Constitution of a Spiritual Society

suchandra · July 15, 2007

The first Vaishnava Society after Lord Caitanya's lila (1486-1534) was founded about 400 years later in 1918 by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja and surely had something what can be called Constitution. Since Prabhupada strictly tried to follow his spiritual master, he surely didn't invent something new for his ISKCON movement - how it was set up as a society.

Seems like there is something missing what makes the Constitution for a spiritual society complete:

Interview with chairman of the GBC constitution committee

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By Sesa dasa

Our committee is trying to respond to the need to have a more formalized method of operation of ISKCON and more formalized relationship between ISKCON and the members of ISKCON. There is a feeling among many devotees that they want a solid and clear understanding of what it means to be an ISKCON member. A well conceived of Constitution can provide that. We are endeavoring to craft an inspiring document that will make sure that the principles, vision, and mood that Srila Prabhupada established will be preserved for centuries to come.

The Constitutional process will explore devotee’s rights and responsibilities in relationship to ISKCON. We want devotees to feel connected to ISKCON. To feel a transcendental propriety, feeling responsible for its successful operation. As the saying goes, “Proprietorship turns sand to gold.”

We are happy that we received responses from devotees around the world who are interested in participating in this initiative. So far our meetings have been productive. We have worked out a plan and timetable, and an internal communications plan that includes both our GBC members, and other devotees interested in this project.

The committee members have dedicated themselves and are willing to sacrifice time to attend these meetings. In fact we are even thinking of having an extra meeting. We are enthusiastic.

Challenges we face are in translating the idealistic conceptions of the Constitution into a practical working document, especially one that will be applicable worldwide. We are addressing this challenge by having conference calls that to involve many devotees from various countries. Others who may be interested in assisting us in this work can contact us through e-mail: sesa.acbsp@pamho.net

It will be interesting to see how this principle of ownership will play out in the community of devotees. Our interviews indicate that even older devotees who were used to having that free pioneering spirit of raw enthusiasm feel comfortable with a the idea of establishing a constitution.

A constitution is something that everyone in the society knows and lives by. It is something that is taught to all members. Countries have constitutions that all citizens are meant to adhere to. When the constitution is complete, we may need to educate ISKCON members as to what it means and how it can help them. They should feel that the constitution represents Srila Prabhupada and reflects his desires for his Society.

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Guruvani · July 15, 2007

I don't know.

How can they write a constitution for a society that was already started over 40 years ago?

the constitution is the orders of Srila Prabhupada.

they just need to sort that out and follow.

Constitutions are for countries, not Vaishnava societies.

Srila Prabhupada is the constitution of ISKCON.

suchandra · July 15, 2007

I don't know.

How can they write a constitution for a society that was already started over 40 years ago?

the constitution is the orders of Srila Prabhupada.

they just need to sort that out and follow.

Constitutions are for countries, not Vaishnava societies.

Srila Prabhupada is the constitution of ISKCON.

It might sometimes take 40 years to find this out,

Sesa das, GBC Constitution Committee Chairman (GCCC):

"There is a feeling among many devotees that they want a solid and clear understanding of what it means to be an ISKCON member. A well conceived of Constitution can provide that."

krsna · July 16, 2007

It might sometimes take 40 years to find this out,
Sesa das, GBC Constitution Committee Chairman (GCCC):

"There is a feeling among many devotees that they want a solid and clear understanding of what it means to be an ISKCON member. A well conceived of Constitution can provide that."

The church that has the best chance of survival in this damned world is that of atheism under the convenient guise of theism. The churches have always proved the staunchest upholders of the grossest forms of worldliness.

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur (The Harmonist Vol. XXIX No 7 1932)

It is written my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.

Jesus (Luke 19:16)

suchandra · July 16, 2007

The church that has the best chance of survival in this damned world is that of atheism under the convenient guise of theism. The churches have always proved the staunchest upholders of the grossest forms of worldliness.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur (The Harmonist Vol. XXIX No 7 1932)

It is written my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.

Jesus (Luke 19:16)

When it says, "There is a feeling among many devotees that they want a solid and clear understanding of what it means to be an ISKCON member", does that mean they want to do something good to the rank&file class of Vaishnavas - would be the first time that happens. :rolleyes:

Comment by Krsna das prabhu:

The ISKCON Constitution

BY: KRSNA DASA

Jul 15, USA (SUN) —

Just see the fun begin with Sesa prabhu's

new article

about writing an ISKCON constitution. That's a heavily emotionally laden topic. The GBC lost the faith of 1/2 or more of their godsisters and brothers, and now they are writing a constitution. Sort of like President Bush never giving up, no matter how many people are against the war. Well, when monies are involved, which is the case, then who cares about ratings -- especially when those people with anti-opinions can do nothing about it anyway. Let the show continue.

The very idea of writing a constitution for ISKCON without Srila Prabhupada writing it seems very risky. Mind you, they do appear to have re-written His books without His consented approval. How can they say what Srila Prabhupada did not say, or how can they put into words a constitution outlining what Srila Prabhupada really wanted for ISKCON and all its members?

Well more power to them, I hope they can pull it off and have everyone in agreement. It does make it easier when ISKCON has so many new people on the scene. I am very curious to see what they make up, and when. Obviously it must be based on all that Srila Prabhupada has said.

suchandra · July 28, 2007

I don't know.

How can they write a constitution for a society that was already started over 40 years ago?

the constitution is the orders of Srila Prabhupada.

they just need to sort that out and follow.

Constitutions are for countries, not Vaishnava societies.

Srila Prabhupada is the constitution of ISKCON.

