24 April, 1972, Tokyo: My Dear Hamsaduta, please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 18, 1972 and I have noted the contents. This program to make each and every center spiritually strong should be the duty of the GBC. So far financing, let them do in their own way, and you can simply advise them. Don’t bother too much about financial matters, but your first concern should be book and magazine distribution.
We have to increase our preaching propensity. That is our main business. Your reports of book distribution are very, very encouraging. The more you distribute our books and magazines, that is solid work.
Here in Japan, we have got very good prospects for the future. Last night many Japanese boys and girls came and I saw good prospects for the future. Everywhere we have got good devotees. Krishna consciousness is dormant in everyone and we can awaken it in them. All your news is very good and I thank you very much.
This Krishna consciousness is so nice, the more one works and renders service, the more he becomes enthusiastic. This is the secret of spiritual life. The test of spiritual life is when one can work all day long and not be tired. In the material world, we do a little work and become exhausted. 24 hours we should be engaged in some service to our capacity. That is real spiritual life.
Sivananda is a good soul, and you should try to encourage him. He is just like your younger brother. So far your apologies what is done is done, it doesn’t matter. Just go on doing your work. You have got immense field for working in Germany, so with the help of Sivananda and Mandali Bhadra, organize Germany very successfully, and Krishna will be pleased. I have received one copy of the German BTG from ISKCON Press, and it is done very nicely.
Sivananda can be given sannyasa, and when I go to Los Angeles, I shall let you know regarding this. I must know who the other boy is and then I can consider his case. Actually, all of you are more than sannyasis. Anyone who has dedicated his life to Krishna, he is sannyasi, yogi, and everything. That is the statement of Bhagavad-gita – one who does not work for his personal benefit is a sannyasi.
It doesn’t matter what is his dress. So all our devotees are more than sannyasis. We are members of Krishna’s family. Our aim is not to become a Mayavadi sannyasi, but to become family members of Krishna’s devotees. Krishna maintains 16,000 families, and if you get a chance to serve in one of the families, then your life is a success.
Real sannyasa means no more interest in material activities, but simply dedicated to Krishna’s service. That is real sannyasa. So you are greater than a sannyasi. You train all these boys to be practical sannyasis in the service of Krishna.
If it is possible to make the London Rathayatra more gorgeous by your all going, than do it. Cooperate with Dayananda. Last year in San Francisco, there were three chariots, and it was very successful, so you can do the same there.
I may come also, if Lord Jagannatha attracts me. Hoping this will meet you in good health and happy mood.
Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/nkd
Hare Krsna! GBC have been know to be “heavy weights” bossing others around BUT as we can see that they ALSO have to function WITHIN a specific tasked parameters of the DUTY. This means Srila Prabhupada did NOT want the HEAVY attitudes of CONTROLLER SHIP of the GBC.
I have just added some few very interesting extra quotes on the GBC Duty from the lenghty compilation I have:
71-08-12. Letter: Giriraja
GBC DOES NOT MEAN TO CONTROL A CENTER. GBC MEANS TO SEE THAT THE ACTIVITIES OF A CENTER GO ON NICELY. I do not know why Tamala is exercising his absolute authority. That is not the business of GBC. The president, treasurer and secretary are responsible for managing the center. GBC IS TO SEE THAT THINGS ARE GOING NICELY BUT NOT TO EXERT ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY. THAT IS NOT IN THE POWER OF GBC. Tamala should not do like that. The GBC men cannot impose anything on the men of a center without consulting all of the GBC members first. A GBC member cannot go beyond the jurisdiction of his power. We are in the experimental stage but in the next meeting of the GBC members they should form a constitution how the GBC members manage the whole affair. BUT IT IS A FACT THAT THE LOCAL PRESIDENT IS NOT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE GBC. Yes, for improvement of situations such as this I must be informed of everything.
76-01-11. Letter: Rupanuga
The bombastic distribution of Krsna Trilogies in New York is wonderful. I have read the report given in the Sankirtana Newsletter. But one thing is whether they have collected enough to cover all the costs. I have heard that despite all this distribution, now there is a big debt to the Book Fund. THE GBC HAS TO MANAGE SO EXPERTLY THAT THERE WILL NOT BE DEBTS. This debt to the Book Fund must be cleared immediately, if possible by the Mayapur meeting. Now we require so much money for the Temple projects in India, but if the Temples do not pay their book bills from where will I get the money?
