GBC RESOLUTIONS 1990
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS
Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
RESOLUTIONS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION
Annual General Meeting – February 18-March 4, 1990 – Mayapur, India
1.{90} Election of Officers- The GBC Executive Officers for 1990-91 are:
Chairman – Siva Ram Swami
Vice Chairman – Bhakti Caru Swami
Secretary – Harikesa Swami
2.{90} That the resignation of Rupanuga Prabhu from the GBC Body be accepted.
3.{90} [UNPUBLISHED]
4.{90} That the resignation of Agrani Swami from the GBC Body is not accepted.
5.{90} That the resignation of Hrdayananda Goswami from the GBC Body is not accepted.
6.{90} That Loka Sakshi Prabhu be appointed as a full GBC Member.{90}
7.{90} That Tosan Krishna Prabhu be appointed as a full GBC Member.{90}
8.{90} That Kirtiraja Prabhu be continued as an Acting GBC Member with full voting rights.{90}
9.{90} That Badrinarayana Prabhu be appointed as a full GBC Member.{90}
10.{90} That Kavicandra Swami be appointed as a full GBC Member.{90}
11.{90} (CORRESPONDENCE RESOLUTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 10, 1990) That, according to Srila Prabhupada’s expressed desire, all temples must offer at least a one-year Back to Godhead subscription to every newly enrolled life member, as part of the benefits of their membership package. The subscription fees must be remitted immediately upon enrolling the member as follows: subscriptions for members in the UK should be obtained through Bhaktivedanta Books Ltd in Watford; sub scriptions for members in Australasia should be obtained through the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in Sydney; subscrip tions for members in Singapore and Malaysia should be ob tained through BBT Malaysia; subscriptions for members located elsewhere should be obtained directly from the Back to Godhead offices in San Diego. New members who are not residing in primarily English-speaking areas shall be given the option of receiving a one-year subscription to BTG. BBT officials shall have the option to excuse temples from this requirement if they are confident that the members will actually be receiving the magazines from the temple’s own stock.{90}
12.{90} (CORRESPONDENCE RESOLUTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 10, 1990) That a standing committee, called the ISKCON Board of Examinations shall be formed. This committee shall have power to review and approved proposed examinations for the awarding of the degrees Bhakti Sastri, Bhakti Vaibhava, Bhakti Vedanta, and Bhakti Sarvabhauma. The basis for review and approval shall be the guidelines given by Srila Prabhupada for the awarding of these degrees. No ISKCON center may award these degrees without seeking the approval of the ISKCON Board of Examinations.{90}
13.{90} (CORRESPONDENCE RESOLUTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 10, 1990) That the Bhakti Sastri examination prepared by Jagadisha Goswami shall be submitted to the ISKCON Board of Examinations for approval. If it is not satisfactory, it can be sent to the ISKCON Examinations Committee for needed improvements.{90}
14.{90} (CORRESPONDENCE RESOLUTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 10, 1990) That local GBC members shall report to the GBC Body through the Corresponding Secretary if an ISKCON-approved initiating guru normally residing or regularly preaching in his zone has:
1) taken re-initiation/shelter of a non-ISKCON guru or institution;
2) rejected ISKCON or Srila Prabhupada; or
3) undergone a change of service, of asrama or of living situation which the local GBC member feels threatens to hamper the approved guru’s ability to give guidance to or set a proper standard of conduct for disciples.
The GBC member’s report shall, if possible, include a written statement from the approved guru as to his inten tions in regard to his disciples and his devotional service. If not possible, then it shall at least include a descrip tion of the approved guru’s intentions as best they can be discerned through the investigation of the GBC member. The report shall also contain any other information which would be of value to the GBC Body in determining the guru’s status, as well as the recommendations of the local temple presidents, zonal councils, etc.
At the next Annual Meeting, the GBC Body shall consider the recommendations (under disciplinary-related motions) and take any necessary actions. Guidance shall also be offered to the guru’s disciples, if necessary.{90}
15.{90} (CORRESPONDENCE RESOLUTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 10, 1990) That any ISKCON ministry, organization, individual, or project (including those legally independent from ISKCON) receiving funding from ISKCON or the BBT, including mandatory assess ments, taxes, and so forth, from temples and/or zones, be required to provide financial reports clearly delineating assets, liabilities, expenditures, and income. Such reports ìare to be submitted to the GBC Corresponding Secretary at least forty-five days prior to the beginning of the Annual Meeting, and shall be distributed to all GBC members and made available to other concerned ISKCON officials upon request. The Corresponding Secretary shall compile a list of ISKCON ministries, organizations, individuals, or pro jects to whom this resolution applies, and annually notify them of their report deadline at least 60 days in advance. Anyone who is submitting a request for GBC/ISKCON funding should, along with their appeal, include their budget and previous financial reports for information. This resolution will not take effect until after the 1990 Annual Meeting.
16.{90} (CORRESPONDENCE RESOLUTION EFFECTIVE JAN. 10, 1990) That the GBC Body accepts Mukunda Goswami’s resignation as the GBC Supervisor for the International Life Membership Trust (ILMT), effective Gour Purnima, 1990. The UKLM Program is directed to assume responsibility for the functioning of the ILMT, ideally with Jalakara Prabhu’s approval and cooperation. The UKLM Program directors are also requested to report to the GBC at the 1990 Annual Meeting with their recommendation as to a new GBC Supervisor for the ILMT, how the ILMT will function, and what will be its composition.
