Harmonizing ISKCON's Lines of Authority (GBC policy paper)

Harmonizing	
  ISKCON's	
  Lines	
  of	
  Authority	
  
                                                       	
  
Preface	
  
	
  
This	
   paper	
   has	
   been	
   voted	
   on	
   by	
   the	
   GBC	
   and	
   is	
   now	
   an	
   official	
   GBC	
   policy	
   paper.	
  
The	
  following	
  offers	
  more	
  about	
  the	
  paper’s	
  purpose	
  and	
  scope.	
  

The	
   topic	
   of	
   “Lines	
   of	
   Authority”	
   is	
   a	
   heritage	
   or	
   legacy	
   issue.	
   By	
   “heritage”	
   or	
  
“legacy”	
   issues	
   we	
   mean	
   those	
   topics	
   that	
   are	
   of	
   core	
   importance	
   to	
   the	
   future	
   of	
  
ISKCON.	
  These	
  are	
  the	
  issues	
  that	
  are	
  going	
  to	
  be	
  relevant	
  for	
  generations	
  to	
  come.	
  
How	
  to	
  address	
  them	
  in	
  a	
  way	
  that	
  reflects	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada’s	
  intent	
  and	
  purpose	
  
will	
  be	
  expressed	
  in	
  papers	
  like	
  this	
  one.	
  	
  
	
  
This	
   “Lines	
   of	
   Authority”	
   paper	
   is	
   not	
   the	
   full	
   and	
   final	
   statement	
   on	
   this	
   topic.	
  
Rather,	
  it	
  is	
  a	
  good	
  first	
  step.	
  The	
  GBC	
  fully	
  expects	
  that	
  the	
  paper	
  will	
  be	
  updated,	
  
made	
  more	
  comprehensive,	
  and	
  improved	
  in	
  the	
  course	
  of	
  time.	
  

Of	
   special	
   importance	
   is	
   the	
   section	
   outlining	
   conduct	
   for	
   gurus,	
   managers,	
   and	
  
disci-­‐ples.	
  Starting	
  implementation	
  of	
  these	
  practices	
  now	
  will	
  provide	
  the	
  GBC	
  with	
  
valuable	
   feedback	
   on	
   where	
   the	
   paper	
   works	
   and	
   what	
   needs	
   to	
   be	
   adjusted	
   and	
  
improved.	
  
	
  
	
  
History	
  of	
  the	
  Topic	
  
	
  
Several	
  years	
  ago	
  the	
  GBC	
  embarked	
  upon	
  developing	
  a	
  systematic	
  plan	
  for	
  the	
  
future	
  of	
  ISKCON.	
  They	
  selected	
  several	
  issues	
  of	
  primary	
  importance	
  to	
  the	
  
movement	
  and	
  formed	
  committees	
  to	
  discuss	
  those	
  issues.	
  One	
  of	
  the	
  committees	
  
was	
  requested	
  to	
  study	
  the	
  divergent	
  lines	
  of	
  authority	
  within	
  ISKCON	
  and	
  suggest	
  a	
  
method	
  for	
  settling	
  disagreements	
  between	
  them.	
  The	
  members	
  of	
  this	
  committee	
  
were	
  Bhanu	
  Swami,	
  Guruprasada	
  Swami,	
  Prahladananda	
  Swami,	
  Ramai	
  Swami,	
  
Sivarama	
  Swami,	
  Badrinarayan	
  Dasa,	
  and,	
  later,	
  Niranjana	
  Swami.	
  
	
  
After	
  a	
  thorough	
  discussion,	
  the	
  members	
  of	
  this	
  committee	
  concluded	
  that	
  the	
  most	
  
pressing	
  issue	
  to	
  address	
  was	
  the	
  tension	
  created	
  when	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  sometimes	
  
act	
  as	
  an	
  independent	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  within	
  ISKCON.	
  
