GBC resolutions 1997 (minutes of the annual meeting)

ISKCON GBC resolutions 1997 — archived copy of https://gbc.iskcon.org/1997/, retrieved 2 October 2026, by The
Krishna Files. Text as published; site navigation removed.


                  ISKCON GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION SOCIETY
         Reg. No. S/74662 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961
                    P.O. Shree Mayapur Dham, Dist. Nadia, W. Bengal

                      MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
                   SRI DHAM MAYAPUR, FEBRUARY 24 to MARCH 9, 1997



1. HG Madhusevita Das is elected as GBC Chairman for 1997-98.

2. HH Bir Krsna Goswami is elected as First GBC Vice-Chairman for 1997-98.

3. HH Suhotra Swami is elected as Second GBC Vice-Chairman for 1997-98.

4. HG Manjari Devi Dasi is elected the Secretary for 1997-98.

5. The following devotees are confirmed as Full GBC members:
HH Bhakti Vaibhava Swami
HH Param Gati Swami
HH Radhanatha Swami
HH Ramai Swami
HH Giridhari Swami
H G Sesa Das

6. The following devotee is confirmed as an Acting GBC member:
HH Bir Krsna Goswami

7. The following devotees are confirmed as Assistant GBC members:
HH Trivikrama Swami
HG Vaidyanatha Das
HG Manjari Devi Dasi

8. The following devotees are confirmed as Candidates for GBC:
HH Navayogendra Swami
HG Prthu Das
HH B.B. Govinda Swami

9. HG Balabhadra Das is no longer a Candidate for GBC.

10. HH Trivikram Swami is confirmed as the Minister of Emergencies for the next three years.

1. BASIC PREACHING (KC1)

[LAW] 101. 1. THAT the five-day seminar course established by the Global Book Distribution
Minister is accepted as the official training course for all ISKCON
book distributors. This course is to be taken by all:
(a) new regular book distributors within the first twelve months of their book distributing career,
and

(b) regular book distributors by Gaura Purnima 1998, and
(c) part time book distributors are encouraged to take this course.

2. The Global Book Distribution Minister, is responsible to supervise the standard and content of the
Book Distribution Graduate Course, promote it and ensure the requirements of this resolution are
met.

[LAW] 102. THAT when the GBC Body approves a candidate for sannyasa, they reserve the right to
assign the candidate a mission of their choice which may take him far from his previous area of
service. Before making such an assignment, the GBC Body shall discuss the suitability of the
candidate for the assigned mission with the local GBC, the Sannyasa Committee, the candidate’s
sannyasa guru and the candidate.

[LAW] 103. THAT the scoring system for the Sankirtana Newsletter is changed to include the
following:
1. For the “Regular” category:
(a) to count only literature which is actually sold and given into the hands of
the receivers personally, and
(b) literature distributed by accepting post dated checks shall only be counted
when the minimum BBT price has been received.

2. A new category named “Subsidized” for the following methods of distribution:
(a) devotees working in teams of two or more and recording their total group effort as one score,
(b) subsidized books which are sold at BBT price or less, and
(c) sponsored books given to people who can value them (i.e.: VIPs, libraries,
schools, prisons, etc.).
The above methods of book distribution must be specified when reporting scores to the newsletter.

3. Distribution by individuals and temples who give out literature free of cost
shall not be counted in the newsletter.

[GUIDELINE] 104. THAT the following three preaching programs from Srila Prabhupada’s
Centennial were very successful and are declared yearly preaching programs: (a) Padayatra Week
and World Holy Name Day, (b) Feed the World Day, and (c) World Enlightenment Day.

[VISION] 105. THAT the following is accepted by the GBC Body as the preaching vision and goals
for ISKCON.

1. Goal and Strategy for Qualified Teachers:
a. BACKGROUND: That in order to maintain our devotees in the preaching spirit, they need to
continually be utilizing their brain to its capacity and providing them with a challenging and
meaningful learning experience within Krishna consciousness.
b. GOAL: That all ISKCON personnel who are teaching other devotees on any subject should obtain
the ability and technique required to educate the students effectively.
c. STRATEGY: All ISKCON personnel who are teaching or intend to teach others on any subject
should attend and pass the Teachers training course as soon as possible.
d. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY:
1) All desirous of teaching;
2) Teachers Training course organizers.

2. Goal & Strategy for Education Oriented Ministries
a. BACKGROUND: The Book Distribution Minister reported great gains from his Book Distribution
courses and trainers courses. It became evident that this should be the standard for all or most
Ministries in ISKCON and that some more curriculums were urgently needed.
b. GOAL: That every Ministry will have nicely developed curriculum and courses for imparting
knowledge in their area of activity.
c. STRATEGY: That every Ministry shall submit the topics for which they need training courses to
the Adult Education Minister who shall utilize his resources and work cooperatively to insure that
high quality training manuals and courses are prepared for each Ministry. The Congregational
Preaching Ministry is a top priority.
d. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY: Each Minister, Ksetra Committee, Adult Education Minister and VTE

3. Goal & Strategy for Seva Oriented Istagosthi
a. BACKGROUND: Devotees need to discuss their services amongst others doing the same or similar
services in order to share their experiences and realizations. This has proved very effective in Book
Distribution and Congregational Preaching.
b. GOAL: To enliven devotees and provide them positive inputs about how to improve their services
and to improve the spiritual bonding amongst them with Lord Krishna and devotional service in the
center.
c. STRATEGY: That the devotees engaged in the same activity in all fields should meet together and
discuss their common service on a weekly basis (if not possible fortnightly or monthly).They should
share their experiences, realizations, challenges and get input from others on how to overcome the
difficulties. In this way they should improve their quality of service.
d. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY: GBC Zonal Secretaries, Temple Presidents, Department Heads, and
general devotees.