17.{90} That Virabahu Prabhu be approved as an Assistant GBC member.{90}
18.{90} That the GBC Body thanks Paramgati Swami for his fine service, accepts his resignation, and encourages him to continue with his enthusiastic preaching.{90}
20.{90} That the GBC Body appoints a committee of Tamal Krishna Goswami, Gour Govinda Swami, Bhakticaru Swami, and Jagadisa Goswami to negotiate a land settlement for the Hyderabad farm project between the Badrukas and the local ISKCON management, represented by Gopal Krishna Goswami and Jayapataka Swami.{90}
21.{90} That the GBC recognizes the importance of the Bhubanesvara Project in Orissa, started by Srila Prabhupada in 1977, and the need to finish the construction of the temple and guest house. It hereby forms a committee, called the Bhubanesvara Temple Committee, to organize the raising of funds in India and worldwide for the completion of the Bhubanesvara temple. All ISKCON temples, members, and congregations are encouraged to offer assistance to this committee.{90}
22.{90} That the Bhubanesvar Temple Committee shall be Gour Govinda Swami, Jayapataka Swami, Hari Vilas, and Tosan Krishna das.{90}
23.{90} That the GBC Body requests the Indian Continental Committee to seriously take up the matter of how to raise funds for the Bhubanesvara temple within India.{90}
24.{90} That the GBC Body encourages the MVT to accept the need that Srila Prabhupada’s promise to provide matching funds for the Bhubanesvara temple project be fulfilled. They should also seriously consider funding the money required to transfer the approximately thirty acre land in Puri into the name of ISKCON.{90}
25.{90} That Agrani Maharaja should spend four months of the coming year hearing and chanting in the dhams of Vrindaban and Mayapur.{90}
26.{90} [UNPUBLISHED]
27.{90} That Ravindra Swarup das shall continue as a member of the GBC Judicial Committee for the completion of the Rahugana das vs. ISKCON of the Bay Area case.{90}
28.{90} That a subcommittee consisting of Tamal Krishna Goswami, Bhakticaru Swami, and Jayadwaita Swami shall research Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on the constitution of the GBC Body and define specific standards and procedures that the GBC Body should use in the adding of members to the Body and in the assignment of zones.{90}
29.{90} [UNPUBLISHED]
30.{90} That the following are approved as parameters for the next stage of design for the Main Mayapur Temple:
a) Main Deities: Panca Tattva
b) Other Deities: Radha Madhava and the Eight Gopis
31 Members of the Guru Parampara
c) No other deities are approved for worship at this time.{90}
d) The main structure may be a 50 meter circumference dome on a 20 meter high base, which, including kalash, is 230 feet high.{90}
e) It is allowable to put the deities in a separate structure, outside the main dome, which is shorter than the dome itself.{90}
f) It is allowable to place Radha Krishna in a separate structure with the planetarium above them.{90}
g) The entire temple must have capacity to hold 10,000 per sons sitting at one time.{90}
h) In the exhibit of Devi Dham it is acceptable to worship a deity of Devi as a Vaisnava, in the exhibit of Mahesa Dham it is acceptable to worship a deity of Mahesa as a Vaisnava, and in the exhibit of Hari Dham it is acceptable to worship Visnu murtis.{90}
i) It is acceptable to have theme parks demonstrating the ìfour dhams integrated as part of the temple.{90}
j) It is acceptable that the design can be for phased construction, whereby the worship of Panca Tattva may begin at a certain point before the construction is completed.{90}
31.{90}Design alternative #1 proposed by Mr. Menon is approved for the construction of the brahmacari asrama in Sri Mayapur Dham.{90}
32.{90}That the new Administration Building for Sri Mayapur Temple and for Mayapur construction management shall be designed to mirror a section of the existing “Long Building” along the axis from the samadhi to the future large Temple.{90}
33.{90}That it is approved to investigate further for the Master Plan the idea of basing the master plan on the padmaka mandala with Northeast orientation of the Main Temple.{90}
34.{90}That BBT India funds in the amount of Rs. 34,00,000 may be used for the construction of an Administration Building for the Mayapur Project.{90}
35.{90}That BBT India funds in the amount of Rs. 23,00,000 may be used for the construction of a Brahmacari Ashram.{90}
36.{90}That BBT India funds in the amount of Rs. 5,00,000 may be used as seed money for a grhastha housing project.{90} The Mayapur Project will receive housing for its personnel against this money, as required.{90}
37.{90}That BBT India funds in the amount of Rs. 3,00,000 be allocated as a discretionary fund for small infrastructural construction projects.{90}
38.{90}That the Mayapur Construction Committee may invite other architects to present designs for the main temple, to be presented before the next Mayapur meeting.{90}
39.{90}That the GBC Body invites Raj Ram to participate in the design team for the Mayapur Temple.{90}
40.{90} That a committee of Tamal Krishna Goswami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Jayapataka Swami, and Satadhanya Prabhu are authorized to reach a final settlement in the MM De Case at the lowest possible amount. This replaces Provisional Order 88-05.{90}
41.{90} That Provisional Order 88-06 is hereby repealed. The MVT shall bear the full expense of the MM De Case settlement.{90}
42.{90} That the report of the Calendar Research Committee is accep ted in principle, with thanks. ISKCON temples throughout the world shall follow the official calendar calculated according to the conclusions of this report, which are:
a) That the calculations should be made based upon the local time of sunrise.
b) That a computerized method of calculations is acceptable.
c) That the length of a muhurta shall be calculated as a 15th part of the daytime and a 15th part of the nighttime.
d) That sunrise shall be defined as the time of calculated visibility of the upper limb of the sun at the horizon, and the time of sunset as the time of calculated disappearance of the upper limb of the sun at the horizon.
e) That the calculations shall be based upon the positions of the heavenly bodies as determined according to modern scientific astronomical observations.{90}
43.{90} That for 1990-91, Harikesa Maharaj will make available to all ISKCON Centers printouts of a calendar calculated for the local area. This shall be the authorized calendar that all ISKCON temples should follow. The computer program itself shall also be made available. Postage and incidental expenses for this will be reimbursed from the GBC Budget. The Executive Committee will institute procedures for dis tributing calendars for future years. Copies of the calen dar report may also be made available to interested parties.{90}
44.{90} That the calendar generated by the program written by the Calendar Research Committee shall be the standard calendar to be followed by all ISKCON centers.[ISKCON LAW]
45.{90} That the GBC Body commends Bhaktisvarup Damodar Maharaj and the members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute for their successful conference in San Francisco.{90}
46.{90} That Provisional Order 89-65 which created a Deity Worship Research Group is modified to appoint Krishna Ksetra as coordinator. Harikesa Swami shall be the Executive Commit tee liaison for this research group.{90}
47.{90} That Provisional Orders 88-36, 88-59, 89-01, 89-28, 89-48, 89-53, 89-54, 89-56, 89-77, 89-89, and 89-94 are hereby retired.{90}
48.{90} That Provisional Orders 88-50, 89-27, 89-51, 89-61, 89-66, and 89-98 are continued.{90}
49.{90} That Provisional Order 89-05 be repealed. In order to adequately arrange for the worship of Srila Prabhupada in his Vrindaban Samadhi, each GBC Zonal Secretary shall be allocated a four month period during which that member will take responsibility for the worship. This responsibility will include paying Rs. 3,000 per month for the expenses of the worship and sending one or two devotees to perform the worship.{90}
50.{90} That the GBC Body acknowledges and appreciates the service of Abhiram Prabhu in fulfilling the mandate given to him by the GBC Body to assist in the sale of the Miami Beach proìperty and the purchase and renovation of the new property.{90}
51.{90} That Provisional Orders 89-69 and 89-70 are continued. The Calendar Research Committee shall continue to research the aspects presented in their 1989 paper [as per recorded notes of Jayapataka Swami.{90}]
52.{90} That the budget submitted by the Mayapur Development Committee for the design concept of Matsya Avatar Prabhu is approved as modified thus:
Chamber Rs. 25.72 lac
Doors 6.00
Main Floor 5.50
Columns 1st floor int 1.50
Walls interior 3.00
Alcoves 3.05 addl. may be approved
Entrance Gates 1.20
Jalli or Mosaic 2.30 addl. may be approved
Dome Interior:
Mosaic 7.00
Windows 1.00
Scaffold 2.50
Chandelier wait
Other Lights 2.00
Auditorium 1.65
Terra Cotta 9.42
Railings 5.26
Walls/Columns Exterior 2.47
Shellroof 0.57
Dome Exterior 1.07
Kalasa 14.82
Landscaping and addl gardens 6.72 (should be less)
Spiral Staircase 1.40
Rooms in Towers 0.63
Backstairs 0.35
Main Entrance Stairs 0.25
Museum 4.00
Overhead for 3 years 21.50
Reserve for Misc 15.00
53. That these estimates shall be further reviewed by Naresvara das, Tosan Krishna das, Hansa Rupa das, and Kadamba Kanana das, who will report back to the Development Committee.
