ISKCON Constitution - How do we go forward?

By Nimai Pandit Das

29 Jul 2007, Long Island, New York

We discussed Srila Prabhupada's desire to make a constitution of ISKCON in a couple of previous articles, Constitution of ISKCON - Part 1 and Constitution of ISKCON - Part 2. There, we showed:

1. The definition of "Constitution". A constitution document should cover at least 3 points namely:

a) Basic Principles of ISKCON
b) Duties and Powers of GBC and Temple Presidents
c) Basic Rights of the Temple Members

2) We showed the "Constitution of Association" document, made by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, which gives the basic principles of ISKCON.

3) We showed that "Direction of Management" is the original document and possibly the only one, given by Srila Prabhupada himself, which gives IN WRITING the duties and powers of the GBC and Temple Presidents. It also gives in brief the right of the Temple Members.

4) We showed that Srila Prabhupada was working on and desired that "we must make broader constitution of the management by GBC", and expand on these duties and powers of the GBC and Temple Presidents. [Read]

Hmmmmmm.....Oh yeah!..BOOK CHANGES!

By Nara Narayan Vishwakarma das

Dear Jayadvaita Maharaja,

PAMHO, AGTSP!

... No one goes after a published painting by Picasso, changing this and that to match his original sketch!

If there is bad editing, then why not simply write a commentary in another book designed specifically to amend errors either made or allowed in the book that perhaps "mistakenly" met His approval during His lifetime? That is the approved means of dealing with such a situation, and as an English Literature major at University, I learned this early on.

so, can you kindly explain the unusualness of your approach? [Read]

An Example of Caitanya Caritamrta Book Changes

by Mahesh Raja
Posted March 3, 2006

Current Version: "Even if one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or non devotees in the Krishna Consciousness Society, still one should stick to the Society; if one thinks the Society's members are not pure devotees, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master." CC madhya 19.157

Original Version: "If one thinks that there are many pseudo devotees or non devotees in the Krsna Consciousness Society, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master." CC madhya 19.157 [Read]

Letter to Mukunda

Seattle
1 October, 1968
London

My Dear Mukunda,

Please accept my blessings. I am glad to receive your letter dated Sept. 26, 1968, and it is very much pleasing to learn about your nice activities there. 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. I do not know why a separate registration is required. To be more clear, I may say that if the management goes to other hands, then it will be difficult for preaching our principles. [Read]

Lord Chaitanya’s Hari Nam Sankirtana Party

In the light of Srila Prabhupada’s statements and instructions within Dayananda dasa’s recent posting on www.Chakra.org entitled,” Sankirtan Is Our Life And Soul, But Where Is The Love?”, and the article, ”Where Are All The Bhakta’s”, by Gregory Kirk and family, (www.iskcontoday.org), there is much missing in ISKCON as in the spreading of Krsna consciousness via Lord Chaitanya’s Hari Nam Sankirtan Movement. Basically the daily Hari Nam Sankirtana party is missing. According to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, the Sankirtan yajna ,”The Sankirtan Party must always work regularly; that is our life and soul.” ---“It is our life and soul. Sankirtana should be increased as much as possible. Side by side is book selling.” (Letter to Brahmananda, 1969 May 9th. Letter to Rupanuga Sept 4th 1974. ) In a list of devotional activities covered by the up and coming GBC meetings at Alachua; deity worship, book distribution, preaching, and this list goes on, but public Hari Nam Sankirtan is absent from this list. Some devotee’s will remember that Hari Nam Sankirtan was daily performed in the late 60ties and early 70ties until book distribution by itself replaced it.  [Read]

Motion to Dismiss

1. I have been a member of the Hare Krishna religion since 1968 when I received the first initiation from His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (“Srila Prabhupada”) the Founder-Acarya, Spiritual Master of ISKCON, in San Francisco, CA. I received the spiritual name of Nara Narayana Dasa. I received the Brahman initiation soon after. I have resided in various ISKCON temples over the years. I have primarily been engaged in constructing temples, festival carts, altars, deities etc. I have also served as the President of ISKCON Temple in London, England in 1971. I have read and researched Srila Prabhupada’s books, letters, conversations etc. extensively apart from having close personal association with Srila Prabhupada for six years. The facts I describe are my personal knowledge or my understanding from my personal experience. [Read]

Srila Prabhupada's accomplishments

He sent his followers, chanting the names of God, into the streets of cities and towns everywhere and Hare Krsna became famous in every corner of the earth.

He sent his disciples to London, where they recorded the single, “Hare Krsna Mantra”, with George Harrison, in 1969. It became the fastest selling of all the Apple Corporation’s releases, including those of the Beatles. The record reached #3 in Czechoslovakia, #9 in Britain, and made the top ten in Germany, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Yugoslavia, and many other countries. [Read]

Prabhupada's Last Heroic Attempt at the DOM

By Nara Narayan Vishwakarma das

Dear Prabhus,

PAMHO, AGTSP!

After meditating on the chronology of SP's repeated attempts to introduce to DOM for our own good fortune and the good fortune of our six billion fellow humans for the duration of the Golden Age of Kali, one would have to be cold as ice not to feel absotutely stricken and heartbroken to read this letter which is obviously a close to last heroic attempt by Srila Prabhupada to get past the GBC's Absolute Unwillingness to accept the DOM.

