# GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION ## Spiritual Responsibilities ![[letters/1970/700102_rupanuga|“Therefore, I am especially appealing to the GBC men to take this mission of Krsna Consciousness movement very, very soberly and without any inebrieties for advancing the knowledge of how to inject Krsna Consciousness into the dead body of materia...]] —Rupanuga, 1 July, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700825_jaya_gopala|The Governing Body Commission's duty is therefore to see that every member is following the rules and regulations and chanting sixteen rounds regularly on the beads. I hope the GBC in cooperation with the sannyasis in their touring program will be...]] —Bali Mardan, 25 August, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700913_satsvarupa|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. Please counteract this contamination which has been spread throughout...]] —Satsvarupa, 13 September, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700919_karandhara|So if our GBC members remain strong, strictly following the regulative principles, everything will be all right. Please continue to travel among the centers and preach as much as possible.]] —Bhagavan dasa, 19 September, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701104_rupanuga|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.]] —Rupanuga, 4 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701117_jagadisa|Please see that the highest standards are maintained in all the temples in your jurisdiction as well as your own. We are now attracting the attention of the public in general]] —Jagadisa, 17 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701218_karandhara|Yes, as GBC member your task is very responsible. You must always keep yourself pure and in this way your preaching work will take effect.]] —Kṛṣṇa dasa, 18 December, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701218_karandhara|So far the overseeing of the temples in your Zone, I am very glad that you are travelling there and preaching and thus feeling enlivened. Just see that the standard of purity is strictly maintained and the standard of enthusiasm for spreading Lord...]] —Karandhara, 18 December, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710411_jagadisa|your responsibility for temple upkeep must not be set aside for GBC business. The devotees’ enthusiasm must be maintained. As I reply everyone's letter and encourage them, so you should encourage the devotees more and more also.]] —Jagadisa, 11 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720220_rudra_and_radhika_devi_dasi|So if ever you have questions or serious doubts about philosophy you may ask the GBC or myself.]] —Rudra dasa and Radhika devi dasi, 20 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720422_all_temple_presidents|The formula for ISKCON organization is very simple and can be understood by everyone. The world is divided into twelve zones. For each zone there is one zonal secretary appointed by Srila Prabhupada. The zonal secretary’s duty is to see that the s...]] —temple presidents, 22 22, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720411_hansadutta|on the GBC agenda I do not find any such programs for reforming our past bad habits.]] —Hamsaduta, 11 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720502_satsvarupa|That is our real work, to educate people in spiritual life by giving them the practical example, so I wanted that the GBC would be a chosen body of men for that purpose, to see how the students are learning and reporting to me as my secretaries.]] —Satsvarupa, 2 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720503_rupanuga|see that all the members are strictly observing the brahminical standards, such as rising early, cleansing at least twice daily, reading profusely, attending arati, like that. You begin immediately this process. That is the main work of GBC]] —Rupanuga, 3 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720504_karandhara|I think it is best thing if the GBC members always travel on Sankirtana Party in their zone and go from one village to another and visit the temples to see how the students are learning and do my work.]] —Karandhara, 4 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720512_bhagavan|be always travelling here and there, visiting the centers in your zone, seeing how things are going on and how the students are making spiritual progress. That is our real concern, the spiritual progress of life. That is duty of GBC]] —Bhagavan dasa, 12 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720616_satsvarupa|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 ab...]] —Satsvarupa dasa, 16 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720616_satsvarupa|Don't be too much concerned for the time being with nondevotees, now we must fix-up what devotees we have got in the knowledge of Krsna Consciousness, then we will succeed. What good are many, many devotees if none of them are knowledgeable?]] —Satsvarupa dasa, 16 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720616_satsvarupa|As for the GBC members, if we study one sloka daily in our classes it will take you more than 50 years to finish Srimad-Bhagavatam alone, so at least 50 years matter is already there minimum.]] —Satsvarupa, 16 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720616_madhudvisa]] —Madhudvisa, 16 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720622_hansadutta]] —Hamsaduta, 22 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720709_hrdayananda|Our first business is to preach to the devotees and to maintain the highest standard of Vaisnava education. Management must be there as well,]] —Hrdayananda, 9 July, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721222_karandhara|And GBC and sannyasis will travel and see the officers are doing this, and if they observe anything lowering of the standard, they must reform and advise,]] —Karandhara, 22 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730216_sudama|if there is any deviation from this standard then it is the responsibility of you and the local GBC representative to rectify it immediately. Within these Vaisnava standards which I have put forward lies the spiritual strength of our movement.]] —Sudama, 16 February, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740324_bhagavan|“As GBC you must see that they and all the devotees in the temples are first of all chanting at least 16 rounds on beads. Be sure they are aware of the ten offenses to chanting, and that they remain enthusiastic about improving their devotional se...]] —Bhagavan dasa, 24 March, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740604_bhakta_dasa|“As GBC your first responsibility is to keep yourself spiritually fit and see that all the