	
  
Focus	
  of	
  the	
  Essay	
  
	
  
Hence,	
  this	
  essay	
  will	
  focus	
  exclusively	
  on	
  defining	
  principles	
  that	
  should	
  be	
  
followed	
  by	
  initiating	
  or	
  instructing	
  spiritual	
  masters,	
  disciples	
  of	
  initiating	
  or	
  
instructing	
  spiritual	
  masters,	
  Zonal	
  GBCs,	
  Regional	
  Secretaries,	
  Temple	
  Presidents,	
  
and	
  other	
  ISKCON-­‐authorized	
  managers.	
  The	
  aim	
  is	
  to	
  prevent	
  misunderstandings	
  
between	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  and	
  managers,	
  as	
  well	
  as	
  to	
  minimize	
  the	
  influence	
  these	
  
potential	
  misunderstandings	
  may	
  have	
  upon	
  devotees	
  under	
  their	
  combined	
  care.	
  
	
  
                                                                                                                                                1	
  
	
  

	
  

"Spiritual	
  Master"	
  Means	
  Diksa,	
  Siksa,	
  or	
  Both	
  
	
  
It	
  should	
  be	
  noted	
  that,	
  from	
  here	
  on,	
  unless	
  specified,	
  whenever	
  we	
  refer	
  to	
  "the	
  
spiritual	
  master"	
  we	
  mean	
  both	
  initiating	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  and	
  instructing	
  spiritual	
  
masters	
  (including	
  managers	
  who	
  act	
  as	
  such).	
  Additionally,	
  whenever	
  we	
  refer	
  to	
  
"spiritual	
  authorities"	
  we	
  mean	
  anyone	
  (spiritual	
  master	
  or	
  manager)	
  whose	
  
instructions	
  (siksa)	
  and	
  example	
  have	
  formed	
  the	
  foundation	
  of	
  a	
  devotee’s	
  faith	
  in	
  
devotional	
  service	
  and	
  who	
  continues	
  to	
  build	
  on	
  that	
  foundation	
  of	
  the	
  devotee's	
  
faith.	
  
	
  
Authority	
  Within	
  ISKCON	
  
	
  
This	
  essay	
  is	
  not	
  a	
  detailed	
  or	
  definitive	
  analysis	
  of	
  ISKCON’s	
  management	
  system,	
  
nor	
  is	
  it	
  a	
  detailed	
  analysis	
  of	
  guru-­‐tattva—the	
  requisite	
  qualities	
  and	
  duties	
  of	
  a	
  
spiritual	
  master	
  and	
  the	
  process	
  of	
  choosing	
  a	
  spiritual	
  master.	
  	
  
	
  
The	
  basic	
  premise	
  of	
  this	
  essay	
  is	
  as	
  follows:	
  Whether	
  a	
  devotee	
  is	
  an	
  initiating	
  
spiritual	
  master,	
  an	
  instructing	
  spiritual	
  master,	
  a	
  sannyasi,	
  a	
  Governing	
  Body	
  
Commissioner,	
  a	
  Zonal	
  Secretary,	
  a	
  Regional	
  Secretary,	
  a	
  Temple	
  President,	
  a	
  
congregational	
  leader,	
  or	
  anyone	
  else	
  in	
  a	
  position	
  of	
  authority	
  within	
  ISKCON,	
  the	
  
authority	
  bestowed	
  upon	
  that	
  devotee	
  is	
  complete	
  only	
  if	
  he	
  or	
  she	
  follows	
  Srila	
  
Prabhupada’s	
  instruction	
  to	
  serve	
  in	
  ISKCON	
  under	
  the	
  authority	
  of	
  the	
  GBC	
  Body.	
  