54. That before work on the kalash begins, the Mayapur Develop ment Committee shall be satisfied that proper research has been done into structural, tax and duty considerations. It shall also be satisfied that the gold tiles on the kalash will be sufficiently visible.
55.{90} That the GBC Body design recommendation is to leave the alcoves on the samadhi walls in the same form and configuration as per the original design.{90}
56.{90} That Tamal Krishna Goswami and Naresvara Prabhu shall re quest Ambarish Prabhu for a contribution towards the completion of Srila Prabhupada’s Puspa Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur.{90}
57.{90} That whatever amount Ambarish Prabhu is unable to contribute for the samadhi completion shall be shared equally between the BBT India Funds and continuing Samadhi payments from the temples.{90}
58.{90} That the GBC hereby establishes a GBC Communications Office which is to work directly under the GBC Executive Committee. The specific functions of the GBC Communications Office shall be determined by GBC Resolution from year to year, and also by the regular direction of the GBC Executive Committee. Initially, it would perform the following functions:
a) It would include and expand the current functioning of the Corresponding Secretary’s office, facilitating the passing of legislation at the Annual Meeting and through correspondence, and assisting in other ways with the operations of the Executive Committee.{90}
b) It would work to speed up the process of preparation, adoption, ratification, and implementation of an ISKCON constitution, which includes participation in the work of the GBC Rules Revision Committee.{90}
c) It would work to protect the international rights to the terms “ISKCON”,”International Society for Krishna Con sciousness”, “Hare Krishna Movement”, and “Hare Krishna Food for Life”.{90}
d) It would develop and implement a uniform system for shar ing international expenses between temples, centers, and other projects. It would be responsible for collecting fees assessed upon temples by the GBC Body for its admin istrative functions. It would also be available to assist other ISKCON organizations in the collection of GBC approved fees and assessments.{90}
e) It would keep important documents on permanent file, and would make information available to others as appro priate.
f) It would be available to assist in the day-to-day work of ISKCON-related organizations such as the MVT, VIHE, etc., according to the GBC Body’s priorities.{90}
g) It would assist in the production and distribution of the ISKCON Journal.{90}
h) It would assist the Executors Committee in its functions by performing various secretarial tasks.{90}
The staff of the GBC Communications Office shall not include any GBC Members, and the Office finances should not be de pendent on a small group of temples or individuals.{90}
59.{90} That the GBC Body requests the Mayapur management to install the remaining four gopis by Janmastami of this year.{90}
60.{90} [UNPUBLISHED]
61.{90} That the GBC appreciates the generosity of Sri A.K. Roy and others for their offer to donate towards a guest house for ISKCON at Sri Mayapur Dham. We also appreciate the work that has been done so far, and we urge him to complete the balance of the work as soon as possible. ISKCON agrees to allot some small number of rooms in reserve on bet-nama system for the use of Mr. A.K. Roy, his family members, and other donors during their visits to Mayapur. We regret the inability to enter into any commercial or profit-sharing agreement.{90}
62.{90} That Bhurijana Prabhu be approved as an Assistant GBC Member.{90}
63.{90} That the GBC Body authorizes that Rs. 7 lac be allocated immediately from India Funds for the completion of construc tion of the Bhubanesvar Temple.{90}
64.{90} That the Vrindaban ISKCON project shall be organized with the focus on education, i.e. that all aspects of the project will be seen as parts of a campus that exist to further the educational aims. All persons who come to the campus, for an hour, a week, a year, or any length of time should find opportunities to be educated in Krishna consciousness.{90}
65.{90} That Harikesa Swami is hereby added to the committee to negotiate in Andhra Pradesh, as approved in Resolution 90-20 of February 19. This committee shall have full authority to conclude a settlement on any terms, including to divide the Trust property, if necessary, except that under no circumstances will the terms of the settlement result in a total loss of the property.{90}
66.{90} That the GBC Body requests Tattva Darshan Prabhu and Sauri Prabhu to remain at their current services on behalf of the Hyderabad Farm project for the next year.{90}
67.{90} That Tirupati be added to the Tamil Nadu zone, and the management there be coordinated with the Madras region and its regional secretary, Bhanu Swami. Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami shall continue as a co-GBC for Tirupati, with special emphasis on rebuilding the public image.{90}
68.{90} That the GBC directs the Executive Committee to gather all of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions regarding the GBC for future reference.{90}
69.{90} That Bhaktitirtha Swami shall be placed on probation for the following:
a) Failing to attend the Annual GBC Meetings for four years.{90}
b) Failing to submit an Annual Report for at least two years.{90}
c) Failing to pay the 1989-90 GBC Executive Committee Assessment fee of $250.{90}
d) Failing to follow the guidance of the GBC Body under Resolution 89-52 giving him a specific program to in crease his association with senior ISKCON devotees.{90}
The specific program of rectification is as follows:
a) He must function through the year under the continuing direct supervision of the GBC Executive Committee.{90}
b) He must bring the procedures in his zone for the honoring and worshiping of guru into conformity with those pre scribed in the laws of ISKCON.{90}
c) He must cooperate with the co-GBC’s assigned to his zone and render whatever assistance is required for them to execute their responsibilities.{90}
d) He must rectify the above censurable offenses by attend ing the 1991 Annual GBC Meetings, submitting an Annual Report by May 31, 1990, and paying the $250 arrears, plus all current assessments on a timely basis.{90}
e) He must spend one month in Mayapur during June/July and one month in Vrindaban during Kartika.{90}
Furthermore, whereas Bhaktitirtha Swami has repeatedly fail ed to follow the directives of the GBC Body such that the GBC Body has serious doubts as to his abilities to instill in his disciples the importance of following the ISKCON’s authorized authority structure, he is hereby placed on pro bation as an ISKCON guru. During the period of probation he must cease initiating any new disciples.{90}
The Executive Committee of the GBC shall monitor Bhaktitirtha Swami’s compliance with the terms of these rectification procedures. Should they determine that he is not following the terms of the GBC Body probation, they are empowered to suspend Bhaktitirtha Swami from the GBC Body. Should they determine that he is not following the terms of the probation as guru by further initiating disciples, they are empowered to suspend Bhaktitirtha Swami as an authorized ISKCON guru. Bhakticaru Swami is appointed as liaison to communicate with Bhaktitirtha Swami on all matters related to this resolution.{90} [unanimous]
70.{90} That the GBC Body authorizes further investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating itself for the purposes of:
a) protecting itself from liability for debts of or claims against individual ISKCON temples or other related organizations;
b) for improving its ability to prevent temples from devia ting from ISKCON’s basic philosophical and ecclesiatical tenets;
c) for holding and protecting rights to the various ISKCON trademarks, licensing them to authorized ISKCON centers and projects; and
d) for other purposes which may become apparent during the investigation.{90}
