DEDICATION

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder-Ācārya of the

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), desired to establish a
Constitution for ISKCON and that his followers, throughout the generations, would
keep serving cooperatively in the Society he created, within the Constitution’s
boundaries and stipulations. To him, Śrīla Prabhupāda, this work is dedicated.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION
INVOCATION
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE 1 - CITATION
ARTICLE 2 - DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
2.1. DEFINITIONS
2.2. REFERENCES
2.3. TRANSLATIONS
ARTICLE 3 - SCOPE AND JURISDICTION
3.1. SUPREMACY OF CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 4 - THEOLOGICAL ELEMENTS OF KRISHNA
CONSCIOUSNESS
4.1. INTRODUCTION
4.2. LORD KRISHNA
4.3. ŚRĪ CAITANYA MAHĀPRABHU
4.4. VEDIC KNOWLEDGE
4.5. THE DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION
ARTICLE 5 - THE FOUNDER-ĀCĀRYA
5.1. INTRODUCTION
5.2. HIS FOUNDING OF ISKCON
5.3. HIS WORLDWIDE PROPAGATION PREDICTED IN THE
SCRIPTURES
5.4. FOUNDATIONAL INSTRUCTING SPIRITUAL MASTER FOR
ISKCON
5.5. TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY HIS OWN STATEMENTS

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 5.6. EXCLUSIVITY OF THE TITLE
ARTICLE 6 - THE SEVEN PURPOSES OF ISKCON
6.1. INTRODUCTION
6.2. THE SEVEN PURPOSES
ARTICLE 7 - ISKCON DEITIES
7.1. THE DEITY FORM OF THE LORD (ARCĀ-VIGRAHA OR ŚRĪ-
MŪRTI) IS NON-DIFFERENT FROM THE LORD.
7.2. THE RECOMMENDED MOOD FOR THE WORSHIP OF
RADHA-KRISHNA DEITIES
7.3. STANDARDS FOR INSTALLATION AND WORSHIP
7.4. LEGAL PROPRIETORSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY
ARTICLE 8 - ISKCON MEMBERSHIP
8.1. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
8.2. ELIGIBILITY AND NATURE OF MEMBERSHIP
8.3. PARTICIPATION
8.4. DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT
8.5. INITIATION
8.6. ETHOS OF MEMBERSHIP
8.7. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
ARTICLE 9 - THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION
9.1. THE ULTIMATE MANAGING AUTHORITY OF ISKCON
9.2. GBC MEMBERSHIP
9.3. DUTIES
9.4. OTHER REFERENCES, ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL
ORDER
ARTICLE 10 - REPRESENTATION OF ISKCON MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 11 - ISKCON ORGANIZATIONS

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 11.1. DEFINITION
11.2. ISKCON PROPERTIES
11.3. RESPONSIBILITIES
11.4. RIGHTS

11.5. ISKCON-CONNECTED ORGANIZATIONS

ARTICLE 12 - DISCIPLINE AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

12.1. INTRODUCTORY PRINCIPLES
12.2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING DISCIPLINE AND
RESOLVING DISPUTES
12.3. PRINCIPLES OF FAIR AND DUE PROCESS
12.4. REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION
ARTICLE 13 - CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL
13.1. INTRODUCTION
13.2. AMBIT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL
13.3. COMPOSITION
13.4. FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE COUNCIL
13.5. PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE COUNCIL
ARTICLE 14 - AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE 15 - RATIFICATION
APPENDIX 1 - ISKCON IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE
DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION
1.1. THE PARAMPARĀ SYSTEM
1.2. ISKCON BELONGS TO A BONA FIDE SAMPRADĀYA
1.3. ISKCON'S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE THE DISCIPLIC
SUCCESSION
1.4. ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA WANTED THAT ALL HIS DISCIPLES
BECOME SPIRITUAL MASTER

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 1.5. QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVING AS GURU
1.6. RITVIKISM: REJECTED AND BANNED
1.7. ŚIKṢĀ- AND DĪKṢĀ-GURUS
1.8. DISCIPLES OF ANY GURU SHOULD RESPECT ALL GURUS
AND OTHER SENIOR DEVOTEES
1.9. FREEDOM OF CHOICE
1.10. THE GBC REGULATES THE SPECIFICS OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION
APPENDIX 2 - INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE KRISHNA
CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT
2.1. INTRODUCTION
2.2. THE BROADER TRADITION
2.3. THE MISSION
2.4. OPEN TO ALL
2.5. SCRIPTURAL BASIS & SIDDHÄNTA
2.6. ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES
2.7. CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
2.8. OPENING TEMPLES AND WORSHIPPING DEITIES
2.9. A TEMPLE IN EVERY HOME
2.10. RATHA-YATRA FESTIVAL
2.11. COW PROTECTION
2.12. COMPASSION AND OUTREACH
2.13. BOOK DISTRIBUTION
2.14. BHAKTIVEDANTA INSTITUTE
2.15. ADAPTABILITY
APPENDIX 3 - UNITY IN DIVERSITY

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APPENDIX 4 - GOD-CENTERED SOCIETY AND DAIVA-
VARṆĀŚRAMA-DHARMA
APPENDIX 5 - PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF
CHILDREN
5.1. ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA ON OUR CHILDREN IN KRISHNA-
CONSCIOUSNESS:
5.2. DECLARATION
5.3. DEFINITION
5.4. GUIDELINES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
5.5. CHILD ABUSE
5.6. FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT CHILDREN
APPENDIX 6 - ISKCON-RELATED ENTITIES
6.1. INTRODUCTION
6.2 BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST (BBT)
6.3. MAYAPUR-VRINDABAN FUND TRUST (MVT)

6.4. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI CHARITY TRUST

APPENDIX 7 - ISKCON AND OTHER RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

7.1. PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES
7.2. INTERACTIONS WITHIN GAUḌĪYA VAIṢṆAVISM

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 INVOCATION

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ
I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with
the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine
We offer our respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupāda, who is very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

namas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe

nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati
Gosvāmi. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering
the Western countries which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

śrī-caitanya-mano-’bhīṣṭaṁ sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale

svayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṁ dadāti sva-padāntikam
When will Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, who has established within this material
world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his
lotus feet?

vande ’haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca

śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṇa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam
sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṇa-caitanya-devaṁ
śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pādān saha-gaṇa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and unto
the feet of all Vaiṣṇavas. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Śrīla

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Rūpa Gosvāmī along with his elder brother Sanātana Gosvāmī, as well as Raghunātha
Dāsa and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa and Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī. I offer my
respectful obeisances to Lord Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda along with
Advaita Ācārya, Gadādhara, Śrīvāsa and other associates. I offer my respectful
obeisances to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and Śrī Kṛṣṇa along with Their associates Śrī Lalitā
and Viśākhā.

he kṛṣṇa karuṇā-sindho dīna-bandho jagat-pate

gopeśa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kānta namo ’stu te
O my dear Kṛṣṇa, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation.
You are the master of the gopīs and the lover of Rādhārāṇī. I offer my respectful
obeisances unto You.

tapta-kāñcana-gaurāṅgi rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari

vṛṣabhānu-sute devi praṇamāmi hari-priye
I offer my respects to Rādhārāṇī, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and
who is the Queen of Vṛndāvana. You are the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, and You
are very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca

patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ
I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṇava devotees of the Lord. They
can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of
compassion for the fallen souls.

śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
I offer my obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Prabhu Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita,
Gadādhara, Śrīvāsa and all others in the line of devotion.

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare

hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

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 PREAMBLE

1. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda (Śrīla Prabhupāda)

founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1966.
He established and promoted the practice of devotional service to the Supreme
Lord on an unprecedented global scale, thus fulfilling the instruction of his
spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the desire of the
previous ācāryas, and the prediction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, which stated
that the holy name of God shall be heard in every town and village.

2. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his disciples and followers to lead a life of morality,
devotion, and compassion in the world; and to advance spiritually to the point
of reawakening their dormant love for Krishna.

3. Śrīla Prabhupāda wished that his followers, through all future generations, work
cooperatively to preserve his legacy and propagate Krishna consciousness. He
established the Governing Body Commission (GBC) as the ultimate managing
authority of the Society, to ensure that the affairs of ISKCON be administered
worldwide to the highest standard of effectiveness.

4. This Constitution is conceived as a living document providing the foundation

for good governance of the Society. The aim and purpose of the Constitution is
intended towards protecting the theological, philosophical, and behavioral
principles of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, motivating members to imbibe the mood and
mission of the Founder-Ācārya, providing guidance, inspiring cooperation and
reciprocal care, fostering accountability, establishing standards for interaction,
and encouraging the participation of all members in divine service, with love
and trust for each other as well as mercy and benevolence for the whole
humanity.

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 ARTICLE 1

CITATION

1.1 This Constitution may be cited as the Constitution of the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, also known as ISKCON.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

2.1. DEFINITIONS

[Message from the compilers: due to time constraints, we are not including this
section, which serves as a glossary of key terms; these definitions are aimed at
explaining the meaning of unclear, technical, or ambiguous words and expressions
in English and Sanskrit.]

2.2. REFERENCES

2.2.1. All quotations from books, letters, lectures and conversations set out
in the Constitution, unless otherwise indicated, are from translations,
commentaries and instructions by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
2.2.2. These quotations and statements have been referenced to support and
clarify various statements of the Constitution or directly illuminate
points of philosophy. These have often been selected amongst many,
and as such they should be taken as representative of the principles
they illustrate, and not exclusive.

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2.3. TRANSLATIONS

2.3.1. The English language version of this Constitution shall be legally

binding in all respects and shall prevail in case of inconsistencies with
translated versions, if any, to discern the form, spirit, intent, and
appropriate usage of words.

ARTICLE 3

SCOPE AND JURISDICTION

3.1. SUPREMACY OF CONSTITUTION

3.1.1. This Constitution shall be the supreme law of ISKCON.
3.1.2. ISKCON Organizations, while functioning as self-governing entities in
their respective jurisdictions, shall carry out all their activities and
powers in adherence and harmony with the Constitution. Their enacted
and subsequent laws, resolutions, or directives shall adhere to this
Constitution.
3.1.3. The Constitution shall take precedence over all administrative and
legislative decisions of all ISKCON Organizations and authorities.
3.1.4. Any laws, resolutions, or directives that are in contravention shall, to
the extent of the inconsistency, be made consistent with the
Constitution.

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 ARTICLE 4

THEOLOGICAL ELEMENTS OF KRISHNA

CONSCIOUSNESS

4.1. INTRODUCTION
4.1.1. The theological and philosophical principles ISKCON accepts are
expressed in the Vedic literature and literatures in pursuance of the
Vedic version.
4.1.2. The following quotations are selected to represent an inspirational
sample of this vast body of divinely revealed knowledge and to
illuminate the correct method of its transmission.

4.2. LORD KRISHNA

4.2.1. Translations and purports by Śrīla Prabhupāda describing Śrī Krishna
(Śrī Kṛṣṇa), the Supreme Personality of Godhead:
4.2.1.1.
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
janmādy asya yato ’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

“O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading

Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto
You. I meditate upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa because He is the Absolute
Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation,
sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is
directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is
independent because there is no other cause beyond Him. It is

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 He only who first imparted the Vedic knowledge unto the heart
of Brahmājī, the original living being. By Him even the great sages
and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the
illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on
water. Only because of Him do the material universes,
temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of
nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. I therefore
meditate upon Him, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is eternally existent in
the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory
representations of the material world. I meditate upon Him, for
He is the Absolute Truth." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 1.1.1, translation)
4.2.1.2.
ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ
kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam
indrāri-vyākulaṁ lokaṁ
mṛḍayanti yuge yuge

"All of the above-mentioned incarnations are either plenary

portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord, but Lord
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead. All of them
appear on planets whenever there is a disturbance created by the
atheists. The Lord incarnates to protect the theists." (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam, 1.3.28, translation)
4.2.1.3.
īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ
anādir ādir govindaḥ
sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Kṛṣṇa, who has a body

of eternity, knowledge and bliss. He has no beginning, for He is
the beginning of everything. He is the cause of all causes." (Śrī
Brahma-saṁhitā, 5.1, quoted in Bhagavad-gītā 11.54, purport)
4.2.1.4. “Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead . . . is full with all
opulences, and as such He possesses all riches, all strength, all
reputation, all knowledge, all beauty and all renunciation. He is
eternally a person and eternally supreme." (Śrī Caitanya-
caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 6.140, purport)

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 4.2.1.5. “There is nothing in existence not related to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. In a sense,
there is nothing but Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and yet nothing is Śrī Kṛṣṇa save
and except His primeval personality.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta,
Ādi-līlā 1.51, purport)
4.2.1.6. “According to the acintya-bhedābheda philosophy of Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu, there are varieties, but all of them constitute one
unit.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.12.10, purport)
4.2.1.7. “Rādhārāṇī is the internal potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and She eternally
intensifies the pleasure of Śrī Kṛṣṇa . . . She is the medium
transmitting the living entities’ service to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.” (Śrī
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 4.56, purport)
4.2.1.8. “The loving affairs of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are transcendental
manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency.”
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.5, purport)
4.2.1.9. “Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are the same. Kṛṣṇa, by expanding His pleasure
potency, becomes Rādhārāṇī.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13.20,
purport)
4.2.1.10. “The pastimes of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are self-effulgent. They are
happiness personified, unlimited and all-powerful.” (Śrī Caitanya-
caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.206)

4.3. ŚRĪ CAITANYA MAHĀPRABHU

4.3.1. Translations and purports by Śrīla Prabhupāda describing Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu.
4.3.1.1.
namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

“O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself

appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed
the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and You are widely
distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances
unto You.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 19.53)

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4.3.1.2.
yad advaitaṁ brahmopaniṣadi tad apy asya tanu-bhā
ya ātmāntar-yāmī puruṣa iti so ’syāṁśa-vibhavaḥ
ṣaḍ-aiśvaryaiḥ pūrṇo ya iha bhagavān sa svayam ayaṁ
na caitanyāt krṣṇāj jagati para-tattvaṁ param iha

"What the Upaniṣads describe as the impersonal Brahman is but

the effulgence of His body, and the Lord known as the Supersoul
is but His localized plenary portion. Lord Caitanya is the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa Himself, full with six opulences.
He is the Absolute Truth, and no other truth is greater than or
equal to Him." (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.3, translation)
4.3.1.3. “Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the selfsame Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
This time, however, He appeared as a great devotee of the Lord
in order to preach to the people in general, as well as to
religionists and philosophers, about the transcendental position
of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the primeval Lord and the cause of all causes.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Introduction)
4.3.1.4. “Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was accepted as an incarnation of
Kṛṣṇa not on the basis of popular votes but by evidence from the
śāstras and bona fide scholars.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā
14.18, purport)
4.3.1.5. "Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the simple process of
chanting the Holy name of Krishna for the people of this fallen
age of Kali. It is said in the sastras that the same result that was
formerly attained by difficult sacrifices or yoga practice is easily
achieved in this age simply by chanting the Holy name of God,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare
Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare." (Letter to Dr. Yogi
Raj Dev Svarupa, 4 Dec 1975)
4.3.1.6. “If knowledge does not include the understanding of Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu and Kṛṣṇa, it is simply superfluous. By Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu’s grace, the nectar of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes is
flowing in different directions in hundreds and thousands of
rivers. One should not think that the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu are different from Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.” (Śrī Caitanya-
caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.271, purport)

15
 4.3.1.7. “Lord Caitanya is the ideal teacher of life’s prime necessities. He
is the most munificent bestower of love of Kṛṣṇa. He is the
complete reservoir of all mercies and good fortune. As confirmed
in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the Bhagavad-gītā, the Mahābhārata and
the Upaniṣads, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa
Himself, and He is worshipable by everyone in this age of
disagreement. Everyone can join in His saṅkīrtana movement.”
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā Preface)
4.3.1.8. “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary
expansion Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, His incarnation Śrī Advaita
Prabhu, His internal potency Śrī Gadādhara Prabhu and His
marginal potency Śrīvāsa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as
the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu is always accompanied by these other
tattvas.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.4, purport)