4. Goal & Strategy for training all committed devotees.
a. BACKGROUND: Many courses are and will increasingly be available in ISKCON.
To improve the quality, life and ability of the Temple Devotees and initiated or committed
congregational devotees, training courses have proven to be highly successful.
b. GOAL: That every committed devotee shall participate annually in some formal training program
and obtain diplomas or certificates based on their performance.
c. STRATEGY: That every committed devotee should go through at least one course per year on a
scheduled systematic basis.
d. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY: Temple Presidents and Congregational Preaching Directors &
devotees

5. Goal & Strategy For Bhakti Sastri Implementation.
a. BACKGROUND: Utilizing the courses that Srila Prabhupada has given us would enliven devotees
and improve their self esteem and ability to preach Krishna consciousness. That these courses
should be administered from all temples, but somehow they are not easily available.
b. GOAL: That temple devotees, initiated congregations, and other congregational members who
desire, should become Bhakti Sastri degree holders.
c. STRATEGY: To have the Education Ministry (or appropriate body) make available to all temples
and GBC’s, the standard materials necessary to administer Bhakti Sastri courses and exams.
d. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY: Education Ministry and Temple Presidents

6. Goal & Strategy for ISKCON Temples as Centers of Learning.
a. BACKGROUND: Now that the gradual orientation of the temples is changing, it is important to
maintain the relevance of the temple through educating its adherents.

b. GOAL: Every ISKCON temple will become a Center of Transcendental Learning for both the
residents, congregational devotees and members of the public. The temples shall provide Training,
Degrees or Diplomas, and Titles for each major department of applied Krishna conscious activity.
c. STRATEGY # 1: The various ministries shall identify the areas for training (as mentioned earlier)
to include all applied and practical areas of training and with the Adult Education Ministry, develop
course materials.
d. STRATEGY # 2: In addition, the great wealth of already trained personnel within ISKCON, or
ISKCON Alumni’s who are available as resources, shall be identified. The Ministry of Education shall
create a massive database of all skilled devotees in the world and identify who can become teachers
in the following areas:
a) Deity worship
b) Cooking
c) Congregational preaching
d) Cow Protection
e) Book distribution
f) Preaching
g) Ashrams
h) Farming
i) Sastric knowledge
j) Fund development
k) Temple management
e. STRATEGY # 3: “Baby step” courses should be established to make it more interesting and
accessible for children and new congregational members.
f. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY: ISKCON temples, all ministries and centers of learning.

[LAW] 106. 1. THAT no person can collect funds using the name Food for Life without the written
permission of their local ISKCON authority and the Ministry of Communication.

2. The above parties (the applicant, local ISKCON authorities and Ministry of Communication) are
to mutually agree upon a percentage of funds to be collected using
the name Food for Life. This must comply with local laws and must be used for the stated purpose
either by:
a) conducting prasad distribution, or
b) sponsoring prasad distribution projects somewhere in the world.

3. Collection of funds in the name of homeless, handicapped and under-privileged are noacceptable
methods of fund raising unless the collections are used for genuine purposes.

[GUIDELINE] 107.1 THAT the GBC Body accepts the position paper (that was posted on Free
Forum COM Conference) on Jagadisa Das:

2. That ISKCON’s present position regarding Jagadisa Das and his disciples is as follows:
a) The GBC recognizes and appreciates Jagadisa Das’ immense service in ISKCON, especially in the
field of education.
b) Jagadisa Das has voluntarily given up his sannyasa ashram, which is accepted.
c) Jagadisa Das is suspended as a guru.
d) Disciples of Jagadisa Das are encouraged to take shelter of Srila Prabhupada
and the Vaisnavas in ISKCON.
e) Disciples of Jagadisa Das and all ISKCON members are encouraged to pray to guru and Gauranga
for his spiritual recovery.

f) Because he has voluntarily relinquished his responsibilities as a guru, the GBC Body gives
permission to the disciples of Jagadisa Das to take shelter of another ISKCON guru according to
their degree of faith, if they so desire.
g) At present, Jagadisa Das’ instructions are not to be taken as absolute by his disciples.
h) The GBC expresses its sympathy to Ekendra Das and his daughter.
I) The GBC expresses its sympathy to and appreciation for Lakshmimoni Devi Dasi and her children.
Laksmimoni Devi Dasi, as Jagadisa Das’ sannyasa widow, has been an exemplary representative of
her ashram and continues to faithfully perform her valuable devotional service within ISKCON.
j) Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Jagadisa Das may kindly inform the GBC Executive
Committee or Vipramukhya Swami.
k) The GBC appeals to Jagadisa Das to renounce acts unauthorized by Srila Prabhupada and return
to active devotional service within ISKCON.