devotees in your zone of management are chanting 16 rounds, rising early and strictly avoiding the sinful activities. If they are doing this, then managemen...]] —Hrdayananda Maharaja, 4 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740819_sridhara|“Chanting offenselessly is the remedy for all of these diseases. Therefore I have established that the duty of the president of each temple and also the GBC is to see that each devotee is following the rules and regulations, chanting 16 rounds so ...]] —Vidarbha Kanya dasi, 19 August, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740905_vijoyadhvaja|The GBC should personally observe strictly all the rules and regulations and they should become the practical example to others. Then everything will be all right. Then there will be no fear of being victimized by maya.”]] —Bali Mardan dasa, 5 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741005_kirtanananda|GBC means to be a practical example to all residents of temples and devotees. If all of us follow this principle of purity, our spiritual position will remain sound, and maya will not touch us:]] —Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 5 October, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741112_tripurari|“Yes, following the rules and regulations is the real qualification of GBC. We have made things easy for being qualified for such position,]] —Kīrtanānanda Swami, 12 November, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Everything is very bright and brilliant. The Deity is proof of the sincere service. It is the duty of the GBC now to maintain this. Their duty is how to enthuse them and maintain.”]] —Madhudvisa Swami, 10 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|“So study my books and reproduce the purports in your own language. You should instruct your temple presidents to preach like this.]] —Jagadisa dasa, 9 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|“Now has the GBC become more than Guru Maharaja? As if simply GBC is meant for looking after pounds, shilling, pence. The GBC does not look after spiritual life—that is a defect. All of our students will have to become guru, but they are not quali...]] —Alalanatha dasa, 10 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa|“Yes, as a sannyasi and GBC your first duty is to read my books. Otherwise how will you preach?]] —Satsvarupa Maharaja, 5 January, 1976 --- ## Managerial Responsibilities ![[letters/1967/670815_brahmananda|“I am a little disturbed to learn about your financial position as serious. I think you don't have to pay anything to Boston, as every center should be independent.”]] —Brahmananda, 15 August, 1967 --- ![[letters/1970/700504_damodara|I hope simultaneously in all centers that activities will be of the same standard]] —Damodara, 4 May, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700619_brahmananda|I think we should have a Central Governing Body for dealing with important matters]] —Brahmananda, 19 June, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700726_jayapataka|I am just trying to organize a world-wide movement not for any personal ambition but to execute superior orders and by the grace of Krsna we are getting good encouragement.]] —Jayapataka, 26 July, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700731_satsvarupa]] —Satsvarupa, 31 July, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700804_upendra|“Regarding your questions, the sannyasis are now devoted fully to traveling and preaching work, management is left to the local temple presidents and the members of the Governing Body Commission. “]] —Upendra, 4 August, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700806_upendra|“Now I have set up the Governing Body Commission to handle management, questions of philosophy, and personal problems. These things are too much botheration to me, I simply want time to write books to satisfy my Guru Maharaja.”]] —Upendra, 6 August, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700814_bhagavan_and_hansadutta|“I have formed this Governing Body Commission, the twelve members should each act as my zonal secretaries. So kindly keep me informed of your zone's activities at least once a week or once fortnightly. In this way I will be encouraged and can give...]] —Bhagavan dasa and Hamsaduta, 14 August, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700914_hayagriva|All you members of the GBC please always remain very vigilant in this connection so that our Society's growth may go on unimpeded by such poisonous elements. Your preaching in New Vrndavana as well as intensified study of our literatures with seri...]] —Hayagriva, 14 September, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701028_rupanuga|Formerly I issued one circular letter requesting all GBC members who are zonal secretaries also, to give me a fortnightly report of the activities in his jurisdiction]] —Rupanuga, 28 October, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701104_sudama|“I'm glad that you and Bali Mardan Prabhu have had a chance to be together and have planned jointly one center in Hong Kong. That is what I wish to see from the GBC members; that they work combinedly to open as many centers as possible all over th...]] —Sudama, 4 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701104_rupanuga|“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.”]] —Rupanuga, 4 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701104_karandhara|“It is for your daring and active nature that I have chosen you to represent me as GBC man for the Southeast Asia zone, and I can see from your latest words that my choice has not been wrong. I think that Singapore and Hong Kong are English-speaki...]] —Bali Mardan, 4 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701125_satsvarupa|“I am very glad that you are trying with all the other GBC members to maintain all the various functions of our very large organization up to the standard as I have set for you. This is most important.]] —Satsvarupa, 25 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701126_jagadisa|“I've received a GBC report of the Pittsburgh meeting and it is very nice. Please go on working cooperatively in this way and always keep in touch with the other GBC members. Such communication will give you spiritual strength to make the right de...]] —Jagadisa, 26 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/701130_karandhara|“I have received the report of Pittsburgh GBC meeting. I am happy to see you all so active and serious about carrying on the work which I have started. Now I want that all administration may be done by all of you twelve GBC members all over the wo...]] —Karandhara, 30 November, 1970 --- ![[letters/1971/710216_bhagavan|“It is good that you GBC members are meeting and conjointly discussing such things