A full report shall be prepared for the GBC Body, including samples of all necessary documents, and in general how the corporation will function and relate to ISKCON centers and projects. Mrgendra das is requested to coordinate this work and obtain the necessary legal advice. He is requested to try to minimize the expense for this work as far as possible, but under no circumstances shall the expense exceed $2,000.{90}
This report shall be submitted for approval by the GBC Body either through Correspondence or at the next Annual Meeting. If the plan is approved, the corporation shall then be formed and all ISKCON centers and projects will be instructed to cooperate with the plan.{90}
71.{90} That if the Executive Committee of the GBC Body determines that an adverse decision in the Robin George case warrants it, they shall be authorized to convene an Extraodinary General Meeting of the entire GBC Body to decide on a course of action.{90}
72.{90} Whereas Sankerbrt das was suspended by the GBC Body last year from holding any managerial post in any ISKCON temple,
pending approval of the Indian Continental Committee.{90}
Whereas Sankerbrt das has been repeatedly requested by ISKCON authorities to present proper accounts to respond to allegations of misappropriation of ISKCON and BI funds.{90}
Whereas Sankerbrt das has continued to collect in the name of ISKCON by deceptive means after his suspension, has mislead ISKCON authorities about the accounts of huge amounts collected from the public in the name of the Tirupati project, and has not presented the proper accounts requested of him.{90}
Whereas Sankerbrt das’ actions have given a bad name to ISKCON all over South India, especially among ISKCON’s biggest supporters.{90}
Whereas Sankerbrt das has not been able to rectify his
devious mentality despite repeated attempts to advise him over the past nine years.{90}
It is hereby resolved that Sankerbrt das is expelled from ISKCON.{90}
73.{90} [See Resolution #90-128 below for additional information]
[A.{90} Prohibition Order Against the Posthumous Ritvik Theory]
Whereas the posthumous ritvik theory (a concocted system by which a spiritual master allegedly acts as diksa guru after his departure through the agency of ritviks or officiating ìpriests) has never been sanctioned by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada;
Whereas posthumous ritvik initiation has never been prac ticed by the Gaudiya Vaisnava Sampradaya (disciplic success ion);
Whereas posthumous ritvik initiation has never been approved by sadhu, sastra, and guru;
Whereas the posthumous ritvik theory essentially conflicts with the law of disciplic succession as established by Lord Sri Krishna, as taught by Srila Prabhupada and all previous Acaryas, and as practiced by all bona fide Vaisnava sampra dayas;
The GBC hereby declares that the posthumous ritvik initia tion theory is a dangerous philosophical deviation. It is therefore totally prohibited in ISKCON. No devotee shall participate in such posthumous ritvik initiation ceremony in any capacity including acting as ritvik, initiate, assist ant, organizer, or financer. No ISKCON devotee shall advo cate or support its practice.{90}
[B. Concerning the rectification of the editors of the Vedic Village Review]
Whereas ISKCON law prescribes expulsion of a member from ISKCON for the following two reasons:
The member is openly deviating from the fundamental tenents of the Society’s teaching,
and;
The member is openly and flagrantly antagonistic to the GBC or other ISKCON authority;
Whereas the Vedic Village Review (which started as a farm newsletter of activities of the New Jaipur rural community) has subsequently begun publishing sensitive philosophical matters (normally restricted to proper senior Vaisnava forums) in an increasingly sensational, antagonistic manner;
Whereas Nityananda das, publisher and editor, and Karnamrita das and Rupavilas das, editors of the magazine Vedic Village Review have publicly preached deviant philosophical under standings;
Whereas the editors of the Vedic Village Review have begun actively undermining the faith of ISKCON devotees in the authorized Krishna conscious philosophy and in the institu tions established by Srila Prabhupada;
Whereas, without following proper ISKCON procedure, the edi tors of Vedic Village Review have villified and publicly attacked in the pages of their magazine many senior members ìof the ISKCON society.
Whereas the editors of the Vedic Village Review have been publicly antagonistic to the GBC Body and the principle of authority in ISKCON;
Whereas the editors of the Vedic Village Review have irres ponsibly published false and unsubstantiated allegations that the GBC body and several ISKCON senior members have conspired to suppress Srila Prabhupada’s will and to mislead the ISKCON society;
Whereas the editors of the Vedic Village Review have drawn- up and published a petition in their magazine calling for the GBC to declare the disciples of current ISKCON gurus to be diksha disciples of Srila Prabhupada;
Whereas the editors of the Vedic Village Review have brought considerable damage to the society by these activities.
Therefore, the GBC body, with deep regret, makes the follow ing resolution according to it’s laws. Although the philoso phical deviations of the Vedic Village Review have been thoroughly exposed in The ISKCON Journal, the GBC unfortun ately finds it necessary to take further action to protect the integrity of the whole ISKCON Society.{90}
The GBC body declares that it is their sincere desire that Nityananda das, Rupa Vilas das, and Karnamrita das, realize, regret, and are willing to recitify their mistakes and re- unite themselves with ISKCON. They are talented devotees capable of doing tremendous preaching work for Srila Prabhupada’s movement; unfortunately, they are now misusing their abilities to create havoc within ISKCON.{90}
The GBC declares that it is prepared to forgive the VVR editors for their mistakes, and that they are always welcome in ISKCON, provided they completely adhere to the following conditions:
It is hereby resolved that Nityananda das, Rupa Vilas das, and Karnamrita das have until May 31, 1990 to rectify them selves by submitting in writing to the Corresponding Secre tary of the GBC a statement which:
1. Retracts their allegations of a conspiracy by Tamal Krishna Goswami and other members of the GBC.
2. Admit the error of their posthumous ritvik theory.
3. Apologize for the disruption caused to members of ISKCON by the formulation of their unauthorized philosophy.
4. Apologize for their antagonistic attitude towards GBC policies and practices.
5. Permit the Executive Committee of the GBC to distribute this written rectification — and other material as they deem necessary — to the entire distribution base of the Vedic Village Review at the expense of the VVR.
If they fail to rectify themselves in this manner to the satisfaction of the GBC Executive Committee by May 31, 1990, the GBC body is regretfully compelled to hereby resolve to expell by ISKCON law, as individuals, Vedic Village Review’s editors Nityananda das, Rupa Vilas das, and Karnamrita das, from ISKCON. Furthermore, the GBC Body hereby directs all ISKCON leaders to take the necessary steps to prohibit the distribution in their temples of the Vedic Village Review and other publications containing similarly questionable material. Distribution may only be resumed with the per mission of the GBC Executive Commitee.{90}
[C. Reinstatement Procedure]
In taking these severe measures, the GBC is following the example of Srila Prabhupada, who at different times simi larly expelled disciples who introduced concocted philoso phies into the movement. As soon as these disciples recti fied their misunderstanding and attitude, His Divine Grace accepted them back into the fold.
In the event, therefore, that Nityananda das, Rupa Vilas das, and Karnamrita das are however, individually expelled from ISKCON, but subsequently submit a document to the Corresponding Secretary which rectifies themselves in the above manner to the satisfaction of the GBC Executive Committee, they may be individually reinstated as members of ISKCON in good standing.