74-12-16. Letter: Jayatirtha
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated Dec. 5, 1974. Regarding the GBC meeting to be held in Mayapur 1975, the meeting should be held five days before the actual festival is to begin and it will be held in my presence. As far as your proposals are concerned the real thing is that we must make broader constitution of the management by GBC. BUT THE DIFFICULTY IS THAT OUR GBC MEN ARE FALLING VICTIM TO MAYA. TODAY I TRUST THIS GBC AND TOMORROW HE WILL FALL DOWN. THAT IS THE DIFFICULTY. IF THE GBC MEN ARE SO FLICKERING THEN WHAT TO SPEAK OF THE OTHERS. Unless this problem is solved whatever we may resolve it will not be very useful. We shall discuss this at our meeting. If the GBC men can ever manage properly then I shall get some time for writing my books.
76-05-18. Letter: Gurukrpa
Please accept my blessings. I have spoken with Sukadeva das Adhikari, the Honolulu Temple President. It appears that because you had made some derogatory racial remarks against him in the presence of other devotees here in the temple, it has become difficult to manage and win the respect of this devotees. IF THE GBC UNDERMINES THE EFFORTS OF THE TEMPLE PRESIDENTS HOW WILL THINGS GO ON SMOOTHLY. This situation could have been avoided by sober dealings in a Krsna Conscious manner.I do not want that Sukadeva be removed from his position as I can see that he is sincerely following the principles at present. THE GBC CAN NOT WHIMSICALLY CHANGE THE TEMPLE PRESIDENT, THERE IS A RESOLUTION TO THIS EFFECT. WHY HAVE YOU THREATENED TO REMOVE HIM AND UNNECESSARILY CREATED THIS SITUATION? PLEASE BE VERY SOBER IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH THESE TEMPLE PRESIDENTS, THEY ARE UNDOUBTEDLY RENDERING A VALUABLE SERVICE AND ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
76-05-19.All Letter: All Governing Board Commissioners
So I request you to relieve me of management responsibilities more and more so that I can complete the Srimad-Bhagavatam translation. If I am always having to manage, then I cannot do my work on the books. It is document, I have to choose each word very soberly and if I have to think of management then I cannot do this. I cannot be like these rascals who present something mental concoction to cheat the public. So this task will not be finished without the cooperation of my appointed assistants, the GBC, temple presidents, and sannyasis. I HAVE CHOSEN MY BEST MEN TO BE GBC AND I DO NOT WANT THAT THE GBC SHOULD BE DISRESPECTFUL TO THE TEMPLE PRESIDENTS. You can naturally consult me, but if the basic principle is weak, how will things go on? So please assist me in the management so that I can be free to finish the Srimad-Bhagavatam which will be our lasting contribution to the world.
750327rc.may Conversations
Prabhupada: Just like… BUT THE THING IS, IF THE GBC AND THE PRESIDENT IS THE SAME MAN, THAT IS NOT GOOD. THAT IS NOT GOOD. THE PRESIDENT SHOULD BE SEPARATE. SO THE PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND SECRETARY, THEY WILL DEAL DIRECTLY, AND GBC SHOULD INSPECT BOOK, ACCOUNT, THAT IT IS DONE VERY NICELY. THAT’S ALL. YOU CAN QUESTION, “WHY YOU HAVE DONE THIS?” THAT’S NICE. OTHERWISE, IN THE…, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
72-06-12.Mad Letter: Madhudvisa
Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter from Sydney dated May 30, 1972, wherein you have expressed some hesitation to become the GBC Secretary for the Pacific zone. Actually you may be misunderstanding the present position or policy of this GBC. I HAVE INSTRUCTED ALL OF THE GBC MEN TO GIVE UP THEIR STAYING IN ONE PLACE AND TO REMAIN ALWAYS CONSTANTLY TRAVELING THROUGHOUT THEIR ZONES FROM TEMPLE TO TEMPLE. Recently, I have given Sannyasa order of life to Rupanuga, Satsvarupa, and Bali Mardan, and I have made Brahmananda the GBC man for Africa, and I wanted that you should be GBC man for South Pacific zone. SO BEING