By the GBCWhereas different initiating gurus in ISKCON have established different policies regarding when second initiation may be offered to an ISKCON member. Some offer second initiation quite readily to all, regardless of the service they are performing in the society, and others offer second initiation readily only to those who are expected to be engaged in worship of ISKCON temple deities, and very few others Whereas the Board of Examinations has established a standard for admission of a candidate for a Bhaktivedanta degree program whereby second initiation is a prerequ...
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- 30 Apr 2020
By the GBCConditions for Second-generation Diksa-gurus—2019 [Governing Law]. Whereas at the 2019 AGM, it was resolved that, under certain conditions, disciples can give initiation in the physical presence of their spiritual masters; Whereas this resolution called for the Guru Services Committee to develop a more detailed process of implementation; Resolved: That the responsibility of ensuring that all conditions for Second-generation Diksa-gurus as listed in resolution “701.2, Conditions for Second-generation Diksa-gurus —2019” of the 2019 Annual General Meeting,res...
- 5 Jan 2020
By the GBCSrila Prabhupada: “Just adhere yourself to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then you become spiritual master. That's all. So I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master and follow this principle. Spiritual master — simply, sincerely, follow the principles and speak to the general public. Then Krsna immediately becomes your favorite. Krsna does not become your favorite; you become Krsna's favorite. (...) So if you want to become recognized by Krsna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gita as it is...
- 18 Oct 2019
By the GBC Resolved: That once a territory is formally designated as a “GBC Area,” a GBC shall be appointed for the whole Area as the Area GBC. Both steps shall involve appropriate and collaborative consultation with relevant leaders. That Area GBC would automatically become a co-GBC with all the other GBCs already involved in that Area – unless any of them wishes to withdraw. All the GBCs presently involved within a GBC Area shall determine, in consultation among themselves, the extent of actual responsibility the Area GBC will take for each country, state or territories in that GBC Area (it is expe...
- 18 Nov 2018
By Guru Gauranga DasRadha-Govinda Temple in Brooklyn, NY, also known as Bharati Center, has been restored to the control of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna Movement, due to a recent decision of the New York State Supreme Court for Kings County. The temple management team looks forward to serving you at Radha-Govinda Temple. All glories to Sri Sri Radha-Govinda! All glories to ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti...
- 3 Nov 2018
By the GBCThe ISKCON Initiated Devotees Global Database is hereby established; all ISKCON initiating spiritual masters (and others who might be managing databases of departed diksa-gurus) shall share their disciple database with this repository upon request and on a regular basis. The ISKCON Initiated Devotees Global Database will provide a secure platform for storage, collation, information processing and management reporting, and should regularly update the database for meaningful data analysis...
- 29 Mar 2018
By the GBCGlobal Observance of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi: Whereas Sri Ramanujacarya, the great Vaisnava saint who lived between 1017 and 1137, requires no introduction to the saintly, especially the Vaisnavas; Whereas Sri Ramanujacarya’s 1000th anniversary is being celebrated around the world this year, 2017. According to the Sri Vaishnava calendar, his 1000th appearance day is on May 1, 2017; Whereas although 1000 years have passed since the appearance of Sri Ramanujacarya, the ...
- 30 Mar 2017
By Satsvarupa dasa GoswamiThe East Coast was hit by severe blizzards, seven inches of snow fell on the City, with winds up to fifty miles an hour. The City of New York offered warm rooms and meals for people living in tenements without heat. JFK Airport was closed, as were train lines and roadways into the City. For the second time within eight days, a state of emergency was declared because of snow. As a lone individual, Srila Prabhupada could not do anything about the snow emergency, or the international warfare – he saw these as more symptoms of the age of Kali. Al...
- 17 Oct 2015
By His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaThe sincere devotee who wants to attain a perfection (Siddhi) for himself by the process of chanting the Name of the Lord must refrain from the ten kinds of offences which are quoted below from the "Padmapuranam." A serious student of Samkirtan can get rid of all the above offences if he desires so, knowing well the different forms of offences and by refraining from them by all possible precautions. This can however be done without difficulty by contin...
- 14 Oct 2015
By Praghosa DasaSo the question may be raised; does the guru serving in an institution mean that his authority is diminished as a result of him not being the final authority? If we consider the following then no would be the answer; the guru's authority comes from following the instructions of his guru. In the case of both Srila Prabhupada and also Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, their wish was that all members of their institutions would subordinate themselves to the authority of an adm...
- 22 Sep 2015
By Praghosa DasaThis Krsna consciousness movement is the solution and we have been given the responsibility of organizing it in such a way that it becomes the solution. Specifically in relation to exploitation and modern slaves, there is nothing that worries the powers that be more than a system such as varnasrama. The varnasrama system by its very nature creates a society that is not only independent of ugra karma needs and their suppliers but it also creates independent thinkers with revolutionary views on how society should be structured in a God-centered way, where slaves...