4.4. VEDIC KNOWLEDGE

4.4.1. Excerpted from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s works.
4.4.1.1. [Lord Caitanya said:] “The conditioned soul cannot revive his
Kṛṣṇa consciousness by his own effort. But out of causeless mercy,
Lord Kṛṣṇa compiled the Vedic literature and its supplements, the
Purāṇas.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.122)
4.4.1.2. “In the Bhagavad-gītā the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Kṛṣṇa, has claimed that He is the father of all living entities,
regardless of form . . . for their benefit, because they are hovering
under the impression that they can lord it over material nature,
the Vedas are given to them for their guidance. Therefore the
Vedas are called apauruṣeya, for they are not written by any man
or demigod, including the first living creature, Brahmā . . . Every
living entity within this material world is subject to four
deficiencies: he commits mistakes, he accepts one thing for
another, he cheats, and he has imperfect senses. The Vedas,
however, are not written by any living creature within this
material world . . . All other systems of knowledge are defective
because they have been written or spoken by men or demigods

16
 who are products of this material creation.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
4.2.31, purport)
4.4.1.3. “Bhagavad-gītā is the sound incarnation of the Lord because it is
spoken by the Supreme Lord, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the
sound representative of the Lord because it was spoken by the
incarnation of the Lord about the activities of the Lord . . . it is
the essence of the Vedic desire tree and the natural commentation
on the Brahma-sūtras, the topmost philosophical thesis on the
subject matter of Brahman.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.8, purport)
4.4.1.4. “Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the sublime literature which surpasses all
other Vedic scriptures due to its transcendental qualities. It is
transcendental to all mundane activities and mundane knowledge
. . . Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is not only a superior literature but is the
ripened fruit of all Vedic literatures. In other words, it is the
cream of all Vedic knowledge . . . By submissively hearing this
transcendental literature, one can attain the full pleasure of his
heart's desire.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.3, purport)

4.5. THE DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION

4.5.1. Regarding the need and nature of the disciplic succession (the
succession of spiritual masters), in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words, excerpted
from his works:
4.5.1.1. “Our process is to receive knowledge through the paramparā
system, from Kṛṣṇa to Brahmā, to Nārada, Vyāsa, Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu and the Six Gosvāmīs. By disciplic succession, Lord
Brahmā was enlightened from within by the original person,
Kṛṣṇa. Our knowledge is fully perfect due to being handed from
master to disciple.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 7.66,
purport)
4.5.1.2. “Caitanya Mahāprabhu directly empowered Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī
and Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī. Following in their footsteps, the
other Gosvāmīs understood Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His
mission. One should understand Śrī Kṛṣṇa-Caitanya and Lord Śrī
Kṛṣṇa from the Six Gosvāmīs in the paramparā system.” (Śrī
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.271, purport)

17
4.5.1.3. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is conducted under the
supervision of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī . . . Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
appeared in order to bestow upon human society the benediction
of the science of Kṛṣṇa. The most exalted of all the activities of
Lord Kṛṣṇa are His pastimes of conjugal love with the gopés. Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in the mood of Śrīmatī
Rādhārāṇī, the best of the gopīs. Therefore, to understand the
mission of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and follow in His
footsteps, one must very seriously follow in the footsteps of the
Six Gosvāmīs—Śrī Rūpa, Sanātana, Bhaṭṭa Raghunātha, Śrī Jīva,
Gopāla Bhaṭṭa and Dāsa Raghunātha.” (The Nectar of Instruction,
Preface)
4.5.1.4. “Our society, the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness, has been formed to execute the order of Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta
Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā
Concluding Words)
4.5.1.5. "I am simply serving my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Saraswati Goswami Maharaj and all the acaryas in the disciplic
succession. If I have done anything of credit it is that I have not
changed their teachings. I have not added anything of my own
interpretation." (Letter to Bhima, Krsna das, Sanat Kumara,
Nityananda, Samba and Joseph, 16 May 1974)

18
 ARTICLE 5

THE FOUNDER-ĀCĀRYA

5.1. INTRODUCTION

5.1.1. Śrīla Prabhupāda, His Divine Grace Abhay Caraṇāravinda

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, is the Founder-Ācārya of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness. We accept Śrīla
Prabhupāda as the pure devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa especially empowered
by Lord Kṛṣṇa to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava
devotional tradition, worldwide. For ISKCON, Śrīla Prabhupāda fully
represents and transmits the tradition and teachings of his own Guru
Mahārāja, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, and the Brahma-
Mādhva-Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya.

5.2. HIS FOUNDING OF ISKCON

5.2.1. To fulfill the previous ācāryas’ desire for a united worldwide

organization to expand Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission, Śrīla
Prabhupāda founded the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness (ISKCON) as a distinct branch of the Brahma-Mādhva-
Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya. Therefore, he is the Founder-Ācārya of
ISKCON.
5.2.2. Following in the footsteps of his Guru Mahārāja and our previous
ācāryas, Śrīla Prabhupāda also set essential standards of practice of
bhakti-yoga for the modern age.
5.2.3. Śrīla Prabhupāda thus plays a vital role in the fulfillment of Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu’s prediction: “In every town and village of the world, the
chanting of My name will be heard.” (Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, (as
referenced is Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya-līlā 25.264)).

19
5.3. HIS WORLDWIDE PROPAGATION PREDICTED IN THE
SCRIPTURES

5.3.1. We accept Śrīla Prabhupāda as the senāpati-bhakta—commander-in-

chief among Lord Caitanya’s devotees—prophesized by Locana dāsa
Ṭhākura in Caitanya-maṅgala (Sūtra-khaṇḍa, song 12, texts 564-565),
in the words attributed to Lord Caitanya:

ebe nāma saṅkīrtana tīkṣṇa khaḍga laiyā

antara asura jīvera phelibe kāṭiyā
Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting, I will root out
and destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of all the conditioned
souls.
yadi pāpi chāḍi dharma dūre deśe yāya
mora senāpati-bhakta yāibe tathāya
“If some sinful people escape and, giving up religious principles, go to
far off countries, then my senāpati-bhakta (commander-in-chief among
devotees) will come at that time to give them Krishna consciousness.”
5.3.2. The greatness of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s literary contributions, his
translating and commenting on Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta and other essential Vaiṣṇava texts—and his
overseeing their translations into dozens of languages and their
distribution world-wide—is best understood in the context of the
following verses from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:
a. tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavo
yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api
nāmāny anantasya yaśo ’ṅkitāni yat
śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ

“On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the
the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of
the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of
transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in
the impious lives of this world's misdirected civilization. Such
transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are
heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly
honest.

20
 From the purport
"We know that our honest attempt to present this great literature
conveying transcendental messages for reviving the God consciousness
of the people in general and respiritualizing the world atmosphere is
fraught with many difficulties. Our presenting this matter in adequate
language, especially a foreign language, will certainly fail, and there
will be so many literary discrepancies despite our honest attempt to
present it in the proper way. But we are sure that with all our faults in
this connection the seriousness of the subject matter will be taken into
consideration and the leaders of society will still accept this due to its
being an honest attempt to glorify the Almighty God. When there is
fire in a house, the inmates of the house go out to get help from the
neighbors who may be foreigners, and yet without knowing the
language the victims of the fire express themselves, and the neighbors
understand the need, even though not expressed in the same language.
The same spirit of cooperation is needed to broadcast this
transcendental message of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam throughout the
polluted atmosphere of the world. After all, it is a technical science of
spiritual values, and thus we are concerned with the techniques and
not with the language. If the techniques of this great literature are
understood by the people of the world, there will be success."
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.5.11)

b. anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād
bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje
lokasyājānato vidvāṁś
cakre sātvata-saṁhitām

“The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to

him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional
service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the
learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation
to the Supreme Truth.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.6)

This verse, part of Vyāsa's trance before compiling the Bhāgavatam,

stresses the importance of the people of the world receiving this message.

21
 It is Śrīla Prabhupāda who fulfilled this vision to make the Bhāgavatam
known all over the world.

5.3.3. Indications of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s status and mission are also found in
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā 2.13–14:

tā-sabā tārite prabhu sei saba deśe

yogya-bhakta jīva-dehe karena ‘āveśe’
To deliver people in regions throughout the universe who could not
meet Him, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally entered the bodies of
pure devotees.

sei jīve nija-bhakti karena prakāśe

tāhāra darśane ‘vaiṣṇava’ haya sarva-deśe
Thus He empowered living beings [His pure devotees] by manifesting
in them so much of His own devotion that people in all other
countries became devotees by seeing them.

Purport

As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Antya 7.11):

kali-kālera dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtana

kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana
Unless one is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one cannot spread the holy names of the
Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra throughout the world. Persons who do so
are empowered. Therefore they are sometimes called āveśa-avatāras,
or empowered incarnations, for they are endowed with the power
of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Considering his unprecedented accomplishments, the above descriptions

aptly describe Śrīla Prabhupāda himself.

5.4. FOUNDATIONAL INSTRUCTING SPIRITUAL MASTER FOR

ISKCON
5.4.1. Srila Prabhupada is ISKCON’s immediate link with the Brahma-
Mādhva-Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya. His books, other teachings,
and exemplary actions remain the permanent and irreplaceable basis

22
 for all subsequent teachings and activities of ISKCON. He is and will
always remain the instructing spiritual master of all devotees in
ISKCON.

5.4.2. Śrīla Prabhupāda is the foundational and preeminent śikṣā-guru for all
ISKCON devotees because he has realized and presented the teachings
of the previous ācāryas of the Brahma-Mādhva-Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava-
sampradāya appropriately for the modern age
5.4.3. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books and instructions are the preeminent teachings
as they contain the essential truths, principles, insights and directions
to guide ISKCON today and in the future.
5.4.4. As Founder-Ācārya, Śrīla Prabhupāda gave directions for management,
principles of cooperation, and other practical guidelines which form
the basis and inspiration for ISKCON’s policies.
5.4.5. All members of ISKCON, for all generations, have a direct and personal
relationship with Śrīla Prabhupāda as Founder-Ācārya, through his
books, teachings, mission, service, and his Society. It is essential that
ISKCON members maintain his presence in their lives and cultivate an
ever-deepening realization of his vāṇī (instruction) regardless of who
they may serve as their individual dīkṣā- or śikṣā-gurus.
5.4.6. As the Founder-Ācārya, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s personal standards, values
and principles of action, his particular spirit or “mood,” form the
foundational culture of ISKCON. As each individual member
internalizes that spirit, our members become instruments of his mood
of love, service and compassion. The loyalty and common fidelity to
the Founder-Ācārya shall be upheld by our cooperation with each
other and within the ISKCON communities he bequeathed and
inspired.
5.4.7. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s position is historically unique and of immeasurable
importance for all members of ISKCON today and into the future. Śrīla
Prabhupāda established ISKCON and over one hundred ISKCON
communities. He spread Lord Kṛṣṇa’s message around the world
through his books, numerous lectures, personal guidance of his
disciples and his Society, his tireless service, and his limitless
compassion and kindness.

23
5.5. TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY HIS OWN STATEMENTS
5.5.1. We note that by a process of mythologization or even deification,
followers of religious traditions sometimes transmute the figure of their
founders beyond the pronouncements of the founders themselves and
ISKCON members shall carefully guard against such deviations.
Irrespective of their motivation, such unapproved alterations can
deeply affect ISKCON’s theological and philosophical integrity, the
historical trustworthiness of our tradition, and even the reputation and
credibility of the Founder-Ācārya himself.
5.5.2. ISKCON members shall avoid all unauthorized representations of Śrīla
Prabhupāda, beyond his own declarations of his nature as an individual
spirit soul, and as a dedicated and empowered representative of the
Supreme Lord and our paramparā. The Founder-Ācārya must be
presented “as he is,” as he presented himself, without adding or
subtracting to his significance and stature. The highest authority in
understanding and defining Śrīla Prabhupāda shall remain Śrīla
Prabhupāda himself, through his own statements and accounts.

5.6. EXCLUSIVITY OF THE TITLE

5.6.1. The appropriate and official title of Śrīla Prabhupāda shall be “His
Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder-Ācārya
of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness” (ISKCON).
5.6.2. The position of Śrīla Prabhupāda as Founder-Ācārya shall be
recognized in ISKCON through the use of the titles “Founder-Ācārya”
and/or “Prabhupāda.” ISKCON members are perpetually prohibited
from being addressed, by themselves or others, as “Founder-Ācārya”
and/or "Prabhupāda."
5.6.3. The expression “International Society for Krishna Consciousness,
Founder-Ācārya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupāda” (or corresponding translations) must appear, where
permissible, on all buildings and official materials of the Society,
including but not limited to, documents, letterheads, publications,
signage and digital media.
5.6.4. Each of his books shall display his name in full “His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda,” with “Founder-Ācārya of the

24
International Society for Krishna Consciousness”, placed immediately
below on the title page and cover.

25
 ARTICLE 6

THE SEVEN PURPOSES OF ISKCON

6.1. INTRODUCTION
6.1.1. Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed the purposes, objectives and mission of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness in various ways
throughout his teachings, both formally and informally, in written and
spoken forms. In July 1966 the objectives of ISKCON were summarized
as the seven purposes listed within the certificate of ISKCON’s
incorporation.

6.2. THE SEVEN PURPOSES

6.2.1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and
to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to
check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and
peace in the world.
6.2.2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the
Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
6.2.3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and
nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within
the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel
of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
6.2.4. To teach and encourage the saṅkīrtana movement, congregational
chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
6.2.5. To erect for the members and for society at large, a holy place of
transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the Personality of Krishna.
6.2.6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a
simpler and more natural way of life.
6.2.7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned Purposes, to
publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other
writings.

26
 ARTICLE 7

ISKCON DEITIES

7.1. THE DEITY FORM OF THE LORD (ARCĀ-VIGRAHA OR

ŚRĪ-MŪRTI) IS NON-DIFFERENT FROM THE LORD
7.1.1. The Deity/ies are a form/s of the Lord, and/or of other transcendental
personalities, manifested in material elements - including, but not
limited to, marble, stone, metal, or wood - fashioned according to
authorized procedures; whose presence has been summoned by a
process of installation performed by authorized persons following the
prescribed methods sanctioned in sastra, to be worshiped by certified
worshipers (pūjārīs) following the prescribed procedures. A Deity may
also be self-manifested.
7.1.2. "In order to be seen by our material senses, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead accepts a favorable form which is called arcā-vigraha. This
arcā-vigraha, sometimes called the arcā incarnation, is not different
from Him. Just as the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts various
incarnations, He takes on forms made out of matter—clay, wood,
metal and jewels. There are many śāstric injunctions which give
instructions for carving forms of the Lord. These forms are not
material . . . The smiling face of the Deity in the temple is beheld by
the devotees as transcendental and spiritual, and the decoration of the
body of the Lord is very much appreciated by the devotees. It is the
duty of the spiritual master to teach how to decorate the Deity in the
temple, how to cleanse the temple and how to worship the Deity.
There are different procedures and rules and regulations which are
followed in temples of Viṣṇu, and devotees go there and see the
Deity, the vigraha, and spiritually enjoy the form because all of the
Deities are benevolent." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 3.25.35, purport)
7.1.3. "The form of the Lord as worshiped in the temples is called arcā-
vigraha or arcāvatāra, the worshipable form, the Deity incarnation.
This facility is offered to neophyte devotees so that they can see the

27
 real form of the Lord face to face and offer their respectful obeisances
and sacrifices in the form of arcā. Through such facilities the
neophytes gradually invoke their original Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Deity
worship in the form of temple worship is the most valuable
benediction given by the Lord to beginners. All neophytes must
therefore engage in the worship of the Lord by keeping the arcā-
vigraha (arcāvatāra) at home or in the temple." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,
4.30.27, purport)

7.2. THE RECOMMENDED MOOD FOR THE WORSHIP OF

RADHA-KRISHNA DEITIES
7.2.1. "Generally the worship of the Lord begins with the worship of
Nārāyaṇa, or Viṣṇu, whereas the worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā is
most confidential. Lord Nārāyaṇa is worshipable by the pāñcarātrika-
vidhi, or regulative principles, whereas Lord Kṛṣṇa is worshipable by
the bhāgavata-vidhi. No one can worship the Lord in the bhāgavata-
vidhi without going through the regulations of the pāñcarātrika-vidhi.
Actually, neophyte devotees worship the Lord according to the
pāñcarātrika-vidhi, or the regulative principles enjoined in the
Nārada-pañcarātra. Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa cannot be approached by the
neophyte devotees; therefore temple worship according to regulative
principles is offered to Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. Although there may be a
Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa vigraha, or form, the worship of the neophyte devotees
is acceptable as Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa worship. Worship according to the
pāñcarātrika-vidhi is called vidhi-mārga, and worship according to the
bhāgavata-vidhi principles is called rāga-mārga. The principles of rāga-
mārga are especially meant for devotees who are elevated to the
Vṛndāvana platform . . . Without serving Kṛṣṇa according to the
vidhi-mārga regulative principles of the pāñcarātrika-vidhi,
unscrupulous persons want to jump immediately to the rāga-mārga
principles. Such persons are called sahajiyā . . . One should strictly
follow the vidhi-mārga regulative principles in the worship of Lakṣmī-
Nārāyaṇa, although the Lord is present in the temple as Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa includes Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa; therefore when one worships

28
 the Lord according to the regulative principles, the Lord accepts the
service in the role of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. In The Nectar of Devotion full
instructions are given about the vidhi-mārga worship of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa,
or Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. Although there are sixty-four kinds of offenses
one can commit in vidhi-mārga worship, in rāga-mārga worship there
is no consideration of such offenses because the devotees on that
platform are very much elevated, and there is no question of offense.
But if we do not follow the regulative principles on the vidhi-mārga
platform and keep our eyes trained to spot offenses, we will not make
progress." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 4.30.27, purport)

7.3. STANDARDS FOR INSTALLATION AND WORSHIP

7.3.1. The GBC shall, from time to time:
a. Establish parameters for sanctioning the installation of Deities by
ISKCON Organizations, Communities and Centers.
b. Clarify canons of appropriate standards of Deity worship.
c. Establish one or more agencies for, including but not limited to,
supervising the standards of installation and worship, and offering
specialized training.
7.3.2. ISKCON Organizations, Communities and Centers shall strictly fulfill
the requirements for installing Deities and shall carefully follow the
proper standards of Deity worship.

