ISKCON GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION SOCIETY
Registration Number S/74662 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961
P.O. Shree Mayapur Dham, Dist. Nadia, West Bengal 741313
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SRI MAYAPUR DHAM, FEBRUARY 10 – 21, 2012
Section 100: APPOINTMENTS
101. GBC Officers and Members
1. His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami is elected GBC Chairman.
2. His Grace Tamohara Das is elected First Vice-Chairman.
3. His Grace Anuttama Das is elected Second Vice-Chairman.
4. His Holiness Bhakti Purusottama Swami is elected GBC Secretary.
5. His Grace Candrasekhara Acarya Das continues as Acting GBC member.
6. His Grace Chaitanya Chandra Charan Das is appointed as Acting GBC member.
7. The resignation of His Grace Prabhavisnu Das as GBC member is accepted.
102. Sannyasa Waiting List
The following are the candidates for sannyasa for 2012 along with their respective waiting periods:
Ambarish Das 4 years
Badrinarayan Das 2 years
Carudesna Das BTS 3 years
Dayavan Das 4 years
Dhirasanta Das 3 years
Gadadhara Priya Das 1 year
Ganga Narayan Das 3 years
Gaura Krishna Das 3 years
Halayudha Das 4 years
Janardana Das 1 year
Krishna Balarama Das 4 years
Lilasuka Das 3 years
Mahadyuti Das 3 years
Mahat Tattva Das 4 years
Markandeya Rsi Das 1 year
Murali Krishna Das 1 year
Nabadvip Dvija Gouranga Das 3 years
Nitai Prasad Das this year
Prabhupada Das 1 year
Raghava Pandit Das 3 years
Uttamasloka Das 3 years
Vedavyasa Das 2 years
Vaisnava Das 1 year
Vivasvan Das 2 years
103. Reaffirmation of Ministries and Standing Committees
The following are the Ministry and Standing Committees and their membership assignments for 2012-2013:
Ministry of Communications Minister – Anuttama Das
Ministry of Health and Welfare Minister – Prahladananda Swami
Congregational Development Ministry Co-Ministers – Jayapataka Swami, Kaunteya Das
Vaisnavi Ministry Co-Ministers – Malati Dasi and Dina Sharana Dasi. Other members: Prasanta Dasi, Laxmimoni Dasi
ISKCON Youth Ministry Minister – Manorama Das
Ministry of Sannyasa Services Minister – Prahladananda Swami
Sannyasa Standing Committee: Hrdaya Caitanya Das, Sivarama Swami, Guru Prasad Swami, A.C. Bhaktivaibhava Swami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Prahladananda Swami
ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry Minister – Nrsimha Kavaca Das
Ministry of Book Distribution Minister – Vijaya Das
Ministry of Cow Protection & Agriculture Minister – Balabhadra Das
Ministry of Padayatra Minister – Lokanath Swami
Ministry of Educational Development Minister – Sesa Das. Other members: Saunaka Rsi Das, Yadunandana Swami, Radhika Raman Das
Ministry of Justice Minister – Sesa Das. ISKCON Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC): Minister of Justice, a representative of ISKCONResolve, the second Vice-Chairman of the GBC, and the Director of the ISKCON Dispute Resolution Office
Ministry of Fund Development Minister – Devakinandan Das
Sastric Advisory Council Chairman – Yadunandana Swami. Members: Urmila Dasi, Drutakarma Das, Mukunda Datta Das, Madana-mohana Das, Narayani Dasi, Adi-purusa Das, Isvara-krsna Das, Caitanya-carana Das, Sarvajna Das, Brijabasi Das, Vinoda-bihari Das
ISKCON Property Office Members – Current GBC Executive Committee, Bhaktarupa Das (Member-Secretary)
ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection Director – Champakalata Dasi
GBC Vaisnava Calendar Committee Members – Bhanu Swami, Gopalapriya Das, Sadasivananda Das, Bhaktarupa Das (Convener)