as life membership, book distribution, etc. The future hope of solid standing of our mission is on the proper management of our Governing Body Commission.]] —Bhagavan dasa, 16 February, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710226_satsvarupa|“So far as your being replaced as president of Boston temple, I have no objection. For better management of the whole institution, the Governing Body Commission is responsible. So I shall be simply pleased to see that things are going on very nice...]] —Satsvarupa, 26 February, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710409_rupanuga|The temples must be maintained.”]] —Rupanuga, 9 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710526_bhagavan|“Regarding distribution of Spiritual Sky incense profits to alleviate financial difficulties, you GBC members decide amongst yourselves as to the proper course of action and whatever you decide amongst yourselves, I have no objection.”]] —Bhagavan dasa, 26 May, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710901_gurudasa]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 1 September, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710926_madhudvisa|There are many things to be done in our missionary activities but the GBC is not yet very strong to take up all the things and do them nicely.]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 26 September, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711118_badarinarayana|“I have appointed this GBC body to relieve me from the burden of administration, so I may concentrate on my writing and translation of books.”]] —Badrnarayana, 18 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711127_abhirama|“I am very encouraged that you are assisting me so nicely in this great mission, and I thank you very much. You may give your new child the name Purnima dasi, as you like. But one thing, always inform my secretary if there is a new name given to a...]] —Abhirama dasa, 27 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/711127_abhirama|“You may name your daughter Mitra dasi, I have no objection. You may call your children as you like, but you should always inform my secretary to make sure the name is entered on our list to avoid repetition. Later, the children may be given anoth...]] —Lalita Kumara and Jambavati dasi, 27 November, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720109_bhavananda|marriage between the devotees must be decided upon by the GBC men and other senior members, by their mutual consultation]] —Bhavananda, 9 January, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720214_himavati|There is need for a centralised European continent headquarters, just like our Bombay branch is the headquarters for the India zone.]] —Hamsaduta, 14 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720227_jadurani|There must be someone there who can advise and instruct in all matters]] —Bali Mardan, 27 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720404_rupanuga|“I am considering to fill up the two GBC posts which are all vacant, one by the resignation of Krsna dasa, and one by Tamala Krsna Goswami taking sannyasa.]] —Rupanuga, 4 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720519_jagadisa|I have recommended this traveling extensively for the GBC men, just as I am doing it. If I did not travel there would be no nice organization.]] —Jagadisa, 19 May, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720616_satsvarupa|“If you require more men and women to teach there at gurukula, you can send from your jurisdiction as GBC man of Central USA zone. You will not be too much involved with local temple management, but for management which will require the larger int...]] —Satsvarupa, 16 June, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720701_satsvarupa]] —Satsvarupa, 1 July, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721222_karandhara]] —Karandhara, 22 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721229_deva_mira|therefore I am praying simply that all of you, my advanced disciples, GBC men, sannyasis, temple officers, like that, that all of you will become sober-minded]] —Pusta Kṛṣṇa, 29 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730102_tejiyas|“The GBC men are there, the world is divided into twelve zones for gradual development by these, my chosen right-hand men”]] —Hamsaduta, 2 January, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/730807_madhudvisa|“Please accept my blessings. I find amongst the GBC members that Satsvarupa Maharaja stands first because he submits regularly the report. A sample copy is enclosed herewith. I hope all GBC members follow in his foot steps.”]] —My Dear GBC Members, 7 August, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740608_rupanuga|There are many GBC who are Grhastha. You can remain for management of the temples and also work in the schools and colleges for introducing our books in the libraries.]] —Rupanuga, 8 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740608_damodara|There is nothing wrong in his preaching as you are and so many GBC’s, as grhastha]] —Damodara, 8 June, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740905_vijoyadhvaja|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 men...]] —Bali Mardan, 5 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740907_batu_gopala|“Regarding your trip to the USA, 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 back...]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 7 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740929_jagadisa|I wish all the existing GBC may be trained up so perfectly that in the future, in my absence they can manage the whole Society very nicely and strongly]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 29 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741123_kirtanananda|“Regarding my saying that Atreya Rsi is GBC of material affairs, yes, I said that.”]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 23 November, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741125_subala|“Regarding your registration, it should be clearly stated that, property can be sold or mortgaged without my express sanction. I am glad to note that you have got three brahmacaris there. Train them up nicely]] —Subala dasa Swami, 25 November, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741218_rupanuga|“Your program of travelling to a nearest temple is a good program. You should continue that. Our GBC members should always visit the different temples to see that everything goes on well, and to see that the management is being done very nicely.”]] —Rupanuga, 18 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741219_bahudak|“Conceming your marriage ceremony, that is to be sanctioned by the temple president or GBC.”]] —Vipini dasa, 19 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750202_puranjana|I want that the GBC should relieve me of this management burden and in the future, all such questions should be taken up with the local GBC member.]] —Puranjana, 2 February, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750701_nityananda|“I have organized the GBC for the purpose of spreading Krsna consciousness all over the world. In this way I am trying to become free from the management in order to translate my books. Therefore there is no need to form a separate new committee o...]] —Sat Krta dasa, 1 July, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750909_hansadutta|Quit Claim Deed.’ This decree very nicely expresses very clearly that the property cannot be sold without written permission by myself or the GBC. Such a declaration should be from all centers.]] —Satsvarupa Goswami, 9 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama|“That is good that the GBC men have agreed to the tax proposal.”]] —Jagadisa dasa, 20 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751123_mr._himtsinh_j._bhatia_mrs._manjula_h._bhatia._himtsinh_j._bhatia_mrs._manjula_h._bhatia._himtsinh_j._bhatia_mrs._manjula_h._bhatia|GBC must mean that by his managing, there are not any complaints]] —Cyavana Swami, 23 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751211_uttamasloka|“The idea of GBC changing zones for two to three months of the year is also good. Bring up this point at the Mayapur meeting and vote on it.”]] —Hrdayananda Swami, 11 December, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa_goswami|“Everything should be done cooperatively. ’Our' and ’yours' are material conceptions and have no place in our Krsna Consciousness movement.]] —Satsvarupa Goswami, 5 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760107_brahmananda|“The first business is that the GBC must see to the management of their zones. Still, I require a permanent secretary. In addition, one GBC man may come and go.”]] —Brahmananda, 7 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760111_rupanuga|“In the six day book distribution, Eastern zone was first. This is our most important work. All the leaders should tax their brains for increasing the sales of our books. I have always said that if we simply rely on book distribution all our needs...]] —Rupanuga, 11 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760113_brahmananda|“Our movement is so large it requires expert management and strong vigilance. Now you are finding out so many things were mismanaged, but why didn’t you find out before? What is the use of complaining now? It is your fault that you remained absent...]] —Brahmananda, 13 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760122_jagadisa|The GBC should make an injunction that if they beget children, then whatever the expenses are for supporting gurukula they must pay for it.]] —Jagadisa, 22 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760519_jayapataka|Over the past ten years I have given the framework and now we have become more than the British Empire. Even the British Empire was not as expansive as we. They had only a portion of the world, and we have not completed expanding. We must expand m...]] —All Governing Board Commissioners, 19 May, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760908_ramesvara_dasa|“It will be very nice if you GBC men can relieve me from the heavy burden of management.”]] —Ramesvara dasa, 8 8, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760923_rupanuga|If experienced editors are not there, it will be an unpopular magazine. These things are to be seen to immediately by the GBC.]] —Rupanuga dasa, 23 September, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761005_manager_american_express_international|“Yes, the GBCs should move and visit other zones, and I quite approve that the GBC chairman can do this.”]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 5 October, 1976 --- ## GBC and the Temple President ![[letters/1969/690318_hayagriva|“He may be the supreme authority for the New Vrndavana center, but the management should be entrusted to the brahmacaris and next the grhasthas. He should not directly interfere with the management. He can simply give direction and the brahmacaris...]] —Hayagriva, 18 18, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690819_satsvarupa|I think in ordinary administration, the presidents of the different centers may consult amongst themselves and make certain general procedures by mutual agreement. But when there is some more important factor, that must be referred to me.]] —Satsvarupa, 19 August, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690830_brahmananda|So far as investment of the Society's money for New Vrndavana is concerned, certainly it will be done]] —Brahmananda, 30 August, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691013_pradyumna|As far as possible the centers should act freely, but conjointly. They must look forward to the common development. That should be the principle.]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 13 October, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691018_tamala_krsna|“Regarding movement of the members from one temple to another, I think the local president's permission is sufficient. Don't take too much load of individual administration. That will be unmanageable in the near future. I have also instructed Brah...]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 18 October, 1969 --- ![[letters/1971/710717_tribhuvanatha|“I am also glad to note that a meeting of all the presidents was held just recently in order to unify the temples. That is the process. Unless we work cooperatively, how this movement will go on? So my request to you all is that you maintain that ...]] —Tribhuvanatha, 17 July, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720214_himavati|GBC men should not dictate very much, simply supervise and see that the standards are maintained. The individual president should be more managerial, more individual, and you can supervise, and if some defect is detected, you can make suggestions ...]] —Hamsaduta, 14 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720422_all_temple_presidents|Our business is spiritual life, so whatever organization needs to be done, the presidents may handle and take advice and assistance from the GBC representative.]] —temple presidents, 22 22, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720424_brahmananda|“This program to make each and every center spiritually strong should be the duty of the GBC. So far financing, let them do in their own way, and you can simply advise]] —Hamsaduta, 24 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721102_bali-mardana-mardana-mardana]] —Bhutatma and Kesava, 2 November, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721211_mohanananda|I think Gaurasundara in Hawaii is the GBC man for South American Zone, so you should also write to him in this connection and take his advice and make a report to him, along with Hanuman, at least once in a month what you are doing.”]] —Citsukhanada, 11 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730131_rajiblocan|I am desiring now to turn over the management of the Society to my disciples, the temple presidents and the GBC men especially, so cooperatively you may work out the management details.”]] —Gunagrahi dasa, 31 January, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740111_nadia|This removal of the president is very unconstitutional. The devotees who do not like to work with Tejyas should immediately go away from the temple.]