-- Letter to IRS, November 14, 1966, Steven Goldsmith, Attorney representing International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. Letter authenticated by Gregory Scharf (Gargamuni Das), Treasurer. The letter to IRS was accompanied by this Constitution of Association.

The duties and powers of the managers and the rights of temple members are delineated by Srila Prabhupada via the "Direction of Management" constitution document, made on July 28, 1970, quoted in the next article "Constitution of ISKCON - part 2”)

“10 b. A copy of the Constitution...under which the Society is presently operating is annexed hereto.”

-- Letter to IRS, November 14, 1966, Steven Goldsmith, Attorney representing International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. Letter authenticated by Gregory Scharf (Gargamuni Das), Treasurer.

The letter to IRS was accompanied by this Constitution of Association.

CONSTITUTION OF ASSOCIATION

1. The name of the society is The International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

2. The headquarters of the Society are located at Radhakrishna Temple, 26 Second Avenue, New York City, 10003, USA.

3. The objectives for which the Society is being established are:

(A) To educate the greater human society in the techniques of spiritual life as the basis for a balanced psychic and biological development, and thereby achieve for the first time in human society a real peace and unity among the contending forces in the world today.

(B) To propagate the Sense of Godhead, the all attractive Personality of primal and eternal Form, as He Himself revealed in His own words in the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Scripture of the Lord Sri Krishna, the Godhead.

© To bring together individuals in a Society, regardless of nationality and irrespective of creed or caste, in order to develop a nearness to the Godhead and thereby the idea that within the members and humanity-at-large there is an infinitesimal soul-spirit that is part and parcel in quality with the Godhead, and that all life is meant for the satisfaction of said Godhead, the Supreme Soul.

(D) To encourage the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who demonstrated practically the transcendental process of approaching the absolute Personality of Godhead by His acts of congregational chanting of the holy name of God, a process known as Samkirtan.

(E) To prove by active work and preaching that Lord Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer of all the outcomes of individual and collective sacrifice, penance, meditation, arts, culture, science, because He is the Supreme Proprietor of the whole universe, eternally apart of Him everyone knows Him as a friend. Real peace can be attained when this is realized, in fact.

(F) To assist whenever and wherever possible in the building of a social structure on the real foundation of spiritual progress and establishment of peace and unity between men throughout the world.

(G) To attempt to save men individually from the chain of victimization the ongoing trend in modern civilization operates by, in the name of ideologies of false sentiment, so that Man may again be a free soul, to act and live freely with spiritual vision. This is possible by individual spiritual initiation, Diksha, when a man can see everything in Godhead and Godhead in everything.

(H) To further toward realization this highest truth as revealed by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamins headed by Srila Rupa and Sanatana Goswamins.

(I) To have for its objectives amongst the others four principles which the Goswamins had in view. They are the following:

1. To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes as well as a place where members of the Lord Sri Krishna can flourish.

2. To propagate all over the world in the form of missionaries the process of devotion, the transcendental service to the Godhead, and to make known that this devotional service is the main function of the human being.

3. In order to accomplish this, to adopt proselytizing methods of peaceful means and to establish a broader society of association for all members, including scholars and admirers, to engage in this service as put forth in the Srimad Bhagwatam.

4. To install, wherever it is possible, the worship and temple of Radhakrishna and that of Sri Chaitanya, and to give facility to everyone to become trained in the modes of Archan or preparatory principles of devotional service.

(J) To introduce to the members of the Society and humanity-at-large a simpler and more natural purpose in life by means suitable to the particular place and time, and as enjoined in the Bhagavad Gita.

(K) To organize educational programs, such as classes and lecture tours, and to institute services, such as mailing, for the benefit of the members of the Society and humanity-at-large.

(L) To publish periodicals, books and/or pamphlets in all important languages in order to reach human society and give an opportunity to same to communicate with the Society.

(M) To invoke the quality of goodness particularly in every member of the Society, individually by the process of Diksha and by establishing one in the status of a Brahmin (good and intelligent man) on the basis of truthfulness, knowledge and faith in the transcendental service of the Lord.

(N) Among the secondary objectives of the Society, it shall undertake the following activities:

1. To revive the scientific system of social orders of classification based on intelligence, martial spirit, productivity and common assistance, generally known as the four castes with reference to quality and worth for the common cause of world society.

2. To discharge as a matter of course the vitiated system of supremacy of one man over another by false prestige of birthright or vested interests.

3. To popularize the vegetable-grain diet under approved methods in order that full value of protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin benefit may be derived therefrom.

4. To discourage intoxicating or addicting habits of all descriptions and dimensions and to expose such persons thus afflicted to approved methods of spiritual realization.

(SIGNED)

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Acharya

Raymond Marais

Michael A. Grant

Robert Lefkowitz

James S. Greene

“I am little concerned about your attempt to form ISKCON Ltd. My idea is that we should not form a separate organization in London. The same International Society for Krishna Consciousness as we have branches in different places in USA, a similar branch may be opened in London or in Germany. The basic principle of our preaching work, methods and management must be the same.

……

So my final desire is that whatever you do, you must do it strictly on the principles of our society as we are doing in the US.

…..

So I hope you will take necessary precautions in the matter of registering ISKCON Ltd. ISKCON is the short cut of our society's name, but when you actually register, the full name, the aims and objectives as they are stated in our prospectus, must be mentioned. “

--Letter of Srila Prabhupada to Mukunda in London on October 1, 1968

“So far the original text of our aims and objects of the society, I have read it and I don’t think there is any need of changing the preamble. But so far section of the law is concerned, that has to be altered according to the English law.”

--Letter of Srila Prabhupada to Mukunda in London on October 13, 1968

(Note: Srila Prabhupada called these English registration documents, based upon the original New York documents, the “Constitution” of the society, see below letters)

“My Dear Mukunda,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your detailed letters (2) dated November 28th, 1970, with regard to the Regent Park land.