[GUIDELINE] 108. THAT The GBC Body appreciates the Bangalore Yatra serving under the
inspiration of Jayapataka Swami and the leadership of Madhu Pandit Das for completing a
wonderful temple as a centennial offering to Srila Prabhupada.
It shall remain a source of pride for Srila Prabhupada’s movement. The GBC Body sends its blessings
for the opening ceremonies from April 30th to May 4th.

[ACTION ORDER] 109. THAT the following are accepted as sannyasa candidates as follows:
Amala Bhakta Das (USA)           2 year waiting list
Balabhadra Das (Scotland)         2 year waiting list
Canakya Pandit (Africa)          2 year waiting list
Danavir Das (USA)               authorized to take sannyasa
Drutakarma Das                  2 year waiting list
Gaura Narayana (Vrndavan)          4 year waiting list
Gita Govinda Das (Africa)         2 year waiting list
Kadamba Kanana                  authorized to take sannyasa
Pariksit Das (Africa)            2 year waiting list
Ramacandra Das (Fiji)             4 year waiting list
Sarvaisvarya                   5 year waiting list
Simhesvara                    4 year waiting list
Sruti Dharma (UK)                4 year waiting list

[LAW] 110. THAT Bhaktisiddhanta Swami and Candra Sekhara Swami are recognized as ISKCON
sannyasis.

2. SPECIALIZED PREACHING (KC2)

[VISION] 201. THAT the Ministry of Communications shall:
(a) establish a department for the Internet, tentatively headed by Vipramukhya Swami, and
(b) by 30 April 1997, present to the GBC Executive Committee a set of goals and strategies to be
achieved by the Mayapur meetings of 1998.

3. EDUCATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
[LAW] 301. THAT a devotee must pass the Bhakti Sastri test before being placed on the sannyasa
waiting list. Those who are currently on the list must pass the Bhakti Sastri test before taking
sannyasa. Exceptions to this require a two-thirds vote of the GBC Body.

[LAW] 302. 1. THAT gurukula graduates and youth who have been raised in our ISKCON family
are to receive a special ISKCON Youth Membership status offering them free prasadam and
accommodation at any ISKCON temple for one week per year per temple (provided they are
respectful and follow temple rules.) Membership certificates shall be issued by the ISKCON Youth
Ministry on renewable five year terms to individuals in good standing.

2. THAT all ISKCON departments, projects, businesses, and other enterprises controlled by ISKCON
members, are strongly encouraged to seek out, train and employ ISKCON gurukula graduates and
other youth raised in ISKCON. Wherever feasible, such youth shall be given priority over others.

3. THAT ISKCON temple ashrams have an obligation to provide room and board to gurukula
graduates and other youth raised in ISKCON while they are pursuing further education and training
at colleges, universities, or from our own skilled devotees. Such youth living in ISKCON ashrams
must be of good character and are expected to be respectful, follow the temple rules, and attend the
morning program. Whenever possible (for example, when there is an income from parents, financial
aid, etc.), they should make regular donations to the temple. ISKCON Temple Presidents shall do
everything feasible to fulfill this obligation to any youth certified and approved by ISKCON Youth
Ministry.

[LAW] 303. 1. THAT the GBC Body gives its blessings to Children of Krishna, Inc. for its project to
raise, manage and disburse funds internationally for the purposes of funding projects that improve
gurukula education, help integrate gurukula graduates into society, and protect the physical and
emotional well-being of gurukula students and graduates. This project of caring for our gurukulis is
one of the most important elements in ISKCON and it has the full support and blessings of the GBC
Body.

2. ISKCON leaders are strongly encouraged to make personal contributions (lead gifts) to Children
of Krishna’s annual fundraising campaign to show their concern for succeeding generations and set
an example to others.

[ACTION ORDER] 304. THAT the Initiation Research Committee is established
consisting of Badrinarayan Das, Kalakantha Das and Prof. E. Burke Rochford. The purpose of this
committee is to research the primary materials and events on which the initiation issue rests. (For
example the authenticity of the “appointment” tape, how and why Srila Prabhupada accepted the
word “rtvik”, rumors of missing tapes; conduct interviews with Pradyumna, Tamal Krsna Goswami
and others, etc.).

[ACTION ORDER] 305. 1. THAT the Rtvik Refutation Committee is established consisting of
Umapati Swami, Sivarama Swami, Giridhari Swami, Ravindra Svarupa Das, Virabahu Das and
Badrinarayan Das to produce the following three works:

1) A Rtvik refutation paper. Unanimously approved by the above committee and to be released as an
official GBC paper.

2) A booklet combining the refutation article with excerpts from: the ISKCON Journal, a revised
version of Jayadvaita Swami’s article “Where The Rtvics Are Wrong”, a catechism-style concise
question/answer section, (d) a preface, etc. This booklet shall be completed by the GBC Press by the
end of April 1997.