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa Maharaja, 11 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740201_bhagavan|In his last GBC report, Rupanuga Maharaja wrote that you are delinquent in sending him regular reports. The system of temple presidents sending twice monthly reports to the GBC was devised by me to facilitate my receiving news of all the centers t...]] —Trai dasa, 1 February, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740428_balavanta|“The GBC must be vigilant by following the regulative principles and teach by ideal character, the presidents of the centers, and the presidents by their ideal character must teach the others]] —Rupanuga Maharaja, 28 April, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740907_batu_gopala|Regarding your trip to the USA 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 backgr...]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 7 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740912_hansadutta_dasa|These things should be done by the president. These are internal things, and you should not interfere.]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 12 12, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741001_rupanuga|Out of the two candidates whoever is elected by the majority vote, may be the president.”]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 1 October, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741001_rupanuga|“Regarding the election I have already suggested that you hold another election in the presence of Hamsaduta and Bhagavan dasa with all members present, and to take that decision as final. There are so many contradictory statements in this matter]] —Madhavananda dasa, 1 October, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750921_mahamsa|“I thank you very much for the affidavit which you have sent. It should be followed by all other centers]] —Mahamsa Swami, 21 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1974/740929_jagadisa]] —Mukunda dasa, 29 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/751016_svarupa|“The local management has to be done by the temple president, GBC should see whether management is going on nicely, and if there are any discrepancies that will be discussed at the GBC meeting in Mayapur]] —Jayatirtha dasa, 16 October, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751109_jagadisa|“So study my books and reproduce the purports in your own language. You should instruct your temple presidents to preach like this.]] —Jagadisa dasa, 9 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760518_jayatirtha|The GBC cannot whimsically change the temple president; there is a resolution to this effect.]] —Gurukrpa Maharaja, 18 May, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760519_jayapataka|I have chosen my best men to be GBC and I do not want that the GBC should be disrespectful to the temple presidents.]] —all Governing Board Commissioners, 19 May, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760711_bishambhar|“What happened to Jagat Purusa in Bombay? He is an experienced man in Bombay so why he should be changed to Delhi? This change of presidents is to be made in the GBC meeting. In the middle of the year there is no question of change. Tejyas can con...]] —Gopala Kṛṣṇa dasa, 11 July, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761026_gurukrpa]] —Gurukrpa, 26 October, 1976 --- ## Authority of the GBC ![[letters/1971/710709_umapati|“GBC members are simply to see that things are going on. Other centers have got president, secretary, etc. and they are managing separately. That is the formula. So how is it that the GBC are the final authority?]] —Umapati, 9 July, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710812_giriraja|“GBC does not mean to control a center. GBC means to see that the activities of a center go on nicely.]] —Giriraja, 12 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720213_hayagriva|make it so that people may not think it too repressive so they will not go away—impressive, not repressive, that is the system.]] —Hayagriva, 13 February, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720408_all_iskcon_temple_presidents]] —all temple presidents, 8 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720824_madhudvisa_and_amogha|“Now I want all of you to work cooperatively and very frankly, that is our process, not that we shall always plot and scheme and write letters. Madhudvisa is GBC man for South Pacific zone, so his direction must be followed by everyone and all of ...]] —Madhudvisa and Amogha, 24 24, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720918_govinda|The GBC authority must be accepted under all circumstances,]] —Bali Mardan and Pusta Kṛṣṇa, 18 September, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/721213_jayadharma|“So far your question, how far should the orders of my duly appointed officers like GBC, etc., be obeyed and followed, the answer is that they must always be followed exactly as he says.]] —Jayadharma, 13 December, 1972 --- ![[letters/1974/740102_bhumata|“Regarding marriage matters and second initiations, these things should be taken up with the GBC representative for that zone. More and more I wish to not be involved in management affairs and want to devote my time to translating books, so please...]] —Bhumata, 2 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750101_visalini|this matter of Spiritual Sky management, I have given the decision over to the GBC men. Whatever they decide, I will accept.”]] —Jayatirtha dasa, 1 January, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750101_visalini|“I simply request you to chant sixteen rounds daily without fail and follow all the regulative principles. Rise early, attend temple functions and study my books carefully. Work closely and take advice from your elder Godbrothers like the temple p...]] —Phatikcandra dasa, 1 January, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/750408_mantrini|“In order to start the proposed project