We sent you a telegram to send the certified copy of our constitution and you also confirmed by telegram, but it is not received yet.”

(Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Mukunda in London, 7th December, 1970)

“So far registration is concerned, we have got our society registered in Kenya in three days. The procedure followed was: If you want to base the registration on the London constitution, you should write to London to get an original certified copy of the articles of association and articles of memorandum. You can write Dayananda in this regards. The thing is that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was registered under the companies act with limited liability. The above mentioned articles of association and memorandum were presented here and were immediately accepted and the certificate of registration was given.”

(Letter to Sudama, October 3, 1971)

(Note: Here we see the constitution of ISKCON includes the original Constitution of Association of 1966 (adapted according to English laws as the Article of Association) and the Certificate of Incorporation made by Srila Prabhupad on July 13, 1966, adapted according to English laws as the Article of Memorandum) which includes the 7 purposes of ISKCON.

“Before the finalization of registration takes place I would request you to send me one copy of the constitution for our society there so I can approve it finally. My name should be there as the founder-acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. I should have full authority in all matters.”

(Letter to Deoji Punja, December 29, 1974)

(Note: Fiji Incorporation)

theist · July 29, 2007

So the constituion already exists. Are the GBC not in knowledge of this? That would be worrisome. Is there something they want to change? That would also be a cause of concern.

Too many words. Too much thinking.

suchandra · July 30, 2007

So the constituion already exists. Are the GBC not in knowledge of this? That would be worrisome. Is there something they want to change? That would also be a cause of concern.

Too many words. Too much thinking.

Prabhupada, 16 December 1974: "But the difficulty is that our GBC men are falling victim to maya. Today I trust this GBC and tomorrow he will fall down. That is the difficulty. If the GBC men are so flickering then what to speak of the others. Unless this problem is solved whatever we may resolve it will not be very useful."

Guruvani · July 31, 2007

One of the last stops that Achyutananda Swami made on his way out of the movement was in San Jose temple in California.

Obviously, he had lost his faith in ISKCON and was making an exit.

He told us at the San Jose temple that Srila Prabhupada told him once that he would be prepared to dismantle ISKCON if the GBC leadership took ISKCON into the wrong direction and deviated from his instructions.

So, the idea to keep ISKCON alive no matter what was not really what Srila Prabhupada wanted.

If the ISKCON leadership ruins ISKCON with this "bureaucracy" that Srila Prabhupada warned against, then it was Srila Prabhupada's wish to dismantle ISKCON and send out his preachers to accomplish something on their own in a self-effulgent manner rather than have ISKCON degraded into a bureaucracy of rubber-stamp gurus in a corrupt institution of payed professional devotees.

suchandra · September 1, 2007

One of the last stops that Achyutananda Swami made on his way out of the movement was in San Jose temple in California.

Obviously, he had lost his faith in ISKCON and was making an exit.

He told us at the San Jose temple that Srila Prabhupada told him once that he would be prepared to dismantle ISKCON if the GBC leadership took ISKCON into the wrong direction and deviated from his instructions.

So, the idea to keep ISKCON alive no matter what was not really what Srila Prabhupada wanted.

If the ISKCON leadership ruins ISKCON with this "bureaucracy" that Srila Prabhupada warned against, then it was Srila Prabhupada's wish to dismantle ISKCON and send out his preachers to accomplish something on their own in a self-effulgent manner rather than have ISKCON degraded into a bureaucracy of rubber-stamp gurus in a corrupt institution of payed professional devotees.

New article by the newly set up "ISKCON Constitution Bureau": "Matters have become more complicated now, with whole temples accepting the ritvik apa-siddhanta."

The "Direction of Management"

http://www.iskconconstitution.com/node/100

The "Direction of Management"

<small>Submitted by phani on Fri, 08/31/2007 - 21:55.</small>

Community Proposal

In 1970 Srila Prabhupada wrote the “Direction of Management,” a document specifying how ISKCON should be managed during and after his bodily presence. One of the stipulations he made was that GBC secretaries should be elected every three years by the temple presidents.

During his lifetime Srila Prabhupada did not implement this election-procedure, and during the 1975 GBC meetings in Mayapur (in Srila Prabhupada’s presence) it was resolved that GBC secretaries would not be elected, but that HDG himself would make necessary changes to the membership.

Ravindra Swarupa Prabhu, in a paper presented at a meeting of ISKCON’s North American leadership on May 17, 2007 in Houston, Texas (http://news.iskcon.com/node/463), states that this effectively rescinded the directions in the DOM—not only for the year 1975, but for all time to come. Until now I accepted this point of view, considering that Srila Prabhupada, after writing the DOM, never put it into practice himself, at least not the election-procedure.

Srila Prabhupada ran into quiet some trouble with his GBC, so much that at one point he had to write to the temple presidents to disregard the GBC and report to him directly, until he had time to set the GBC straight on some managerial changes they had implemented without waiting for his approval.

He had to use his authority as absolute leader of the society to set things straight, and that seems to be what the resolution during the 1975 meetings specified: Srila Prabhupada would make any necessary changes to the GBC membership, elections would not be held. But he had not “forgotten,” or silently disregarded the directions of the DOM, as Ravindra Swarupa Prabhu indicates, and I used to believe, too.

Some seven months earlier, 22 July 1974, Srila Prabhupada had an urgent amendment added to the DOM, specifying that he was the supreme authority in all matters of the society and that his post could not be occupied by anyone else. In this amendment he also declared that there shall be a GBC, appointed by him, according to the original DOM—which includes the stipulation re. elections.