Should either or both of the other two editors wish to rectify themselves independently of Nityananda Prabhu, they may be exempt from complying with #5 above, but they must leave the New Jaipur Community.{90}
74.{90} [UNPUBLISHED]
75.{90}[UNPUBLISHED]
76.{90}[UNPUBLISHED]
77.{90}That Giriraj Swami travel with Kavicandra Swami through Bhaktitirtha Swami’s zone at least once during 1990.{90}
78.{90}That the local GBC effectively organize at least two other sannyasis to travel in West Africa this year.{90}
79.{90}That Balavanta das be placed on probation for failure to submit Annual Reports for 1988 (even after extension was granted under resolution #89-56), and for 1989; for failing ìto attend the 1989 and 1990 General Meetings without sufficient excuse, for failing to answer three of four Correspondence Proposals during the 1989-90 year, and for failing to pay GBC Assessment Fees for 1987-88, 88-89, and 89-90.{90}
The specific program of rectification shall be as follows:
a) Submit an Annual Report by May 15, 1990.
b) Pay back GBC Assessment Fees of $450 by May 15, 1990.
c) Submit a proposal to the Corresponding Secretary by May 15, 1990 for what his service shall be, and if it warrants a GBC portfolio. This shall be circulated as a Correspondence Proposal.
All GBC Voting Priveleges shall be suspended during the period of probation.
Hrdayananda Goswami is deputed to discuss this matter with Balavanta Prabhu, and warn him that if they are not met he shall be subject to Suspension from the GBC at the 1991 Annual Meeting.
80. That Giriraj Swami replace Rupanuga das on the ISKCON Review Board for the “Area of Specialty” of “General”. [Rupanuga Prabhu resigned from this position.]
81.{90} [UNPUBLISHED]
82.{90}That the GBC Body considers it to be a top priority matter that Giriraj Swami be granted at least a visitors visa into India to be able to attend the Annual GBC Meetings beginning in 1991. As many well-intentioned individual efforts have not proven successful in this regard, a GBC-level committee is hereby created, called the Visa Action Committee, to coordinate a concerted effort to achieve this goal. This Committee shall meet initially before Gour Purnima, and at least once more during the year. Regular reports of its efforts shall be sent to the Executive Committee and Corresponding Secretary.{90}
83.{90} That the Visa Action Committee shall be Giriraj Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhakti Caru Swami, Yasomatinandana das, Kirtiraj das, Tosan Krishna das, Adri dharana das, Satadhanya das, Mahamantra das, and Madhu Pandit das. Madhu Pandit das shall be the convenor of the first meeting.{90}
84.{90} That Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda and Sri Sri Gour-Nitai on the farm in Mauritius may be moved to Their land in the center of Mauritius.{90}
85.{90} [REPEALED AND REPLACED BY RESOLUTION 132 BELOW] That the GBC Body hereby establishes the “Srila Prabhupada Centennial Committee” to coordinate the worldwide festivities in honor ìof the one hundreth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s appearance in 1996. Padayatra shall concentrate its efforts on the glorification of Srila Prabhupada in coordination with this Committee.{90}
86.{90} That the “Guru Research Group” is hereby renamed as “Philosophical Research Group”. The following devotees are added to that group: Sadaputa das, Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami, Harikesa Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Bhanu Swami, and Suhotra Swami.
87. That the GBC officially issue a paper giving sastric support describing from where and how the spirit soul comes to the material world. The research for this paper shall be provided by the members of the Philosophical Research Group.{90}
88.{90} That devotees who have left ISKCON are welcome back into ISKCON at any time, provided only that they agree that the ultimate managerial authority for all of ISKCON must be the GBC Body, that they will follow all GBC Resolutions up-to- date, and that they accept His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti vedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, as the preeminent pure devotee under whose guidance, teachings, and instructions Lord Caitanya’s movement should now spread.{90}
The procedure for formal reinstatement shall be that the devotee desiring to return shall send a signed letter to any GBC member stating his agreement to the above-listed provisions. This GBC member shall send the letter to the GBC Corresponding Secretary, who shall distribute copies to all GBC members. If no objections are received by the Corresponding Secretary within 90 days of the date of mail ing of the copies to all members, then the Corresponding Secretary shall send a notice of reinstatement to the devo tee in question. During the waiting period the devotee may serve under the auspices of a GBC member.{90}
Notwithstanding the above, in the following cases reinstatement may only be granted by resolution of the full GBC Body:
a) Devotees who were ISKCON initiating gurus at the time of their original departure from ISKCON, or devotees who accepted disciples since leaving ISKCON;
b) Devotees who are accused or who have been found guilty of any serious crime;
c) Devotees who are currently in the sannyas asram;
d) Devotees who were removed from ISKCON by a GBC Resolution;
e) Devotees for whom a written objection from a GBC Member has been submitted to the Corresponding Secretary within 90 days of notification, as per above.{90}
89.{90} That the ISKCON Board of Examinations shall be Bhurijana das, Atma Tattva das, Bhakticaru Swami, and Dhanurdhara Swami.{90}
90.{90} That all previous resolutions on the subject of Annual Reports be repealed and replaced by the following wording:
That every GBC member shall be required to submit Annual Reports in a timely manner to the GBC Body. A report shall be timely submitted if it is received by the Corresponding Secretary either at his permanent address at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the Annual Meetings, or in Mayapur at least 48 hours prior to the beginning of the first ses sion of the Annual GBC meeting. The reports shall be typed on 8-1/2 x 11″ or A4 paper size, and there shall be suffi cient copies submitted for the total number of GBC members, plus five extra copies. The report shall conform to any format guidelines which may be promulgated by the Executive Committee.{90}
A member failing to submit an annual report in a timely manner shall be subject to censure by the GBC Body. Members should insure that their Annual Reports are submitted in time, even though they may possess an excused absense or tardiness for the Annual Meeting.{90}
91.{90} That during the period from March 1990 to March 1991, the GBC will make a concerted effort to help Mukunda Goswami in his quest to obtain a qualified, mature devotee to assist the ISKCON Ministry of Public Affairs. His title and port folio will be “Director of Public Affairs for the United States”.
92. {90} That before a devotee can be recommended for initiation or be officially encouraged to take shelter of a particular ISKCON spiritual master he or she should demonstrate a basic understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings by answering an oral or written test administered by the Temple Presi dent. The questions to be answered are:
1. What are the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master?
2. Why are you convinced to follow the orders of the spiritual master in this life, and even life after life?
3. Why does one worship the spiritual master like God?
4. Do you believe the spiritual master speaks the absolute truth? If so, why?
5. Under what circumstances should the spiritual master be rejected?
6. What are the qualifications and responsibilities of a disciple?
7. What is the unique position of Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON?
8. Why do you accept Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
9. Why do we follow the four regulative principles?
10. Why do we chant Hare Krishna?
11. What is the position of the GBC Body?
12. Explain the difference between the body and the self?
13. What is ISKCON, and why should one remain in ISKCON?
93.{90} That all ISKCON projects should cooperate with the Board of Education by supplying, when requested, the names and addresses of all grhasthas living in the temples and others with whom the temples are in contact. The Board of Education is to utilize this information for the sole purposes of making available to the ISKCON grhastha community its ser vices, guidance, and publications, and attempting to develop them as long term supporters of the ISKCON educational effort.