7.4. LEGAL PROPRIETORSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY

7.4.1. Any and all Deities in any ISKCON center, regardless of how they
have been legitimately acquired, whether acquired by way of a
contractual purchase or gift or labor or inheritance or finding or any
other lawful means, are irrevocably deemed to remain a property of
ISKCON solely.
7.4.2. Further to the point above [4.1], no ISKCON member has any legal
or equitable right, interest or proprietorship of the worship
paraphernalia, dresses, et al. which are the property of the Deity, and

29
 as such, always remain the property of ISKCON under all
circumstances.
7.4.3. The sacred duty and responsibility of maintaining the standard of
worship at the proper level rests with the ISKCON Organization,
Community and Center installing and/or being entrusted with the
worship. The GBC shall ultimately supervise and strive to maintain
the standards of worship worldwide.

30
 ARTICLE 8

ISKCON MEMBERSHIP

8.1. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

8.1.1. Whoever subscribes to the following Affirmation Statement shall be

accepted as a General Member of ISKCON:
“I wish to be counted as part of the spiritual family of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and I will practically
support its mission. I accept the teachings of Lord Krishna as presented
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder-
Ācārya of ISKCON.
While I understand that this general membership does not confer upon
me any rights in ISKCON organizations, I am grateful to participate in
this spiritual movement intended for the upliftment of the entire
human society.”

8.2. ELIGIBILITY AND NATURE OF MEMBERSHIP

8.2.1. General Membership in ISKCON is open to all without discrimination

of any kind, including but not limited to considerations of race,
gender, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.
8.2.2. ISKCON’s General Membership is international; the person is first and
foremost a member of the entire, worldwide International Society for
Krishna Consciousness, regardless of where one originally became a
member, one's present domicile or engagement in ISKCON.
8.2.3. General Membership in ISKCON shall be recognized by all ISKCON
organizations and related entities throughout the world.

8.3. PARTICIPATION

8.3.1. Individual ISKCON Organizations – local, national, etc. – can, if they

wish, establish additional membership programs to facilitate

31
 participation in their activities. These may include additional
parameters, requirements, and categories, provided they are consistent
with the Constitution. All ISKCON members are encouraged to
associate with, participate in, serve and consider membership in local
and other ISKCON Organizations.
8.3.2. ISKCON Organizations may restrict participation, suspend or revoke
membership in their specific organizations. However, one’s General
Membership can be revoked only by the ISKCON Governing Body
Commission or its specifically appointed agents.
8.3.3. General Membership remains international, intact, and unaffected by
modifications of the status of the local or national entity with which
members might be involved.
8.3.4. All General Members are eligible for accepting spiritual and
administrative responsibilities for which they possess the required
qualifications.

8.4. DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT

8.4.1. All General Members are encouraged to increase their dedication to

Krishna consciousness and commitment to the mission of ISKCON, in
particular by:
8.4.1.1. Practicing daily chanting of the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra.
8.4.1.2. Practicing the four regulative principles outlined by Śrīla
Prabhupāda, namely no meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no
illicit sex, no gambling,
8.4.1.3. Studying and applying the philosophy and practice of Krishna
consciousness, as presented in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings.
8.4.1.4. Receiving instruction and personal guidance from exemplary
ISKCON devotees.
8.4.1.5. Participating in the propagation of Krishna consciousness.
8.4.1.6. Accepting the policies and standards established by the Governing
Body Commission.

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8.5. INITIATION

8.5.1. General Members are encouraged to accept formal Vaiṣṇava-dīkśā

(initiation) from a qualified ISKCON initiating spiritual master (dīkṣā-
guru), according to the standards and prerequisites established by the
Governing Body Commission, which shall include, among other items,
the acceptance of the following lifelong vows as established by
ISKCON’s Founder-Ācārya, Śrīla Prabhupāda:
8.5.1.1. Daily chanting of a minimum sixteen rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa
mahā-mantra (1,728 times):
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
8.5.1.2. Following the four regulative principles: no illicit sex, no
intoxication, no meat-eating and no gambling.
8.5.2. Initiation does not, in and of itself, bestow any specific privileges in
ISKCON Organizations.

8.6. ETHOS OF MEMBERSHIP

8.6.1. General Members of ISKCON are encouraged:

8.6.1.1. To avail themselves of the services provided by ISKCON for their
spiritual life.
8.6.1.2. To advance in spiritual life and to achieve pure love for Krishna
through the approved process and practices of bhakti-yoga,
sincerely striving for purity of motivation and behavior.
8.6.1.3. To avail themselves of the opportunity of service to the mission
of ISKCON.
8.6.1.4. To participate in spreading Krishna consciousness according to
their situation and capacity.
8.6.1.5. To, in proportion to one’s capacity, regularly offer financial and
other support to local, national and global ISKCON
organizations, projects and representatives. Śrīla Prabhupāda
recommended donating at least fifty percent of one’s income
(defined here as gross, disposable or discretionary income).

33
 8.6.1.6. To relate with each other in the spiritual family of ISKCON with
love and respect. To regularly associate with devotees, both in
person and through other means, seeking guidance, shelter and
friendship, in a cooperative spirit.
8.6.1.7. To maintain a respectful and constructive spirit while expressing
one’s views on the conduct of other ISKCON members.
8.6.1.8. To responsibly fulfill their commitments, vows and promises in
relation to their devotional engagements, their āśrama
circumstances, and other legitimate obligations.
8.6.1.9. To respect all forms of life, avoiding or minimizing violence
against any living entity and to especially protect cows.
8.6.1.10. To avoid and minimize any negative impact on the natural
environment.
8.6.1.11. To maintain themselves and their families by honest occupations.

8.7. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

8.7.1. All ISKCON members are recognized to have the existing right:
8.7.1.1. To practice devotional service according to their nature,
inspiration and personal capacity.
8.7.1.2. To decide from whom to seek guidance and inspiration, as well
as śikṣā and dīkṣā relationships from qualified ISKCON devotees.
8.7.1.3. To utilize their intelligence, discrimination, conscience and free
will in choosing their personal expression, occupation,
engagement, and allegiance to specific ISKCON Organizations,
projects and representatives.
8.7.1.4. To choose which ISKCON Organizations, projects and
representatives to support by contributing through donations or
any other forms of support.
8.7.1.5. To choose their marital status, spouse, and other aspects of family
life.
8.7.1.6. To choose to develop the qualifications to become eligible for all
spiritual and/or administrative responsibilities for which they
possess the specific prerequisites.

34
 8.7.1.7. To refuse engagements and obligations that are against the
principles of Krishna consciousness, illegal, or harmful to oneself
or others.
8.7.1.8. To introduce others to and share the message of Krishna
consciousness in appropriate forms by reasonable means at their
disposal and under the guidance of ISKCON policies. This does
not automatically bestow the right to represent ISKCON either
formally, officially or legally to the government, media,
educational, religious or any other institution or to the public.
8.7.1.9. To freely and reasonably associate, form groups and generate
initiatives aimed at supporting each other’s wellbeing, spiritual
practices and the propagation of Krishna consciousness. To
acquire formal recognition and status, such groups and initiatives
shall undergo the relevant procedures for certification.
8.7.1.10. All ISKCON members have the right to approach higher
administrative authorities with grievances, within the ambit and
procedures of ISKCON Law.
8.7.2. Notwithstanding the above, the exercise of these rights shall take in
consideration ISKCON standards of behavior, sādhanā and siddhānta,
as well as specific policies and guidelines established by the GBC.
8.7.3. Notwithstanding the above, these rights are not an explicit or
exhaustive list of individual rights, which would include, but not be
limited to, the rights afforded by the state, international law, ISKCON
Law and local ISKCON Organizations.

35
 ARTICLE 9

THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION

9.1. THE ULTIMATE MANAGING AUTHORITY OF ISKCON

9.1.1. As established by Śrīla Prabhupāda in his Will, signed in June 1977, the
Governing Body Commission (GBC) is the ultimate managing authority
of ISKCON:
1. “The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate
managing authority of the entire International Society for Krishna
Consciousness.”
9.1.2. Śrīla Prabhupāda, following the desire of his spiritual master, Śrīla
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, for a collegial, collective direction
of the Krishna consciousness movement, established the GBC to
oversee and guide ISKCON.
a. “Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, at the time of his
departure, requested all his disciples to form a governing body and
conduct missionary activities cooperatively. He did not instruct a
particular man to become the next ācārya.” (Śrī Caitanya-
caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 12.8, purport).
b. “As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a
Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC)
should be established.” (Direction of Management, 28 July 1970)
9.1.3. The GBC, pursuant to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Will, shall ensure that his
wishes are carried out and his legacy protected. The GBC is, therefore,
entrusted with the fiduciary duty of caring for the whole of ISKCON
on behalf of the Founder-Ācārya, in conformity with his teachings.
9.1.4. The GBC shall perform its duty as the ultimate managing authority
within the parameters and boundaries designated by the ISKCON
Constitution.
9.1.5. The principle of collegial global governance of ISKCON by the GBC is
fixed, fundamental and not subject to alteration.
9.1.6. GBC resolutions, unless stated otherwise, are binding for the whole of
ISKCON.

36
 9.1.7. It is the duty and responsibility of the GBC to collectively serve as the
final arbiter and arbitrator in all matters pertaining to ISKCON,
including, but not limited to: philosophy, theology, spiritual standards,
administration, certification and accountability of leadership positions.
9.1.8. In fulfilling such duties, the GBC shall align itself with guru, sādhu and
śāstra.
9.1.9. In addition, the GBC will solicit the wisdom, intelligence, scholarship
and practical expertise of other individuals and groups, through
consultation, dialogue and involvement, to ascertain the best path
forward, especially about decisions crucially affecting the Society.
9.1.10. The GBC does not, and shall not claim infallibility or flawlessness for
its decisions. It shall allow the expression of dissent and differences of
opinion, giving adequate ear to such opinions. The expression of such
disagreements should ideally be communicated in a civil, respectful
manner, as becoming of Vaiṣṇava culture
9.1.11. In its leadership and policy making, the GBC shall utilize systems to
consider the needs, interests and concerns of its constituencies.
9.1.12. Śrīla Prabhupāda recommended, regarding the GBC members, “They
must be all ideal, ācārya-like.” (GBC Meets with Śrīla Prabhupāda,
Vṛndāvana, 28 May 1977) Therefore serving as a GBC, constitutes a
momentous sacred obligation, requiring substantial leadership
competence and spiritual advancement.

9.2. GBC MEMBERSHIP

9.2.1. New GBC members are elected by the existing members, according to
procedures the GBC may establish from time to time.
a. Satsvarūpa: . . . in the event that some present GBC member
leaves, either leaves...
Prabhupāda: Another should be elected.
Satsvarūpa: By the votes of the present GBC. …
Prabhupāda: So, there is no question of changing GBC.
Satsvarūpa: No.
Prabhupāda: Rather, one who is competent, he can be selected to
act by the board of the GBC.
(Room Conversation, 28 May 1977, Vṛndāvana)

37
9.2.2. Any member of ISKCON in good standing is eligible to become a
member of the GBC, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, āśrama and
other such considerations.
9.2.3. Tenure is, in principle, potentially for life, provided the member
retains the physical, mental and spiritual capacity and the commitment
to satisfactorily fulfill the responsibilities of the service and to
participate and perform at acceptable levels of effectiveness.
a. Satsvarūpa: … So our first question is about the GBC members. We
want to know how long should they remain in office?
Prabhupāda: They should remain for good.
(Room conversation, May 28, 1977, Vṛndāvana)
9.2.4. The GBC may mandate periodic or individual appraisals of its
members to determine their continued qualification and/or to help
improve their service. In addition, the GBC may establish policies
regarding tenure of its members.
9.2.5. The GBC members must be loyal to Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions,
mission and values, and have the intention to serve to their best
capacity.
9.2.6. Individual GBC members do not possess inherent, independent
authority but rather derive their authority from the Governing Body
Commission. Whether responsible for specific geographic areas or
assigned to any other function, their primary responsibility is to
ISKCON as a whole.
9.2.7. While representing the GBC in their service, individual GBC members
should never consider themselves as the whole GBC, but as members
or commissioners, commissioned by the whole Governing Body
Commission.
9.2.8. The GBC members shall collaborate to fulfill their various global
responsibilities and individually contribute according to their capacity,
area of expertise, personal inclination, and specific assignments.
9.2.9. Individual GBC members shall follow and promote ISKCON Law.
They shall imbibe and uphold the principle of the rule of law, the
restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to
well-defined and legitimately established laws, fairly applied to all.
9.2.10. GBC members and other ISKCON leaders must recognize and respect
the dignity, rights and creativity of individuals and communities, and
encourage autonomy within approved boundaries and parameters.

38
 9.2.11. The membership of the GBC shall not, at any time, be less than at
least twenty-five (25) members. For any reason whatsoever, if this
minimum membership cannot be maintained, the GBC shall appoint
new members within a period of eighteen (18) months.

9.3. DUTIES
9.3.1. The primary duties of the GBC include, but are not limited to, the
following:
9.3.1.1. The GBC shall preserve and promote Śrīla Prabhupāda’s position
as the Founder-Ācārya of ISKCON and seek to instill his mission,
values and mood into all future generations of ISKCON.
9.3.1.2. The GBC shall promote the systematic study of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s
books and their distribution in appropriate forms.
9.3.1.3. The GBC Body shall publish position papers, statements and
other documents on subjects that require clarification and
direction. In such matters the GBC shall consult with relevant
individuals and groups as needed.
9.3.1.4. As the global governing body, the GBC shall create, promote, and
oversee the implementation of strategic plans for the fulfillment
of ISKCON’s mission.
9.3.1.5. The GBC shall establish geographical territories covering the
entire world and define the corresponding leadership.
9.3.1.6. The GBC shall establish standards and procedures for leadership
roles and responsibilities within ISKCON.
9.3.1.7. The Governing Body Commission and its authorized agencies
shall have the prerogative to declare any officer of an ISKCON
Organization as unfit - or not in good standing - due to, including
but not limited to - philosophical deviation, organizational
insubordination, immoral conduct, or violating the oath of
allegiance in any form.
9.3.1.8. The GBC shall ensure that ISKCON’s moveable, immovable and
intellectual properties are adequately protected. This includes,
but is not limited to, physical properties, trademarks and
copyrights.