SANNYASI IS NO HINDRANCE FOR BEING ALSO GBC. IN FACT, THE DUTIES OF THE GBC MEN ARE NOW TO BE JUST LIKE THE DUTIES OF THE SANNYASIS. I WANT THAT THE GBC MEN SHOULD LEAVE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL CENTERS TO THE LOCAL PRESIDENTS AND CONCENTRATE THEMSELVES UPON PREACHING WORK. THEY SHOULD BE CONSTANTLY TRAVELING FROM ONE CENTER TO ANOTHER CENTER TO SEE HOW THE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING AND TO GIVE WHATEVER ADVICE IS NECESSARY FOR IMPROVING THE TEMPLE STANDARDS. IN ADDITION, THE GBC MEN WILL OPEN NEW CENTERS, DISTRIBUTE LITERATURE, AND THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE TRAVELING WITH A SANKIRTANA PARTY TO ACCOMPANY THEM. So practically there is no difference between the Sannyasi duty and the GBC duty, and because you are my veteran disciple and you have had very good experience, I think there will be no trouble for you to accept the GBC position, I do not think it will in any way inconvenience you program of traveling. But for the time being, if you prefer, Mohanananda can work conjointly with you for managing. We shall decide finally after some months.
70-08-25. Letter: Bali-mardana
Yes, this attitude of surrendering to the Spiritual Master is the best qualification of spreading this movement of Lord Caitanya. That is the Vedic way. One should have unflinching faith in Krsna and similarly in the Spiritual Master. That is the way of understanding the secret of Krsna Consciousness. Unfortunately, attempt has been made lately in our Society to shake this formula. This mischievous attempt has done a great harm, but if you the members of the Governing Body Commission can rectify this mischievous attempt, then still there is hope of making our progress uninterruptedly. I hope Krsna will help us.
There are two verses in the Canakya Sloka how a family or an institution can be glorified or burned into ashes by one person. The Canakya Pandit says that if there is one tree in the forest producing nice aromatic flower, that one tree can glorify the whole forest by the flavor of its flower. Similarly if there is one tree in whose cavity there is a little fire, that one tree can burn into ashes the whole forest. So this simile is applicable anywhere. In a family if there is one good boy, he can glorify the whole family and similarly if there is bad boy he can turn the whole family into ashes. Similarly in this institution if there is a bad disciple he can burn the whole institution into ashes. THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION’S DUTY IS THEREFORE TO SEE THAT EVERY MEMBER IS FOLLOWING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND CHANTING SIXTEEN ROUND REGULARLY ON THE BEADS. I HOPE THE GBC IN COOPERATION WITH THE SANNYASIS IN THEIR TOURING PROGRAM WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP VIGILANCE SYSTEMATICALLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SOCIETY AS PURE AS POSSIBLE.
74-11-07. Letter: Rupanuga:
ACBS.bs
N.B. Regarding replacing Abhirama and Damodara I REFER TO THE “DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT” AS FOLLOWS: “REMOVAL OF A TEMPLE PRESIDENT BY GBC REQUIRES SUPPORT BY THE LOCAL TEMPLE MEMBERS.” THEREFORE YOU SHOULD TAKE A VOTE OF THE TEMPLE MEMBERS AND DO THE NEEDFUL. A. C. B.S.
71-01-01. Letter: Karandhara
REGARDING YOUR PROPOSAL THAT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INITIATIONS SHOULD BE APPROVED BY THE GBC MEMBERS, THAT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. SUCH RECOMMENDATION IS FOR THE LOCAL PRESIDENT TO MAKE FROM FIRST HAND OBSERVATION.
71-07-09. Letter: Umapati
GBC MEMBERS ARE SIMPLY TO SEE THAT THINGS ARE GOING ON. OTHER CENTERS HAVE GOT PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, ETC. AND THEY ARE MANAGING SEPARATELY. THAT IS THE FORMULA. SO HOW IS IT THAT THE GBC ARE THE FINAL AUTHORITY? THEY ARE SIMPLY TO EXAMINE THAT THINGS ARE GOING ON NICELY, THAT IS ALL.