BBT Construction Grant Allocation Committee (BBTCG) Members – Ramai Swami, Bhanu Swami, Devamrita Swami, Current GBC Chairman, Hrdaya Caitanya Das (Convener)
Guru Services Committee Members – Prahladananda Swami (Chairman), Anuttama Das, Visakha Dasi, Virabahu Das, Ravindra Svarupa Das, Bhakti Caitanya Swami
GBC Appointment Committee Members – Prahladananda Swami (Chairman), Praghosa Das, Madhu Sevita Das, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Anuttama Das, Laxmimoni Dasi
BI Standing Committee Members – Devamrita Swami, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, Sesa Das, Hanuman Das
GBC-BBT Team Members – Badrinarayan Das (Coordinator), Gopal Krsna Goswami, Sivarama Swami, Madhu Sevita Das, Hrdaya Caitanya Das, Praghosa Das
104. Appointments for Deputies for Three Years
Whereas at the 2011 AGM the term of the current slate of GBC Deputies was decided to be only one year, which thus expires at the conclusion of the 2012 AGM;
Whereas the procedural reasons why the term was limited to only one year, as opposed to the normal course of affairs which would have been three years, have now been satisfied, and thus it is appropriate to appoint a slate of Deputies for the next three years:
RESOLVED:
The following devotees are appointed as GBC Deputies to serve through the AGM of 2015:
Acintya Rupa Dasi
Acyuta Priya Das
Akrura Das
Aniruddha Das
Bhaktarupa Das
Bhakti Vinoda Swami
Devaki Nandana Das (Botswana)
Ekalavya Das
Hanuman Das
Hari Das
Jagajivana Das
Kalasamvara Das
Krsnadasa Kaviraja Das
Laxmimoni Dasi
Madana-mohana Das
Paratma Nistha Tridandi Goswami Das
Prasanta Dasi
Rasaraja Das
Srivasa Pandit Das
Tirtharaja Das
Vedavyasa Priya Swami
Section 200: FINANCE
201. GBC Budget
The GBC budget for 2012-13 is (in INR):
GBC Annual General Meeting – 3,36,000
Executive Committee Travel – 1,92,000
Emergency Fund – 1,92,000
GBC EC Secretariat – 2,88,000
ISKCON Resolve – 3,84,000
ISKCON Database – 1,32,000
Ministry of Cow Protection & Agriculture – 2,40,000
ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry – 3,84,000
Ministry of Educational Development – 2,40,000
Ministry of Book Distribution – 96,000
Ministry of Sannyasa Services – 14,400
Vaisnavi Ministry – 24,000
GBC Corresponding Secretary – 2,88,000
GBC Strategic Planning Team – 4,80,000
Vaisnava Calendar Website – 19,200
Health & Welfare Magazine – 48,000
Mayapur GBC Office -1,68,000
Hermeneutics and Epistemology Committee – 24,000
ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection – 4,80,000
Dandavats -2,40,000
ISKCON News -1,44,000
Legal Fees (part repayment) – 96,000
Finance and Bank Charges – 14,400
Total: INR 45,24,000
202. Appointment of Auditor
Sri A. K. Shah, F.C.A., Chartered Accountant, of 125 Netaji Subhash Road, Room No. 45, Kolkata 700 001, is appointed as statutory auditor for the year 2012-2013.
Section 300: INTERNAL ISKCON
301. Midterm Meeting 2012
The Midterm meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society shall take place from October 21-26, 2012, at ISKCON Tirupati, AP, India.
302. Annual General Meeting 2013
The Annual General Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society shall take place from February 26-March 10, 2013, at ISKCON Mayapur, WB, India.
303. Areas of the World
RESOLVED:
1. To provide a framework to identify zones, fourteen broad territories of the world are hereby identified as Areas.
2. The GBC Zonal Secretaries currently active in those Areas shall submit suggestions for zonal configuration – to the GBC Organizational Development Committee – by the end of June 2012.