39
 9.3.1.9. The GBC shall also ensure that aforesaid assets are utilized in
pursuance of ISKCON’s mission and purposes, according to
established standards. All reasonable precautions shall be taken to
prevent these assets from being diverted towards unauthorized
purposes or managed at inadequate standards.
9.3.1.10. The GBC shall give special attention to projects of global
significance, such as developing Śrīdhāma Māyāpur.
9.3.1.11. The GBC shall regularly and effectively communicate its vision,
decisions, resolutions, policies, initiatives, and other actions, as
well as ensure that essential information is translated into the
primary languages of ISKCON members.
9.3.1.12. The GBC shall promote effective and harmonious
communication between ISKCON and the general public,
government agencies, academia, religious organizations, the
media, and other relevant persons and groups.
9.3.1.13. The GBC, through education, training and by establishing
standards of transparency and accountability, shall endeavor to
ensure that, at all levels of the organization, the members and
especially the leaders conduct their activities according to the
highest ethical, legal and moral standards. The GBC shall
endeavor to prevent or eradicate any unethical or disreputable
behavior.
9.3.1.14. In the service of ISKCON, the GBC may establish as many offices,
ministries, departments, and other agencies as required, engaging
as many personnel as necessary.
9.3.1.15. The GBC shall establish systems for effectively funding the global
functions of ISKCON.

9.4. OTHER REFERENCES, ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL

ORDER
9.4.1. “Perhaps you know I have already formed a Governing Body
Commission, so in my absence they will manage the affairs of the
Society.” (Letter to Umapati, 23 August 1970)

40
9.4.2. “Now I have invested the GBC for maintaining the standard of our
Krsna Consciousness Society, so keep the GBC very vigilant. I have
already given you full directions in my books.” (Letter to Satsvarupa,
13 September 1970)
9.4.3. “I have formed this GBC for that purpose, to keep the devotional
standards at the highest level and at the same time to manage a world-
wide organization.” (Letter to Rupanuga, 4 November 1970)
9.4.4. “The future hope of solid standing of our mission is on the proper
management of our governing body.” (Letter to Bhagavan, 16
February 1971)
9.4.5. “For better management of the whole institution, the governing body
commission is responsible.” (Letter to Satsvarupa, 26 February 1971)
9.4.6. “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.” (Letter to Giriraja, 12 August 1971)
9.4.7. “I have issued a letter to all the GBC members only for this purpose
that each one of you should always think how to improve the cause
and advance our society and as soon as there is some good point you
can communicate with your colleagues … So you should not remain
for a moment without thought of improving ISKCON activity.”
(Letter to Tamal Krishna, 1 September 1971)
9.4.8. “GBC member means they will see that in every temple these books
are very thoroughly being read and discussed and understood and
applied in practical life.” (Lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.9.3,
Melbourne, 5 April 1972)
9.4.9. “Now the framework of expansion is done by me, but this, they
should be solidified. Just like your skyscraper building. The
framework is done then they are made nicely air-conditioned and
covered by glass . . . It makes a nice house. Similarly, so far the
framework is done. I have done with your help. Now we have to push
this movement.” (Conversation with the GBC, Los Angeles, 25 May
1972

41
9.4.10. “Your first job should be to make sure that every one of the devotees
in your zone of management is reading regularly our literatures and
discussing the subject matter seriously from different angles of seeing,
and that they are somehow or other absorbing the knowledge of
Krishna Consciousness philosophy.” (Letter to Satsvarupa, 16 June
1972)
9.4.11. “So you GBC men are my selected few for insuring that what I am
doing will be carried on very nicely for the pleasure of Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.” (Letter to Madhudvisa, 16 June 1972)
9.4.12. “You mention that you are no longer much occupied with seeing that
the rent and mortgage is paid and that the incense is sold, but GBC
means to be occupied with everything in the zone. It is not that now
we are preachers we can neglect all other points. No, the GBC
member is supposed to know everything and anything about the
condition and situation of all matters within his jurisdiction. That is
the meaning of secretary. So because we are engaged in many fields
of activity I am especially relying upon that knowledge of my GBC
assistants and secretaries to manage everything properly. But if we do
not take time to understand how the financial matters are going on,
then at any moment we may experience some calamity due to our
inattention to these matters. Therefore, you should try to keep
yourself always informed how the financial matters are improving and
keep your watchful eye on every feature of our Krishna Consciousness
activity. That is also part of preaching work. I am also preaching daily.
But I am at the same time managing everything, seeing the statements
of accounts, going to the bank, giving advice on every topic, like that.
Just now I have purchased one apartment house with seven
apartments just adjacent to the L.A. temple and very soon we shall
invest in similar properties. So practically there is no question of my
neglecting the financial matters of the society, and similarly, you shall
do as I am doing. That is your real business.” (Letter to Satsvarupa, 1
July 1972)
9.4.13. “For taking sannyasa you may consult your GBC member as we shall
be starting a new policy where the sannyasa candidate must meet
certain requirements to be determined by the GBC.” (Letter to
Danavir, 6 February 1973)

42
9.4.14. “As GBC member it is your duty to carefully make a broad program
for implementing Krsna Consciousness in every sphere of life, in this
way we will become respected as the most important members of
human society.” (Letter to Hansadutta, 6 May 1973)
9.4.15. “Regarding the International Trust Board, we are now expanding and
so our interests should be carefully guarded. Certainly the 12 GBC
members are being trained up strictly under my guidance so that they
will protect the interest of the society very, very carefully. All our
property should be well protected, and I think in every document my
name as Founder-Acarya should be mentioned. Special care should be
taken that no property can be sold or mortgaged by local managers.”
(Letter to Bali Mardana, 5 September 1974)
9.4.16. “Regarding your trip to U.S.A. you say that you will be tactful and
respectful in your dealings. That should be the motto of all GBC. Be
tolerant, and if there is any deficiency, rectify it. All our men have
volunteered good service, so the background is good will. So
everything should be done on the basis of good will.” (Letter to
Hansadutta, 7 September 1974)
9.4.17. “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.” (Letter to Madhudvisa, 4
August 1975)
9.4.18. “So now you all GBC make a plan how to introduce the books in
every home.” (Room Conversation, Bhubaneswar, 29 January 1977)
9.4.19. [The last two references are the last recorded instances Śrīla
Prabhupāda’s mentions “GBC”:] “The institution depends on the
GBC.” (Room Conversation, Vrindavana, 5 November 1977)
9.4.20. “I wish that you GBC manage very nicely.” (Room Conversation,
Vrindavana, 8 November 1977)

43
 ARTICLE 10

REPRESENTATION OF ISKCON MEMBERSHIP

10.1. The GBC shall, from time to time, appoint one or more bodies for different
purposes, which must include, while not be limited to:
10.1.1. Reviewing and evaluating GBC resolutions and other decisions;
10.1.2. Proposing legislation
10.1.3. Suggesting issues and themes that should be addressed by the GBC;
10.1.4. Expressing the needs, interests, concerns, and expectations of the
constituencies such body/ies represent.

10.2. The composition of such body/ies shall ensure adequate representation of

ISKCON members and/or ISKCON Organizations.

10.3. The GBC, from time to time, may determine the functions and powers of
such body/ies.

44
 ARTICLE 11

ISKCON ORGANIZATIONS

11.1. DEFINITION
11.1.1. ISKCON is an international society consisting of individual members
and organizations, all working in cooperation to participate in,
support, and propagate the saṅkīrtana movement as inaugurated by Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
11.1.2. An ISKCON Organization is an association of ISKCON Members,
formally registered or otherwise, that is accepted and recognized by
the Governing Body Commission or by its authorized agencies.
11.1.3. In order to be accepted and recognized by the Governing Body
Commission, an ISKCON Organization must:
11.1.3.1. Accept the authority of the teachings and example of Śrīla
Prabhupāda;
11.1.3.2. Have objectives aligned with the mission of ISKCON as given by
Śrīla Prabhupāda, as delineated in its Seven Purposes, and defined
in its Constitution
11.1.3.3. Have no activities or objectives that are contrary to the mission
of ISKCON;
11.1.3.4. Have irrevocably dedicated its current and future real property
and other assets to the mission of ISKCON;
11.1.3.5. Ensure that its officers and governing body members remain
ISKCON members in good standing;
11.1.3.6. Ensure that all officers and governing body members take the
required Oath of Allegiance in the format prescribed by the GBC
11.1.3.7. Adhere to the Constitution, governance structure, legislation, and
other standards of ISKCON.

11.2. ISKCON PROPERTIES

11.2.1. ISKCON properties shall include, but not be limited to, immovable
properties such as land and buildings, as well as intellectual property
such as trademarks and copyrights.

45
 11.2.2. ISKCON Organizations’ immovable properties cannot be mortgaged,
borrowed against, sold, transferred, or in any way encumbered,
disposed of, or alienated, without permission of the GBC or its
designated agents.
11.2.3. Similarly, ISKCON Organizations shall ensure that intellectual
property belonging to ISKCON is well protected and exclusively
utilized for the mission of ISKCON.

11.3. RESPONSIBILITIES

11.3.1. ISKCON Organizations, in the form of Temples, Centers,

Communities, Institutes and other projects, are vehicles through
which ISKCON’s mission is organized and conducted.
11.3.2. ISKCON Organizations have a primary role and responsibility to
actively take up the mission of ISKCON and to provide leadership
and spiritual care to the Members participating in their activities.
11.3.3. In particular they are responsible for:
11.3.3.1. Facilitating the spiritual needs of the members of ISKCON and
society in general, including but not limited to:
11.3.3.1.1. Ensuring that the integrity of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings
are preserved and propagated.
11.3.3.1.2. Worshiping installed Deities in their care according to
ISKCON standards.
11.3.3.1.3. Providing spiritual instruction, shelter, guidance, and
inspiration.
11.3.3.1.4. Offering opportunities to receive systematic spiritual
education.
11.3.3.1.5. Inspiring others through the exemplary personal conduct
of their leadership;
11.3.3.1.6. Inspiring members with the spirit of enthusiastic service,
which is individual, spontaneous, and voluntary.
11.3.3.2. Leading the mission of ISKCON by, including but not limited
to:
11.3.3.2.1. Articulating the vision and mood of Śrīla Prabhupāda and
inspiring members in outreach activities.
11.3.3.2.2. Setting and monitoring goals for achieving ISKCON’s
objectives.

46
 11.3.3.2.3. Offering opportunities to engage in practical service to
ISKCON members and others.
11.3.3.2.4. Promoting cooperation amongst ISKCON members and
initiatives and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships
with society at large.
11.3.3.3. Conducting their affairs in accordance with ISKCON’s standards
and policies, which include, but are not limited to:
11.3.3.3.1. Maintaining and preserving practices and standards
established by Śrīla Prabhupāda;
11.3.3.3.2. Establishing appropriate processes, systems, and controls;
11.3.3.3.3. Protecting and maintaining ISKCON’s movable and
immovable properties, including intellectual properties.
11.3.3.3.4. Encouraging communication and cooperation among
ISKCON members and initiatives;

11.4. RIGHTS
11.4.1. ISKCON Organizations have the inherent right:
11.4.1.1. To conduct their affairs as they deem best, in accordance with the
standards, policies and regulations set by Srila Prabhupada and
the GBC
11.4.1.2. To be represented in the Society as a whole through
representative bodies or other mechanisms established or
authorized by the GBC
11.4.1.3. ISKCON Members participating in ISKCON Organizations
should be ideally instilled with the spirit of enthusiastic service,
which is individual, spontaneous, and voluntary,

11.5. ISKCON-CONNECTED ORGANIZATIONS

11.5.1. Due to legal and other considerations, in some cases it might be
necessary or beneficial for the mission of ISKCON to establish entities
that are not directly or formally ISKCON Organizations, and which
operate independently of ISKCON, but that pursue and/or support all
or part of ISKCON Purposes.
11.5.2. Policies regarding the relationship and interaction between ISKCON
and such entities, including possible recognition by ISKCON in some
form, may be established by the GBC from time to time.

47
 ARTICLE 12

DISCIPLINE AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

12.1. INTRODUCTORY PRINCIPLES

12.1.1. Appropriate disciplinary measures are required in the event of
wrongdoing by ISKCON leaders, members and/or ISKCON
Organizations as well as to ensure that GBC resolutions, ISKCON Law
and rules, regulations, and policies are upheld.
12.1.2. ISKCON and ISKCON Organizations shall place due emphasis on
reforming, improving and rectifying wrongdoers even when
disciplining them. At the same time, wrongdoings shall be dealt with
reformatory measures and/or commensurate penalties, including but
not limited to restrictions, censure, probation, suspension and removal
through a system of fair and due process.
12.1.3. In the event of any dispute arising amongst members of ISKCON
and/or ISKCON Organizations, the parties are strongly encouraged to
use their best efforts to settle the dispute in an amicable and collegial
manner based on the unifying principles of Krishna consciousness and
etiquette, or to resolve such disputes through conflict management
systems established within ISKCON and/or ISKCON Organizations.

12.2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADMINISTERING DISCIPLINE

AND RESOLVING DISPUTES
12.2.1. The GBC and all ISKCON Organizations shall be responsible for
implementing systems for discipline and dispute resolution in their
respective jurisdictions and constituencies.
12.2.2. These systems range from administrative processes wherein respective
ISKCON authorities deal with issues arising out of the ordinary
course of administering an ISKCON Organization to formal
adjudication systems. These systems shall be guided by the
fundamental principles of fair and due process for all parties.

12.3. PRINCIPLES OF FAIR AND DUE PROCESS

48
12.3.1. ISKCON Organizations shall implement the following principles of
fair and due process when investigating and adjudicating
wrongdoings and/or resolving disputes amongst its members. In
general these principles apply to both dispute resolution and
disciplinary proceedings. In cases where a principle is specific to
disciplinary proceedings the spirit of the principle shall be applied
to dispute resolution proceedings.
12.3.2. Duty to disclose and obstruction of justice
12.3.2.1. Actions that are recognized as unlawful and/or criminal under
secular laws of a jurisdiction shall if mandated to do so, be
reported by ISKCON Organizations and/or members of
ISKCON to the appropriate secular authorities, as failure to do
so can be tantamount to obstruction of justice.
12.3.3. Equality before law
12.3.3.1. All ISKCON Organizations and members of ISKCON
regardless of position and/or authority are equal before the law
and no one shall claim to be above the law.
12.3.4. Presumption of innocence
12.3.4.1. Presumption of innocence shall govern any investigative and
adjudicative process.
12.3.5. Impartiality:
12.3.5.1. All proceedings, tribunals, panels and committees set up by
the GBC and all ISKCON Organizations to deliver, administer
and execute discipline, shall maintain impartiality when
arriving at their decisions, regardless of the status of the parties
concerned.
12.3.5.2. All proceedings, tribunals, panels and committees shall
maintain a fair and impartial process of investigation and
adjudication. This shall include, but not be limited to,
separation of the investigative from the adjudicative process, as
well as investigators from adjudicators.
12.3.6. Conflict of Interest:
12.3.6.1. The GBC and ISKCON Organizations shall maintain high
standards of integrity, accountability and credibility. It is vital
that ISKCON members and the public, be confident of this
commitment. Accordingly, any conflict of interest in any

49
 proceeding in ISKCON and ISKCON Organizations must be
declared and/or avoided.
12.3.6.2. This policy is intended to supplement, and not replace, any
applicable secular law governing conflict of interest.
12.3.7. Freedom from retaliation:
12.3.7.1. The complainants and witnesses in an adjudication process
shall be protected from any form of retaliation from the
respondent and by supporters of the respondent at all stages of
the said process, and also after a decision is arrived in respect
of the same.
12.3.7.2. Any form of retaliation, intimidation and/or harassment of a
complainant, a witness, or someone reporting wrongdoing in
good faith and in a responsible manner, shall constitute
unacceptable behavior and shall be dealt with appropriately.
12.3.8. Confidentiality:
12.3.8.1. All adjudication proceedings shall be conducted under terms
of strict confidentiality and privacy for all parties concerned.
Breach of such confidentiality shall be considered a serious
contravention.
12.3.9. Notice and opportunity to be heard:
12.3.9.1. Every party to any proceeding, whether the complainant or
the respondent, shall be given an adequate opportunity to be
heard in the adjudication process.
12.3.10. Fair notice
12.3.10.1. Due and fair notice of any accusation directed at the alleged
accused, the charges leveled at them, the rules and policies of
ISKCON which are relevant to the accusation and charge, and
the consequences they face if found guilty, shall be made
known to them.
12.3.11. Knowing the identities of the parties to the proceedings
12.3.11.1. The identities of parties to the proceedings shall also be
furnished to each other, except in cases where revealing the
complainants’ identity may be harmful to them.
12.3.12. Right of access to evidence:
12.3.12.1. Parties to any proceedings and/or disputes shall be granted
reasonable access to all relevant evidence considered by
decision makers which include, but are not limited to,

50
 tribunals, review panels and disciplinary committees as well as
be granted the opportunity to respond to such evidence within
reasonable time.
12.3.12.2. Parties shall have the right to present their own evidence and
the right to question the evidence adduced by the other
party/ies.
12.3.13. Time is of the essence
12.3.13.1. There should be a reasonable time limit in which an alleged
wrongdoing must be adjudicated, particularly in cases where
sanctions and/or limits have already been imposed on the
accused.
12.3.14. Right to a fair decision
12.3.14.1. Parties in any adjudication proceeding shall have the right to a
decision that is neither unreasonable nor arbitrary in nature.
12.3.14.2. After the adjudication, parties have the right of being notified
of the decision and the right to a properly written decision
containing clear statements on the reasons for the decision.
12.3.15. Standards and burden of proof
12.3.15.1. The standard of proof for all adjudication proceedings shall be
“preponderance of evidence” and not “beyond reasonable
doubt.”
12.3.16. Appealing Decisions
12.3.16.1. Parties shall be entitled, in adjudication, to appeal the decision
of a lower authority to a higher authority.