94.{90} That the GBC Body issue a definitive statement on the posi tion of Kirtanananda Swami, and include specific instruc tions for his followers, disciples, and devotees in general. Any accusations that have been verified should be made known.{90}
95.{90} That the Trustees of the Mayapur Vrindaban Trust shall be Jayapataka Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Naresvara das, Tosan Krishna das, Adridharan das, and Abhiram das.{90}
96.{90} That the GBC states, in response to the petition of Manihara das, that it is willing to reconsider its resolution 89-73 after Manihara das stands trial in California on the child molestation charges brought against him.{90}
97.{90} That ISKCON spearhead an international “Save Vrindaban” campaign, which could have tremendous preaching potential, both in India and abroad. A committee, the Save Vrindaban Campaign Committee, is hereby formed to take up the work.{90}
98.{90} That the Save Vrindaban Campaign Committee shall be Kirtiraj das, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhakticaru Swami, Dina Bandhu das, Jagattarini devi dasi, and Ranchor das.{90}
99.{90} That the ISKCON Journal shall be an occasional publication; each issue shall be thematic, and deal conclusively, delving fully into relevant specific issues. It shall, however, publish at least one issue a year giving in-depth presenta tions of select resolutions passed at the GBC Annual Meeting.{90}
100.{90} That the Editorial Board of the ISKCON Journal shall be Bhakticaru Swami, Hrdayananda Goswami, Rabindra Swarup das, Sri Ram das, and Virabahu das. Ravindra Swarup das shall be Editor-in-Chief, working under the direction of the Editorial Board
101.{90} That no devotee who has remarried after having been divorced from a devotee-spouse shall serve as a member of the Governing Body Commission. Exempt from this law are devotees who become divorced against their desire by the action of their spouses, or as a consequence of their spouses’ becoming committed non-devotees. Provisionally ìexempt are devotees who were divorced prior to the effective date of this resolution, March 2, 1990.{90}
102. [UNPUBLISHED]
103.{90} That Resolution 90-73 be amended. The deadline of May 31, 1990 is extended until August 1, 1990.{90}
104.{90} That Nityananda das, Rupa Vilas das, and Karnamrita das are encouraged to associate with GBC members to better understand the correct parampara teachings on guru-tattva. In particular, we invite them to the next meeting of the North American GBC to associate for this purpose.{90}
105.{90}That Niranjana Swami is requested to spend 4-6 weeks preaching in Benelux.{90}
106.{90} That the zonal assignments for 1990-91 are as follows:
Agrani Swami:
GBC — Caribbean, Bermuda, South Florida
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami, Bhaktisvarup Damodar Swami and Jayapataka Swami for Andhra Pradesh, except Tirupati
Badrinarayan das:
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for Los Angeles
GBC for Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri
Balavanta das:
No Portfolio
Bhakti Bhusana Goswami:
GBC — Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay
Bhakti Caru Swami:
GBC for Belgium, Luxembourg, and Holland
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for West Bengal
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Prabhavisnu Swami for Bangladesh
co-GBC with Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami for France
co-GBC with Giriraj Swami for South Africa
co-GBC with Tosan Krishna for New York and New Jersey
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta (*)
Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami:
GBC — Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Prabhavisnu Swami for Tirupati
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami for Burma
co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami for Kuruksetra
co-GBC with Bhakti Caru Swami for France
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, and Agrani Swami for Andhra Pradesh, except Tirupati
Bhaktitirtha Swami:
co-GBC with Kavicandra Swami and Giriraj Swami for Central Africa, West Africa
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for North Africa
Bhurijana das:
Assistant GBC to Gopal Krishna Goswami, Jagadisha Gos wami, and Tosan Krishna das for West Uttar Pradesh (including Vrindaban), Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
Giriraj Swami:
GBC — Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana
co-GBC with Bhakti Caru Swami for South Africa
co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami for Spain, Portugal
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami and Tamal Krishna Goswami for Bombay
co-GBC with Bhaktitirtha Swami and Kavicandra Swami for Central and West Africa
Gopal Krsna Goswami:
GBC — Goa, Maharashtra (other than Bombay), Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Kenya
co-GBC with Kirtiraj for Delhi
co-GBC with Tamal Krishna Goswami and Giriraj Swami for Bombay
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami, Bhaktisvarup Damodar Swami, and Agrani Swami for Andhra Pradesh, except Tirupati
co-GBC with Bhaktiswarupa Damodar Swami for Kuruksetra
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami for East Uttar Pradesh
co-GBC with Jagadish Goswami and Tosan Krishna das, assisted by Bhurijan das, for West Uttar Pradesh Vrindaban, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami for Montreal
co-GBC with Ravindra Swarup for Washington DC
Gour Govinda Swami:
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Orissa
Guru Gauranga das:
Minister of Justice
Guru Prasad Swami:
GBC — Venezuela, Columbia, Central America, Mexico
Harikesa Swami:
GBC — East Germany, W.{90} Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Faroe ìIslands, Yugoslavia, Lichtenstein
co-GBC with Kirtiraj for Almviks Gard farm
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta(*)
Hari Vilas das:
GBC — Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, North and South Yemen, Afghanistan, Northern California, Oregon, Hardwar and Rishikesh
co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami for State of Washington and British Columbia
co-GBC with Badrinarayan for Los Angeles
Hrdayananda das Goswami:
GBC — North and Central Florida, Greece and Cyprus
co-GBC with Loka Saksi for Brazil
co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami for Italy
Jagadisa Goswami:
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami for Ottawa and Toronto
co-GBC with Giriraj Swami for Spain and Portugal
co-GBC with Hrdayananda Goswami for Italy
co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami and Toshan Krishna das, assisted by Bhurijana das, for Vrindaban, West Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for State of Washington and British Columbia
Jayapataka Swami:
GBC for Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Maldives, Bhutan, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana
GBC, assisted by Virabahu das, for Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami for Bihar, Sikkim, Nepal, Malaysia, Tamil Nadu, and Singapore
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami and Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami for Tirupati
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami and Bhakticaru Swami for Bangladesh
co-GBC with Kavicandra Swami for Thailand
co-GBC with Bhakti Caru Swami for West Bengal
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami, Agrani Swami, and Bhaktisvarup Damodar Swami for Andhra Pradesh, except Tirupati
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta(*)
Kavicandra Swami:
GBC — Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Hawaii, Indonesia
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Thailand
co-GBC with Bhaktitirtha Swami and Giriraj Swami for Central and West Africa
Kirtiraja das:
GBC — USSR, Poland, Bulgaria, Rumania, Albania, Czechoslovakia, Israel
co-GBC with Sivarama Swami for Hungary
co-GBC with Harikesa Swami for Almviks Gard farm
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for Delhi
Lokasaksi das:
co-GBC with Hrdayananda Goswami for Brazil
Mukunda Goswami:
Minister of Public Affairs
Niranjana Swami:
GBC — New England, Festival of India
co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami for Montreal
co-GBC with Jagadisa Goswami for Toronto and Ottawa
Prabhavisnu Swami:
GBC — Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Papua New Guinea, and New Caledonia
co-GBC with Bhaktisvarup Damodar Swami for Burma
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Bihar, Sikkim, Nepal, Malaysia, Tamil Nadu, and Singapore
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami for Tirupati
co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami for Eastern Uttar Pradesh co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Bhakticaru Swami for Bangladesh