in your letter you must have full sanction of the GBC. Then I will approve of it, if they approve it. Do not try to start any project independent of the GBC. I want that everyone will cooperate nicely with t...]] —Mantrini dasi, 8 April, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760516_gopala_krsna|he is delegated GBC by me, so follow this course of action for the time being so that things can go on peacefully]] —Trivikrama Swami, 16 May, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760630_vasudeva|I beg to inform you that we are managing our Krsna consciousness movement by the Governing Body Commission, GBC.]] —Vasudeva, 30 June, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760729_vasudeva|If you want to consider this project as an ISKCON project then you must abide by the orders and direction of the GBC]] —Vasudeva dasa, 29 July, 1976 --- ## Annual Mayapur and General Meetings ![[letters/1971/710814_hansadutta|“We require to hold this important meeting of the GBC to formulate the rules and regulations how things will be worked on. Sometimes there are complaints against the GBC which is not very favorable.]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 14 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710820_jagadisa|Then collect the opinions of each and every GBC member and if the majority supports the idea then it should be taken as a fact for being carried out in our Society.]] —Jagadisa, 20 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710826_karandhara|By this system of taking a majority vote on any given proposal and then submitting the final decision to me for approval, there is no necessity for holding a GBC meeting.]] —Karandhara, 26 August, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720402_hansadutta|“I have just now received one letter which has described your GBC meeting of nine men in New York, and I have cabled Rupanuga the following message: ’GBC meeting irregular.]] —Hamsaduta, 2 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720404_rupanuga|I have issued one letter in this regard to all of you and you may take note that I consider that both the meeting and the resolution is irregular and immediately there should be no change.]] —Rupanuga, 4 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1972/720411_hansadutta|“The meeting of the GBC appeared to be very unconstitutional, because all the men were not informed or invited]] —Hamsaduta, 11 April, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/730629_hansadutta|we must meet at least once a year in Mayapur. Not only GBC shall meet, but many devotees from all parts of the world. In Mayapur we now have facilities to accommodate more than a thousand people.]] —Hamsaduta, 29 June, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/730720_tamala_krsnaaa|The best time and place is Mayapur on Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day. That is not only the best for me but for everyone. Mayapur is meant for that. If possible all devotees from all our centers should go for eight days at that time.]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa Maharaja, 20 July, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731018_jagadisa]] —Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 18 October, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740216_jayatirtha|Let us all meet at Mayapur and chalk out a year work for our great mission.”]] —Jayatirtha, 16 February, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740428_balavanta|meet in Mayapur and chalk out activities for the year. Then, next year meet and see how far things are being done and if necessary make changes for responsible GBC and presidents, etc. The meeting is very valuable and must be carried out regularly...]] —Rupanuga and Jayatirtha, 28 April, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740915_resolution|“I am hearing so many things about management. My request is that until I am able to return to the USA you all please work peacefully. At our next annual meeting at Mayapur all complaints and counter complaints will be heard in the presence of all...]] —Ramesvara dasa, 15 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/740929_hansadutta|“Regarding the temples being mismanaged, these things will be discussed at the GBC meeting here. Yearly, once or twice, there should be a GBC meeting held to discuss all these intricate questions. This meeting can be held once in India and once in...]] —Hamsaduta dasa, 29 September, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741005_kirtanananda|so I wish to form an investigation committee of three members]] —Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 5 October, 1974 --- ![[letters/1974/741216_jayatirtha|“Regarding the GBC meeting to be held in Mayapur 1975, the meeting should be held five days before the actual festival is to begin and it will be held in my presence.]] —Jayatirtha, 16 December, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/750918_sushil_k._arora._arora._arora|“The matter regarding by-laws and the articles of incorporation should be definitely brought up at our annual Mayapur meeting. One thing, why is it that so few temples are sending the affidavits? You should see that this is done. This is the impor...]] —Rupanuga dasa, 18 September, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751016_svarupa|“The local management has to be done by the temple president and the GBC should see whether management is going on nicely, and if there are any discrepancies that will be discussed at the GBC meeting in Mayapur]] —Jayatirtha dasa, 16 October, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751016_svarupa|At the Mayapur meeting, whatever we have decided that is good for one year. So if anything has to be done it will be decided by majority decision of the GBC.]] —Jayatirtha dasa, 16 October, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|“Regarding complaints by the sannyasis, these things shall be discussed in everyone's presence at the Mayapur meeting. There is no question of change but sometimes change is invigorating.”]] —Bahudaka dasa, 10 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1975/751204_mark_phillips|“The program you have suggested can be discussed at the Mayapur GBC meeting. At Mayapur each year a program is chalked out for the entire year, and that is to be executed till the GBC meets again.”]] —Cyavana Maharaja, 4 December, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760116_ajitananda|“It has come to my attention that the GBC have not been able to fully participate in the Mayapur festivities due to the annual meeting. Therefore, I am asking all GBC members to come to Mayapur early and hold the meeting in my presence beginning t...]] —Atreya Rsi, 16 January, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760225_ramesvara|“Regarding the devotees coming to Mayapur-Vrndavana, I would have liked they come all at least once in a year so let the other trustees consider. If they come once every five years, then it will be five years vacant. The installment plan is better]] —Ramesvara, 25 February, 1976 --- ## ISKCON'S History and Objectives ![[letters/1968/680201_harekrishna_aggarwal|. So if there is any possibility of uniting the whole human race under one religion, under one scripture, under one mantra, under one activity, then this movement will be active.]] —Sri Hare-krishna Aggarwal, 1 February, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680221_satsvarupa]] —Mr. David J.