12.4. REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION

12.4.1. In cases where culpability is established, a system whereby offenders
are rehabilitated and reintegrated into ISKCON shall be applied
whenever possible.

51
 ARTICLE 13

CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL

13.1. INTRODUCTION
13.1.1. A Constitutional Council shall be established by the ISKCON
Governing Body Commission (GBC).
13.1.2. The Constitutional Council shall possess the highest authority in the
interpretation of the ISKCON Constitution. This Council, however,
does not equate to an apex judicial authority or supreme court.

13.2. AMBIT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL

13.2.1. The Council is the competent body having the authority to determine
the constitutional validity of any GBC resolution, decision or executive
order.

13.3. COMPOSITION
13.3.1. The Constitutional Council shall consist of seven (7) Council Officials
appointed by a 2/3rd majority vote of the quorum of GBC members.
13.3.2. A Council Official may be removed from office by a 2/3rd majority
vote of the quorum of the GBC.
13.3.3. The tenure of each Council Official shall be for a period of five (5)
years, which is renewable. The length of the renewed tenure shall be
defined by the GBC and each Constitutional Council Official.
13.3.4. A Council Official Judge may be removed from his or her office by a
2/3rd majority vote of the quorum of GBC members of the GBC.
13.3.5. A Council Official may not concurrently serve as a voting GBC
member during his or her tenure.
13.3.6. In the event of resignation, demise, or inability of a Council Official
to serve his or her full term for any reason whatsoever, the Council
shall continue its functions with a minimum of five (5) Council
Officials until the GBC appoints new Council Officials to the vacant
positions.

52
13.4. FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE COUNCIL
13.4.1. The Council shall have the following functions, duties and powers:
13.4.1.1. To assess and determine the constitutionality of legislation, by-
laws, resolutions, decisions and executive actions of the GBC, and
seek revision and amendments of inconsistent decisions or laws.
13.4.1.2. To provide an opinion when consulted by the GBC on any
matters, issues or clarification arising from the Constitution.
13.4.1.3. To recommend to the GBC necessary drafts to implement the
objectives of the Constitution.
13.4.2. The Constitutional Council shall discharge its functions, duties and
powers as stated above while taking into consideration the secular laws
of applicable jurisdictions.

13.5. PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE COUNCIL

13.5.1. The Council shall be deemed to have achieved the quorum for holding
a meeting if the Chairperson and four other members are present.
13.5.2. The Council may consider petitions of its own accord (suo moto or
motu proprio) or petitions brought before it by any GBC member.
Nonetheless, petitions brought forth by any ISKCON Organization or
ISKCON member must be sponsored by at least a GBC member.
13.5.3. In the event the Council determines a petition to lack merit or
relevance, the petition shall be dismissed. This decision shall be final
and is not subject to appeal.
13.5.4. Every decision by the Council shall be taken by a majority of at least
four (4) Council Officials.
13.5.5. After consideration of a petition and finding elements of
unconstitutionality, the Council, shall notify the GBC of its opinion in
writing. The GBC shall thereupon provide its written response on the
matter within ten weeks of such notification. Whereafter, the Council,
taking into consideration the said response, shall provide, within eight
weeks, a final and binding decision on the petition.
13.5.6. Other procedures of the meeting of the Council shall be determined
by itself as necessary.

53
 ARTICLE 14

AMENDMENTS

14.1. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the GBC may, in exercise

of its constituent power, amend by way of addition, variation or repeal
any provision of this Constitution in accordance with the procedure laid
down in this Article.

14.2. An amendment of this Constitution may be initiated only by a proposal

for a resolution, sponsored by at least three GBC members.

14.3. Such a resolution can be passed only during a General Meeting by a 3/4th
majority of the total membership of the GBC.

54
 ARTICLE 15

RATIFICATION

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission, on behalf of His Divine Grace A.C
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness, of all ISKCON members and all ISKCON Organizations
after a request to all ISKCON leaders and ISKCON members for their views, and
after the integration of their applicable suggestions - hereby ratifies, confirms and
adopts this Constitution on this _____ day of ________.

Signatories:

55
 APPENDIX 1

ISKCON IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE

DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION

1.1. THE PARAMPARĀ SYSTEM

1.1.1. A fundamental aspect of the proper transmission of spiritual
knowledge is the principle of paramparā, disciplic succession, to
which every genuine spiritual master belongs.
a. "The path of spiritual realization is undoubtedly difficult. The
Lord therefore advises us to approach a bona fide spiritual
master in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord
Himself. No one can be a bona fide spiritual master without
following this principle of disciplic succession." (Bhagavad-
gītā, 4.34, purport)
1.1.2. Transcendental knowledge is originally revealed by Krishna. The
same message, not accessible for discovery by the material mind and
senses, is passed on from guru to disciple from time immemorial.
a. "God is guru, original guru. God gave lessons to Brahmā.
Brahmā gave lessons to Nārada. Nārada gave lessons to
Vyāsadeva . . . if you follow this disciplic succession, then you
get perfect knowledge . . . Therefore the injunction is, tad-
vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet [Mundaka Upaniṣad
1.2.12): 'You must go to guru.' And who is guru? This
paramparā system. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo
viduḥ [Bg 4.2] So this is the process. If you want perfect
knowledge, you must approach guru." (Lecture on Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 3.26.32, Bombay, 9 Jan 1975)
1.1.3. The paramparā principle is applied by specific disciplic successions.
a. "Sampradāya means a particular line of disciplic succession."
(Conversation, Tittenhurst, 11 Sept 1969)
1.1.4. Four lineages are recognized as authentic sampradāyas:

56
 a. "There are four lines of disciplic succession: one from Lord
Brahmā, one from Lord Śiva, one from Lakṣmī, the goddess
of fortune, and one from the Kumāras. The disciplic
succession from Lord Brahmā is called the Brahma-
sampradāya, the succession from Lord Śiva (Śambhu) is called
the Rudra-sampradāya, the one from the goddess of fortune,
Lakṣmījī, is called the Śrī-sampradāya, and the one from the
Kumāras is called the Kumāra-sampradāya. One must take
shelter of one of these four sampradāyas in order to
understand the most confidential religious system." (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 6.3.20-21, purport)

1.2. ISKCON BELONGS TO A BONA FIDE SAMPRADĀYA

1.2.1. Through Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings and his initiated disciples, the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness belongs to the
Brahmā-madhva-gauḍīya-sampradāya:
a. "Our sampradāya is known as Brahmā-madhva-gauḍīya-
sampradāya." (Lecture, Hyderabad, 16 Aug 1976)
b. "We belong to the Brahma-sampradāya. Brahmā's disciple and
son also, Nārada; his disciple, Vyāsadeva; and his disciple is
Mādhavācārya; and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu belongs to this
Mādhavācārya-sampradāya. His spiritual master was Īśvara
Purī, and Īśvara Purī's spiritual master was Mādhavendra Purī.
This Mādhavendra Purī happened to be in the disciplic
succession of Mādhavācārya; therefore we, coming down
from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we are known as Madhva-
gauḍīya-sampradāya." (Lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.1-2,
Bombay, 22 March 1972)
1.2.2. Through loyalty to the principle of paramparā and allegiance to the
teachings of the ācāryas, ISKCON members can achieve complete
spiritual blessings.
a. "This is the way of the paramparā system. If we follow the
ācāryas, we attain the same benefit as our predecessors."
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.30.10, purport)
57
1.3. ISKCON'S COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE THE DISCIPLIC
SUCCESSION
1.3.1. In observance of the paramparā principle and in adherence to the
instructions of our Founder-Ācārya, ISKCON fully embraces the
system that qualified ISKCON members should become instructing
and initiating spiritual masters.
a. "When I order, 'You become guru,' he becomes regular guru.
That's all . . . And Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya
guru hañā [Cc Madhya 7.138]. One can understand the order
of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he can become guru. Or one who
understands his guru's order, the same paramparā, he can
become guru." (Conversation, Vrindavana, 28 May 1977)

1.4. ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA WANTED THAT ALL HIS DISCIPLES

BECOME SPIRITUAL MASTER
1.4.1. The Founder-Ācārya consistently encouraged his followers to take the
responsibility to become gurus and teach spiritual knowledge to
others.
a. "To become spiritual master is not very difficult thing. You'll
have to become spiritual master. You, all my disciples,
everyone should become spiritual master . . . So I hope that
all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual
master." (Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā lecture, London, 22 Aug 1973)
1.4.2. Again and again, Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed his desire that, ideally,
all his disciples and future followers would carefully study and
diligently practice the teachings of the śāstra, thus becoming qualified
as gurus.
a. "I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master
and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make
me and Krishna very happy." (Letter to Tusta Krsna, 2 Dec
1975)

58
1.5. QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVING AS GURU
1.5.1. Śrīla Prabhupāda often explained the requirements for becoming a
spiritual master. He divested the service of the guru from nebulous
demands and unverifiable standards, and instead emphasized strict
adherence to spiritual standards and faithful presentation of the
message:
a. "Guru means he speaks the same thing as the original master
says. The original master is Kṛṣṇa. And guru means he has to
repeat the words of Kṛṣṇa, that's all. To become guru is not
very difficult. Kṛṣṇa says that He is the Supreme; a guru will
say that 'He is Supreme; I am servant.'" (Conversation,
London, 1 Sept 1973)
1.5.2. Śrīla Prabhupāda dismissed the ambiguous, non-certifiable and non-
observable criterion that guru candidates be "liberated."
a. "Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he
follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his
actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the
material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says: 'By My order
you may become a spiritual master.' One can immediately
become a spiritual master by having full faith in the
transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
and by following His instructions." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
4.18.5, purport)
1.5.3. Devotees at different levels of spiritual achievement may serve as
gurus, provided they firmly adhere to the instructions of their
predecessors.
a. "A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit
any mistake, but there are persons who are less qualified or
not liberated, but still can act as guru and acharya by strictly
following the disciplic succession." (Letter to Janardana, 26
April 1968)
1.5.4. ISKCON shall not establish parameters on who is qualified to serve as
guru based on esoteric, impenetrable, and indemonstrable

59
 parameters. In following the footsteps of the Founder-Ācārya, in
defining prerequisites for accepting disciples, ISKCON shall rely on
and emphasize pragmatic, measurable and observable parameters.
a. "[O]ne may be found to be very seriously engaged in the
service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative
principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds on japa
beads and always thinking of how to expand the Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement . . . the advanced uttama-adhikārī
Vaiṣṇava devotee should be accepted as a spiritual master.
Such a Vaiṣṇava should be accepted as an uttama-adhikārī . . .
[and] should be accepted as a spiritual master . . . A neophyte
Vaiṣṇava or a Vaiṣṇava situated on the intermediate platform
can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the
same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot
advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his
insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to
accept an uttama-adhikārī as a spiritual master." (The Nectar
of Instruction, Text Five)
1.5.5. The correct understanding and presentation of the philosophy,
combined with sustained exemplary personal behavior, constitute the
essence of the qualifications for serving as guru to others. In other
words, loyal, diligent, studious disciples make competent gurus.
a. "One who is now the disciple is the next spiritual master.
And one cannot be a bona fide and authorized spiritual
master unless one has been strictly obedient to his spiritual
master." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 2.9.43, purport)

1.6. RITVIKISM: REJECTED AND BANNED

1.6.1. The theory that Śrīla Prabhupāda wished to continue directly
initiating disciples after his departure through "ritviks" - priests
performing the ceremony of initiation on his behalf - is a deviant,
heterodox fabrication.
1.6.2. Such "ritvikism" - at times called posthumous ritvik theory, post-
samādhi ritvik theory, proxy initiation theory, etc. - goes against the
60
 paramparā principle that Lord Krishna established and that all the
ācāryas upheld. This fictitious theory is never mentioned in śāstra, it
has never been practiced by any bona fide sampradāya, and Śrīla
Prabhupāda never spoke about or promoted it.
1.6.3. The ritvikism falsehood shall be permanently shunned in ISKCON as
unfounded and misleading. It is utterly erroneous to espouse it,
deluding and misguiding to teach it, and blasphemous to attribute it
to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
1.6.4. The ritvikism invention shall be banned in ISKCON; it shall not be
tolerated or accommodated in any way, shape or form. No one who
espouses, teaches, or practices ritvikism can be an ISKCON member
in good standing.
a. Prabhupāda: I am the tenth generation from Caitanya
Mahāprabhu.
Mohsin Hassan: Yeah, the tenth. After you, is it... any
decision has been made who will take over?
Prabhupāda: Yes. All of them will take over. These students,
who are initiated from me, all of them will act as I am doing.
Just like I have got many Godbrothers, they are all acting.
Similarly, all these disciples which I am making, initiating,
they are being trained to become future spiritual masters . . .
they are competent to make disciples. (Room Conversation,
Detroit, 18 July 1971)

1.7. ŚIKṢĀ- AND DĪKṢĀ-GURUS

1.7.1. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized, based on śāstra, that there is no
difference between initiating and instructing spiritual masters.
a. "It is the duty of the śikṣā-guru or dīkṣā-guru to instruct the
disciple in the right way, and it depends on the disciple to
execute the process. According to śāstric injunctions, there is
no difference between śikṣā-guru and dīkṣā-guru, and
generally the śikṣā-guru later on becomes the dīkṣā-guru."
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.12.32, purport)

61
 1.7.2. An ISKCON member can only accept one dīkṣā-guru but can receive
instruction and guidance from many śikṣā-gurus.
b. "A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because
in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden.
There is no limit, however, to the number of instructing spiritual
masters one may accept." (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 1.35,
purport)

1.8. DISCIPLES OF ANY GURU SHOULD RESPECT ALL GURUS

AND OTHER SENIOR DEVOTEES
1.8.1. As in an extended family the children may have a special relation
with their parents but should also respect the siblings of their parents
and other elders, ISKCON members may have their own personal
dīkṣā- and śikṣā-gurus but should also respect all the genuine spiritual
leaders of the Society.
a. "The revealed scriptures prohibit one’s pretending to be God,
but a bona fide spiritual master is a most faithful and
confidential servant of the Lord and therefore deserves as
much respect as Kṛṣṇa." (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, 1.44,
purport)
1.8.2. In a multi-guru Society such as ISKCON and in the spirit of unity in
diversity, the members should take the utmost care to avoid sectarian
separatisms, neophyte factionalisms and artificial guru-groupism. All
senior and exemplary ISKCON members should be respected, either
if one has a personal relation with them as student, disciple, follower,
or admirer; or if one doesn't have a close, reverential connection
with them.
1.8.3. It is said that "guru is one," in the sense that every bona fide spiritual
master will teach the same essential theological truths, the same
fundamental message, and will present the teachings of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.
a. "As God is one, similarly, guru is also one. There cannot be
different gurus. Because God is one, how there can be