3. The suggested zones shall have to be ratified, by vote, by the GBC.
This resolution doesn’t affect or modify existing continental, regional or national bodies. The fourteen Areas are:
1. Indian Subcontinent (including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh)
2. Russian Sphere (Russia, CIS countries and Mongolia)
3. Europe
4. Arab League (in North Africa and the Middle East)
5. Sub-Saharan Africa
6. North America (US and Canada)
7. Mexico and Central America
8. Caribbean
9. South America (Spanish-speaking countries)
10. Brazil
11. Japan and Koreas
12. China
13. Southeast Asia
14. Australia and Oceania
Area Details:
Indian Subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal & Sri Lanka
Russian Sphere: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Mongolia
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom & Vatican City
Arab League: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Kuwait, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Lebanon, Bahrain, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Maldives, Iran & Afghanistan
Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep., Chad, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe
North America: USA & Canada
Mexico & Central America: Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua & Panama
Carribean: Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Rep., Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Grenada & Haiti
Spanish South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay & Venezuela
Brazil: Brazil
Japan & the Koreas: Japan, South Korea & North Korea
China: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau
Southeast Asia: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam
Australia & Oceania: Australia, New Zealand , Papua New Guinea , Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu & Vanuatu
304. Zonal Configuration of North America
RESOLVED:
North America (USA & Canada) shall include eight zones:
1. Canada (whole)
2. North East – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, eastern and central Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC and three counties in Virginia (Lowden, Prince Williams and Fairfax)
3. South East – Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia (except counties surrounding Washington DC), Mississippi (except New Talavan and surrounding area), Alabama, Georgia and Florida
4. Great Lakes – West Virginia, western Pennsylvania (including Pittsburgh), Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan
5. Midwest – North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana
6. South West – New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Talavan (with surrounding area)
7. Pacific – California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Hawaii
8. Northwest – Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska
Note: the implementation of the above zones shall take place gradually.
305. Disciple Course
[Guideline]
Whereas there is a continued need to educate new devotees in ISKCON about the pre-eminent position of Srila Prabhupada as (a) Our Founder-Acarya and (b) The primary siksa-guru for all ISKCON members;
Whereas it will benefit both individual devotees and the ISKCON society at large to improve the standards of discipleship within our movement;
And whereas there is a lack of formal training regarding what it means to be a disciple within ISKCON and how to properly execute the duties of a disciple towards one’s diksa- and siksa-gurus as well as the mission of Srila Prabhupada:
RESOLVED:
1. That the Governing Body Commission recommends that all prospective disciples and aspiring initiates attend the ISKCON Disciple Course prior to their initiation, preferably before choosing an initiating spiritual master. Other members of ISKCON are also encouraged to take the course.
2. That ISKCON leaders are requested to facilitate the course in their respective areas by (a) encouraging senior devotees to become authorized to teach the course, and (b) by sponsoring the course in their respective areas as it becomes available in the appropriate languages.
306. Regulation of Deity Installations
Whereas at the 2002 AGM, the GBC passed the following resolution:
609. Regulation of Deity Installations in ISKCON
Whereas, there are currently deities that are being neglected or not worshiped properly;
Whereas, according to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions a minimum standard of worship for deities in ISKCON should be maintained;
Whereas, deities are being installed without sufficient consideration of their on-going worship;
Whereas, there are several upcoming installations that are of a questionable nature;
[ISKCON LAW] Resolved, That ISKCON centers shall consult with and take guidance from the Deity Worship Ministry before installing or beginning worship of any deities.
Whereas this measure has not proven to be effective;
Whereas according to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, a minimum standard of worship for Deities in ISKCON must be maintained;
Whereas in almost 150 letters, Srila Prabhupada gave instructions about installing Deities, and in 43 of these letters, he either instructed the devotees not to install Deities or cautioned them;
Whereas it is unacceptable that ISKCON centers install Deities without sufficient preparedness or understanding of the worship process and the reasons for installing Deities which increases the burden on ISKCON and its members, as well as risking offenses at the lotus feet of the Deities;
Whereas there are many long-established centers with Deities that are being neglected or improperly worshiped, yet new Deity installations are occurring in proximity to these existing centers;
And whereas the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry has the capacity to assess the ability of an ISKCON center to worship Deities:
RESOLVED:
That the above ISKCON law is amended to read as follows:
Any ISKCON center wishing to install any Deities for public temple worship or commence the worship of any Deity in an ISKCON center must first receive a “Certificate of Readiness for Worship” for the said Deities.
