SABHA – First face-to-face meeting. Feb. 27th, 28th & March 2nd, 2019 (3 min. video)
SABHA: (Spiritual Advisors Bhagavata Assembly)
PURPOSES:
(a) Establishing the Spiritual Advisors Bhagavata Assembly, or SABHA, 1 has manifold functions.
It aims at strengthening unity among ISKCON’s global spiritual leaders. It facilitates their cooperation, communication and working relation for the progress of Srila Prabhupada’s movement.
(b) The SABHA provides checks and balances on the authority of the GBC and course-correction for its decisions. More consultation, more dialogue and more interaction can be conducive to better, wiser and more acceptable decisions. There are historical precedents for this approach during Srila Prabhupada’s presence, for example the GBC resolution dated 15 March 1976 states: “Since several resolutions under ‘ISKCON Organization’ passed at the March 9, 9 a.m. meeting, caused a great disturbance among the temple presidents and thus with our spiritual master, the GBC acknowledges that they were mistaken proposals and hereby rejects them. This was ordered by Srila Prabhupada, and refers specifically to resolutions 1, 2, 3, and 10.” The next year the GBC formally established a system of review of its decisions by the Temple Presidents: “After the agenda has been completed Temple President’s meeting will be held. If by a 2/3 majority the Presidents vote any suggested amendments to the resolutions or make new resolutions, these will be referred back to the GBC who will meet to vote on them and that decision will be final. Srila Prabhupada will then review theses decisions [sic] for ultimate decision and/or approval.” (1st March 1977). The SABHA is thus intended to enrich the decisionmaking ability of the GBC by providing variegated viewpoints and deeper insight into the needs and concerns of the various ISKCON constituents.
1
In Sanskrit SABHA means assembly, council, court, conclave, etc. 2
© The SABHA also offers the GBC the opportunity to hear from other qualified Vaisnavas and tap their collective wisdom in the spirit recommended by Srila Prabhupada: “if we keep Krsna in the center, then there will be agreement in varieties. This is called unity in diversity. I am therefore suggesting that all our men meet in Mayapur every year during the birth anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. With all GBC and senior men present we should discuss how to make unity in diversity. But, if we fight on account of diversity, then it is simply the material platform. Please try to maintain the philosophy of unity in diversity. That will make our movement successful.” (Letter to Kirtanananda, 18 Oct 1973) (d) The SABHA can also suggest issues to the GBC for discussion or solution. Again, there is precedent for this in Srila Prabhupada’s presence. A GBC resolution dated 7 March 1977 stated: “Concerning topics to be presented each year at the GBC meeting in Mayapur the temple presidents should submit topics to their GBC representative 45-days prior to the meeting, and the GBC representatives will present those topics 30-days before the meeting to the three GBC officers.”
(e) Overall, the SABHA collaboratively works with the GBC by reviewing and proposing legislation and by suggesting topics for discussion with the aim of improving the quality, legitimacy and acceptance of GBC resolutions, priorities and directions. The SABHA adds value to ISKCON’s governance by offering sound sastric advice and by expressing the will of the constituencies they represent. The sacred duty of the SABHA is to, together with the GBC, act as an instrument of the will of the Founder-Acarya. (f) The establishment of the SABHA does not replace or substitute the SGGS, the Sanga of GBCs, Gurus & Sannyasis.
If you want to read the complete GBC resolution please click here: https://goo.gl/sw4tPH