	
  
To	
  establish	
  this	
  premise,	
  we	
  feel	
  we	
  need	
  do	
  no	
  more	
  than	
  emphasize	
  that	
  His	
  
Divine	
  Grace	
  consistently	
  and	
  clearly	
  established	
  this	
  principle	
  in	
  his	
  teachings,	
  as	
  
well	
  as	
  within	
  official	
  documents	
  he	
  himself	
  signed.	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  thus	
  clearly	
  
established	
  the	
  GBC	
  as	
  the	
  ultimate	
  managing	
  authority	
  and	
  also	
  indicated	
  that	
  the	
  
GBC's	
  jurisdiction	
  includes	
  the	
  responsibility	
  to	
  offer	
  spiritual	
  guidance	
  (siksa)	
  to	
  
the	
  whole	
  of	
  ISKCON,	
  including	
  all	
  devotees	
  serving	
  as	
  spiritual	
  masters:	
  
	
  
Reporter:	
  "Is	
  there	
  anyone	
  who	
  is	
  designated	
  to	
  succeed	
  you	
  as	
  the	
  primary	
  teacher	
  
of	
  the	
  movement?"	
  
	
  
Srila	
  Prabhupada:	
  "I	
  am	
  training	
  some,	
  I	
  mean	
  to	
  say,	
  advanced	
  students	
  so	
  that	
  they	
  
may	
  very	
  easily	
  take	
  up	
  the	
  charge.	
  I	
  have	
  made	
  them	
  GBC."1	
  
	
  
In	
  other	
  words,	
  although	
  the	
  GBC	
  is	
  the	
  ultimate	
  managing	
  authority	
  in	
  ISKCON,	
  the	
  
GBC's	
  duty	
  is	
  not	
  only	
  to	
  manage	
  but	
  to	
  teach.	
  
	
  
Two	
  Lines	
  of	
  Authority	
  
	
  
Since	
  every	
  devotee	
  accepts	
  his	
  or	
  her	
  spiritual	
  inspiration	
  from	
  higher	
  authorities,	
  
two	
  lines	
  of	
  authority,	
  with	
  their	
  representatives,	
  exist	
  within	
  ISKCON—one	
  is	
  seen	
  
as	
  primarily	
  spiritual,	
  while	
  the	
  other	
  is	
  seen	
  as	
  primarily	
  managerial.	
  Both	
  lines	
  of	
  
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
1	
  Room	
  Conversation	
  with	
  Reporter,	
  Los	
  Angeles,	
  June	
  4,	
  1976	
  


                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2	
  
	
  

	
  

authority	
  serve	
  their	
  own	
  unique	
  yet	
  interdependent	
  purposes	
  in	
  submission	
  to	
  the	
  
orders	
  of	
  our	
  Founder-­‐Acarya.	
  Both	
  are	
  authorized	
  by	
  the	
  GBC	
  to	
  give	
  shelter	
  to	
  
devotees	
  under	
  their	
  care.	
  This	
  shelter	
  is	
  given	
  through	
  both	
  instruction	
  and	
  
example.	
  
	
  
By	
  distinguishing	
  the	
  two	
  lines	
  of	
  spiritual	
  authority	
  in	
  these	
  terms—as	
  primarily	
  
spiritual	
  or	
  primarily	
  managerial—we	
  are	
  not	
  suggesting	
  that	
  managerial	
  authority	
  
is	
  contrary	
  to	
  spiritual	
  authority.	
  Nor	
  are	
  we	
  suggesting	
  that	
  the	
  spiritual	
  line	
  of	
  
authority	
  is	
  somehow	
  more	
  privileged	
  or	
  intrinsically	
  more	
  pure.	
  	