Centers may not make any commitments or agreements regarding procuring and/or worshiping Deities until the “Certificate of Readiness for Worship” is granted. This “Certificate of Readiness for Worship” applies only to the Deities for which it is granted and is not a generic permanent approval.
The readiness for worship will be assessed by a panel consisting of one local representative (either from the temple concerned, the local GBC or a representative from the National Council or RGB, etc.), a GBC appointed by the EC, and an ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry representative.
This law shall fully go into effect no later than Gaura Purnima 2012.
Any center that has already finalized plans for installation and publicly advertised the installation must consult the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry, which will assist them in preparing for the worship of the Deities.
307. Guru Paper
Whereas the GBC has received inquiries concerning the validity of the current ISKCON process of approving diksa-gurus:
RESOLVED:
The GBC hereby commissions the production of a paper presenting the reasons and supporting evidence for the validity of the current process. The Guru Services Committee shall take responsibility for this paper to be finalized latest by December 31, 2012.
308. Vrindavan Samadhi Standing Committee
Whereas the place where Srila Prabhupada’s divine body is buried is a most sacred and holy place;
Whereas Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi in Vrindavan was originally conceived as a unit consisting of two separate buildings—the Samadhi temple dedicated to his Vapu form, and the Museum dedicated to his Vani;
Whereas at present the first floor of the Museum is dedicated to commercial activities, not the original purpose of glorifying Srila Prabhupada’s contribution to the world, thus creating a situation in which the sanctity of the place is greatly disturbed;
Whereas the international BBT, along with other senior members of ISKCON, has expressed its dissatisfaction at the present situation and its interest in helping make a long-term arrangement for suitably using the Samadhi Museum and ensuring its sanctity;
Whereas the commercial activities in the first floor of the Samadhi Museum represent an important part of the income for the maintenance of the Vrindavan temple;
And whereas the Vrindavan temple administration is willing to work together with the BBT to come up with a plan to overcome the present challenges and to reestablish the sanctity of the complete Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada:
RESOLVED:
The GBC hereby creates the “Srila Prabhupada Samadhi Standing Committee” with the following mandates:
1. To design an overall master plan to protect and uplift the sanctity of Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi and Museum in Vrindavan. This will entail looking at the overall situation, including legal, traffic flow, Gurukula protection, etc., as well as the long-term maintenance of the Samadhi.
2. As a short-term goal, to come up with an immediate plan for the downstairs area of the Museum and to upgrade the area as a whole, including the presentation of the people working there.
3. As a long-term goal, to re-establish and maintain the sacred space contained with the Samadhi and Museum as per the original intention of the design (Srila Prabhupada’s Vapu on one side and Vani on the other).
4. To send quarterly reports on the development of their service to the Vrindavan Executive Board, International BBT Board, and the GBC EC.
The members of the Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi Standing Committee for this first year are Gopal Krsna Goswami, Malati Devi Dasi, Satyanarayana Das, Naresvara Das, and Pancagauda Das (convener).
309. Founder-Acarya on ISKCON Guru Websites
[Guideline]
Whereas the proliferation of official and unofficial websites of ISKCON gurus currently do not, in large part, prominently feature the personality and teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on the introduction page as well as on many other pages;
And whereas it is necessary to establish guidelines for such websites so that as far as possible visitors are made aware that whatever inspiration the devotees are receiving from the guru is due to the great mercy of Srila Prabhupada:
RESOLVED:
ISKCON gurus shall be responsible for ensuring that their own official websites adhere to the following guidelines:
1. They prominently feature a picture of Srila Prabhupada on the introductory page
2. They credit him as the “Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness”
3. They contain a brief summary of his accomplishments and provide authorized website links to his teachings
The Guru Services Committee will compile a suggested comprehensive template for use in guru websites.