To me it appears as if Srila Prabhupada, who managed ISKCON with absolute authority, wanted the GBC to be the ultimate managing authority—under his supervision during his lifetime, but more on the lines of a “constitutional monarchy” after his departure. Three-yearly elections would provide some reality-check in case the GBC should move away from Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, as they had previously and, as we now know, would again after his departure.

Matters have become more complicated now, with whole temples accepting the ritvik apa-siddhanta, and, more importantly, ISKCON’s congregation becoming more numerous and recognized as part of the society. As Ravindra Swarupa pr. points out:

“Yet many in our congregations have various degrees of other allegiances: to other gurus and teachers, to traditional practices of ethnic Hindu communities, to “new age” teachings and practices, to non-ISKCON Gaudiya communities, to other assorted novel concocted teaching and spiritual fads, and so on. Most of us have seen, here or there and now and then, one or the other of such congregational factions become influential in a temple or its community to the detriment of Srila Prabhupada teachings.”

I don’t say we don’t need a constitution since we’ve got the DOM, or that all directions of that document have to be applied as they were written down by Srila Prabhupada in 1970. I don’t understand enough of the management of our worldwide society or the implications such changes would have. But I do think that we should recognize Srila Prabhupada’s desire for a GBC that’s answerable in some way to the larger community of devotees, and look for ways how to implement this.

Laulyam · September 1, 2007

"Dissolve Your Mind" - Buddha

Then another class of philosophy is that of Buddha: "Only the combination of different things has created your mental system. With the dissolution of the mental system, nothing remains. So, somehow, we must dissolve the mental system. Practice ahimsa, nonviolence, satya, truthfulness, and so on."

It is seen that all these philosophers are talking either of renunciation or of exploitation (bhukti, mukti). And by setting different types of enchanting traps, they arrange to capture the jiva soul. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, "But I have come to realize that these fellows are all cheaters. And they all have this common stand: they have no touch of Your devotion, Your service. :eek2: There, they are one. They cannot deliver any real good. They are common to oppose Your devotional service and supremacy. And ultimately they leave us in chaos.

"But from the ultimate standpoint, I see that they are agents engaged by You to segregate the seriously diseased persons to another ward, for the good of the less seriously diseased patients. :deal: It is Your arrangement to segregate the hopeless persons to another side for the benefit of the good side. That is Your design, and they are playing at Your hand like so many dolls. They are Your agents and they are also serving You in some way, because nothing is outside You." Bhaktivinoda Thakura concludes saying, "I bid good-bye to them all. I feel in my heart that I shall show respect to all these so-called good agents from a distance, however my only real capital is the dust of the holy feet of Your devotees. I rely on that dust as the source of all my prospects. I seek to put all my energy into taking the dust of their holy lotus feet upon my head. This is everything for me."

Laulyam · September 1, 2007

If the ISKCON leadership ruins ISKCON with this "bureaucracy" that Srila Prabhupada warned against, then it was Srila Prabhupada's wish to dismantle ISKCON and send out his preachers to accomplish something on their own in a self-effulgent manner rather than have ISKCON degraded into a bureaucracy of rubber-stamp gurus in a corrupt institution of payed professional devotees.

:crying2: So True

Laulyam · September 1, 2007

TEXT 40

na lolupayopadisen

na grharudha-cetase

nabhaktaya ca me jatu

na mad-bhakta-dvisam api

SYNONYMS

na--not; lolupaya--to the greedy; upadiset--one should instruct; na--not; grha-arudha-cetase--to one who is too attached to family life; na--not; abhaktaya--to the nondevotee; ca--and; me--of Me; jatu--ever; na--not; mat--My; bhakta--devotees; dvisam--to those who are envious of; api--also.

TRANSLATION

It is not to be instructed to persons who are too greedy and too attached to family life, nor to persons who are nondevotees and who are envious of the devotees and of the Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

Persons who are always planning to do harm to other living entities are not eligible to understand Krsna consciousness and cannot enter into the realm of transcendental loving service to the Lord. Also, there are so-called disciples who become submissive to a spiritual master most artificially, with an ulterior motive. They also cannot understand what Krsna consciousness or devotional service is. Persons who, due to being initiated by another sect of religious faith, do not find devotional service as the common platform for approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead, also cannot understand Krsna consciousness. We have experience that some students come to join us, but because of being biased in some particular type of faith, they leave our camp and become lost in the wilderness. Actually, Krsna consciousness is not a sectarian religious faith; it is a teaching process for understanding the Supreme Lord and our relationship with Him. Anyone can join this movement without prejudice, but unfortunately there are persons who feel differently. It is better, therefore, not to instruct the science of Krsna consciousness to such persons. :eek2:

Generally, materialistic persons are after some name, fame and material gain, so if someone takes to Krsna consciousness for these reasons, he will never be able to understand this philosophy. Such persons take to religious principles as a social decoration. They admit themselves into some cultural institution for the sake of name only, especially in this age. Such persons also cannot understand the philosophy of Krsna consciousness. Even if one is not greedy for material possessions but is too attached to family life, he also cannot understand Krsna consciousness. Superficially, such persons are not very greedy for material possessions, but they are too attached to wife, children and family improvement. When a person is not contaminated by the above-mentioned faults yet at the ultimate issue is not interested in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or if he is a nondevotee, he also cannot understand the philosophy of Krsna consciousness.

TEXT 41

TEXT

sraddadhanaya bhaktaya

vinitayanasuyave

bhutesu krta-maitraya

susrusabhirataya ca

SYNONYMS

sraddadhanaya--faithful; bhaktaya--to the devotee; vinitaya--respectful; anasuyave--nonenvious; bhutesu--to all living entities; krta-maitraya--friendly; susrusa--faithful service; abhirataya--eager to render; ca--and.