By explanation, my reading of the the first part of the letter brings me to the thought that SP wanted this letter to be the pivotal lever to bring the DOM to our Iskcon Society either at the time of His writing it, or a later time...(Such as now). He included the first part of the letter (line item #1) quite certain that his "beloved disciples" would implement it immediately. This turned out to be true. I was present when every card, menu, letterhead, sign, book, brochure etc was manically examined and then rectified if it did not comply with the required language of line item #1.

The second paragraph of line item #1 was a matter of urgent need at the time, important enough, it would seem to be added to all of the legal papers of Iskcon everywhere).....(The Oahu Hawa'ai Temple had been sold by Gaurasundhara without consulting Srila Prabhpada on the matter.)

I am certain that Srila Prabhupada inserted line item #1 so that History would Witness that line item #2 had been completely disobeyed.....I do not think that He considered it likely that line item#2 would be obeyed, and He used line item #1 (which He was certain WOULD be obeyed) as a "marker:" to prove that the letter was received by the GBC, circulated and read. No one can now say that the GBC did not get or read this letter, as line item #1 was literally followed to the letter. If He had not done that and sent out a letter ONLY about the DOM, we, here in the year 2006 could easily argue that without dispute, the letter was WRITTEN by SP, but where is the proof that it was READ by all of the GBC members? [Read]

Petition for the Supreme Court to Enforce the Elections of GBC

BY: YADUNANDANA PADA DASA

June 23, USA (SUN) — Petition to the Courts to Enforce Elections of the GBC Every 3 Years as Ordered by Srila Prabhupada

This is a Petition for the Supreme Court of NY and for the International Courts to Enforce Srila Prabhupada's Direction of Management (D.O.M.) Documents and the Elections of all GBC Therein.

Today I read a letter from Dhanurdhara, where he states that he is leaving because of all the opposition to his personal past as a child abuser. What does it mean for Dhanurdhara to leave ISKCON? Nothing. In a few months, he will be giving classes and sitting on a vyasasana of some kind, at our temples. You know it, and I know it. His disciples will follow him. The reign will continue under another smoke screen because the GBC have already blessed him, one way or another. The message that will continue to go out will be that ‘it is acceptable to abuse the children.’ [Read]

Major Legal Action Against BBT Trustees

by INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INC.
(Incorporated by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya, 1966)
197 SOUTH OCEAN AVENUE, FREEPORT, NEW YORK 11520

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "Constitution" as follows:

3. a. The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution. b. The document in which such a system is recorded. c. Constitution The fundamental law of the United States, framed in 1787, ratified in 1789, and variously amended since then.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines "Constitution" as:

con·sti·tu·tion
Pronunciation: "kän(t)-st&-'tü-sh&n, -'tyü-
Function: noun
a : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
b : a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization

The constitution of ISKCON would ideally consist of:

- The Basic principles of ISKCON
- The Duties & Powers of GBC and Temple Presidents who are to organize ISKCON, with its members, for the fulfillment of these principles
- The Basic Rights of the Temple Members

And there should be a WRITTEN INSTRUMENT embodying these rules.

Did Srila Prabhupada say or make something for ISKCON in that regard ?

Our research shows - Yes! [Read]

Current Legal Thread

Constitution of ISKCON - Part 2

Continuing from "Constitution of ISKCON - Part 1"


(Note: In Part 1, we covered the FIRST PART of the constitution of ISKCON, namely the "Constitution of Association" - the Basic Principles on which ISKCON is based upon. It was made by Srila Prabhupada in 1966. GBC and TPs are there to manage the fulfillment of THESE principles in cooperation with the Temple Members. The basic duties and powers and the rights of temple members are delineated by Srila Prabhupada via the "Direction of Management", as FURTHER PART of the constitution of ISKCON, made on July 28, 1970, quoted below and attached)

“In this way, we have to form International Society. So practically now we are in the making of, so you go on drafting the constitution, but don't distribute now. Whatever you do, you first of all show me, and the final copy will be distributed, then we shall call for a meeting and then we shall adopt. Don't distribute immediately. Anyway, try to do it conveniently, there is no haste. But don't distribute anything without showing me. So far the constitution goes, my instruction for the present is this.”
(Letter to Rayarama, October 17, 1968)
(Note: this meeting was held in San Francisco in July 1970 Rath Yatra time)

“NB: Please ask Janardana to immediately send me the constitution notes which I had given him to read in Boston.”
(Letter to Isana, May 23, 1969)
(Note: Janardan Prabhu was in Montreal at that time) [Read]

Where Are All the Bhaktas?

by Gregory Kirk & Family,
Toronto Canada
Posted December 21, 2005

Having come to ISKCON in the early 90's, I wanted to share a little of my journey that I know is individual but not isolated. I want to encourage all who read this not to read it with me finding any fault or blame and without criticism, and some will say "Oh! its just his karma", but I am not directing this to any one temple or anyone in particular.

I am wanting just to share the experience and some thoughts , especially with those who have or are going through similar experiences. I wanted to share with new bhaktas in particular, but I hope this gives some inspiration to any devotee who finds difficulty or disappointments on this glorious path. Yoga of Love, Bhaktimarg, which we come to know as the path of nourishment, pusti marg. [Read]