3) A book on the Guru issue, the final work to be reviewed and approved by the GBC Executive
Committee as ISKCON’s official position. This is to be completed by Mayapur GBC meetings 1998.

[ACTION ORDER] 306. THAT Harikesa Swami is appointed the Minister of Educational
Development. He is to work on:
(a) development of curriculum from gurukula to university level,
(b) finding and training teachers,
(c) help create higher educational institutions (high school upwards), and
(d) work with and coordinate with experts in ISKCON education.

4. ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PREACHING
[LAW] 401. THAT the GBC Executive Committee, Ministry of Justice, and the Board of Education
are authorized to establish time limits wherein their directives (action points) are to be carried out.

2. If whoever is named in the directive (including GBC members, temple presidents, sannyasis, or
any member of ISKCON) and who has received notice of the directive either personally or through
registered post, does not act upon the given direction in the designated time, they are to be
automatically censured and subject to probation if they continue to delay or not comply with the
directive, are uncooperative or are intransigent.

3. At the time of censure, the censured party has the right to “show cause” why there may be
extenuating circumstances making it impossible to carry out the directive. This “show cause” will be
presented to and decided on by the body which issued the initial directive and their decision will be
binding until the next Mayapur meeting where the situation will be reviewed.

[ACTION ORDER] 402. 1. THAT the following four committees are established with their
respective members:
A. GBC Body Functions Committee whose members are: Suhotra Swami (Chairman),
Jayapataka Swami, Mukunda Goswami, Romapada Swami, Sivarama Swami, Madhusevita Das and
Naveen Krishna Das.
B. Zones and Temple Functions Committee whose members are: Bir Krishna Goswami
(Chairman), Niranjana Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Badrinarayana Das, Aniruddha
Das, Visvadeva Das, Prthu Das and A.C. Bhaktivaibhava Swami.
C. ISKCON Communities and Socio-Economic Functions Committee whose members
are: Jaya Sila Das (Chairman), Lokanatha Swami, Bhakti Charu Swami, Bhaktitirtha Swami,
Giridhari Swami, Kavichandra Swami, Radha Charan Das, Pancaratna Das, Hari Sauri Das and
Prasanta Dasi, and
D. GBC Ministries Function Committee whose members are: Prahladananda Swami (co-Chairman),
Sesa Das (co-Chairman), Sridhar Swami, Braja Bihari Das, Navina Nirada Das, Manu Das,
Dvarkadisha Das, and Sudharma Dasi. In addition, nominated to this committee are: Anuttama Das,
Saunaka Rsi Das and Bhurijana Das.

2. Additional members can be added to the above four committees with the consensus of the present
members.

3. The purpose of the four above committees is to bring the following components of ISKCON’s
structure to a healthy and effective state through research, development and recommendations:
A. a world divided into zones, each zone consisting of a number of temples,
B. Zonal Secretaries who are responsible for the governance of zones,
C. Temple Presidents who are responsible for execution and implementation in the temples,
D. Regional Bodies consisting of Zonal Secretaries and Temple Presidents in an area, and
E. Ministers that primarily provide knowledge, training and advise in specialized areas for the use of
Zonal Secretaries, Temple Presidents, Department Heads, and secondarily provide representation.

4. The Coordinator of these four committees is Suhotra Swami.

5. The four chairmen of the above four committees are responsible to:
a) organize one meeting to be held no later than September 1997,
b) send reports to the Coordinator in June, September, December 1997 and March 1998, and
c) by April 1997, establish the communication method to be used by the committee.

[ACTION ORDER] 403. 1. THAT the balance laksmi from the Sahasra Tirtha Jala campaign is set
aside to use as seed funds for developing the ISKCON Social Development Ministry, coordinating
the development of other ISKCON ministries and developing ISKCON’s Ministry of Mayapur
Information.

2. Lokanatha Swami and Naveen Krishna Das are to:
(a) collect the remaining pledges as soon as possible and distribute the funds exclusively for the
above stated purposes, and
(b) provide the GBC Body a full account of the collection and distributions of the funds by the GBC
meetings 1998.

[RULE OF ORDER] 404. 1. THAT the following duties are added for the GBC Deputies:
(a) to review the previous year’s GBC meeting minutes and report to the GBC Body on what has been
achieved and is still requiring action,
(b) to preview and refine proposals and caste a preliminary vote to expedite GBC voting, and
(c) to assist the collection of data for evaluating ISKCON performance.

[ACTION ORDER] 2. The following devotees are added to GBC Deputy membership to assist in the
above:
Guruttama Das        Latvia
Vrajendra-kumara Das   CIS Central Asia
Dhyana-kunda Dasi     Moscow Region
Vraja Lila Dasi      USA

The GBCs for South America are to supply three names as persons who can act as deputies for the
collection of data.

5. HOLY PLACES AND SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES
[LAW] 501. THAT the GBC Body hereby declares that the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness does not condone abuse of any kind, especially that which is directed towards
dependents such as women, children, aged and cows. Battery, verbal and emotional abuse are
destructive to the devotional creeper and thus considered serious Vaisnava aparadhas. Any attempt
to justify this type of abusive mentality on the basis of sastra is misconstrued and is firmly rejected
by all practicing Vaisnavas.