TRANSLATION

Instruction should be given to the faithful devotee who is respectful to the spiritual master, nonenvious, friendly to all kinds of living entities and eager to render service with faith and sincerity.

TEXT 42

TEXT

bahir-jata-viragaya

santa-cittaya diyatam

nirmatsaraya sucaye

yasyaham preyasam priyah

SYNONYMS

bahih--for what is outside; jata-viragaya--to him who has developed detachment; santa-cittaya--whose mind is peaceful; diyatam--let this be instructed; nirmatsaraya--nonenvious; sucaye--perfectly cleansed; yasya--of whom; aham--I; preyasam--of all that is very dear; priyah--the most dear.

TRANSLATION

This instruction should be imparted by the spiritual master to persons who have taken the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be more dear than anything, who are not envious of anyone, who are perfectly cleansed and who have developed detachment for that which is outside the purview of Krsna consciousness.

PURPORT

In the beginning, no one can be elevated to the highest stage of devotional service. Here bhakta means one who does not hesitate to accept the reformatory processes for becoming a bhakta. In order to become a devotee of the Lord, one has to accept a spiritual master and inquire from him about how to progress in devotional service. To serve a devotee, to chant the holy name according to a certain counting method, to worship the Deity, to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita from a realized person and to live in a sacred place where devotional service is not disturbed are the first out of sixty-four devotional activities for making progress in devotional service. One who has accepted these five chief activities is called a devotee.

One must be prepared to offer the necessary respect and honor to the spiritual master. He should not be unnecessarily envious of his Godbrothers. Rather, if a Godbrother is more enlightened and advanced in Krsna consciousness, one should accept him as almost equal to the spiritual master, and one should be happy to see such Godbrothers advance in Krsna consciousness. A devotee should always be very kind to the general public in instructing Krsna consciousness because that is the only solution for getting out of the clutches of maya. That is really humanitarian work, for it is the way to show mercy to other people who need it very badly. The word susrusabhirataya indicates a person who faithfully engages in serving the spiritual master. One should give personal service and all kinds of comforts to the spiritual master. A devotee who does so is also a bona fide candidate for taking this instruction. The word bahir jata-viragaya means a person who has developed detachment from external and internal material propensities. Not only is he detached from activities which are not connected to Krsna consciousness, but he should be internally averse to the material way of life. Such a person must be nonenvious and should think of the welfare of all living entities, not only of the human beings, but living entities other than human beings. The word sucaye means one who is cleansed both externally and internally. To become actually cleansed externally and internally, one should chant the holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna, or Visnu, constantly.

The word diyatam means that knowledge of Krsna consciousness should be offered by the spiritual master. The spiritual master must not accept a disciple who is not qualified; he should not be professional and should not accept disciples for monetary gains. The bona fide spiritual master must see the bona fide qualities of a person whom he is going to initiate. An unworthy person should not be initiated. The spiritual master should train his disciple in such a way so that in the future only the Supreme Personality of Godhead will be the dearmost goal of his life.

In these two verses the qualities of a devotee are fully explained. One who has actually developed all the qualities listed in these verses is already elevated to the post of a devotee. If one has not developed all these qualities, he still has to fulfill these conditions in order to become a perfect devotee.

Guruvani · September 1, 2007

In the above statement that I am not sure who wrote because there is not a name attached to it, I find something said that I am not sure I agree with.

The person says:

To me it appears as if Srila Prabhupada, who managed ISKCON with absolute authority, wanted the GBC to be the ultimate managing authority—under his supervision during his lifetime, but more on the lines of a “constitutional monarchy” after his departure.

Since when is the zonal GBC representative like a "monarch"?

He says it is something like a "constitutional monarchy", but is that really the fact?

Should the local GBC run his zone like a monarch?

Do Vaishnavas elect a monarch to govern them with an iron fist?

I am starting to despise this whole concept of a GBC, as in classic Vaishnavism there was no such thing as an institution of Vaishnavas electing a "monarch" to rule over them politically.

The Vedic system of monarchy is not a constitutional monarchy.

It is a despotic monarchy of rule by power, not by vote.

The Vedic monarchs ruled because they controlled the militaries that enforced the law of the culture.

This whimsicial idea that temple presidents elect a despot to rule over zones is a development that has not worked, has failed miserably and should be abandoned to the garbage heap in exchange for something that actually belongs in the demoncratic cultures of the modern world.

suchandra · September 1, 2007

In the above statement that I am not sure who wrote because there is not a name attached to it, I find something said that I am not sure I agree with.

The person says:

Since when is the zonal GBC representative like a "monarch"?

He says it is something like a "constitutional monarchy", but is that really the fact?

Should the local GBC run his zone like a monarch?

Do Vaishnavas elect a monarch to govern them with an iron fist?

I am starting to despise this whole concept of a GBC, as in classic Vaishnavism there was no such thing as an institution of Vaishnavas electing a "monarch" to rule over them politically.

The Vedic system of monarchy is not a constitutional monarchy.

It is a despotic monarchy of rule by power, not by vote.

The Vedic monarchs ruled because they controlled the militaries that enforced the law of the culture.

This whimsicial idea that temple presidents elect a despot to rule over zones is a development that has not worked, has failed miserably and should be abandoned to the garbage heap in exchange for something that actually belongs in the demoncratic cultures of the modern world.

The name is attached: <small>Submitted by phani on Fri, 08/31/2007 - 21:55

original article: http://www.iskconconstitution.com/node/100

</small>

theist · September 1, 2007

One of the last stops that Achyutananda Swami made on his way out of the movement was in San Jose temple in California.