- 9 Oct 2014
By Praghosa dasaI recently read a letter which was eloquently penned by Bhakti Charu Maharaja which really struck me, so much so, I became inspired to write a few words about it. It struck me for a couple reasons, one the simple essence of Maharaja's letter being the glorification of other devotees, which is always an inspirational meditation to see in action, one devotee glorifying other devotees. The other aspect that I found equally, if not more eye-catching, was an analogy that Maharaja used.
...- 19 Aug 2014
By ISKCON GBC Executive CommitteeOn behalf of the ISKCON Governing Body Commission and the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness we, the Executive Committee of the GBC, join the chorus of tributes from around the world to honor His Grace Madhudvisa Prabhu, who departed from this world on August 5, 2014. Madhudvisa Prabhu was one of the earliest disciples of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and immediately applied his enthusiastic nature to the Sankirtana Movement. As a prominent figure of the original Hari-nama sankirtana groups of devotee...
- 11 Aug 2014
By the GBC Executive CommitteeOn behalf of the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON, please accept our prayers to Lord Krishna for your protection, as well as our deepest affection and concern for your well being. We are following the events in Ukraine in the media with heavy hearts. We have heard directly from Niranjana Maharaja about some of the great challenges, dangers and threats that you have undergone. By the Lord's mercy many of you have survived close encounters with bomb blasts, militia attacks, and other terrible effects of living with war at your ...
- 23 Jul 2014
By the Executive Committee of the Governing Body CommissionThe tragic news of the deaths of several devotee pilgrims from Russia last month who died when their bus drove off the road and into the Bhagirathi River in the mountainous Himalayan region in India has brought us great sadness. The GBC EC, concerned with the safety of our fellow Vaishnavas, announce the following Advisory Notice.
...- 15 Jul 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessNorth America Area - Idaho is divided along the time zone line; the Northern part remains with the North West zone while the Southern part becomes part of the Pacific/West zone. Europe – instead of being divided into seven zones, Europe shall include the following thirty-seven zones. Indian Subcontinent Area – the Eastern part shall include nine zones. Indian Subcontinent Area – South India shall include nine zones. Indian Subcontinent Area – Maharashtra & Goa sh...
- 12 Jul 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessReaffirmation of Ministries and Standing Committees. Ministry of Communications: Minister – Anuttama Das. Ministry of Health and Welfare: Minister – Prahladananda Swami - Other member – Bir Krishna Das Goswami. Congregational Development Ministry: Co-Ministers – Jayapataka Swami, Kaunteya Das. Vaisnavi Ministry: Co-Ministers – Malati Dasi, Dina Sharana Dasi, Prasanta Dasi, Laxmimoni Dasi. IS...
- 6 Jul 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessFINANCES: GBC Budget. The GBC budget for 2014-15 is (in INR).
...- 30 Jun 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessZonal Assignments for GBC Members. Zonal Assignments for Special Committees. Zonal Assignments for Non-GBC Members, Zonal Secretaries, Co-Zonal Secretaries, North American Executive Committee, Puri Development Committee, Vrindavan Executive Board Members.
...- 20 Jun 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessWhereas both the SAC and some GBC members feel that the SAC service can benefit from adding a few more members; Whereas there should ideally be an odd number of SAC members to avoid split votes; RESOLVED: GBC Resolution 604 of 2002 is hereby amended as follows: Procedure for Selecting and Endorsing SAC Members: a. There will be an odd number of SAC core members between seven and fifteen. b. The SAC c...
- 14 Jun 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessWhereas there is a need to recognize as general members those who wish to identify with the spiritual family of ISKCON, Whereas such recognition should include some basic parameters, Whereas such recognition should not involve any legal rights for the general members, RESOLVED: Whoever, regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, etc., subscribes to the following statement, shall be considered...
- 9 Jun 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessRESOLVED: That the ISKCON Disciple Course, as developed by the GBC Guru Services Committee, shall be a mandatory pre-requisite for all devotees accepting first or second initiation by an ISKCON guru, effective Janmastami, 2015. After that date, no guru may initiate a disciple who has not first completed the Disciple Course. This is in addition to current requirements of new initiates. 1. Devotees shall be advised and e...
- 2 Jun 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessAll ISKCON entities are encouraged to ensure that all essential medical and dental expenses of its resident and fully supported devotees are supplied. The authorities of those ISKCON entities are recommended to investigate options for local insurance plans, government plans, or other reliable options to ensure as far as possible that quality health care is provided. A person choosing to becom...
- 29 May 2014
By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna ConsciousnessThe Compliance Division is authorized to request and receive legal and financial documentation from all over the world and all managers must make every effort to provide any information the Division may request in regard to the National Councils, projects, centers, etc. under their management—subject to the discretion of the GBC Zonal Secretary/ies. Within their zones, the GBC Zonal Secretaries are...
- 24 May 2014