  
	
  
"Management	
  is	
  also	
  spiritual	
  activity.	
  .	
  .	
  .	
  It	
  is	
  Krishna's	
  establishment."2	
  
	
  
"In	
  our	
  preaching	
  work	
  .	
  .	
  .	
  we	
  deal	
  with	
  so	
  much	
  property	
  and	
  money	
  and	
  so	
  many	
  
books	
  bought	
  and	
  sold,	
  but	
  because	
  these	
  dealings	
  all	
  pertain	
  to	
  the	
  Krsna	
  
consciousness	
  movement,	
  they	
  should	
  never	
  be	
  considered	
  material.	
  That	
  one	
  is	
  
absorbed	
  in	
  thoughts	
  of	
  such	
  management	
  does	
  not	
  mean	
  that	
  he	
  is	
  outside	
  of	
  Krsna	
  
consciousness.	
  If	
  one	
  rigidly	
  observes	
  the	
  regulative	
  principle	
  of	
  chanting	
  sixteen	
  
rounds	
  of	
  the	
  maha-­‐mantra	
  every	
  day,	
  his	
  dealings	
  with	
  the	
  material	
  world	
  for	
  the	
  
sake	
  of	
  spreading	
  the	
  Krsna	
  consciousness	
  movement	
  are	
  not	
  different	
  from	
  the	
  
spiritual	
  cultivation	
  of	
  Krsna	
  consciousness."3	
  
	
  
In	
  a	
  spiritual	
  society	
  a	
  manager	
  cannot	
  fulfill	
  his	
  or	
  her	
  duty	
  to	
  manage	
  simply	
  by	
  
declaring	
  and	
  enforcing	
  rules.	
  The	
  rules	
  themselves	
  must	
  have	
  a	
  spiritual	
  
foundation,	
  and	
  their	
  implementation	
  and	
  enforcement	
  must	
  be	
  applied	
  in	
  
accordance	
  with	
  Vaisnava	
  principles.	
  Managers	
  who	
  serve	
  with	
  this	
  understanding	
  
will	
  generally	
  carry	
  the	
  full	
  weight	
  of	
  spiritual	
  authority	
  for	
  those	
  under	
  their	
  
charge.	
  
	
  
We	
  should	
  therefore	
  see	
  the	
  oneness	
  between	
  "spiritual"	
  and	
  "managerial."	
  But	
  
there	
  is	
  also	
  some	
  difference,	
  and	
  understanding	
  this	
  simultaneous	
  oneness	
  and	
  
difference	
  requires	
  the	
  use	
  of	
  these	
  two	
  distinct	
  terms	
  with	
  their	
  explanations.	
  
	
  
The	
  Spiritual	
  Line	
  of	
  Authority	
  
	
  
The	
  spiritual	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  begins	
  with	
  Lord	
  Krishna	
  and	
  continues	
  to	
  Brahma,	
  
Narada,	
  Vyasa,	
  and	
  the	
  entire	
  disciplic	
  succession	
  through	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada,	
  our	
  
Founder-­‐Acarya.	
  Those	
  who	
  are	
  submissive	
  to	
  our	
  sampradaya	
  and	
  who	
  serve	
  
under	
  the	
  authority	
  of	
  the	
  GBC	
  are	
  authorized	
  to	
  give	
  siksa	
  and	
  shelter	
  in	
  this	
  
spiritual	
  line,	
  under	
  the	
  auspices	
  of	
  ISKCON.	
  This	
  spiritual	
  line	
  can	
  include	
  
Governing	
  Body	
  Commissioners,	
  GBC	
  Zonal	
  Secretaries,	
  spiritual	
  masters,	
  sannyasis,	
  
Regional	
  Secretaries,	
  Temple	
  Presidents,	
  congregational	
  leaders,	
  and	
  both	
  traveling	
  
and	
  community	
  preachers.	
  In	
  fact,	
  anyone	
  who	
  strictly	
  follows	
  a	
  bona	
  fide	
  spiritual	
  

	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
2	
  Room	
  Conversation,	
  January	
  16,	
  1977,	
  Calcutta	
  
3	
  Srimad	
  Bhagavatam,	
  5.16.3,	
  purport	
  


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   3	
  
	
  

	
  

master,	
  both	
  by	
  example	
  and	
  precept,	
  can	
  be	
  authorized	
  to	
  represent	
  the	
  spiritual	
  
line	
  of	
  authority.	
  