Obviously, he had lost his faith in ISKCON and was making an exit.

He told us at the San Jose temple that Srila Prabhupada told him once that he would be prepared to dismantle ISKCON if the GBC leadership took ISKCON into the wrong direction and deviated from his instructions.

So, the idea to keep ISKCON alive no matter what was not really what Srila Prabhupada wanted.

If the ISKCON leadership ruins ISKCON with this "bureaucracy" that Srila Prabhupada warned against, then it was Srila Prabhupada's wish to dismantle ISKCON and send out his preachers to accomplish something on their own in a self-effulgent manner rather than have ISKCON degraded into a bureaucracy of rubber-stamp gurus in a corrupt institution of payed professional devotees.

This rings true to me.

Laulyam · September 1, 2007

TEXT 218

dui jane prabhura krpa dekhi' bhakta-gane

'hari' 'hari' bale sabe anandita-mane

SYNONYMS

dui jane--unto the two persons; prabhura--of the Lord; krpa--the mercy; dekhi'--seeing; bhakta-gane--all the devotees; hari hari--the holy name of the Lord; bale--chant; sabe--all; anandita--cheerful; mane--in the mind.

TRANSLATION

When all of the devotees saw the mercy of the Lord upon the two brothers, they were very much gladdened, and they began to chant the holy name of the Lord, "Hari! Hari!"

PURPORT

Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, chadiya vaisnava seva nistara payeche keba: unless one serves a Vaisnava, he cannot be delivered. The spiritual master initiates the disciple to deliver him, and if the disciple executes the order of the spiritual master and does not offend other Vaisnavas, his path is clear. Consequently Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested all the Vaisnavas present to show mercy toward the two brothers, Rupa and Sanatana, who had just been initiated by the Lord. When a Vaisnava sees that another Vaisnava is a recipient of the Lord's mercy, he becomes very happy. Vaisnavas are not envious. If a Vaisnava, by the mercy of the Lord, is empowered by Him to distribute the Lord's holy name all over the world, other Vaisnavas become very joyful--that is, if they are truly Vaisnavas. One who is envious of the success of a Vaisnava is certainly not a Vaisnava himself, but an ordinary mundane man. Envy and jealousy are manifested by mundane people, not by Vaisnavas. Why should a Vaisnava be envious of another Vaisnava who is successful in spreading the holy name of the Lord? An actual Vaisnava is very pleased to accept another Vaisnava who is bestowing the Lord's mercy. A mundane person in the dress of a Vaisnava should not be respected but rejected. This is enjoined in the sastra (upeksa). The word upeksa means neglect. One should neglect an envious person. A preacher's duty is to love the Supreme Personality of Godhead, make friendships with Vaisnavas, show mercy to the innocent and reject or neglect those who are envious or jealous. There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaisnavas in this Krsna consciousness movement, and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve a jealous person who is in the dress of a Vaisnava. When Narottama dasa Thakura says chadiya vaisnava seva nistara payeche keba, he is indicating an actual Vaisnava, not an envious or jealous person in the dress of a Vaisnava.

TEXT 219

nityananda, haridasa, srivasa, gadadhara

mukunda, jagadananda, murari, vakresvara

SYNONYMS

nityananda--Lord Nityananda; haridasa--Haridasa Thakura; srivasa--Srivasa Thakura; gadadhara--Gadadhara Pandita; mukunda--Mukunda; jagadananda--Jagadananda; murari--Murari; vakresvara--Vakresvara.

TRANSLATION

All the Vaisnava associates of the Lord were present, including Nityananda, Haridasa Thakura, Srivasa Thakura, Gadadhara Pandita, Mukunda, Jagadananda, Murari and Vakresvara.

TEXT 220

sabara carane dhari, pade dui bhai

sabe bale,----dhanya tumi, paile gosani

SYNONYMS

sabara--of all of them; carane--the lotus feet; dhari--touching; pade--fall down; dui bhai--the two brothers; sabe bale--all the Vaisnavas say; dhanya tumi--you are so fortunate; paile gosani--you have gotten the shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

In accordance with the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the two brothers, Rupa and Sanatana, immediately touched the lotus feet of these Vaisnavas, who all became very happy and congratulated the two brothers for having received the mercy of the Lord.

PURPORT

This behavior is indicative of real Vaisnavas. When they saw that Rupa and Sanatana were fortunate enough to receive the mercy of the Lord, they were so pleased that they all congratulated the two brothers. A jealous person in the dress of a Vaisnava is not at all happy to see the success of another Vaisnava in receiving the Lord's mercy. Unfortunately in this Age of Kali there are many mundane persons in the dress of Vaisnavas, and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described them as disciples of Kali. He says, kali-cela. He indicates that there is another Vaisnava, a pseudoVaisnava with tilaka on his nose and kanthi beads around his neck. Such a pseudoVaisnava associates with money and women and is jealous of successful Vaisnavas. Although passing for a Vaisnava, his only business is earning money in the dress of a Vaisnava. :smash: Bhaktivinoda Thakura therefore says that such a pseudoVaisnava is not a Vaisnava at all but a disciple of Kali-yuga. A disciple of Kali cannot become an acarya by the decision of some high court. Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaisnava acarya. A Vaisnava acarya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgment. A false acarya may try to override a Vaisnava by a high-court decision, but Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that he is nothing but a disciple of Kali-yuga. :deal:

suchandra · September 1, 2007

The Vedic monarchs ruled because they controlled the militaries that enforced the law of the culture.

The Bureau of ISKCON Constitution in article above says clearly:

"During his lifetime Srila Prabhupada did not implement this election-procedure, and during the 1975 GBC meetings in Mayapur (in Srila Prabhupada’s presence) it was resolved that GBC secretaries would not be elected, but that HDG himself would make necessary changes to the membership."