* Exley, 21 February, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680222_purusottama]] —Purusottama, 22 February, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680824_nandarani]] —Roland Michener, 24 August, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690208_jagannatham_prabhu|“Please rest assured that in this movement there is no question of imperfectness. This is a solid, genuine movement for the total spiritual rejuvenation of the human society.]] —Jim Doody, 8 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691113_jayasri|Our movement is the greatest gift to the human race. They may not immediately appreciate it, but time will come and history will give evidence that this movement saved the human society from being fallen into barbarism.”]] —Jayasri, 13 November, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/691202_yadavananda]] —Yadavananda, 2 December, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700205_hanuman_prasad_poddar]] —Hanuman Prasad Poddar, 5 February, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700528_satsvarupa]] —Satsvarupa, 28 May, 1970 --- ![[letters/1974/740329_dr._ghosh._ghosh._ghosh|There are so many rascal leaders in politics, social life, cultural, philosophy, religion, etc. They are all misguided. Bhagavad-Gita therefore is the only light from which we can take direction for all our civic activities. Our Krsna consciousnes...]] —Dr. Ghosh, 29 March, 1974 --- ## ISKCON Legal Affairs, Registration, Etc. ![[letters/1968/681001_mukunda|I hope you will take the necessary precaution 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 ...]] —Mukunda, 1 October, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690610_dinesh|Hare Krsna cannot be copyrighted, although the tune which I sing with my disciples, that may be made copyrighted. I have no objection to sign this agreement, but don't be misled that the chanting of Hare Krsna or Lord Caitanya's movement can be ma...]] —Dinesh, 10 June, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700716_nevatiaji|“The Society is registered in each and every country as a religious and cultural institution under specific statuses]] —Nevatiaji, 16 July, 1970 --- ![[letters/1972/720808_giriraja]] —Giriraja, 8 August, 1972 --- ![[letters/1974/741113_deoji_punja|keep the name of the Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on all registration documents, as well as all stationary, books, and publications.]] —Deoji Punja, 13 November, 1974 --- ![[letters/1976/760612_mahamsa|“Regarding the trustees for the land, first of all get the land transferred to the ISKCON Trust, then I can send you the names of the six trustees from our side. I am having the GBC discuss the matter of trustees in New York and at that time the m...]] —Mahamsa Maharaja, 12 June, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760630_vasudeva]] —Vasudeva, 30 June, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/761108_rupanuga|“Regarding our men becoming lawyers, yes do it. For a graduate it is not difficult. You can also take a degree. However, five years is too long for our men to work as a clerk. That is not good.”]] —Rupanuga, 8 November, 1976 --- ## Immigration ![[letters/1967/670427_pradyumna|“I am so glad to learn that you had no difficulty at the border. These man-made borders of land are disturbances in the law of the Lord. All lands belong to Krsna and as servant of Krsna we have every right to enter any land]] —Pradyumna, 27 April, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/670922_brahmananda|“I think I'm fit to go back to your country at present and, as scheduled previously I'm sure by the end of October. I must be fit to return, but before this there are many things to be done. I'm not yet assured of permanent visa. The best thing wi...]] —Brahmananda, 22 September, 1967 --- ![[letters/1967/671006_satsvarupa|the strength of the above certificates, it will be easier to get the permanent visa.”]] —Satsvarupa, 6 October, 1967 --- ![[letters/1968/680605_brahmananda]] —Brahmananda, 5 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680605_brahmananda|“So far my visa application in this country, I do not know where I am. If you can, you can go to the Canadian Immigration Office in the 5th Avenue, and you can inquire from them why they have not replied my letters. Do not disclose to them at pres...]] —Brahmananda, 5 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680611_mukunda]] —Mr. Hamilton, 11 June, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680707_dayananda|If there is any law that you can adopt any old man as your father, and take care of him, then you can inquire from the Los Angeles immigration department and try for it.”]] —Dayananda, 7 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680714_hayagriva]] —Hayagriva, 14 July, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681108_hayagriva|“I think you have already been informed that this time I entered the USA on Immigrant Visa, that is to say, I have been admitted as a permanent resident on the order of ordained religious minister. So this was a great problem, and Krishna has now ...]] —Hayagriva, 8 November, 1968 --- ![[letters/1971/710325_department_of_visa_and_foreign_registration|“I hereby certify that my initiated disciple, Sriman Upendra dasa Adhikari (Wayne Philip Gunderson), having successfully completed his course of divinity studies in the International Society for Krsna consciousness has been awarded the degree of B...]] —Department of Visa and Foreign Registration, 25 March, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710419_bali-mardana-mardana-mardana|“It is understood that our devotees have got some difficulty in the matter of extensions of visas. Now you can consult our lawyer friends that I want my foreign disciples to remain here to assist me in my activities of sankirtana movement, so whet...]