72-12-22. Letter: Karandhara
Regarding your points about taxation, corporate status, etc., I have heard from Jayatirtha you want to make big plan for centralization of management, taxes, monies, corporate status, bookkeeping, credit, like that. I do not at all approve of such plan. Do not centralize anything. Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning, why you are thinking otherwise? ONCE BEFORE YOU WANTED TO DO SOMETHING CENTRALIZING WITH YOUR GBC MEETING, AND IF I DID NOT INTERFERE THE WHOLE THING WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. DO NOT THINK IN THIS WAY OF BIG CORPORATION, BIG CREDITS, CENTRALIZATION–THESE ARE ALL NONSENSE PROPOSALS. Only thing I wanted was that books printing and distribution should be centralized, therefore I appointed you and Bali Mardan to do it. Otherwise, management, everything, should be done locally by local men. Accounts must be kept, things must be in order and lawfully done, but that should be each temple’s concern, not yours. Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action, not for making bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility, competitive spirit, not that one shall dominate and distribute benefits to the others and they do nothing but beg from you and you provide. No. Never mind there may be botheration to register each centre, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state. That will train men how to do these things, and they shall develop reliability and responsibility, that is the point. I am little observing now, especially in your country, that our men are losing their enthusiasm for spreading on our programmes of Krishna Consciousness movement. Otherwise, why so many letters of problems are coming, dissatisfied? That is not a very good sign. The whole problem is they are not following the regulative principles, that I can detect. Without this, enthusiasm will be lacking. Even mechanically following, and if he gets gradually understanding from the class, he will come to the point of spontaneous enthusiasm. This spontaneous loving devotional service is not so easy matter, but if one simply sticks strictly to the rules and regulations, like rising early, chanting 16 rounds, chanting gayatri, keeping always clean–then his enthusiasm will grow more and more, and if there is also patience and determination, one day he will come to the platform of spontaneous devotion, then his life will be perfect. All of this I have told you in Nectar of Devotion. So I do not think the leaders are themselves following, nor they are seeing the others are following strictly. That must be rectified at once. Each centre remain independent, that’s all right, but the president and other officers must themselves follow and see the others are following the regulative principles carefully, and giving them good instruction so they may understand nicely why this tapasya is necessary. AND GBC AND SANNYASIS WILL TRAVEL AND SEE THE OFFICERS ARE DOING THIS, AND IF THEY OBSERVE ANYTHING LOWERING OF THE STANDARD, THEY MUST REFORM AND ADVISE, OR IF THERE IS SOME DISCREPANCY I SHALL REMOVE IT. OF COURSE, IF NEW MEN ARE COMING, THEY MAY NOT BE EXPECTED IMMEDIATELY TO TAKE TO OUR REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES CENT PER CENT. THEREFORE WE SHOULD NOT BE SO ANXIOUS TO INDUCE THEM TO LIVE IN THE TEMPLE. ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THE TEMPLE MUST AGREE TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS WITHOUT FAIL. So if some new man moves in with us he may become discouraged if he is forced in this way. Therefore let them live outside and become gradually convinced in the class why they should accept some austerity, then they will live with us out of their own accord and follow nicely everything. It is very difficult to give up very quickly so many bad habits as you have got in your country, so educate them gradually, first with chanting, and do not be so much anxious to count up so many numbers of new devotees, if such devotees go away later being too early forced. I want to see a few sincere devotees, not many false devotees or pretenders.
So my point is that the regulative principles must be followed by everyone. Otherwise their enthusiasm dwindles and they again think of sex and become restless, and so many problems are there. There is some symptom of missing the point. The point is to be engaged in doing something for Krishna, never mind what is that job, but being so engaged in doing something very much satisfying to the devotee that he remains always enthusiastic. He will automatically follow the regulative principles because they are part of his occupational duty–by applying them practically as his occupational duty, he realises the happy result of regulative principles. So the future of this Krishna Consciousness movement is very bright, so long the managers remain vigilant that 16 rounds are being chanted by everyone without fail, that they are all rising before four morning, attending mangal arati–our leaders shall be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service, which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary. They should try always to generate some atmosphere of fresh challenge to the devotees, so that they will agree enthusiastically to rise and meet it. That is the art of management: to draw out spontaneous loving spirit of sacrificing some energy for Krishna. But where are so many expert managers? All of us should become expert managers and preachers. We should not be very much after comforts and become complacent or self-contented. There must be always some tapasya, strictly observing the regulative principles–Krishna Consciousness movement must be always a challenge, a great achievement to be gained by voluntary desire to do it, and that will keep it healthy. So you big managers now try to train up more and more some competent preachers and managers like yourselves. FORGET THIS CENTRALIZING AND BUREAUCRACY.