310. Size of the Governing Body Commission
[Rule of Order]
Whereas establishing a minimum and a maximum number of voting GBC members offers advantages in the realm of planning, succession, meeting management, internal dynamics, and interaction with the rest of the Society;
Whereas experience and other considerations – such as communication requirements, manageability and need for diversity and representation – indicate that it would be advisable to maintain the membership at a level comparable to, or slightly larger than, the present configuration:
RESOLVED:
The target for the size of the GBC Body shall be a minimum of thirty-three and a maximum of forty voting members. The GBC Body intends to achieve the minimum level by the end of the 2013 AGM. Increasing beyond forty members should only be done if two-thirds of the voting members consider that it is essential to do so.
311. Prabhavisnu Das’s Resignation
Part One: Resignation
Whereas in a letter to the GBC Body dated January 7 2012, Prabhavisnu Das stated as follows: “I have resigned from all positions of leadership within ISKCON, including GBC member, sannyasa and initiating guru;”
And whereas the GBC Body wishes to record these resignations while looking forward to the future active participation of Prabhavisnu Das in ISKCON as he is able:
RESOLVED:
The GBC accepts Prabhavisnu Das’s resignation as stated above.
Those devotees initiated by Prabhavisnu Das continue to be connected to Srila Prabhupada and our entire Vaisnava parampara.
Part Two: Guidance
Whereas Prabhavisnu Das has expressed loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON and the GBC;
Whereas Prabhavisnu Das has expressed his determination to continue spiritual practices;
Whereas the ISKCON society offers its appreciation for his many years of pioneering and dedicated devotional service to the mission of spreading Krsna consciousness in many places around the world:
RESOLVED:
That the GBC Body offers the following as a statement of guidance:
All devotees who have taken initiation from Prabhavisnu Das are encouraged to remain in ISKCON association and continue with their services in Krsna consciousness and to pray for Prabhavisnu Das’s continued engagement in devotional service.
Prabhavisnu Das is still available to them, according to his statement: “If any of you would like to keep in touch and write me by e-mail from to time to time I will be happy to answer and give you any encouragement that I can. Not so much in the official role of a guru giving siksa to disciples but rather as a friend and well-wisher.”
Thus, they are encouraged to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and siksa gurus or other senior devotees as per their faith. One’s faith is nourished by hearing the revealed scriptures from Vaisnavas.
Part Three: Reaching Out
Whereas it is incumbent upon the management of the ISKCON society to arrange for personal guidance and direction to disciples and others affected by the recent resignation of Prabhavisnu Das:
RESOLVED:
That all Zonal Secretaries, either personally or via suitable deputed representatives, including senior disciples of Prabhavisnu Das, should make it their urgent priority to ensure that all disciples and others affected by the recent resignation of Prabhavisnu Das, collectively and individually, including in remote areas, are offered suitable care and guidance on an on-going basis. All Zonal Secretaries must send monthly reports of their progress to the EC until the situation in their zones has normalised. The GBC Corresponding Secretary shall ensure that these reports are received on a prompt and on-going basis.
If anyone requires further clarification and/or support, or if they know of disciples in remote areas who may require support, they may write to GBCEC.secretary@gmail.com
312. Murali Krsna Das
Whereas Murali Krsna Das has fulfilled the conditions of the probation he was placed on in 2010:
RESOLVED:
Murali Krsna Das is placed on the one year waiting-list for sannyasa, under the supervision of the Sannyasa Ministry.
He may only visit areas where he has been invited by the local GBC and Temple Presidents and other leaders. He may not visit areas he has not been invited to by these devotees. These invitations will be on a visit-by-visit basis.
313. ISKCON Addresses
RESOLVED:
Every GBC Secretary shall ensure that all the Temples, Centers; etc., in their zone are listed on directory.krishna.com.