62
 different gurus? The principle of guru is one." (Arrival
Lecture, San Francisco, 15 July 1975).
1.8.4. It should be noted that different spiritual masters may instruct their
disciples slightly differently in terms of details - but not in regard to
principles. Such minor variances should be kept within the
boundaries established from time to time by the GBC.
a. "[A] basic principle is that one has to accept a spiritual
master. Exactly how one follows the instructions of his
spiritual master is considered a detail. For example, if one is
following the instruction of his spiritual master and that
instruction is different from the instructions of another
spiritual master, this is called detailed information. But the
basic principle of acceptance of a spiritual master is good
everywhere, although the details may be different." (The
Nectar of Devotion, Chapter Six)

1.9. FREEDOM OF CHOICE

1.9.1. ISKCON members should choose their spiritual masters - initiating
and instructing - in full freedom and after careful analysis, without
being swayed by subtle or explicit pressure, or by mundane social or
bodily conventions.
a. "One has to understand with intelligence, with cool head,
this spiritual science; but you have to approach to a person
who is actually in the knowledge of spiritual science, or
science of God . . . you must have to find out such a person
where you can surrender yourself . . . first of all you have to
find out whether you have approached a person who is really
authority or not. If you think that, 'This man, this person, is
really authority,' then you surrender there. Otherwise there is
no meaning of imitating, that, 'Oh, so many persons have
accepted this person as spiritual master or authority. Oh, let
me also accept.' No. Bhagavad-gītā does not say like that.
Bhagavad-gītā says that, 'You try to understand the whole
spiritual science very nicely. And if you think the man who is
63
 instructing you is actually the authority, then surrender.'
Then accept him as spiritual master. Not blindly or
dogmatically. Try to understand." (Lecture on Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 5.5.1-3, Boston, 4 May 1968)
1.9.2. The need for careful consideration and scrutiny also applies to the
acceptance of a disciple by the spiritual master.
a. "It is enjoined that the spiritual master also observe the
disciple at least for one year, and the disciple also study the
spiritual master at least for one year. So when both of them
are convinced that 'He can be my spiritual master' or 'He can
be my disciple,' then the relationship is established." (Lecture
on Bhagavad-gītā, 4.34-39, Los Angeles, 12 Jan 1969)
1.9.3. Choosing a spiritual master is a deeply personal and momentous
choice in life. ISKCON members are forbidden to try to coerce
others into choosing this or that particular ISKCON guru.
1.9.4. ISKCON members have the right to decide from whom to seek
guidance and inspiration, as well as śikṣā and dīkṣā relationships from
qualified ISKCON devotees.
1.9.5. Notwithstanding, ISKCON members have the individual
responsibility to correctly decide, by reference to sādhu, śāstra, and
guru, and by the exercise of their own intelligence and
discrimination, to choose a particular devotee as spiritual master
whom they can sincerely surrender to, serve, and enquire from.

1.10. THE GBC REGULATES THE SPECIFICS OF THE

IMPLEMENTATION
1.10.1. The standard requirements and criteria for functioning as a genuine
spiritual master or as a qualified disciple are thoroughly described in
sastra and in Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings.
1.10.2. The GBC shall, from time to time, determine the details of the
process of initiation in ISKCON, including but not limited to, the
prerequisites of aspiring disciples, their mandatory training, and their
minimum preparation time.

64
1.10.3. The GBC shall, from time to time, establish standards, prerequisites,
and procedures for recognizing and certifying ISKCON members
qualified as śikṣā- or dīkṣā-gurus.
1.10.4. Such provisions may include, but not be limited to, possessing a
minimum seniority and experience, displaying exemplary behavior,
having sufficient spiritual knowledge, presenting the message in an
unadulterated manner, and exhibiting adequate pastoral proficiency.
1.10.5. Śrīla Prabhupāda himself introduced, for instance, the idea of
examinations as part of the requirements for being recognized as a
spiritual master in ISKCON.
a. "Another examination will be held sometimes in 1971 . . .
One who will pass this examination will be awarded with the
title of Bhaktivedanta. I want that all of my spiritual sons and
daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the
family transcendental diploma will continue through the
generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will
be allowed to initiate disciples." (Letter to Hamsadutta, 3 Jan
1969)
1.10.6. Although not guaranteeing the absence of future personal difficulties,
enacting testable, verifiable standards for recognizing ISKCON
members as gurus helps to protect the prospective gurus from falling
prey to impatience and personal ambition; aids in safeguarding
prospective disciples from receiving insufficient or divergent
guidance; and assists ISKCON in preserving the sacred principle of
paramparā.

65
 APPENDIX 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE KRISHNA

CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT

2.1. INTRODUCTION
2.1.1. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words, excerpted from his works, the following
paragraphs portray some of the essential aspects and functions of the
Krishna consciousness movement. The themes highlighted here
represent samples of important features of ISKCON, its purposes and
its culture. The quotations included illustrate crucial themes, but are
in no way exhaustive or exclusive. These and other important topics
are illuminated in many other passages within the written and spoken
words of the Founder-Ācārya. Detailed aspects of the mission not
specifically mentioned here are not necessarily less important or less
relevant.

2.2. THE BROADER TRADITION

2.2.1. “Actually this movement was started by Kṛṣṇa Himself in the
Battlefield of Kurukṣetra. At least five thousand years ago the
movement was presented by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā. From this
Bhagavad-gītā we can understand that this system of consciousness
was spoken by Him long, long before—He imparted to the sun-god
Vivasvān. That calculation goes to show that before the repetition of
the Bhagavad-gétä in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, it was once before
explained at least forty million years ago. So this movement is not at
all new. It is coming down from disciplic succession.” (Lecture, Press
Release, Los Angeles, 22 December 1968)
2.2.2. “When Kṛṣṇa appeared, He gave His orders, and when Kṛṣṇa Himself
appeared as a devotee, as Śri Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He showed us
the path by which to cross the ocean of Kali-yuga. That is the path of
the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. When Śri Caitanya Mahāprabhu

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 appeared, He ushered in the era for the saṅkīrtana movement. It is
also said that for ten thousand years this era will continue. This
means that simply by accepting the saṅkīrtana movement and
chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, the fallen souls of this Kali-
yuga will be delivered. After the Battle of Kurukṣetra, at which
Bhagavad-gītā was spoken, Kali-yuga continues for 432,000 years, of
which only 5,000 years have passed. Thus there is still a balance of
427,000 years to come. Of these 427,000 years, the 10,000 years of
the saṅkīrtana movement inaugurated by Śri Caitanya Mahāprabhu
500 years ago provide the opportunity for the fallen souls of Kali-
yuga to take to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, chant the Hare
Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and thus be delivered from the clutches of
material existence and return home, back to Godhead.” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 8.5.23, purport)
2.2.3. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement of Śri Caitanya Mahāprabhu is
so powerful that it can inundate the entire world and interest all
classes of men in the subject of love of Godhead.” (Śrī Caitanya-
caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā7.25, purport)

2.3. THE MISSION

2.3.1. “This human form of life is a chance to be trained to be agreeable to
the orders of the Supreme Lord. To bring about this training in
society is the mission of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.12.22, purport)
2.3.2. “Humanity must be trained to engage in the transcendental loving
service of the Lord. That is the purpose of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness
movement.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.17, purport)
2.3.3. “Because of the present world situation, Kṛṣṇa has descended in the
form of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
10.1.17, purport)
2.3.4. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not a sentimental religious
movement; it is a movement for the reformation of all the anomalies
of human society.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 17.141, purport)

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 2.3.5. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is just trying to make Kṛṣṇa
known all over the world as the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(kåñëastubhagavänsvayam [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.28]).” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 7.10.70, purport)
2.3.6. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement follows the process of
païcarätrika-vidhi and that of bhāgavata-vidhi simultaneously, so that
people can take advantage of the movement and make their lives
successful.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.19.10, purport)
2.3.7. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is based on this principle: chant
the Hare Kåñëa mantra at every moment, as much as possible, both
inside and outside of the temples, and, as far as possible, distribute
prasāda. This process can be accelerated with the cooperation of state
administrators and those who are producing the country's wealth.
Simply by liberal distribution of prasāda and saṅkīrtana, the whole
world can become peaceful and prosperous.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
4.12.10, purport)
2.3.8. “The movement will go on increasing more and more, provided the
leaders of the movement remain firmly Kṛṣṇa conscious by following
the regulative principles and the primary activities of chanting the
Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra regularly.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.2.20, purport)

2.4. OPEN TO ALL

2.4.1. “It is not a sectarian movement meant for a certain class of men, but
it is a necessary movement for all humanity irrespective of caste,
creed, or color.” (Letter to Mr. David J. Exley, 21 February 1968)
2.4.2. “In this movement there are many different races of men from all
parts of the world participating, but because they think of themselves
as servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they do not
differentiate between black and white, yellow and red. The Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement is therefore the only means to make the
living entities free of all designations.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.29,
purport)
2.4.3. "Kṛṣṇa consciousness is open to all. Just like we are calling everyone,
"Come and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." It is open to all . . . We are not

68
 restricting here that only the rich persons or brahmiṇs or pious family
or rich family can come here. No. Everyone. Everyone is welcome . .
. Kṛṣṇa says, 'Never mind. Even if he is in sinful family, whatever he
may be, if he comes to Me, he also can enter into the spiritual
kingdom.' So there is no such restriction . . . Here, when people
come here, we don't inquire whether he is poor or rich or this or
that. 'Come on. Sit down. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.' The opportunity is
equal for everyone." (Lecture on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.2-5,
Montreal, 23 Jan 1968)

2.5. SCRIPTURAL BASIS & SIDDHÄNTA

2.5.1. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is based on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
and Bhagavad-gītā. Because Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was spoken by
Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Bhagavad-gītā was spoken by Kṛṣṇa, there is
no difference between them.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.11.4, purport)
2.5.2. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is pushing forward the
publication of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as explained especially for the
understanding of the modern civilized man, to awaken him to his
original consciousness.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.26.38, purport)
2.5.3. “One should not partially study a book just to pose oneself as a great
scholar by being able to refer to scriptures. In our Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement we have therefore limited our study of the
Vedic literatures to the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Caitanya-
caritāmṛta and Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. These four works are
sufficient for preaching purposes. They are adequate for the
understanding of the philosophy and the spreading of missionary
activities all over the world. If one studies a particular book, he must
do so thoroughly. That is the principle.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta,
Madhya-līlā 22.118, purport)
2.5.4. “Within the past five hundred years, many erudite scholars and
ācāryas like Jīva Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī, Viśvanātha Cakravartī,
Vallabhācārya, and many other distinguished scholars even after the
time of Lord Caitanya made elaborate commentaries on the
Bhāgavatam. And the serious student would do well to attempt to go

69
 through them to better relish the transcendental messages.” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 1.1.1, purport)
2.5.5. “In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is said that nobody should be
neglectful of the siddhanta because by siddhantic conclusion one
becomes firm in Krsna Consciousness. So these siddhantic
conclusions are being mentioned in all my books, and the boys and
girls in our Krsna Society should now give more attention for
studying the books very attentively.” (Letter to Krsna Devi, 17
February 1970)

2.6. ASSOCIATION OF DEVOTEES

2.6.1. “Transcendental devotional service cannot be complete and cannot
be relishable without the association of devotees. We have therefore
established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.9.11, purport)
2.6.2. “Srila Rūpa Gosvāmī explains how to perform devotional activities in
the association of other devotees . . . The International Society for
Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six
kinds of loving exchanges between devotees [“Offering gifts in
charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence,
inquiring confidentially, accepting prasāda and offering prasāda.”] . .
. The life of the Kṛṣṇa conscious society is nourished by these six
types of loving exchange among the members.” (The Nectar of
Instruction, Verse 4, purport)
2.6.3. “The topmost benediction for those who are living in this material
world and are subjected to the repetition of birth and death
(transmigration) is association with pure devotees. One should search
out such pure devotees and remain with them. That will make one
completely happy, even though living within the material world. This
Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is started for that purpose.” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 4.30.34, purport)
2.6.4. “Our Society is like one big family and our relationships should be
based on love and trust.” (Letter to Upendra, 6 August 1970)

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2.7. CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
2.7.1. "In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the guru-kula plays an
extremely important part in our activities because right from
childhood the boys at the guru-kula are instructed about Kṛṣṇa
consciousness. Thus they become steady within the cores of their
hearts, and there is very little possibility that they will be conquered
by the modes of material nature when they are older." (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam, 7.5.56-57, purport)
2.7.2. "Any five-year-old child can be trained, and within a very short time
his life will become successful by realization of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Unfortunately, this training is lacking all over the world. It is
necessary for the leaders of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement to
start educational institutions in different parts of the world to train
children, starting at the age of five years. Thus such children will not
become hippies or spoiled children of society; rather, they can all
become devotees of the Lord. The face of the world will then change
automatically." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 4.12.23, purport)

2.8. OPENING TEMPLES AND WORSHIPPING DEITIES

2.8.1. [Nārada Muni said:] “The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the
support of this entire cosmic manifestation, with all its moving and
nonmoving living entities, and the temple where the Deity of the
Lord is installed is a most sacred place.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.14.27-
28)
2.8.2. “Especially for this age of Kali, the process accepted by the Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement is to open hundreds and thousands of Viṣṇu
temples (temples of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Jagannātha, Balarāma, Sītā-Rāma,
Gaura-Nitāi and so on) . . . in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement
Lord Viṣṇu is worshiped in every temple according to a schedule of
twenty-four hours of engagement in performing kīrtana, chanting the
Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, offering palatable food to Lord Viṣṇu and
distributing this food to Vaiṣṇavas and others.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
8.16.60, purport)

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 2.8.3. “The Deity is known as the arcā-vigraha or arcā-avatāra, an
incarnation of the Supreme Lord in the form of a material
manifestation (brass, stone or wood). Ultimately there is no
difference between Kṛṣṇa manifest in matter or Kṛṣṇa manifest in
spirit because both are His energies. For Kṛṣṇa, there is no distinction
between matter and spirit. His manifestation in material form,
therefore, is as good as His original form, sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha.”
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 13.139, purport)
2.8.4. "Observing the various types of festivals, such as Śrī Janmāṣṭamī,
Rāma-navamī and Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī, is also included in the process
of Deity worship." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.5.23-24, purport)

2.9. A TEMPLE IN EVERY HOME

2.9.1. “The best process for making the home pleasant is Kṛṣṇa
consciousness. If one is in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he can make his
home very happy, because this process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very
easy. One need only chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa,
Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, accept
the remnants of foodstuffs offered to Kṛṣṇa, have some discussion on
books like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and engage oneself
in Deity worship. These four things will make one happy.”
(Bhagavad-gītā 13.8-12, purport)
2.9.2. “Everyone can execute the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness at home, as
ordered by the Lord. Everyone can congregationally chant the holy
name of Kṛṣṇa, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. One can also discuss
the subject matter of the Bhagavad-gītā and Çrémad-Bhägavatam and
install Deities of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa or Gaura-Nitāi or both and worship
them very carefully in one’s own home. It is not that we have to
open different centers all over the world. Whoever cares for the
Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can install Deities at home and,
under superior guidance, worship the Deity regularly, chanting the
mahā-mantra and discussing the Bhagavad-gétä and Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam. We are actually teaching in our classes how to go about
this.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.190, purport)

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 2.9.3. “Everyone can establish a small temple in his house, and he can begin
family-wise: himself, his wife, his children. That is wanted. This Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement wants to see that every house has become a
temple of Kṛṣṇa. That is our program.” (Lecture on Bhagavad-gītā
7.1, Ahmedabad, 13 December 1972)
2.9.4. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to elevate human
society to the perfection of life by pursuing the method described by
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu . . . That is, one should stay at home, chant
the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa as they
are given in the Bhagavad-gétä and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.” (Śrī
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 7.128, purport)

2.10. RATHA-YATRA FESTIVAL

2.10.1. "From my childhood I was very much fond of Radha Krsna, and now
my good disciples are helping me to open so many Radha-Krsna
temples all over the world. It gives me so much pleasure. Now
introduce Ratha Yatra. That was my childhood activity. I want to see
my disciples all over the world introduce two items, opening Radha
Krsna temples and Ratha Yatra festivals." (Letter to Bhakta dasa, 10
Nov 1973)
2.10.2. "This book distribution and Ratha Yatra Festivals should go on all
over the world. I want to introduce this Ratha Yatra Festival
programme all over the world." (Letter to Madhudvisa, 7 Aug 1973)
2.10.3. "I have received reports from all over the world; from Calcutta, San
Francisco, Tokyo, Melbourne, Pittsburgh, and here in London also,
that Rathayatra festival was a very great success, and this has very
much engladdened me. So you have many festivals like this, and
engage the public in Krishna consciousness as much as possible."
(Letter to Tulasi, 1 Aug 1972)