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa, 19 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710427_gurudasa|So many Christian missionaries are working in this country. Why not Krsna conscious missionaries? They should be given special consideration]] —Gurudasa, 27 April, 1971 --- ![[letters/1971/710919_sudama|For yourself also you can try and take a visa as a teacher and some of your students may demand your presence]] —Sudama, 19 September, 1971 --- ![[letters/1972/720801_gurudasa|“Regarding the visa problem in Vrndavana, if you always remain very careful with the authorities there, then we shall hare no problems in the future. But if there is even one incident or scandalous rumor, that may ruin everything.”]] —Gurudasa, 1 August, 1972 --- ![[letters/1973/731205_mukunda|The premise is that we want our men to come to India to learn the Sanskrit language so that we can study the Vedic literature.]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa Goswami, 5 December, 1973 --- ![[letters/1973/731221_tamala_krsna]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa Goswami, 21 December, 1973 --- ![[letters/1974/740111_nadia|“For our arriving devotees they should all be coming on student visas for learning Sanskrit and Hindi languages and thus they can stay for three years. I have arranged this with the Consulate General in New York for the student visas for our men. ...]] —Tamala Kṛṣṇa Maharaja, 11 January, 1974 --- ![[letters/1975/751104_deoji_punja|You can apply for one-year entry visa. Say that you are a member of ISKCON and you are going to India to study Vedic culture and languages and Deity worship in our temples in India.]] —Gargamuni Swami, 4 November, 1975 --- ![[letters/1976/760422_mr._fagan._fagan._fagan|kindly if you will issue him the required USA visa for the three to four months that he may be therein time before our departure]] —The United States Consulate, 22 April, 1976 --- ![[letters/1976/760504_giriraja]] —Giriraja, 4 May, 1976 --- ## Draft ![[letters/1968/680121_advaita|“Yes, it is correct as you have handled the draft. As you have played the part of crazy, there is no necessity of reporting. That is quite in conformity.”]] —Advaita, 21 January, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/680321_brahmananda]] —Brahmananda, 21 March, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681029_yamuna|I have been admitted in your country as a permanent resident (Immigration Visa) under ordained Religious Minister and it is learnt that my initiated students may be saved from military service.]] —Yamuna, 29 October, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681108_yamuna_mukunda_syamasundara|“Regarding giving protection to our students called by the Draft Board, I think the botheration may be stopped in future as there is a clause]] —Yamuna, 8 8, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681125_krsna_dasa|“So far Uttama Sloka's draft situation, by the time needed I shall give him certificate for being Minister of Religion student, as I have given to Kartikeya.]] —Kṛṣṇa dasa, 25 November, 1968 --- ![[letters/1968/681231_sivananda|“Regarding the draft situation, I can send to you a letter and certificate verifying that you are our student. But anywhere you will be staying, you will be a student of the Bhagavad-Gita, and as I have issued a certificate to some students here, ...]] —Sivananda, 31 December, 1968 --- ![[letters/1969/690126_gaurasundara|So I think that if Vamanadeva presents himself as a serious student of this institution he may not be called. I have a very nicely made certificate which can be sent to Vamanadeva if he would like to try for this.”]] —Gaurasundara, 26 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690213_sivananda|“Regarding the draft, I think if you place yourself as my student for becoming a future Ordained Minister of Religion, there will be no draft problem.]] —Sivananda, 13 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690216_vamanadeva]] —Vamanadeva, 16 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690225_bhurijana|“You will be pleased to know that one devotee, Kartikeya, has already received his 4D ministerial status from the draft, and I am enclosing herewith carbon copy of the letter I have sent to your Draft Board. So we shall save you from the draft. If...]] —Bhurijana, 25 February, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690314_rupanuga]] —all temples, 14 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690323_brahmanandaa|“Yes, we must set up our Society as a school as best we can. I have already sent you a letter. Please formulate the whole curriculum because we have to immediately submit to the Draft Department and if this is accepted that will be a great gain fo...]] —Brahmananda, 23 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690324_upendra|“Regarding your Draft Board questions: We are trying at the moment to get our Society recognized by them as a bona fide religious institution and if this is successful, rest assured that there will be no trouble for you. Kartikeya has been classif...]] —Upendra, 24 March, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690721_giriraja|“So far as the draft board is concerned, I may inform you that we are arranging our institutions to be recognized by the draft board. In that case all our students will be taken as divinity students.]] —Giriraja, 21 July, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690724_rupanuga|We are planning ministerial status documents through the lawyer here, and it is almost prepared. This document will be submitted to the Draft Board, and copies will be sent to other centers for doing the necessary arrangements.]] —Rupanuga, 24 July, 1969 --- ![[letters/1969/690115_rupanuga|“Regarding the draft problem, I am enclosing a certificate which I have issued to many students and I think that this will be effective. Within a few days we will have prepared official certificates for both you and Kanupriya which will certify th...]] —Rupanuga, 15 January, 1969 --- ![[letters/1970/700115_harer_nama|“We have been recognized by the draft board as a religious society and if our student seriously understands the philosophy of Bhagavad-Gita or science of God, follows the regulative principles strictly with clear heart without any doubt, then natu...]] —Harer Nama, 15 January, 1970 --- ![[letters/1970/700122_brahmananda|One might be examined by anyone, outsider and he will never fail the test. So you try to see that things are exacted according to the above plan. Then they are saved materially and spiritually both.”]] —Brahmananda, 22 January, 1970 --- ![[letters/1969/690320_selective_service_system_for_tosana_krsna|Some of my students have been classified in the 4D Class or Ministerial Order prior to this by the Selective Service System. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Chief Minister of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness]] —Selective Service System, July, 1970 --- --- **[← Back to Śikṣāmṛta](wiki/compile/siksamrita)**