	
  
Generally	
  speaking,	
  the	
  most	
  prominent	
  spiritual	
  authority	
  is	
  one’s	
  initiating	
  or	
  
instructing	
  spiritual	
  master.	
  The	
  scriptures	
  clearly	
  say	
  that	
  devotees	
  should	
  obey	
  
and	
  be	
  loyal	
  to	
  their	
  spiritual	
  masters.	
  The	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  thus	
  exert	
  authority	
  
over	
  their	
  disciples,	
  and	
  in	
  so	
  doing	
  the	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  are	
  able	
  to	
  train	
  and	
  
educate	
  their	
  disciples	
  in	
  the	
  development	
  of	
  bhakti.	
  The	
  spiritual	
  masters,	
  
therefore,	
  assume	
  a	
  significant	
  role	
  in	
  giving	
  their	
  disciples	
  the	
  spiritual	
  education	
  
and	
  inspiration	
  necessary	
  to	
  advance	
  in	
  Krishna	
  consciousness.	
  
	
  
The	
  Managerial	
  Line	
  of	
  Authority	
  
	
  
In	
  the	
  managerial	
  line	
  of	
  authority,	
  and	
  in	
  accordance	
  with	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada’s	
  
instructions,	
  the	
  supervision	
  of	
  the	
  Society	
  and	
  the	
  enforcement	
  of	
  its	
  rules	
  proceed	
  
from	
  the	
  GBC.	
  When	
  we	
  use	
  the	
  word	
  "authority"	
  in	
  the	
  context	
  of	
  the	
  managerial	
  
structure,	
  we	
  do	
  not	
  mean	
  an	
  absolute,	
  infallible	
  authority—such	
  as	
  the	
  authority	
  of	
  
scripture—but	
  the	
  mandate	
  to	
  organize	
  the	
  preaching	
  movement	
  so	
  that	
  it	
  is	
  
aligned	
  with	
  the	
  instructions	
  of	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada.	
  To	
  carry	
  out	
  that	
  mandate,	
  his	
  
followers	
  have	
  adapted	
  ISKCON's	
  managerial	
  system,	
  given	
  by	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada,	
  to	
  
take	
  into	
  account	
  the	
  proliferation	
  of	
  temples,	
  congregational	
  devotees	
  (who	
  are	
  not	
  
temple	
  residents),	
  and	
  projects	
  like	
  farms	
  and	
  gurukulas,	
  as	
  well	
  as	
  other	
  favorable	
  
organizations	
  and	
  entities.	
  Thus,	
  to	
  better	
  serve	
  this	
  expanding	
  field	
  and	
  its	
  
members,	
  this	
  structure	
  presently	
  includes	
  various	
  regional,	
  national,	
  and	
  
continental	
  governing	
  bodies	
  consisting	
  of,	
  but	
  not	
  limited	
  to,	
  Governing	
  Body	
  
Commissioners,	
  GBC	
  Zonal	
  Secretaries,	
  spiritual	
  masters,	
  sannyasis,	
  Regional	
  
Secretaries,	
  Temple	
  Presidents,	
  congregational	
  leaders,	
  and	
  both	
  traveling	
  and	
  
community	
  preachers.	
  
	
  
Defining	
  the	
  Point	
  of	
  Divergence	
  
	
  
Although	
  in	
  an	
  ideal	
  world	
  everything	
  would	
  work	
  according	
  to	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada’s	
  
vision	
  for	
  ISKCON,	
  we	
  have	
  seen	
  tendencies	
  from	
  those	
  in	
  one	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  to	
  
interfere	
  with	
  those	
  in	
  the	
  other	
  line	
  of	
  authority.	
  