[ACTION ORDER] 502. THAT Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundara of the Adelaide temple are to be
repaired and a re-installation ceremony held to celebrate the event.

[LAW] 503. THAT every ISKCON temple is to provide equal facility for both women and men to
chant japa. This may mean equal or appropriate facility, or common or alternative use of the temple
room as acceptable by everyone.

[ACTION ORDER] 504. 1. THAT the following guidelines are accepted for those who want their
samadhi in the Sri Mayapur master plan area for all Srila Prabhupada disciple-gurus in good

standing:
(a) they are to be located near Srila Prabhupada’s puspa samadhi, and
(b) their size is to be three feet by three feet floor space and four feet to five feet high.

2. Non-guru Srila Prabhupada disciples are to have a memorial wall with plaques.

6. INTERNAL ISKCON
[VISION] 601. THAT the GBC Body extends its heartfelt thanks to ISKCON Foundation for all the
support and assistance it has volunteered to the ISKCON GBC Society and ISKCON worldwide. This
is greatly appreciated and we are sure Srila Prabhupada is very pleased with this sincere and
valuable service. We pray that Srila Prabhupada will bless us with the continued donations and help
that ISKCON Foundation so kindly gives us.

[LAW] 602. THAT the last sentence of Resolution 73.B of 1995 is amended to read: “The Executive
Committee is hereby given authority to undertake any action up to and including suspension from
ISKCON of any violator at any time between the Mayapur annual general meetings”.

[ACTION ORDER] 603. THAT the Johannesburg temple is given permission to move their
deities, Sri Sri Nitai Gaurahari, to Lenasia into a suitable temporary location and then moved Them
into Their permanent temple when it is completed.

[ACTION ORDER] 604. THAT the Budapest temple is given permission to sell the existing
temple and relocate the temple and Sri Sri Nitai Gaur deities to the proposed life-lease downtown
Budapest preaching center after Hari Vilas Das (for the Executors Committee) is satisfied that
ISKCON’s interests are protected. The money realized from the sale of the present property is to be
used to build devotee residences on the Hungary farm property.

{GUIDELINE} 605. 1. THAT the Last Will and Testament submitted to the GBC Body by Sesa Das
is accepted for single devotees.

2. Last Will and Testaments for those in other situations (sannyasis with children and grhastas) are
to be drawn up by Sesa Das, plus a standard form living will and durable power of attorney.

3. These documents will be available through the Mayapur GBC Office by September 1st, 1997.

[RULE OF ORDER] 607. 1. THAT all GBC resolutions shall be categorized as one of the following:
a) Action Order (administrative, appointment, action oriented, directive or provisional orders plus
send to or form a committee, etc. that is temporary in nature and expires on completion)
b) GBC Rule of Order (permanent in nature)
c) ISKCON Law (permanent in nature)
d) ISKCON Vision and Goal (time bound) (future planning, strategies, standing objectives which
push on the preaching of the Society and position papers, statements of appreciation, etc. that are
permanent in nature), and
e) Guideline (behavior or action for ISKCON).

3. The Executive Committee, GBC Parliamentarian and In-house Counsel are to approve the annual
minutes prior to distribution.

[ACTION ORDER] 608. THAT Hari Vilas Das is removed from the GBC Funding Committee.

[ACTION ORDER] 609. THAT the corrected version of the Memorandum of Association and
Regulations submitted by the GBC Secretary are accepted by the GBC Body. These changes are to be

officially made and recorded with the Registrar of Societies, Calcutta as per their procedures.

{ACTION ORDER] 610. THAT Prahladananda Swami is appointed the permanent Sannyasa
Minister.

[ACTION ORDER] 611. 1. THAT Romapada Swami , Bir Krishna Swami, and Sudharma Dasi are
added to the New Vrindaban Committee (NVCOM).

2. The Executive Committee is empowered to accept, on behalf of the entire GBC Body, the
recommendations of the NVCOM, including any recommendations the NVCOM makes about
officially and legally reuniting New Vrindavana with ISKCON. The Executive Committee is thus
empowered to officially re-admit New Vrindavan into
ISKCON, if this is part of the NVCOM recommendations, without having to wait for the 1998 GBC
annual meeting at Mayapur.

[GUIDELINE] 612. THAT the GBC Body warns all ISKCON members of the grave danger of
associating with Satyanarayana Das and such scholars, and, for the good of the Society and its
individual members, the GBC further enjoins all ISKCON members from taking association of
Satyanarayana Das, and/or any other persons who in turn take association from him.

[ACTION ORDER] 614. THAT the Glory of India Monitoring Committee is established with the
purpose to monitor the progress of the Delhi project in all areas and
report to the Executive Committee. The members are: Trivikrama Swami (Chairman), Lokanatha
Swami and Bhima Das.

[LAW] 615. 1. THAT the GBC Body may award the title “Emeritus GBC” to retired GBC Members
who have rendered distinguished service.