So, thing is that this "Prabhupada did not implement this election-procedure", was changed by the GBC in 1978 into a "life-long GBC member once apppointed by vote".

The question arising: Good decision, wrong decision or is it all one?

suchandra · September 1, 2007

Phani prabhu of www.iskconconstitution.com will surely find ways how to make the whole thing 100% according Prabhupada's vision of an expanding global Sankirtan Movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Guruvani · September 1, 2007

Phani prabhu of www.iskconconstitution.com will surely find ways how to make the whole thing 100% according Prabhupada's vision of an expanding global Sankirtan Movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

There is not one person that has any such power or potency.

The only hope for ISKCON is if there is mass awakening of the majority of the leadership.

Needless to say, it would be easier to thread a Camel through the eye of an needle than to get the ISKCON leadership to recover their sanity.

theist · September 1, 2007

Matters have become more complicated now, with whole temples accepting the ritvik apa-siddhanta, and, more importantly, ISKCON’s congregation becoming more numerous and recognized as part of the society. As Ravindra Swarupa pr. points out:

“Yet many in our congregations have various degrees of other allegiances: to other gurus and teachers, to traditional practices of ethnic Hindu communities, to “new age” teachings and practices, to non-ISKCON Gaudiya communities, to other assorted novel concocted teaching and spiritual fads, and so on. Most of us have seen, here or there and now and then, one or the other of such congregational factions become influential in a temple or its community to the detriment of Srila Prabhupada teachings.”

This whole thing does not seem so complicated to me. I know most will have a problem with some part of this and thus reject it but I will offer it up again.

Why not this scenario?

1.The only guru in Iskcon Srila Prabhupada. This would effectively relieve the GBC from having any need to say who is or is not qualified to be guru. That never has been or will be the province of some ecclesiastical commitee. This will entail faith that the transcendental system that brought Srila Prabhupada to Bhaktisiddhanta's lotus feet is still operating under Krsna's direction. This simple faith is mandatory for anyone wanting to gain entrance into the TRANSCENDENTAL parampara vs. the shadow of the parampara which Iskcon has now become.

2. Prabhupada's disciples are free to take on their own disciples as the sastra states and as Prabhupada willed but they must do that outside the Iskcon structure entirely and their disciples should live outside the Iskcon temple structure. A son when mature leaves home to start his own family. If someone is not confident enough to do that simple thing then he has no business taking on disciples and promising to take them back to Godhead.

Of course if practical they can cooperate with Iskcon on so many projects but as a separate organization and they should have no say or position within the Iskcon organization beyond coming to temple functions, like arati etc.

They should start their own programs and in this way expand throughout the land taking Krsna consciousness to every town and village by establishing chanting centers.This is Srila Prabhupada's example. Krsna did not empower him to hover around some GM temple for his entire life.

And those that do so should do so with the genuine well wishes of all devotees who pray for their missions to be successful and fruitfull.

3. Those that choose to place their faith in the siksa of Srila Prabhupada can cultivate a siksa relationship with him in their hearts and by applying the teachings he gave and following his discipline become disciples but the formal "diksa" initiation ceremonies as now performed by ritviks should cease.

4. the GBC or temple presidents can arrange for those that display braminical qualities in their devotional service to accept brahmana diksa to sanctify their altar worship and service duties to Sri Murti. They can choose those who are qualified to perform such ceremonies without the label of guru being attached to them. Brahmanas initiate brahmanas. No need to take on the whole guru trip. This is for Deity worship.

5.It should go without saying that only those who are accepting Srila Prabhupada as their siksa guru 100% and not mixing in some other groups teachings should have any influence in temple management. Everybody is welcome as community/congregational members but on Iskcon property it is strictly Prabhupada's house of worship for Radha and Krsna.

That is basically the way I am convinced things should work. Of course it starts with the GBC giving up their guru commitee games as a first step and showing that simple mandatory faith in the principle that "By the grace of Krsna one gets Guru and by the grace of Guru one gets Krsna." If they are unwilling to take this step of faith then IMO they will remain a shadow organization perpetually.

The transcendental parampara will continue to flow however as it is dependent on Krsna the person and not iskcon the oraganization. The question is will Iskcon return to the transcendental side of the River Viraja or continue to try and set up camp on the material side of flickering reflections and shadows. We shall see.

suchandra · September 1, 2007

This whole thing does not seem so complicated to me. I know most will have a problem with some part of this and thus reject it but I will offer it up again.

Why not this scenario?

1.The only guru in Iskcon Srila Prabhupada. This would effectively relieve the GBC from having any need to say who is or is not qualified to be guru. That never has been or will be the province of some ecclesiastical commitee. This will entail faith that the transcendental system that brought Srila Prabhupada to Bhaktisiddhanta's lotus feet is still operating under Krsna's direction. This simple faith is mandatory for anyone wanting to gain entrance into the TRANSCENDENTAL parampara vs. the shadow of the parampara which Iskcon has now become.

2. Prabhupada's disciples are free to take on their own disciples as the sastra states and as Prabhupada willed but they must do that outside the Iskcon structure entirely and their disciples should live outside the Iskcon temple structure. A son when mature leaves home to start his own family. If someone is not confident enough to do that simple thing then he has no business taking on disciples and promising to take them back to Godhead.

Of course if practical they can cooperate with Iskcon on so many projects but as a separate organization and they should have no say or position within the Iskcon organization beyond coming to temple functions, like arati etc.

They should start their own programs and in this way expand throughout the land taking Krsna consciousness to every town and village by establishing chanting centers.This is Srila Prabhupada's example. Krsna did not empower him to hover around some GM temple for his entire life.