74-11-07. Letter: Rupanuga:
ACBS.bs
N.B. REGARDING REPLACING ABHIRAMA AND DAMODARA I REFER TO THE “DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT” AS FOLLOWS: “REMOVAL OF A TEMPLE PRESIDENT BY GBC REQUIRES SUPPORT BY THE LOCAL TEMPLE MEMBERS.” THEREFORE YOU SHOULD TAKE A VOTE OF THE TEMPLE MEMBERS AND DO THE NEEDFUL. A. C. B.S.
75-08-04. Letter: Madhudvisa:
Regarding Sydney, that the President has left, if one does not follow the regulative principles, then he will leave. That is a fact. Has somebody else been elected? THIS IS THE FUNCTION OF THE GBC, TO SEE THAT ONE MAY NOT BE TAKEN AWAY BY MAYA. THE GBC SHOULD ALL BE THE INSTRUCTOR GURUS. I AM IN THE INITIATOR GURU, AND YOU SHOULD BE THE INSTRUCTOR GURU BY TEACHING WHAT I AM TEACHING AND DOING WHAT I AM DOING. THIS IS NOT A TITLE, BUT YOU MUST ACTUALLY COME TO THIS PLATFORM. THIS I WANT.
“N98:DOM DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT (1970) other
8. REMOVAL OF A TEMPLE PRESIDENT BY THE GBC REQUIRES SUPPORT BY THE LOCAL TEMPLE MEMBERS.
Letter to: All ISKCON Temple Presidents
—
Sydney
8 April, 1972
MEMO TO ALL ISKCON TEMPLE PRESIDENTS:
My dear ___
Please accept my blessings. I beg to inform you that recently some of the Governing Body Commission members held a meeting at New York on 25th through 28th March, 1972, and they have sent me a big big minutes, duplicated, for my consideration and approval, but in the meantime they have decided some appointments without consulting me. One of the items which struck me very much is as follows:
“Atreya Rsi das was selected to be the Secretary for GBC and receive all correspondence including monthly reports.” I never appointed Atreya Rsi member of the GBC, and I do not know how he can be appointed Secretary to GBC without my sanction. “He was also appointed to be on the Management Committee. with Karandhara for the purpose of supervising ISKCON business and implementing the decisions reached by GBC.” This has very much disturbed me.
Sriman Atreya Rsi das may be very expert, but without my say he has been given so much power and this has upset my brain.
I also understand that immediate actions are going to take place even prior to my permission, and that, also, “without divulging to the devotees(!)”
I do not follow exactly what is the motive of the so-called GBC meeting, therefore I have sent the telegram which you will find attached herewith, and I have received the replies as well.
Under these circumstances, I AUTHORIZE YOU TO DISREGARD FOR THE TIME BEING ANY DECISION FROM THE GBC MEN UNTIL MY FURTHER INSTRUCTION.
You manage your affairs peacefully and independently, and try to improve the spiritual atmosphere of the centers more carefully.
I shall be very glad to know the names of your assistants such as Secretary, Treasurer and Accountant. Finally, I beg to repeat that ALL GBC ORDERS ARE SUSPENDED HEREWITH BY ME UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
You may reply me at ISKCON Tokyo. Hoping this meets you in very good health and advanced spiritual mood.
Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS.sda
72-04-10. Letter: Satsvarupa
But I have been very much disturbed recently by the meeting which you all have had in New York, wherein you have passed so many resolutions and elected Atreya Rsi to GBC Secretary, and made so many other changes. I am very much puzzled by the whole business. THEREFORE I HAVE NOT APPROVED OF IT, AND YOU MAY BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED MY LETTER WHY I HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED THE GBC. Let us not revive this old matter, but I want to know from you what is your opinion of the matter, and how is it that Hamsaduta and Atreya Rsi were able to persuade you all senior leaders of the Society to follow their foolish activities? Kindly inform.