2. The role of an Emeritus GBC is to:
(a) make himself available to all GBC members as a storehouse of knowledge and experience,
(b) be respected in ISKCON society as were the great sages in Vedic society,
(c) when requested, act in a non-managerial role by giving advice to the GBC member or members or
GBC Deputies who have taken over his GBC responsibilities,
(d) participate in GBC meetings as a non-voting member if he should so choose,
(e) as a participant in GBC meetings, be afforded all privileges offered to an ordinary GBC Member.

[LAW] 617. THAT there shall be no establishment of murtis in any ISKCON temple room of
ISKCON gurus subsequent to Srila Prabhupada in succession.

[VISION] 618. 1. THAT the following plan for Krishna Balaram Mandir is accepted by the GBC
Body:
1. Gopal Krishna Goswami continue in his position as the GBC of ISKCON Vrindavan.
2. Prthu Das is appointed co-GBC candidate for ISKCON Vrindavana.
3. BB Govinda Swami is appointed co-GBC candidate for ISKCON Vrindavana and a member of the
Board of Managers.
4. That Mahaman Das remains the Temple President and becomes a member of the Board of
Managers.
5. That Pancagauda Das remains the Vice President and becomes a member of the Board of
Managers.
6. That Ganapati Das is a member of the Board of Managers.

7. That Trikalajna Das is a member of the Board of Managers.
8. That Bhakti Caitanya Swami is the spiritual advisor for ISKCON Vrindavana.

2. The Board of Managers will oversee the proper management of ISKCON Vrindavan. Each
member of the board will accept clearly defined responsibilities. The following is a list of
responsibilities assigned to the different members.
(a) BB Govinda Swami: GBC Candidate
Preaching strategies, spiritual standards, oversee and organize the brahmacari ashram and training,
help organize festivals, Food for Life and temple kitchen, goshalla, and be part of the master plan
team.
(b) Mahaman Das: Temple President
Congregational preaching, college preaching, part of the master plan team, and preaching strategies.
(c) Pancagauda Das: Vice President
Sankirtan, Accounting, life membership, temple maintenance, and part of the master plan team.
(d) Ganapati Das: Guest House
Guest house manager, VIP host, Public Relations, legal work, and part of the master plan team
(e) Trikalajna Das: Gurukula, Education, and Public Relations.
Gurukula director, national and international Public Relations Officer, and part of the master plan
team.

3. The Vrindavana Board of Management will propose scheduled goals to the Executive Committee
which will oversee the fulfillment of these goals.

[LAW] 619. 1 The Bombay Juhu Hare Krishna Land is very dear to Srila Prabhupada, and is
therefore an international project under the care of the GBC Body as a whole.

[ACTION ORDER] 2. The proposal for the ISKCON Juhu International Project is
approved by the GBC Body.

3. THAT the GBC representatives for ISKCON Juhu are Giriraja Swami, Sridhara Swami and Gopal
Krishna Goswami, and Radhanatha Swami. Narmada Swami will be the ad-interim temple
president. The Executive Committee thanks Sridhara Swami for holding down two difficult posts
during the past year, that of the temple president and a local GBC. The service he rendered during
that time was invaluable.

2. The GBC Executive Committee directs the local GBCs and Narmada Swami to search for a suitable
candidate to occupy the post of temple president within the year of 1997.

3. The GBC Executive Committee requests the local GBCs to establish a healthy state of sadhanna for
all the residents of the Juhu project and to this end to adjust the lifestyle of the devotees, including
relocation and other necessary changes. The overall consideration should be to create an atmosphere
of purity, proper behavior, and enthusiastic participation. On the administrative side, the GBC
Executive Committee requests Narmada Swami to submit a monthly financial report to the
Executive Committee. Trivikrama Swami will visit the project twice a year and report his findings to
the GBC Executive Committee.

[GUIDELINE] 4. The GBC Body requests all devotees to work cooperatively and submissively under
the guidance of the local GBCs. The key to success is for all concerned is to remember that ISKCON
Juhu is one of Srila Prabhupada’s dearest projects, and that cooperation is paramount in pleasing
Srila Prabhupada.

[LAW] 620. THAT the following is added to GBC resolution 413-96:
“Standards of a temple president: A female temple president should;
– see all men as son except her husband.
– never be alone with a man except one’s husband.
– avoid intimate dealings with men.
– as far as possible appoint a senior man to deal with men’s affairs.
– in certain conditions it may be prudent for a female president to
have her husband deal with the men, or for a male president to have his wife deal
with the women. The general principle is that the temple president should avoid intimate dealings
with the opposite sex.”