	
  
For	
  instance,	
  there	
  are	
  spiritual	
  authorities	
  who	
  sometimes	
  interfere	
  with	
  
competent	
  and	
  responsible	
  managers.	
  They	
  do	
  not	
  consider	
  themselves	
  part	
  of	
  the	
  
zonal	
  managerial	
  structure	
  where	
  their	
  preaching	
  has	
  influence	
  (though	
  they	
  are	
  in	
  
fact	
  accountable	
  to	
  it),	
  but	
  they	
  are	
  still	
  either	
  directly	
  or	
  indirectly	
  managing	
  some	
  
project(s)	
  within	
  that	
  structure.	
  
	
  
Therefore	
  at	
  times	
  they	
  manage	
  devotees,	
  money,	
  and	
  even	
  projects	
  that	
  their	
  
followers	
  and	
  dependents4	
  are	
  responsible	
  for,	
  without	
  a	
  clear	
  agreement	
  with	
  the	
  

	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
	
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   4	
  
	
  

	
  

managerial	
  structure	
  with	
  which	
  they	
  intersect.	
  By	
  so	
  doing,	
  they	
  may	
  inadvertently	
  
undermine	
  the	
  managerial	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  by	
  encouraging	
  their	
  dependents	
  to	
  
direct	
  their	
  service,	
  and	
  thus	
  their	
  loyalty,	
  to	
  their	
  spiritual	
  authority's	
  own	
  
management	
  structure.	
  	
  
	
  
This	
  scenario	
  creates	
  not	
  only	
  confusion	
  but	
  a	
  spirit	
  of	
  separatism	
  as	
  well.	
  Situations	
  
such	
  as	
  these	
  can	
  also	
  become	
  points	
  of	
  contention	
  for	
  managers,	
  although	
  the	
  more	
  
junior	
  managers	
  often	
  refrain	
  from	
  directly	
  voicing	
  their	
  grievances	
  because	
  they	
  
feel	
  intimidated	
  out	
  of	
  fear	
  of	
  committing	
  offenses,	
  especially	
  to	
  spiritual	
  masters.	
  
	
  
On	
  the	
  other	
  hand,	
  there	
  are	
  also	
  managerial	
  authorities	
  who	
  sometimes	
  provide	
  
inadequate	
  spiritual	
  care.	
  This	
  can	
  fuel	
  the	
  spiritual	
  master's	
  inclination	
  to	
  intervene	
  
by	
  suggesting	
  an	
  alternative	
  for	
  his	
  disciple's	
  association	
  or	
  service.	
  
	
  
For	
  instance,	
  managers	
  may	
  sometimes	
  place	
  greater	
  importance	
  on	
  management	
  
goals	
  than	
  on	
  sadhana,	
  preaching	
  purely,	
  or	
  the	
  development	
  of	
  purity	
  in	
  the	
  
devotional	
  service	
  of	
  those	
  under	
  their	
  care.	
  Managers	
  may	
  even	
  neglect	
  the	
  
spiritual	
  development	
  of	
  those	
  within	
  their	
  jurisdiction	
  who	
  do	
  not	
  offer	
  resources	
  
to	
  help	
  their	
  managerial	
  vision,	
  even	
  though	
  said	
  managers	
  may	
  have	
  done	
  little	
  to	
  
inspire	
  help	
  from	
  them	
  or	
  to	
  empower	
  other	
  authorities	
  to	
  do	
  the	
  same.	
  
	
  
Deference	
  to	
  the	
  Managerial	
  Line	
  of	
  Authority	
  
	
  
The	
  above-­‐mentioned	
  scenarios	
  cause	
  tension	
  between	
  the	
  spiritual	
  and	
  the	
  
managerial	
  lines	
  of	
  authority.	
  
	
  
Of	
  course,	
  it	
  is	
  understood	
  that	
  circumstances	
  do	
  arise	
  where	
  there	
  are	
  financially	
  
independent	
  devotees	
  who	
  have	
  no	
  managerial	
  connection	
  with	
  locally	
  organized	
  
sanghas.	
  Still,	
  it	
  should	
  not	
  be	
  assumed	
  that	
  no	
  effort	
  is	
  being	
  made	
  by	
  local	
  
management	
  structures	
  to	
  include	
  every	
  devotee,	
  or	
  aspiring	
  devotee,	
  within	
  their	
  
locally	
  managed	
  system	
  of	
  care	
  for	
  congregational	
  devotees.	
  
