comparative roles of, and relationships between, diksa and siksa gurus, and

Whereas, there has been a call for additional clarity of these roles by devotees around the world,

Therefore, the GBC Body directs the Guru Services Committee (GSC) to do research to develop a comprehensive report and statement on these two services within ISKCON;

In so doing the GSC shall consult with the ISKCON RGBs around the world, the India Bureau and ICC, the Sastric Advisory Council (SAC), and other scholars put forward by those bodies;

A report or statement shall be presented to the GBC at its AGM 2027 for ratification.

This research is also intended to compliment and support the work pursued under the Terms of Reference Working Committee.

---- MORATORIUM ON ALL ISKCON INITIATIONS ----

Whereas, as we celebrate ISKCON’s 60th Anniversary it is the GBC’s duty to consider the health and future of our society;

Whereas, many older ISKCON gurus are passing away and many younger gurus are taking up responsibility for large numbers of disciples;

Whereas, there is a need to develop a clearer understanding and articulation of, the qualification and service of all gurus, and their relationship with ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the ISKCON society, and ISKCON’s managerial line of authority;

Whereas, many new disciples in ISKCON misunderstand the service role of their guru in ISKCON in relationship with Srila Prabhupada and the ISKCON managerial line of authority, as outlined in the ISKCON document “Harmonizing Lines of Authority”;

Whereas, according to our Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya, both siksa and diksa gurus are of fundamental importance in the spiritual life of a devotee;

Whereas, in practice, a significant difference can be currently observed in the worship, recognition, and treatment accorded to siksa-gurus and diksa-gurus within ISKCON;

Whereas, since the departure of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the Society has not undertaken a sufficiently comprehensive study and explanation of Guru-tattva, particularly the standards, principles and practices of initiation as related to an unprecedented growing global ISKCON society;

Whereas, it is urgently important to take concrete steps to assure that Srila Prabhupada’s position in ISKCON as our Founder-Acarya and pre-eminent siska guru for all ISKCON members is not minimized in any way;

Whereas, the GBC has directed the Guru Services Committee to research and further clarify the role of gurus and disciples in relationship to Srila Prabhupada and the ISKCON society, based on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, existing ISKCON law, and GBC statements, and to present a summary paper on the same no later than the GBC AGM 2027, and,

Whereas, the GBC has directed the Guru Services Committee to research and clarify the service roles of siksa and diksa gurus, with appropriate consultation, and present either a summary paper, or least a progress report on the same by the GBC AGM 2027;

Therefore,
All initiations by ISKCON diksa gurus shall be put on hold from December 1, 2026, until Gaura Purnima 2027. (This date could be extended.) No ISKCON guru shall initiate new disciples, or offer second initiation to existing disciples, or offer sannyasa initiation during this time. Additionally, no new initiating gurus shall take up or complete the authorization process during that time.*

In addition, before they may restart initiating disciples, all ISKCON gurus will be required to:

Sign a notarized ISKCON Oath of Allegiance, as presented by Srila Prabhupada and,

Submit the required annual financial reports for the previous year (2026).

*Exceptions may be allowed in the case of a qualified aspiring disciple who may pass away before Gaura Purnima 2027 (in the opinion of medical experts), and with the approval of the ISKCON Guru Services Committee.

---- TERMS OF REFERENCE WORKING COMMITTEE----

It is resolved that a structured Dialogue be convened to enable a meaningful and productive discussion on the relationship of siksa and diksa, including Vaishnavi Diksha Guru, all within the principle of Guru Tattva.

To this end, a working Committee comprising of the GBC EC, and one or two representatives of the IB, ICC and concerned RGBs will be appointed to determine the Terms of Reference for the successful convening of such a Dialogue by 15th November 2026. The Terms of Reference presented by the committee shall be subject to GBC approval.

The anticipated Dialogue shall commence and conclude between the months of December 2026 and January 2027.

- Issued by GBC Communications

GBC MID-TERM GENERAL MEETING 2026

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

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) met for its 2026 Mid-term General Meeting from 19–23 October at Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), India.

A substantial portion of the first day was dedicated to the GBC Organizational Development Committee, which presented a proposed framework aimed at bringing greater clarity and consistency to how different entities and initiatives relate to ISKCON.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to deliberations concerning Srila Prabhupada’s position and the role of gurus within ISKCON, including discussions related to Vaishnavi Diksha Gurus. The resolutions arising from these deliberations are shared as separate post.

Other key areas addressed during the meeting included:

• Jagannatha Puri – updates from the Puri Engagement Committee concerning ISKCON’s engagement in Jagannatha Puri, international Ratha Yatras, and the development of ISKCON’s Puri project.
• Srila Prabhupada Birthplace Memorial, Janma Bhumi – The Janma Bhumi team shared updates and insights on the development of Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace in Kolkata.
• Artificial Intelligence – the GBC approved the establishment of a committee to research the opportunities and concerns surrounding AI and recommend guidelines for its responsible use within ISKCON.
• ISKCON Environmental Ministry – the GBC approved the creation of the Ministry, with Shyamananda Dasa of Australia as its initial Minister, to provide environmental guidelines and education for ISKCON temples and communities.
• GBC Nominations – the GBC considered and approved the nominations and appointments of Rupanuga Dasa as GBC Assistant for Western USA.

The meeting concluded with a video presentation by Yadubara Dasa on glorifying Srila Prabhupada.

WATCH THE GBC MGM 2026 VIDEO REPORTS

GBC MGM 2026 | HH Radhanath Swami Welcomes GBC Members to Govardhan Eco Village
https://youtu.be/SaCdU6r_ngw

GBC MGM 2026 | Day 1 Highlights – Update from the GBC Organizational Development Committee
https://youtu.be/3oC76JL85hw?si=0-iFcfdnX4FXmmBz

GBC MGM 2026 | Day 2 Highlights – Vaishnavi Diksha Guru Discussion
https://youtu.be/ufbPqKfLQrI?si=rZP2brew0621_zco

GBC MGM 2026 | Day 3 Highlights - Discussion on Srila Prabhupada’s Position & Gurus in ISKCON
https://youtu.be/NGH12EAxIS4?si=IbaKwCUpVwecBI_6

GBC MGM 2026 | Day 5 Highlights – Srila Prabhupada, Gurus & Other Updates
https://youtu.be/tPppC7rH2J8?si=PP2C927L2f6eAhEE

Clarity and Context to the Call for a Moratorium on Initiations by Govardhana Dasa
https://youtu.be/aS0YvxlcTW4?si=xWtGcFgmGW7t9ySR

Issued by GBC Communications