THE GBC ZONAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR 1997-98 ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Badrinarayan Das:
GBC for Southern California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, Nebraska and
Kansas
co-GBC with Romapada Swami for Illinois and Missouri
co-GBC with Virabahu for Los Angeles

Bhakti Charu Swami:
GBC for Madagascar, Comoro Islands, and Seychelles
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for West Bengal
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Prabhavisnu Swami for Bangladesh
co-GBC with Giriraj Swami and Bhaktitirtha Swami for South Africa, Mauritius and Reunion
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta (*)

Bhakti Raghava Swami:
GBC — Quebec and Maritime Provinces
co-GBC with Sridhar Swami and Bir Krsna Goswami (Toronto only) for Eastern Canada
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for Western Canada, State of Washington, and Alaska

Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami:
GBC — Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Prabhavisnu Swami for Tirupati
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami for Burma
co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami for Kuruksetra
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Gopal Krishna Goswami for Andhra Pradesh, except Tirupati

Bhaktitirtha Swami:
co-GBC with Kavicandra Swami for Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo, Liberia,
Camaroon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Zaire, Gabon, Rio Muni, Central African Republic, and Congo
co-GBC with Radhanatha Swami for West Virginia
co-GBC with Ravindra Svarupa for Detroit and Gita Nagari
co-GBC with Bhakti Charu Swami and Giriraja Swami for South Africa

Bhaktivaibhava Swami:
co-GBC to Suhotra Swami for Czech Republic and Slovakia
co- GBC to Prabhavishnu Swami for Siberia and Far East Russia

co- GBC to Niranjana Swami for Ukraine
co- GBC to Niranjana Swami for Belarus

Bhurijana Das:
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for West Uttar Pradesh (including Vrindaban), Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh

Bir Krsna Goswami:
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for SE United States; co-GBC with Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami
and Madhusevita dasa for Hawaii
co- GBC with Sridhar Swami and Bhakti Raghava Swami for Toronto

Giridhari Swami:
co- GBC with Tamal Krishna Goswami for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Hong Kong, China, Korea,
Taiwan, and the Philippines

Giriraj Swami:
GBC — Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Angola,
and Cape Verde Islands.
co-GBC with Bhakti Charu Swami for Mauritius and Reunion
co-GBC with Bhakti Charu Swami and Bhaktitirtha Swami for South Africa
co-GBC with Paramgati Swami for Spain and Portugal
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami, Radhanatha Swami, and Sridhara Swami for Bombay
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for Pakistan
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Sri Lanka

Gopal Krsna Goswami:
GBC — Delhi, Maharashtra (other than Bombay), Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Kenya,
Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda
co-GBC with Sridhara Swami, Radhanatha Swami, and Giriraj Swami for Bombay
co-GBC with Radhanatha Swami for Poona and Kuruksetra
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami for East Uttar Pradesh and Southern Russia
co-GBC with Bhurijan Das for West Uttar Pradesh (including Vrindaban), Rajasthan, and Madhya
Pradesh
co-GBC with Ravindra Swarup for Washington DC
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami for Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, and
Kirghizistan
co-GBC with Rohini Suta for Golden Circle cities (Russia), and Azerbaijan

Guru Prasad Swami:
GBC for Colombia, Brazil, Arizona, Central America, Mexico, and Trinidad
co-GBC with Virabahu for Venezuela

Harikesa Swami:
GBC — Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands,
Lichtenstein, and Dole,
co-GBC with Bhakti Swarup Damodar Swami and Paramgat Swami for France.
co-GBC for Mayapur (*)
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami for Moscow and St. Petersburg

co-GBC with Rohini Suta dasa for Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia, Austria and
Northern Germany (Berlin, Hamburg and Hanover)

Hari Vilas Das:
GBC — Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, North and South Yemen, Afghanistan, Morocco, Algeria,
Tunesia, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkino
Faso, Niger, Chad, Northern California, Oregon, Jammu and Kashmir, Hardwar and Rishikesh, Gao,
Himachal Pradesh
**co-GBC with Bhakti Raghava Swami for Western Canada, State of Washington, and Alaska
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates,
and Oman
co-GBC with Rohini Suta for Armenia
co-GBC with Giriraj Swami for Pakistan

Hrdayananda Das Goswami:
Minister of Advanced Vaishnava Studies

Jayapataka Swami:
GBC for Bolivia, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, Maldives, Bhutan, Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
GBC Minister of Congregational Preaching
co-GBC with Virabahu for Ecuador, Chile, and Peru
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami for Bihar, Sikkim, Nepal, Malaysia, Brunei, and Tamil Nadu
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami and Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami for Tirupati
co-GBC with Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami for Tripura, Assam, Orissa, and Meghalaya
co-GBC with Prabhavisnu Swami and Bhakti Charu Swami for Bangladesh
co-GBC with Kavicandra Swami for Thailand, and Singapore
co-GBC with Bhakti Charu Swami for West Bengal other than Mayapur
co-GBC with Bhaktisvarup Damodar Swami for Andhra Pradesh, except Tirupati
co-GBC with Giriraj Swami for Sri Lanka
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Oman
co-GBC with Radhanatha Swami for Belgaum, Karnataka
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta(*)

Kavicandra Swami:
GBC — Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Israel, Cambodia
co-GBC with Bhaktitirtha Swami for Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Benin, Togo, Liberia,
Camaroon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Zaire, Gabon, Rio Muni, Central African Republic, and Congo
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Thailand, and Singapore

Madhu Sevita Das:
GBC for Italy
co-GBC with Suhotra Swami for Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, and Cyprus