	
  
Therefore,	
  with	
  respect	
  to	
  the	
  service	
  performed	
  by	
  ISKCON	
  managers,	
  a	
  spiritual	
  
master	
  should	
  always	
  seek	
  approval	
  from	
  the	
  managers	
  overseeing	
  the	
  area	
  of	
  
jurisdiction	
  in	
  which	
  his	
  disciples	
  are	
  living	
  before	
  suggesting	
  a	
  new	
  sangha	
  or	
  
service	
  for	
  them,	
  or	
  intervening	
  in	
  other	
  managerial	
  decisions.	
  	
  
	
  
Best,	
  of	
  course,	
  is	
  to	
  train	
  the	
  disciples	
  to	
  offer	
  respect	
  to	
  their	
  local	
  managers	
  right	
  
from	
  the	
  start	
  of	
  the	
  spiritual–master/disciple	
  relationship.	
  Many	
  ISKCON	
  managers	
  
are	
  carrying	
  out	
  the	
  responsibility	
  of	
  maintaining	
  the	
  temples,	
  Deities,	
  book	
  
distribution,	
  and	
  other	
  standards	
  given	
  to	
  us	
  by	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada.	
  
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
4
      "Dependents"	
  are	
  not	
  only	
  those	
  who	
  are	
  spiritually	
  dependent.	
  There	
  are	
  
instances	
  where	
  devotees	
  are	
  also	
  financially	
  dependent	
  upon	
  their	
  spiritual	
  
authorities	
  and	
  are	
  financially	
  maintained	
  by	
  the	
  structures	
  the	
  spiritual	
  authorities	
  
have	
  themselves	
  created.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     5	
  
	
  

	
  

	
  
"Deity	
  installation	
  means	
  regular	
  worship	
  without	
  fail	
  and	
  for	
  good."5	
  
	
  
Therefore	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  should	
  teach	
  their	
  disciples	
  to	
  serve	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada's	
  
mission	
  by	
  cooperating	
  with	
  their	
  local	
  leaders	
  and	
  managers.	
  	
  
	
  
But	
  this	
  does	
  not	
  mean	
  that	
  a	
  manager	
  should	
  assume	
  that	
  he	
  or	
  she	
  has	
  complete	
  
freedom	
  to	
  ignore	
  legitimate	
  needs	
  of	
  those	
  under	
  his	
  or	
  her	
  care	
  or	
  that	
  he	
  or	
  she	
  
has	
  the	
  freedom	
  to	
  ignore	
  concerns	
  expressed	
  by	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  who	
  ask	
  them	
  to	
  
see	
  that	
  their	
  disciples	
  are	
  properly	
  cared	
  for.	
  They	
  should	
  be	
  sensitive	
  to	
  the	
  
concerns	
  of	
  the	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  as	
  well	
  as	
  their	
  disciples.	
  
	
  
If	
  the	
  spiritual	
  master	
  still	
  strongly	
  feels	
  that	
  the	
  level	
  of	
  care	
  for	
  his	
  disciples	
  within	
  
the	
  local	
  management	
  structure	
  is	
  inadequate,	
  taking	
  into	
  account	
  the	
  level	
  of	
  
commitment	
  and	
  responsibilities	
  being	
  asked	
  of	
  them	
  (his	
  disciples),	
  then	
  he	
  may	
  
appeal	
  on	
  their	
  behalf	
  to	
  the	
  higher	
  levels	
  of	
  management,	
  the	
  local	
  GBC,	
  or	
  other	
  
ISKCON	
  avenues	
  of	
  appeal,	
  as	
  listed	
  later	
  in	
  this	
  paper.	
  