From now on, the temples will operate independently and try to improve their spiritual life more carefully, so there is no more need for such financial arrangement of centralization, as you have proposed.
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INCORPORATED FOUNDER-ACHARYA:
HIS DIVINE GRACE A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA
DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT
I, the undersigned, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, disciple of Om Visnupad Paramhansa 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaj Prabhupada, came in the United States in 1965 on September 18th for the purpose of starting Krishna Consciousness Movement. For one year I had no shelter. I was travelling in many parts of this country. Then in 1966, July, I incorporated the Society under the name and style the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, briefly ISKCON. The lawyer was Mr. J. Goldsmith. Gradually the Society increased, and one after another branches were opened. Now we have got thirty-four (34) branches enlisted herewith:
Amsterdam, Holland
Atlanta, Georgia………1476 Oxford Rd. N.E. 30322
Baltimore, Maryland………1300 N. Calvert St.
Berkeley, California………2710 Durant Avenue 94704
Berlin, West Germany
Boston, Massachusetts…… 40 N. Beacon St. 02134
Boulder, Colorado………623 Concord St.
Buffalo, New York………40 Englewood Ave. 14214
Chicago, Illinois………2210 N. Halstead St.
Columbus,Ohio………318East20thAve.43201
Detroit, Michigan………74 West Forest St. 48201
Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
Hamburg, West Germany……2000 Hamburg 6, Bartelstrasse 65
Honolulu, Hawaii………2016 McKinley St. 96822
Laguna Beach, California……130 Woodland Drive 92651
London, England………7 Bury Place, Bloomsbury, W..C. 1
Los Angeles, California……3764 Watseka Ave. 90034
Montreal, Canada………3720 Park Ave.
New Vrndavana, W. Virginia…RD 3 Moundsville 26041
New York City, New York…… 61 Second Ave. 10003
Paris, France…………c/o Serge Elbeze, BO 113 Paris 14
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania……416 South 10th St. 19147
Provincetown, Massachusetts…104 Bradford St.
San Diego, California……3689 Park Blvd.
San Francisco, California……618 Frederick St. 94117
San Jose, California………70 Hawthorne Way
Santa Barbara, California ……6654 del Playa, Goleta 93017
Seattle, Washington………n5516 Roosevelt Way N.E. 98105
St. Louis, Missouri………4544 LaClede Ave. 63110
Sydney, Australia………298 Birrell St. Bondi, N.S.W. 2026
Tokyo, Japan…………6-16, 2 Chome Ohhashi, Meguro-Ku
Toronto, Canada………40 Beverly St., Ontario
Vancouver, Canada………260 Raymur St., No. 305, B.C.
Washington, D.C……….2015 Q Street N.W. 20009
As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established. I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at any time I may be out of the scene, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of Temple management, propaganda for Krishna Consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard. Therefore, I have decided to adopt the following principles and I hope my beloved disciples will kindly accept them. There was a meeting in San Francisco during the Ratha Yatra festival 1970 and many presidents of the centers were present. In that meeting it was resolved that an ad hoc committee be set up to form the constitution which is taken into consideration. My duty was to first appoint twelve (12) persons to my free choice amongst my disciples and I do it now and their names are as follows:
1. Sriman Rupanuga Das Adhikary
2. Sriman Bhagavandas Adhikary
3. Sriman Syamsundar Das Adhikary
4. Sriman Satsvarupa Das Adhikary
5. Sriman Karandhar Das Adhikary
6. Sriman Hansadutta Das Adhikary
7. Sriman Tamala Krsna Das Adhikary
8. Sriman Sudama Das Adhikary
9. Sriman Bali Mardan Das Brahmacary
10. Sriman Jagadisa Das Adhikary
11. Sriman Hayagriva Das Adhikary
12. Sriman Krsnadas Adhikary
These personalities are now considered as my direct representatives. While I am living they will act as my zonal secretaries and after my demise they will be known as Executors.
I have already awarded Sannyas or the renounced order of life to some of my students and they have also got very important duties to perform in this connection. The Sannyasis will travel to our different centers for preaching purpose as well as enlightening the members of the center for spiritual advancement. The Sannyasis will suggest for opening new centers in suitable places and the GBC will take action on it.