Mukunda Goswami:
GBC Minister of Communications

Navina Krishna Das:
GBC Minister of Management and Finance

Niranjana Swami:
GBC — New England, Festival of India, Lithuania, Estonia, and Moldova
co-GBC with Bhaktivaibhava Swami, for Ukraine
co-GBC with Prabhavishnu Swami for Latvia
co-GBC with Harikesa Swami for Moscow and St. Petersburg
co-GBC with Rohini Suta for Russia west of Nijney Novgorod and north of Voronesh, except for
Moscow and St. Petersburg areas
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, and
Kirghizistan
co-GBC with Bhaktivaibhava Swami for Belarus

Paramgati Swami:
GBC for France, except Dole.
co-GBC with Giriraja Swami for Spain and Portugal

Prabhavisnu Swami:
co-GBC with Ramai Swami, for Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New
Guinea, and New Caledonia
co-GBC with by Bhaktivaibhava Swami, for Siberia and Far East Russia
co-GBC with Bhaktisvarup Damodar Swami for Burma
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Bihar, Sikkim, Nepal, Malaysia, Brunei and Tamil Nadu
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Bhaktiswarup Damodar Swami for Tirupati
co-GBC with Gopal Krsna Goswami for Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Southern Russia
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami and Bhakti Charu Swami for Bangladesh
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami for Latvia
co-GBC with Rohini Suta Volga Region of Russia
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami, assisted by Bhaktivaibhava Swami, for Belarus

Radhanatha Swami:
GBC for Bombay Chowpatti
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Belgaum, Karnataka,
co-GBC with Bhaktitirtha Swami for West Virginia
co-GBC with Sridhara Swami, Giriraja Swami, and Gopal Krishna Goswami for Bombay
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for Poona and Kuruksetra

Ramai Swami:
co- GBC to Prabhavishnu Swami for Australia, New Zealand, P. New Guinea, New Caledonia, and
Solomons

Ravindra Svarupa Das:
GBC — Michigan (except Detroit), Pennsylvania (except Gita Nagari Farm), Delaware, Maryland,
and Virginia
co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for Washington DC
co-GBC with Radhanatha Swami for Ohio
co-GBC with Bhaktitirtha Swami for Detroit and Gita Nagari Farm

Rohini Suta Das:
GBC — Georgia, Ural region of Russia
co-GBC with Niranjana Swami for Russia west of Nijney Novgorod and north of Voronesh, except for
Moscow and St. Petersburg areas and Murmensk

co-GBC with Gopal Krishna Goswami for Golden Circle Region of Russia and Azerbaijan
co-GBC with Hari Vilas for Armenia
co-GBC with Prabhavishnu Swami for Volga Region of Russia
co-GBC with Harikesa Swami for Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia and
Northern Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, and Hanover)

Romapada Swami:
co-GBC with Sridhara Swami for New York and New Jersey
co-GBC with Badrinarayan for Illinois and Missouri

Sesa Das:
co-GBC with Sridhar Swami for Long Island
co-GBC to Guru Prasad Swami for Guyana and Trinidad
co-GBC to Virabahu for Caribbean except for Trinidad and the Dominican Republic

Sivarama Swami:
GBC — England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Ireland, Hungary

Sridhara Swami:
GBC Minister of Life Membership
co-GBC with Sesa Das for Long Island
co-GBC with Romapada Swami for New York and New Jersey
co-GBC with Giriraj Swami, Radhanatha Swami, and Gopal Krishna Goswami for Bombay
co-GBC with Bhakti Raghava Swami and Bir Krsna Goswami (Toronto Only) for Eastern Canada

Suhotra Swami:
GBC – Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and Albania
GBC, assisted by Bhaktivaibhava Swami, for Czech Republic and Slovakia
co-GBC with Madhu Sevita for Belgium, Luxembourg, and Holland

Tamal Krsna Goswami:
GBC — Polynesia
co-GBC with Giridhari Swami, for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Taiwan,
Philippines, and Polynesia
co-GBC for Mayapur and Calcutta (*)

Virabahu Das:
GBC for Florida, Argentina, Paraguay, Urguay, Guyana, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic
co-GBC with Badrinarayan for Los Angeles
co-GBC with Jayapataka Swami for Peru, Ecuador and Chile
co-GBC with Guru Prasad Swami for Venezuela
co-GBC with Sesa Das for Guyana Caribbean except for Trinadad and Dominican Republic

* co-GBC’s for Mayapur are Jayapataka Swami, Harikesa Swami, Tamal Krishna Goswami, and
Bhakti Charu Swami

**HG Hari Vilas Das is added as co-GBC for all of Canada provisional to the approval of the Temple
Managers of Eastern Canada and this being confirmed to the GBC Executive Committee.

HG Prthu Das is appointed candidate for GBC for Hawaii (replacing HG Madhusevita Das) along
with HH Bir Krishna Goswami and HH Bhakti Swarupa Damodara Swami. HG Prthu Das is also

appointed candidate for GBC for Western Canada except British Columbia and Northwest USA
except Berkeley.

The budget for 1997-98 is Rs. 200,000. This will be collected from donations received by our GBC
members.