And those that do so should do so with the genuine well wishes of all devotees who pray for their missions to be successful and fruitfull.

3. Those that choose to place their faith in the siksa of Srila Prabhupada can cultivate a siksa relationship with him in their hearts and by applying the teachings he gave and following his discipline become disciples but the formal "diksa" initiation ceremonies as now performed by ritviks should cease.

4. the GBC or temple presidents can arrange for those that display braminical qualities in their devotional service to accept brahmana diksa to sanctify their altar worship and service duties to Sri Murti. They can choose those who are qualified to perform such ceremonies without the label of guru being attached to them. Brahmanas initiate brahmanas. No need to take on the whole guru trip. This is for Deity worship.

5.It should go without saying that only those who are accepting Srila Prabhupada as their siksa guru 100% and not mixing in some other groups teachings should have any influence in temple management. Everybody is welcome as community/congregational members but on Iskcon property it is strictly Prabhupada's house of worship for Radha and Krsna.

That is basically the way I am convinced things should work. Of course it starts with the GBC giving up their guru commitee games as a first step and showing that simple mandatory faith in the principle that "By the grace of Krsna one gets Guru and by the grace of Guru one gets Krsna." If they are unwilling to take this step of faith then IMO they will remain a shadow organization perpetually.

The transcendental parampara will continue to flow however as it is dependent on Krsna the person and not iskcon the oraganization. The question is will Iskcon return to the transcendental side of the River Viraja or continue to try and set up camp on the material side of flickering reflections and shadows. We shall see.

These're good points and Prabhupada said on 1. September '71, the GBC should avoid that people find black spots in our spiritual society. "We are now growing in volume all over the world dealing with public money". Prabhupada considered the laxmi collected not as his earnings but as "public money", which has to be used to spiritually benefit the public in the best way possible. Somehow the present GBC would never admit that there're any black spots?

"I am glad that you have admitted about the GBC members not very appropriately discharging their duty. I do not mind this discrepancy but you should be alert; you and all GBC members. We are now growing in volume all over the world dealing with public money. People have respect for our movement. Now it is time for GBC members to be very very careful so that people may not point out any black spot in the behavior of our society.

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 and give some decision and put it before me so that I can give my final approval. So you should not remain for a moment without thought of improving ISKCON activity.

So far you are concerned, being the zonal secretary of that quarter of the world, your duty is to see that all our different centers within your jurisdiction must be going very accurately. The accounts are not being kept very scientifically and if there is extravagant spending that should be changed. We should simply accept the bare necessities of life. The balance money and energy should be employed for pushing forward Krishna's mission."

Letter to TKG, London, 1 September, 1971

realist · September 2, 2007

2. Prabhupada's disciples are free to take on their own disciples as the sastra states and as Prabhupada willed but they must do that outside the Iskcon structure entirely and their disciples should live outside the Iskcon temple structure. A son when mature leaves home to start his own family. If someone is not confident enough to do that simple thing then he has no business taking on disciples and promising to take them back to Godhead. /quote]

Didn't Prabhupada want the ISKCON family to stay together? I'm also not happy with the way ISKCON is prsently managed either, but the heart of the movement is the guru/disciple relationship in Prabhupadas ISKCON. Your idea will only lead to every guru starting their own movement which will weaken Iskcon from within. I believe in Prabupadas iskcon, but not the present version where in many places around the world and especially in Australia, many leaders arrogently believe their dictatorial version is the only way to serve Krishna and His devotees when in truth Prabhupadas books are the only way. I don't believe other Gaudiya camps are the answer either. Prabhupada created ISKCON for the entire world therefor Prabhupada is ISKCON

Guruvani · September 2, 2007

ISKCON is not the only way or the only legitimate society of devotees.

Srila Prabhupada mentions in this purport other bona fide spiritual masters and their lineages.

Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Ādi 7.45 purport,

There are many Vaiṣṇava families in Bengal whose members, although not actually born brāhmaṇas, act as ācāryas by initiating disciples and offering the sacred thread as enjoined in the Vaiṣṇava tantras. For example, in the families of Ṭhākura Raghunandana Ācārya, Ṭhākura Kṛṣṇadāsa, Navanī Hoḍa and Rasikānanda-deva (a disciple of Śyāmānanda Prabhu), the sacred thread ceremony is performed, as it is for the caste Gosvāmīs, and this system has continued for the past three to four hundred years. Accepting disciples born in brāhmaṇa families, they are bona fide spiritual masters who have the facility to worship the śālagrāma-śilā, which is worshiped with the Deity.

Srila Prabhupada says there are many bona fide spiritual masters in Bengal.

The myth that ISKCON or the Gaudiya Matha is the only legitimate branch of Mahaprabhu's sampradaya is false propaganda.

Such bigotry is not confirmed by Srila Prabhupada.

suchandra · September 2, 2007

Prabhupada says that if there're devotees like Prahlada Maharaja, somehow they could survive: "Regarding the poisonous effect in our Society, it is a fact and I know where from this poison tree has sprung up and how it affected practically the whole Society in a very dangerous form. But it does not matter. Prahlada Maharaja was administered poison, but it did not act.

Similarly Lord Krsna and the Pandavas were administered poison and it did not act. I think in the same parampara system that the poison administered to our Society will not act if some of our students are as good as Prahlada Maharaja. I have therefore given the administrative power to the Governing Body Commission."

Letter to Hansadutta, Wednesday, 2 September, 1970

Of course, it is not really clear what actually happened at that time, but the main point being made is that real devotees cannot be harmed. Only possible problem, are there devotees on the same level like Prahlada Maharaja?

Constitution of a Spiritual Society

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