2.11. COW PROTECTION

2.11.1. Lord Kṛṣṇa, as the teacher of human society, personally showed by
His acts that the mercantile community, or the vaiśyas, should herd
cows and bulls and thus give protection to the valuable animals.
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 According to smṛti regulation, the cow is the mother and the bull the
father of the human being. The cow is the mother because just as one
sucks the breast of one's mother, human society takes cow's milk.
Similarly, the bull is the father of human society because the father
earns for the children just as the bull tills the ground to produce food
grains. Human society will kill its spirit of life by killing the father
and the mother. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.2.29, purport)
2.11.2. "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His instructions of
Bhagavad-gītā, advises go-rakṣya, which means cow protection. The
cow should be protected, milk should be drawn from the cows, and
this milk should be prepared in various ways. One should take ample
milk, and thus one can prolong one's life, develop his brain, execute
devotional service, and ultimately attain the favor of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead . . . when we produce food grains and
vegetables, we can give protection to the cows; while giving
protection to the cows, we can draw from them abundant quantities
of milk; and by getting enough milk and combining it with food
grains and vegetables, we can prepare hundreds of nectarean foods.
We can happily eat this food and thus avoid industrial enterprises and
joblessness. Agriculture and cow protection are the way to become
sinless and thus be attracted to devotional service. (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 8.6.12, purport)

2.12. COMPASSION AND OUTREACH

2.12.1. “The activities of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are meant not
only for oneself but for others also. This is the perfection of Kṛṣṇa
consciousness. One who is interested in his own salvation is not as
advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness as one who feels compassion for
others and who therefore propagates the Kṛṣṇa consciousness
movement. Such an advanced devotee will never fall down, for Kṛṣṇa
will give him special protection. That is the sum and substance of the
Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.2.36-37,
purport)

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2.12.2. “The members of this disciplic succession . . . should go everywhere
to deliver the fallen souls by vibrating the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and the
instructions of Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Caitanya-
caritāmṛta. That will please the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.5.22, purport)
2.12.3. “Every member of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is interested in
going door to door to try to convince people about the teachings of
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, the teachings of Lord Caitanya. That is the
purpose of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. The members of the Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement must be fully convinced that without Kṛṣṇa
one cannot be happy.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.44, purport)
2.12.4. “Following the examples of the previous äcäryas, all the members of
the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should try to benefit the
conditioned souls by inducing them to become Kṛṣṇa conscious and
giving them all facilities to do so. Such activities constitute real
welfare work. By such activities, a preacher or anyone who endeavors
to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness is recognized by the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.4.44, purport)
2.12.5. “Regarding lecturing by woman devotees: I have informed you that
in the service of the Lord there is no distinction of caste or creed,
color, or sex. In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord especially mentions that
even a woman who has taken seriously is also destined to reach Him.
We require a person who is in the knowledge of Krishna, that is the
only qualification of a person speaking . . . we want so many
preachers, both men and women." (Letter to Jayagovinda, 8 Feb
1968)
2.12.6. “At the present moment the entire world is in a dangerous position
under the spell of a godless civilization. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness
movement needs many exalted, learned persons who will sacrifice
their lives to revive God consciousness throughout the world. We
therefore invite all men and women advanced in knowledge to join
the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and sacrifice their lives for the
great cause of reviving the God consciousness of human society.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.10.6, purport)

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2.13. BOOK DISTRIBUTION
2.13.1. “According to Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, distributing
literature is like playing on a great mṛdaṅga. Consequently we always
request members of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness to publish as many books as possible and distribute
them widely throughout the world." (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta,
Madhya-līlā 19.132, purport)
2.13.2. “Severe austerities in the practice of devotional service are of many
varieties. For example, in worshiping the Deity in the temple there
are certainly laborious activities . . . and the hard labor involved is
certainly an austerity. Similarly, the hard labor involved in preaching,
preparing literature, preaching to atheistic men and distributing
literature door to door is of course an austerity . . . Such austerity is
necessary . . . By such austerity in devotional service, one is purified
of material existence." (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 9.4.26, purport)

2.14. BHAKTIVEDANTA INSTITUTE

2.14.1. "[W]e have formed the Bhaktivedanta Institute for organizing
scientific presentations of Krishna Consciousness. This party is our
most important preaching arm with which we will be able to destroy
the bogus speculation and cheating which goes under the banner of
scientific advancement. Therefore I have got great hope for Swarup
Damodar and his colleagues. I want them to travel vigorously
throughout the world to lecture in all universities and other
institutions. There is no lack of financial resources and we shall spare
nothing to see to this party's success." (Letter to Amarendra, 2 April
1977)

2.15. ADAPTABILITY
2.15.1. “The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not stereotyped or stagnant.”
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.28, purport)

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2.15.2. “An ācārya who comes for the service of the Lord cannot be
expected to conform to a stereotype, for he must find the ways and
means by which Kṛṣṇa consciousness may be spread.” (Śrī Caitanya-
caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā7.31–32, purport)
2.15.3. “It is the concern of the ācārya to show mercy to the fallen souls. In
this connection, deśa-kāla-pātra (the place, the time and the object)
should be taken into consideration . . . Therefore it is a principle that
a preacher must strictly follow the rules and regulations laid down in
the śāstras yet at the same time devise a means by which the
preaching work to reclaim the fallen may go on with full force.” (Śrī
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.38, purport)
2.15.4. “The method of worship—chanting the mantra and preparing the
forms of the Lord—is not stereotyped, nor is it exactly the same
everywhere . . . One has to consider the particular time, country and
conveniences. What is convenient in India may not be convenient in
the Western countries.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.8.54, purport)
2.15.5. “The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to
convert the nondevotees in terms of particular time and
circumstance. Devotional service is dynamic activity, and the expert
devotees can find out competent means to inject it into the dull
brains of the materialistic population. Such transcendental activities
of the devotees for the service of the Lord can bring a new order of
life to the foolish society of materialistic men. Lord Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu and His subsequent followers exhibited expert dexterity
in this connection.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.5.16, purport)
2.15.6. “Sometimes members of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness—especially in the Western countries—find it difficult
to approach people to distribute books because people are unfamiliar
with the traditional saffron robes of the devotees. The devotees have
therefore inquired whether they can wear European and American
dress before the general public. From the instructions given to King
Pratāparudra by Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, we can understand that we
may change our dress in any way to facilitate our service. When our
members change their dress to meet the public or to introduce our

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books, they are not breaking the devotional principles. The real
principle is to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, and if one
has to change into regular Western dress for this purpose, there
should be no objection. (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 14.5,
purport)

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 APPENDIX 3

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

3.1. Unity in diversity represents the foundational theological Gaudiya-vaiṣṇava

precept:
a. “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu confirms the conclusion of Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam on the strength of His philosophy of acintya-
bhedābheda-tattva. That philosophy holds that the Supreme Lord
is simultaneously one with and different from His creation. That is
to say, there is unity in diversity.” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta,
Madhya-līlā 9.360, purport)

3.2. Similarly the notion of unity in diversity also serves as one of ISKCON’s
foundational organizational principles:
a. “Material nature means dissension and disagreement, especially in
this Kali yuga. But, for this Krsna consciousness movement its
success will depend on agreement, even though there are varieties
of engagements . . . Please try to maintain the philosophy of unity
in diversity. That will make our movement successful.” (Letter to
Kirtanananda, 18 October 1973)

3.3. Naturally such theological and organizational understanding should inform

and shape the International Society for Krishna Consciousness culturally
and structurally.

3.4. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s application of the unity in diversity principle includes

establishing a series of standards that he wanted to see followed by the
whole of ISKCON, under the oversight of a group of leaders who serve
the Society as its Governing Body Commission, ensuring that certain
spiritual, scriptural, ethical and legal standards be maintained worldwide.

3.5. At the same time, within the boundaries of those spiritual standards and
other essential parameters, Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged a high degree of
79
 autonomy, or diversity, that local ISKCON Organizations, centers and
initiatives, down to the individual level, would enjoy.
a. “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 . . . our
leaders shall be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service,
which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary.” (Letter to
Karandhara, 22 December 1972)

3.6. ISKCON’s organizational formula therefore involves nurturing the spirit of

initiative, creativity and diversification at the individual and local levels,
but within the parameters of rigorous spiritual practices and theological
faithfulness.
a. “So please stay on the purity platform; chant 16 rounds daily and
without fail, follow all the regulative principles, and read all our
books and your life is sure to be successful.” (Letter to
Vaikunthanatha, Saradia, 4 April 1971)

3.7. Balancing autonomy and integration, individuality and discipline,

inventiveness and compliance, creativity and loyalty, freedom and
collaboration for the common good, requires adopting organizational,
cultural, administrative and even legal instruments and structures to allow
the harmonious interaction of individual, local, national, continental and
global initiatives while preserving proper safeguards at all levels.

3.8. Being part of an international society implies certain moral imperatives

and obligations towards the global organization and its international
needs. The global ISKCON leadership has the responsibility to support,
nourish and equip the individual parts, national or local, as a regular
function and especially in times of emergency. The parts need to invest
resources for the benefit of the whole, for the common good and for the
achievement of collective objectives, some of which may only indirectly or
subsequently benefit the individual entity.

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 a. “As far as possible the centers should act freely, but conjointly. They
must look forward to the common development. That should be
the principle.” (Letter to Tamala Krsna, 13 October 1969)

3.9. Unity – if interpreted as forced uniformity and uncritical homogeneity –

can be stifling and suffocating. Diversity – when experienced as unbridled
independence – can easily become disorder, fragmentation and anarchy.
Effort is necessary to carefully maintain the correct equilibrium. Śrīla
Prabhupāda therefore instructed the leaders to regularly come together to
promote integration – unity – while maintaining variety – diversity.
a. “[I]f 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.” (Letter to Kīrtanānanda, 18 October 1973)

3.10. Maintaining unity in diversity is a delicate, challenging subject requiring

ongoing attention.
a. “[F]or this Krsna consciousness movement its success will depend
on agreement, even though there are varieties of engagements . . .
we must be very careful to maintain unity in diversity, and
remember the story in Aesop's Fables of the father of many children
with the bundle of sticks. When the father asked his children to
break the bundle of sticks wrapped in a bag, none of them could do
it. But, when they removed the sticks from the bag, and tried one
by one, the sticks were easily broken. So this is the strength in
unity. If we are bunched up, we can never be broken, but when
divided, then we can become broken very easily.” (Letter to
Kértanänanda, 18 October 1973)

3.11. A practical manifestation – and testing ground – of the principle of Unity

in Diversity, is the interaction among different sections of the movement,
each possessing diverse norms, dynamics, priorities and cultural

81
 backgrounds. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is
composed of different realities that should harmoniously cooperate for
the upliftment of all members and of humanity at large. Three especially
important, interconnected, interdependent and symbiotic dimensions (or
“ecosystems”) are:
3.11.1. The institutional dimension (the “organization”)
3.11.2. The teacher-student interaction (the “guru-śiṣya”)
3.11.3. The social sphere (family, work connections, private finances, etc.)

3.12. ISKCON’s institutional dimension characterizes the aspect of the formal

organization, the legal, administrative, and legal structure that guarantees
and the worship of ISKCON Deities, that ensures the formal existence
and operation of the Society according to local and national legislations,
that formally owns and/or manages temples and projects, that officially
represents the Society through appointed officials, etc.

3.13. ISKCON members individually and autonomously determine the degree

of their participation in and commitment to specific initiatives within the
organizational aspect of ISKCON. As membership in ISKCON doesn’t
automatically confer any rights in ISKCON’s organizational sphere;
similarly, institutional entities such as temples, ISKCON-owned farms,
etc. - or their agents and representatives – do not automatically possess
jurisdictional power over the private lives of ISKCON members, their
families, their wealth, etc. over and above obligations and requirements
freely and mutually agreed upon by all parties. Support or commitment
in any form cannot be forced.

3.14. Teacher-student interactions form the personal network of interpersonal

relations centered on the transmission of spiritual knowledge and the
offering of personal shelter and guidance (guru-śiṣya). These connections
of instruction, tutoring and inspiration between teachers (dīkṣā- and
śikṣā-gurus, other mentors, etc.) and their students, disciples, followers
and admirers, constitute an essential component of the underlying
relational fabric of spiritual connections of the Society. These relations at

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 times are formalized in solemn ways – through the ceremony of
initiation, for instance – and at other times assume a more unofficial
quality – such as the ongoing offering of advice from more experienced
to less experienced devotees.

3.15. The social sphere includes the family, which for most members
represents the natural, recommended and primary environment for their
devotional practices. Connection with the larger circle of relatives,
personal finances, career, student-life, and other obligations linked to
being a part of the broader society, are also included in this “ecosystem.”
For all devotees, an important aspect of social life – and spiritual progress
– is the development of friendship and loving and trusting relations with
fellow devotees.

3.16. In all three above aspects – organization, guru-śiṣya and social

dimensions – the active principle is helping oneself and those in one’s
sphere of influence to advance in spiritual life. Duties and responsibilities
in the realm of the organization, the teacher-student and the social
dimensions should be performed in the spirit of service, with the
spiritual benefit of one’s subordinates, peers, and superiors in mind.

3.17. These three interdependent ISKCON networks need to be individually

healthy and function in reciprocal harmony. The weakness or neglect of
any of these aspects – or the excessive emphasis on any of them – would
negatively affect the other two and the whole Society.

3.18. In addition to these three ecosystems, it is understood that ISKCON

devotees will interact with the larger society as relatives, citizens,
neighbors, employees, employers, colleagues, students, teachers, friends,
leaders, guides, etc. ISKCON devotees are advised to do so in a mood of
service, friendship, respect, positive example and cooperation, especially,
but not limited to, with those persons, organizations and communities
that practice and promote sattvic principles of life and God-
consciousness.

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3.19. It is expected that most devotees would lead an active life in the world at
large. In interacting with the broader society, ISKCON members should
strive to harmoniously integrate all aspects of their lives, both internal to
ISKCON and in connection to humanity at large. Ideally, their behavior
should remain exemplary and benevolent. As emphasized by Śrīla
Prabhupāda, cultivating an enlightened life involves conducting oneself
exemplarily in all aspects of existence:
a. “As advised in Chapter Thirteen of the Bhagavad-gītā (13.8-12), one
should culture knowledge in the following way:
i. One should become a perfect gentleman and learn to give
proper respect to others.
ii. One should not pose himself as a religionist simply for name and
fame.
iii. One should not become a source of anxiety to others by the
actions of his body, by the thoughts of his mind, or by his
words.
iv. One should learn forbearance even in the face of provocation
from others.
v. One should learn to avoid duplicity in his dealings with others.
(Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 10, purport)

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 APPENDIX 4

GOD-CENTERED SOCIETY AND DAIVA-

VARṆĀŚRAMA-DHARMA

4.1. ISKCON recognizes that the purpose of life, for everyone in human
society, is to awaken love of God.

4.2. We uphold the principle that everyone, regardless of birth or background,

should be accorded the full dignity as a human being, and, on the spiritual
platform, be recognized as a spirit soul, an eternal part and parcel of
Krishna having the inborn right to practice devotional service and to
advance in Krishna consciousness.

4.3. Although on the platform of the mind and the body everyone is different,
on the spiritual platform of the self all living entities are equal. Awareness
of this fundamental spiritual equality should illuminate all personal
interactions and societal policies.
a. [Lord Caitanya said:] “‘I am not a brāhmaṇa, I am not a kṣatriya, I
am not a vaiśya or a śūdra. Nor am I a brahmacārī, a householder, a
vānaprastha or a sannyāsī. I identify Myself only as the servant of the
servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the
maintainer of the gopés. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the
cause of universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with
brilliance.’” (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 13.80)
b. “The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by
which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the
transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated
and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self.” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 1.2.6)
c. “Occupational duties are known as varṇāśrama-dharma and apply to
the four divisions of material and spiritual life—namely brāhmaṇa,

85
 kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra, and brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha
and sannyāsa.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.20.9, purport)

4.4. The principles of daiva-varṇāśrama-dharma, in their unadulterated form,

promote psycho-physical well-being, social harmony, virtuous population,
law and order, elevation to the platform of goodness, and facilitate the
attainment of devotional perfection.