As was stipulated by the ad hoc committee, the function of the GBC will be as follows with particulars:
PARTICULARS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION
“The purpose of the Governing Body Commission is to act as the instrument for the execution of the Will of His Divine Grace. And further,
1. The GBC oversees all operations and management of ISKCON, as it receives direction from Srila Prabhupada and His Divine Grace has the final approval in all matters.
2. HIS DIVINE GRACE WILL SELECT THE INITIAL 12 MEMBERS OF THE GBC. IN THE SUCCEEDING YEARS THE GBC WILL BE ELECTED BY A VOTE OF ALL TEMPLE PRESIDENTS WHO WILL VOTE FOR 8 FROM A BALLOT OF ALL TEMPLE PRESIDENTS, WHICH MAY ALSO INCLUDE ANY SECRETARY WHO IS IN CHARGE OF A TEMPLE. THOSE 8 WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF VOTES WILL BE MEMBERS FOR THE NEXT TERM OF GBC. Srila Prabhupada will choose to retain four commissioners. In the event of Srila Prabhupada’s absence, the retiring members will decide which four will remain.
3. THE COMMISSIONERS WILL SERVE FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS, AND THEY MAY BE RE-ELECTED AT THE END OF THIS PERIOD.
4. The chairman is elected by the GBC for each meeting. He has no veto power, but in even of a vote tie, his vote will decide. The same will apply for votes cast by mail between regular meetings.
5. Throughout the year, each of the commissioners will stay with His Divine Grace for one month at a time and keep the other commissioners informed of His Divine Grace’s instructions.
6. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE GBC IS TO ORGANIZE THE OPENING OF NEW TEMPLES AND TO MAINTAIN THE ESTABLISHED TEMPLES.
7. Advice will be given by the GBC in cases of real property purchases, which will be in the name of ISKCON, INC. (Trucks or other vehicles will be purchased in the name of the local president).
8. REMOVAL OF A TEMPLE PRESIDENT BY THE GBC REQUIRES SUPPORT BY THE LOCAL TEMPLE MEMBERS.
9. THE GBC HAS NO JURISDICTION IN THE PUBLICATION OF MANUSCRIPTS, WHICH WILL BE HANDLED BY A SEPARATE COMMITTEE; profits to be returned to Srila Prabhupada.”
So far my books are concerned, I am setting up a different body of management known as the BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST. THE TRUSTEES OF THIS BODY ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE GBC, BUT THEIR FUNCTION IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE GBC.
ISKCON Press was created for the exclusive publication of my books and literatures and should be continued in that way.
During my absence no one shall live in my apartment.
ACB
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Witnessed by:
Date July 28th 1970
(Robert F. Corens)
Rupanuga das Adhikary
(William R. Ehrlichman)
Bhagavan das Adhikary
(Kelly Gifford Smith)
Karandhar das Adhikary
Date July 28th, 1970
At the World Head Quarters
3764, Watseka Avenue
The Anti Ritvik BOGUS gbc SLAVERY MAKING MONEY SCREWING BUNCH OF CROOKS do not want the Direction of Management. They do not want RE ELECTION because THAT will get them OUT of the GBC if the devotees do NOT like their CRIMINAL acts.
770528me.vrn
Satsvarupa: But then, in the event that some PRESENT GBC member leaves, either leaves…
Prabhupada: ANOTHER SHOULD BE ELECTED.
Direction of Management(1970)
3. The commissioners will serve for a period of 3 years, and they MAY BE RE-ELECTED at the end of this period.
Note: GBC who is re-elected every 3 years can serve in his post for good – PROVIDING HE IS ***RE-ELECTED*** AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN EVERY 3 YEARS IF HE IS DEEMED GOOD. “FOR GOOD” TERM CAN NOT APPLY IF HE IS NOT GOOD. IF HE IS GOOD HE CAN SERVE FOR GOOD BECAUSE HE WILL BE-RELECTED AS PER “DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT”1970. THE PROCESS IS ABOUT
**RE-ELECTION**. IT PREVENTS AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO CONTINUE FOR GOOD IF THE CHARACTER IS DEEMED UNFIT FOR THE POST.
The Philosophy is SIMPLE for the Simple and CROOKED for the CROOKS who have NO desire to FOLLOW Srila Prabhupada’s Direction of Management 1970.