Ravindra Svarupa das:
GBC — Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for Washington DC
Sivarama Swami:
GBC — England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Ireland
co-GBC with Kirtiraj for Hungary
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta (*)
Tamal Krsna Goswami:
GBC — Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines
co-GBC with Vasudeva for Polynesia
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami and Giriraj Swami for Bombay
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta (*)
Tosan Krsna das:
co-GBC with Bhakticaru Swami for New York and New Jersey
co-GBC with Jagadisha Goswami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, assisted by Bhurijan das for Vrindaban, West Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta (*)
Vasudeva das:
GBC — Fiji
co-GBC with Tamal Krsna Goswami for Polynesia
Virabahu das:
Assistant GBC to Jayapataka Swami for Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile
* co-GBC’s for Mayapur and Calcutta are Jayapataka Swami, Harikesa Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami,Sivarama Swami, Bhakticaru Swami and Toshan Krishna das
107.{90} That the paper, “Questions and Answers on Guru Asraya: A Supplement” is adopted by the GBC as an official supplement to its 1989 paper “Guru Asraya”.{90}
108.{90} That, since Resolution #90-57 calls for payments to begin from all ISKCON Temples toward the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s Puspa Samadhi Mandir in Mayapur, it has been deter mined that these payments shall be assessed on all ISKCON Temples proportionately to the number of full-time devotees in the temple. Assessments for third-world Temples have been calculated at 50%, and the Executive Committee has con sidered certain exceptional cases and made adjustments accordingly. Although the needed amount is yet to be deter mined, assuming that this resolution will require the sum of $250,000 to be raised over a two year period, the actual payments per temple shall be according to the official list prepared by Naresvara Prabhu, agreed to by the GBC Members present, and certified by the GBC Chairman. If a different sum is needed, then the monthly payments shall remain the same and the length of time during which they are required shall be proportionately adjusted.{90}
Special note is taken that past-due amounts remaining from previous resolutions on the matter of Samadhi payments refer to the Vrindaban Samadhi, and are to be strictly distin guished from the above-described payments. [Provisional Order #89-88 is continued, as amounts are still due.]
109.{90} That, further to Resolution #90-58 above, the GBC Communica tions Office shall be established in India. The Executive Committee shall consider the alternatives of Bombay or Mayapur and decide which is the more appropriate location. If both locations are acceptable, Bombay is preferred by the Body. Whichever locale is selected, the local management shall see that the following are provided:
Maintenance for Bhaktarupa das and family, including airfare to U.{90}S. every two years
Office facilities
Needed office equipment – including computer and printer
Relocation expenses
Clerical assistance as needed
The operational expenses for the GBC Communications Office shall come from the GBC Administrative Budget. Bhaktarupa das will then divide his time equally between serving the local project and working on GBC international matters. If Mayapur is selected for the location, the expenses above shall be from international funds, and Bhaktarupa das’ ser vice for the local project shall be concentrated in areas relating to internationally-financed development.
110.{90} That the GBC Administrative Budget for 1990-91 is approved as follows:
GBC Communications Office $ 5,000
Executive Committee Costs 1,500
Calendar Distribution 200
Legal Research 2,000
1989 Shortfall 1,800
———–
Total $ 10,500
111. That the revenue for the GBC Administrative Budget will be
raised by mandatory yearly assessments on GBC Members, based
upon the same schedule of proportionality as the samadhi
payments described in Resolution 90-108 above, except that there shall be a minimum $50 payment for each GBC Member.{90}
112.{90} That the following committee, called the GBC Health and Welfare Action Committee, is requested to study social and related issues in ISKCON and make recommendations to the GBC Body: Kavicandra Swami, Prahladananda Swami, Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami, Kirtiraj das, and Bhaktarupa das.{90}
113.{90}That Jayadwaita Swami and Sri Ram das are added as Official Reviewers, under the ISKCON Publications Review Board.{90}
114.{90}That Provisional Order #89-87 is replaced by the following: All ISKCON temples and projects listed on the “1990 Official List of ISKCON Temples” shall contribute yearly support to the ISKCON Board of Education at the following rates:
Developed Countries $ 50.00
Third World 20.00
Each GBC Secretary shall be responsible to collect the funds from all projects in his zone or zones and remit them to the Board of Education treasurer by July 1.{90}
115.{90}That the Ministry of Justice immediately consider the complaint of Kamsa Hanta Prabhu and report to the GBC Executive Committee.{90}
116.{90}That the Mayapur Development Committee shall make a presentation at each year’s festival to the general devotees regarding the Mayapur Development plans. This shall be coordinated by Tosan Krishna das.{90}
118.{90}That, as the Annual ISKCON Managers’ Meeting is a valuable means to increase the spirit of unity in ISKCON, and in view of the poor attendance at this meeting recently, each GBC Zonal Secretary should instruct the eligible managers within his zone that to attend the Annual Meeting is a mandatory duty.{90}
119.{90}That the following is adopted as the official ISKCON Board of Education policy on child abuse incidents:
a) The local governing authority of each ISKCON school or community is responsible to appoint two or three devotees to investigate and follow-up on all suspected or confirmed cases of child abuse.{90}
b) Suspected or confirmed cases of child abuse must be reported to local government authorities for investigation and/or prosecution. In India, the ISKCON Board of Education may authorize a waiver of this requirement if the perpetrator is willing to sign a statement authorizing the Board of Education to publicize the incident to all ISKCON-related educational projects and other concerned parties.
c) All suspected or confirmed incidents of child abuse must be reported immediately to the local GBC secretary, and within thirty days, to the ISKCON Board of Education. The ISKCON Board of Education shall review the investigation and give a finding as to the status of the alleged perpetrator as confirmed, suspect, or innocent/not- suspected.
d) The perpetrator or alleged perpetrator must be immediately segregated so that he has no possible contact with the victim or other children. This segregation may take the form of relocating the perpetrator to another part of the project, away from children; banishment from the project (and possibly from other ISKCON projects with children); or in severe cases, banishment from all ISKCON projects. The degree of segregation will be determined by the nature and severity of the offense; the attitude of the perpetrator; the feasibility of protecting the children from further abuse or intimidation; and the sentiments of the local devotees, especially the parents. In no case should a confirmed or suspected perpetrator remain in the local community unless the local ISKCON authorities obtain the written authorization of no less than 3/4 of the parents of children at the project or in the community. The local government authorities and/or the ISKCON Board of Education will make the final determination of the appropriate degree of segregation.
e) Any confirmed child abuser may never again serve in asso ciation with children in any ISKCON project. The Board will also make available to all ISKCON educational proìjects and temples the names of all accused, admitted, confirmed or convicted child abusers.
f) Abused children must get appropriate professional counselling so that the serious ill-effects of the abuse can be minimized.
g) All ISKCON educational projects must have preventative programs which train children how to avoid and report child abuse incidents.
h) The local GBC man (or men) are directly responsible to implement the measures outlined above. Should the GBC Body find a GBC man or other ISKCON manager responsible for suppressing or covering-up complaints of child abuse, or supporting intimidation of those who might complain, the GBC man shall be open to censure or probation, and the ISKCON manager shall be open to appropriate disciplinary action.