4.5. When our work is God-centered, when our families are God-centered,
when our businesses are God-centered and when our social interactions
are God-centered, then naturally we will be better servants of God, better
parents, better citizens, better business owners, better workers, and so on.
Thus, we assist in promoting the common good for all.

4.6. Engaging oneself according to one’s natural propensity and stage of life in
the service of Krishna is the essence of daiva-varṇāśrama, or God conscious
society. While the application of the details of daiva-varṇāśrama in various
circumstances require dialogue and analysis, all ISKCON members are
encouraged to take advantage of the system by situating themselves in the
most appropriate stage of life for them (āśrama), while cooperatively using
all their occupational talents in the service of Śrī Krishna (varṇa). We
recognize that the particulars of such spiritualized social expression will
vary according to the religious, social, political and cultural norms of
different countries and communities.

4.7. Regardless of their individual, acquired psycho-physical natures (svabhāva),

which will influence their occupational engagements, ISKCON devotees’
personal lifestyles shall be ideally inspired and informed by the standards
of goodness (cleanliness, self-control, austerity, purity, honesty, cultivation
of knowledge, religiousness, etc.).
a. “The life of a human being is a chance to prepare oneself to go back
to Godhead, or to get rid of the material existence, the repetition of
birth and death. Thus in the system of varṇāśrama-dharma every

86
 man and woman is trained for this purpose.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
1.19.4, purport)
4.8. The varṇāśrama statuses are based on the nature, qualifications and
activities of individuals and should never be determined simply by birth.
Such natural subdivisions, found in every society, are ultimately created by
the Lord.
a. “According to the three modes of material nature and the work
associated with them, the four divisions of human society are
created by Me. And although I am the creator of this system, you
should know that I am yet the nondoer, being unchangeable.”
(Bhagavad-gétä 4.13)

4.9. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness unequivocally

opposes the hereditary caste system – which is a corruption and perversion
of varṇāśrama-dharma – and condemns all exploitation, discrimination and
abuse perpetrated on its account.
a. “If one shows the symptoms of being a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or
śūdra . . . even if he has appeared in a different class, he should be
accepted according to those symptoms of classification.” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 7.11.35)
b. “Unfortunately . . . the system of social and spiritual orders has now
become a hereditary caste system. But this is not the actual system.”
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.21.52-54, purport)

4.10. In applying the fundamental spirit of varṇāśrama-dharma, principles and

details shall be carefully distinguished, prudently discriminating what is
relevant and applicable and what is inappropriate or unrealistic, taking
into consideration time, place, circumstances and candidates. Varṇāśrama
should be carefully studied and understood according to fundamental,
unchangeable principles and not according to time-bound details.

4.11. ISKCON members and organizations should avoid attempting to

resurrect ancient varṇāśrama-related customs, practices and norms that
might have served useful purposes in the past but that are now to be

87
considered obsolete, unrealistic, impractical, or illegal – and actually
detrimental for individual growth and collective progress. Both state and
ISKCON laws shall provide direction on which practices shall be
considered applicable and which not.

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 APPENDIX 5

PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF

CHILDREN

5.1. ŚRĪLA PRABHUPĀDA ON OUR CHILDREN IN KRISHNA

CONSCIOUSNESS
5.1.1. “A child is a rare gift given by Krishna, but at the same time a great
responsibility; every parent has the responsibility to see that his child
grows up K.C. I know that you understand this, and will always make
Krishna the center of your home.” (Letter to Hamsadutta, 15 Aug
1967)
5.1.2. “I may inform you that all our children born of the Krishna conscious
parents, they are welcome and I want hundreds of children like that.
Because in future we expect to change the face of the whole world,
because child is the father of man.” (Letter to Krishna devi, 21 Aug
1968)
5.1.3. “To raise one soul to Krishna Consciousness is counted by Krishna as
a very great service, so you do this duty very carefully and Krishna
will certainly bestow His blessings upon you.” (Letter to Krishna
Devi, 2 Nov 1969)
5.1.4. “For you, child-worship is more important than deity-worship. If you
cannot spend time with him, then stop the duties of pujari . . . These
children are given to us by Krishna, they are Vaisnavas and we must
be very careful to protect them. These are not ordinary children, they
are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them
chance to advance further in Krishna Consciousness. That is very
great responsibility, do not neglect it or be confused. Your duty is
very clear.” (Letter to Arundhati, 30 July 1972)

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5.2. DECLARATION
5.2.1. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is
committed to the well-being of all individuals involved with
ISKCON, especially children and other vulnerable participants.
ISKCON recognizes that children, for their full and harmonious
development, need to be raised in an atmosphere of love, support,
guidance and understanding. ISKCON acknowledges that children,
when so raised, are likely to play a vital role in the future of our
Society. Thus, placing the interests of the children first is not only in
the best interest of the children themselves but also of ISKCON and
society at large.
5.2.2. ISKCON affirms that children have the need and the right to be
protected, nurtured, and guided. This includes the right of all
children and young people to live in an environment where they are
protected from exploitation and abuse, and to actively participate in
devotional activities within the ISKCON community.
5.2.3. Thus, for ISKCON, the protection of children is paramount. All
persons who associate with ISKCON should be able to trust with
confidence those within ISKCON who associate with, care for, and
minister to them. This principle is especially true for children. The
violation of trust through abuse or harassment of children by
ISKCON leadership or other members is a source of great pain and
disturbance for those directly affected, as well as the greater
Vaishnava community and society at large. ISKCON is committed to
make every reasonable effort to protect children and to prevent their
abuse. This can be achieved only by a clear commitment from all
ISKCON participants, especially those in management, leadership
and educational roles.
5.2.4. ISKCON shall strive to comply with all obligations of both civil and
ecclesiastical law. It will endeavor to prevent abuse and harassment to
the fullest extent possible, to provide education and guidance as
appropriate, and to promote healing and empowerment when
needed.

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5.3. DEFINITION
5.3.1. Child/children refers to any person below the age of 14 or a young
person from 14 years until the age of 18 years.
5.3.2. Child abuse may be defined as any act of commission or omission
that endangers or impairs the child’s physical or emotional well-
being.

5.4. GUIDELINES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN

5.4.1. ISKCON has the duty to protect the children from abuse and strive
towards providing an environment where their welfare is promoted.
5.4.2. ISKCON will engage and empower agencies, both globally and
locally, to promote child safety in ISKCON communities through
appropriate education and policies
5.4.3. ISKCON Organizations and communities shall implement ISKCON
policies and requirements to enhance child protection in the society.

5.5. CHILD ABUSE

5.5.1. Child abuse can be understood in terms of a range of concerns
including, but not limited to, neglect, physical abuse, emotional and
psychological abuse, sexual harassment and abuse.

5.6. FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT CHILDREN

5.6.1. ISKCON Organizations shall strive:
5.6.1.1. To ensure measures and structures to prevent and respond to
abuse, exploitation and violence affecting children.
5.6.1.2. To inform relevant secular authorities when allegations of abuse
arise, per local laws of that jurisdiction, and to cooperate with
investigations of child abuse.
5.6.1.3. To ensure that children can avail provision of safe and effective
care.

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 APPENDIX 6

ISKCON-RELATED ENTITIES

6.1. INTRODUCTION
6.1.1. Due to legal and other considerations, in some cases it might be
necessary or beneficial to establish entities that are not directly or
formally ISKCON Organizations, and which operate independently
of ISKCON, but that pursue and/or support all or part of ISKCON
Purposes.
6.1.2. Policies regarding the relationship and interaction between ISKCON
and such entities, including possible recognition by ISKCON in some
form, may be established by the GBC from time to time.
6.1.3. During his lifetime, Śrīla Prabhupāda personally established the
following ISKCON-related entities: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust,
Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust Fund, Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust.

6.2. BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST (BBT):

6.2.1. Central to the mission of ISKCON is the distribution of
transcendental knowledge through books, other publications, and
other media:
a. “Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura wanted to print as
many books as possible and distribute them all over the world.
We have tried our best in this connection, and we are getting
results beyond our expectations.” (Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta,
Ādi-līlā, 12.8, purport)
6.2.2. On 28th July 1970 Śrīla Prabhupāda announced the creation of the
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT):
a. “So far my books are concerned, I am setting up a different
body of management known as the BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK
TRUST." (Direction of Management, 28 July 1970)

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 6.2.3. Later, on 29th May 1972, Śrīla Prabhupāda legally established the
BBT by executing a "BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST
AGREEMENT ("the Agreement")
6.2.4. Excerpts from the Agreement:
a. "I, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, disciple of OM VISNUPAD
PARAMAHANSA 108 SRI SRIMAD BHAKTISIDDHANTA
SARASVATI GOSWAMI MAHARAJ PRABHUPADA, hereby
give and transfer all of my books and all property rights
incidental thereto hereinafter described to A.C.
BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI, BALI MARDAN dasa
BRAHMACHARY, and KARANDHAR dasa ADHIKARY as
Trustees, in Trust, for the purposes hereinafter stated and to be
administered in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set
forth.”
b. “TRUST FUND
The properties which shall constitute the Trust Fund include
all books and manuscripts and other documents written by me
or translated by me.”
c. “PURPOSE OF TRUST
This trust is created and shall be operated exclusively for the
benefit of the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA
CONSCIOUSNESS . . . and specifically for the Book Fund and
Building Fund hereinafter set forth in particular. This trust
shall exist independently of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness and the Trustees' functions and duties
stated herein shall be separate and not dependent on the
Governing Body Commission of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness."

6.3. MAYAPUR-VRINDABAN TRUST FUND (MVT)

6.3.1. From the original trust document executed on 4 September 1972 in
Los Angeles, USA, under "PURPOSE OF TRUST":
a. “This Trust Fund is created and shall be operated exclusively
for the regular maintenance of two Temples at Mayapur and
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 Vrindaban (India) of the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR
KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS . . . The income from this Trust
Fund will be specifically spent for regular seva puja (temple
worship) of the two Temples . . . This trust shall exist
independently of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness.”

6.4. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI CHARITY TRUST

6.4.1. Registered by Śrīla Prabhupāda on 5 November 1977, nine days
before his departure, the primary purposes of the Bhaktivedanta
Swami Charity Trust include renovating and revamping temples and
other holy places in Gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi - a circumference of 270
kilometers centered on Mayapur - as well as promoting collaboration
among the followers of Lord Caitanya.
6.4.2. About the first purpose above, from the original trust deed: "To erect
temples . . . and other buildings for the advancement of the objects
of the trust and to maintain after and improve the same, including
existing buildings and to furnish and equip the same . . . To help
with finances or other institutions having similar objects."
6.4.3. About the second purpose above, from the original trust deed: "In
keeping with the spirit and vision of the previous acaryas of the
Gaudiya Madhva sampradaya, to cement relations among the sister
temples of the Gaudiya Madhva sampradaya under one banner and
those to solidify the preaching of the message of Caitanya
Mahaprabhu as desired by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Prabhupad, Srila Thakura Bhaktivinode and all the previous acaryas in
this line."

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 APPENDIX 7

ISKCON AND OTHER RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS

7.1. PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES

7.1.1. Lord Krishna repeatedly appears in the world, and sends His
empowered representatives, to deliver the forgetful souls who have
forgotten the Lord’s service.
b. “Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide
representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some
disguised form.” (Bhagavad-gītā 4.7, purport)
7.1.2. Understanding this truth, ISKCON values and appreciates the diverse
great spiritual and religious expressions, understanding them to be
responses to God’s mercy as He has manifested at different times and
places.
7.1.3. ISKCON recognizes that no one religion holds a monopoly on the
truth, the revelation of God or our relationship with God. Thus,
ISKCON members are encouraged to be respectful to people of faith
from other traditions and to see the need for people of different faiths
to work together for the benefit of society as a whole and for the
glorification of God.
7.1.4. ISKCON views dialogue between its members and people of other
faiths as an opportunity to listen, develop mutual understanding and
trust, and to share our commitment and faith with others, while
respecting their commitment to their own faith.
7.1.5. ISKCON affirms the responsibility of each individual to develop his
or her relationship with the Supreme Lord. This inquiry and search
for God is the inherent and sacred right of every living being, as
guided by their own individual conscience and free choice; and
should remain unhindered by any unreasonable restrictions of either
government or society.

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7.1.6. ISKCON considers love of a supreme personal God to be the highest
form of religious expression. We recognize and respect this
expression in other theistic traditions.
a. “Anyone who accepts the supremacy of God, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, his process of worship has to be
considered in the category of bhakti-yoga.” (Lecture on Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 1.2.8, Hyderabad, 22 April 1974)
7.1.7. ISKCON respects the practitioners, communities, and faiths of other
religious traditions as well as the free will of individuals to worship
and practice the spiritual tradition of their choice. We encourage all
faithful people to seriously pursue their path of religious practice,
with special emphasis on chanting the names of God.
a. “It doesn't matter which set of religious principles one follows:
the only injunction is that he must follow them strictly . . .
Whether one is a Hindu, or a Mohammedan or a Christian, he
should follow his own religious principles.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
5.26.15, purport)
b. “Muhammad said that you chant ‘Allah.’ So it is authorized,
because he is God's representative. Therefore my request is, or
our request is that you chant the name of Allah. We don't say
that you chant Kṛṣṇa. You chant the holy name of God. If Allah is
approved name of God, you chant this. That is our request. We
don't force you that you chant the name of Kṛṣṇa. No, we don't
say that. If somebody says Jehovah is the name of God, that's all
right; you chant Jehovah. Allah is the name of God; that's all
right, you do it. We simply request that you chant the holy name
of God. That's all.” (Room Conversation, Tehran, 14 March 1975)
7.1.8. We also respect the spiritual worth of paths of genuine self-realization
and search for the Absolute Truth in which the concept of a personal
Deity is not explicit.
a. “Lord Buddha preached the preliminary principles of the Vedas in
a manner suitable for the time, and so also did Śaṅkarācārya to
establish the authority of the Vedas. Therefore both Lord Buddha
and Ācārya Śaṅkara paved the path of theism . . . We are glad that

96
 people are taking interest in the nonviolent movement of Lord
Buddha.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.24, purport)
7.1.9. Other communities and organizations advocating humanitarian,
ethical, and moral standards are also valued as being beneficial to
individuals and society.
a. “[B]y the practice of giving up the fruits of one's activities one is
sure to purify his mind gradually . . . In that respect, social
service, community service, national service, sacrifice for one's
country, etc., may be accepted so that some day one may come to
the stage of pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord . . . if
one decides to sacrifice for the supreme cause, even if he does not
know that the supreme cause is Kṛṣṇa, he will come gradually to
understand that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme cause by the sacrificial
method.” (Bhagavad-gītā 12.11, purport)

7.2. INTERACTIONS WITHIN GAUḌĪYA VAIṢṆAVISM

7.2.1. ISKCON also encourages and promotes a spirit of reciprocal respect
and collaboration among all the authentic Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava
organizations, especially among the legitimate spiritual descendants
of His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. ISKCON
appreciates their genuine efforts to spread Lord Caitanya’s message.
a. “Among Vaiṣṇavas there may be some difference of opinion due
to everyone's personal identity, but despite all personal
differences, the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness must go on. We can
see that under the instructions of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Śrīla
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja began preaching the
Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement in an organized way within the
past hundred years. The disciples of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī
Gosvāmī Mahārāja are all Godbrothers, and although there are
some differences of opinion, and although we are not acting
conjointly, every one of us is spreading this Kṛṣṇa consciousness
movement according to his own capacity and producing many
disciples to spread it all over the world.” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
4.28.31, purport)

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7.2.2. As far as the factual interaction between ISKCON members and
representatives with other Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava entities, the degree of
recommended communication and cooperation would depend on
the standards and attitudes of each organization.
7.2.3. In the spirit of faithfulness to our Founder-Ācārya, except for
occasional guest speakers at special events, at ISKCON’s functions
such as festivals and regular temple programs, we only welcome
speakers and singers whose words and standards are strictly in
adherence with the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupāda, and who fully cooperate with ISKCON’s policies,
regulations and authorities.
7.2.4. ISKCON members are to avoid interaction with those who may
disrespect ISKCON’s Founder-Ācārya by not recognizing his unique
status; those who gratuitously criticize his Society; and those who
attempt to proselytize for their groups within ISKCON communities.

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