120.{90}That if a Temple President or local Temple Council thinks that an assigned GBC Zonal Secretary is not fulfilling the responsibilities of that position, he should communicate with the GBC Executive Committee.{90}
121.{90}That a subcommittee of seven members of the ISKCON Managers’ Meeting is invited to assist with the 1991 Annual GBC Meeting as a working committee that will be assigned specific duties at that time. They are: Madhusevita das, Bhaktiraghava Swami, Jiva Pavana das, Dina Bandhu das, Krishna Caitanya das, Kesava Bharati das, and Bhaktimarg Swami.{90}
122.{90}That Resolution 90-70 is amended to require that the final consideration of any plan devised for the incorporation of the GBC shall not take place before the 1991 Annual Meeting, at which time the ISKCON Managers present will have the opportunity to participate in the discussions. The report which is to be distributed should include conclusive evidence that Srila Prabhupada’s instructions would not be contradicted by the contemplated action.{90}
123.{90}That Ajamila das is requested to assist the Philosophical Research Group as an auxiliary researcher.{90}
124.{90}That the ISKCON Journal shall inform their readers of the theme of each upcoming issue and invite the devotees to contribute articles.{90}
125.{90}That Sri Sri Gour-Nitai currently located at the country ashram in Muldersdrift, South Africa, near Johannesburg, may be relocated to central Johannesburg.{90}
126.{90}That the proposal by Ramanand Sagar for a serialized video production of the pastimes of Krishna based primarily upon BBT publications be referred to the BBT Trustees, with the recommendation that it only be permitted if ISKCON devotees will have the right to veto any portion of the script which ìthey may find objectionable, before shooting.{90}
127.{90}That in pursuance of Resolution #90-94 above, the following is the GBC Body’s official statement on Kirtanananda Swami:
The understanding of the GBC Body at the time that Kirtanananda Swami was expelled from ISKCON was that his removal as a guru was implicit in his expulsion from ISKCON.{90} In answer to inquiries, we now make that explicit:
1) In Resolution 87-8, the GBC expelled Kirtanananda Swami for minimizing the pre-eminent position of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the Founder- Acarya of ISKCON, for rejecting the Governing Body Commission as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, for creating a movement separate from ISKCON, for systematically misrepresenting ISKCON, etc. The GBC thus resolved: “… The ISKCON GBC hereby expels Kirtanananda Swami from ISKCON and thereby removes all his rights and responsibilities related to ISKCON..” Therefore, Kirtanananda Swami was also removed as an initiating guru of ISKCON by this resolution. The GBC’s offer to Kirtanananda Swami to return to ISKCON did not compromise his removal, but was an attempt to have him return to ISKCON should he have been agreeable to surrender to Srila Prabhupada’s orders.{90}
2) After 1987, Kirtanananda Swami not only did not accept the GBC offer to return to ISKCON, but rather has gone further away from the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. His deviations from the authorized brahma-madhva-gaudiya sampradaya have multiplied.{90}
3) Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to remain in ISKCON and serve cooperatively under the Governing Body Commission. Kirtanananda Swami clearly rejects this instruction, therefore his sanction to be a guru is no longer valid.{90}
Kirtanananda Swami’s disciples, his followers, and devotees in general are hereby advised that Kirtanananda Swami is not recognized as a guru, as explained above. They should refer to the relevant GBC resolutions, to the 1989 paper “Guru Asraya”, and to its 1990 additional explanations for spiritual guidance and for understanding the appropriate actions they should take for their spiritual progress.{90}
128.{90} That the following is adopted as additional explanatory material to the above Resolution 90-73 concerning the Vedic Village Review:
It is the sacred duty of the GBC to guard the society from philosophical deviation. In the last year, ISKCON has seen a very severe attack against its leaders and the Krsna conscious philosophy, an attack that has mostly affected ìyounger devotees and also created further confusion for those devotees whose spiritual masters have fallen down. The attack has come from the editors of the Vedic Village Review, the newsletter of the New Jaipur community.{90}
In trying to relieve the disturbing situation, the North American GBC, during its January meeting, organized a debate with the editors of Vedic Village Review to discuss the issue face-to-face and confront their destructive allegations. As a result of the debate, a resolution was passed to conduct an investigation and have further discussions during the upcoming Mayapur meetings.{90}
Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the GBC had been preparing the ISKCON Journal, to present a response to the accusations. The Journal contained the relevant minutes from the original GBC minutes book concerning the issue, interviews with several of the prominent devotees that were assisting Srila Prabhupada during his last year among us, including Tamal Krsna Goswami, Bhakti Caru Swami, Jayapataka Swami, and Narayana Maharaja (a long-standing associate of Srila Prabhupada and friend of ISKCON). Also included were a research document by Ajamila das, and other articles by senior Prabhupada disciples.{90}
During the Mayapur meetings the GBC accepted the general conclusion of the Journal, considering that it was adequate to satisfy the concerns of the North American GBC, as expressed in their resolution. The GBC also strongly rejected the theories fostered by the editors of the Vedic Village Review regarding initiations after the departure of Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada clearly instructed us that such disagreements should be settled in the sacred setting of Sri Mayapur Dhama during the annual GBC meeting which he instituted. The North American GBC officers therefore invited the editors of the Vedic Village Review to Mayapur to further clarify the matter, but they did not come.{90}
The GBC analyzed the issue and passed the necessary resolutions.{90} It is our sincere hope that they do not leave ISKCON. We are prescribing a method of rectification for their own good and for the good of Srila Prabhupada’s society and the responsibility is on them to accept it or reject it. Srila Prabhupada was very firm and severe in dealing with this type of situation, expelling his own disciples from the society when they became contaminated by deviant philosophies and were unrepentant. In representing Srila Prabhupada, the GBC will act in a similar fashion if it is so obligated.{90}
129.{90} That the sannyas waiting list for 1990-91 is as follows:
Ayodhyapati das – one year
Prabhupada das – two years
Siddhartha das – four years
Mahavisnu das (England) – one year
Raghubhir das – two years
130.{90} That the Philosophical Research Group shall research the topic of siksha guru and present their research for discussion at the 1991 Annual Meeting.{90}
131.{90} That all leaders in ISKCON should clearly present the letter and spirit of the Society’s rules and policies to those under their authority, and must clearly qualify any differing viewpoint as their own personal opinion.{90}
132. That all Continental Committees should establish a Srila Prabhupada Centennial Committee to plan the celebrations in their local areas for the glorification of Srila Prabhupada’s 100th Anniversary. Padayatra shall concentrate its efforts on the glorification of Srila Prabhupada in coordination with these Committees. Resolution 90-85 above, which established an international committee, is hereby repealed and replaced by this Resolution.{90}