	
  
More	
  on	
  this	
  point	
  will	
  be	
  addressed	
  later.	
  But	
  before	
  we	
  do	
  that,	
  we	
  will	
  first	
  briefly	
  
discuss	
  the	
  topic	
  of	
  faith.	
  Those	
  in	
  both	
  lines	
  of	
  authority	
  would	
  be	
  well	
  served	
  to	
  
consider	
  the	
  relevance	
  of	
  faith	
  to	
  the	
  broader	
  issues	
  being	
  discussed	
  here.	
  
	
  
Authority	
  Is	
  Built	
  on	
  the	
  Continuous	
  Development	
  of	
  Faith	
  
	
  
ISKCON’s	
  greatest	
  asset	
  is	
  the	
  faith	
  of	
  its	
  members.	
  Even	
  if	
  there	
  are	
  no	
  temples,	
  no	
  
projects,	
  no	
  income,	
  and	
  only	
  a	
  few	
  followers,	
  if	
  there	
  is	
  faith,	
  there	
  will	
  be	
  
prosperity,	
  in	
  the	
  true	
  sense	
  of	
  the	
  term.	
  Consider	
  what	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  has	
  
written	
  in	
  the	
  following	
  letter:	
  
	
  
"There	
  is	
  a	
  proverb	
  in	
  Sanskrit	
  literature	
  that	
  enthusiastic	
  persons	
  achieve	
  the	
  favor	
  
of	
  the	
  Goddess	
  of	
  Fortune.	
  In	
  the	
  Western	
  part	
  of	
  the	
  world	
  there	
  is	
  tangible	
  
example	
  of	
  this	
  slogan.	
  People	
  in	
  this	
  part	
  of	
  the	
  world	
  are	
  very	
  much	
  enthusiastic	
  in	
  
material	
  advancement	
  and	
  they	
  have	
  got	
  it.	
  Similarly,	
  according	
  to	
  the	
  instructions	
  
of	
  Srila	
  Rupa	
  Goswami,	
  if	
  we	
  become	
  enthusiastic	
  in	
  spiritual	
  matters,	
  then	
  we	
  also	
  
get	
  success	
  in	
  that	
  way.	
  Take	
  for	
  example,	
  I	
  came	
  to	
  your	
  country	
  in	
  ripe	
  old	
  age,	
  but	
  
I	
  had	
  one	
  asset:	
  enthusiasm	
  and	
  faith	
  in	
  my	
  Spiritual	
  Master.	
  I	
  think	
  these	
  assets	
  
only	
  are	
  giving	
  me	
  some	
  lights	
  of	
  hope,	
  whatever	
  I	
  have	
  achieved	
  so	
  far	
  with	
  your	
  
cooperation."6	
  
	
  
And	
  in	
  his	
  purport	
  to	
  “Bhagavad-­‐gita	
  As	
  It	
  Is”	
  9.3,	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  writes:	
  "Faith	
  is	
  
the	
  most	
  important	
  factor	
  for	
  progress	
  in	
  Krishna	
  consciousness.	
  .	
  .	
  .	
  It	
  is	
  only	
  by	
  
faith	
  that	
  one	
  can	
  advance	
  in	
  Krishna	
  consciousness."	
  
	
  
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
5	
  Letter	
  to	
  Sivananda,	
  2	
  September	
  1971	
  
6
      Letter	
  to	
  Jaya	
  Govinda,	
  Tittenhurst,	
  15	
  October	
  1969.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           6	
  
	
  

	
  

Those	
  in	
  the	
  spiritual	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  should	
  preach	
  and	
  behave	
  in	
  such	
  a	
  way	
  that	
  
they	
  nourish	
  and	
  protect	
  their	
  dependents'	
  faith	
  in	
  pure	
  devotional	
  service,	
  in	
  our	
  
sampradaya,	
  in	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada,	
  and	
  in	
  ISKCON,	
  including	
  its	
  management.	
  
Spiritual	
  masters	
  also	
  have	
  the	
  added	
  responsibility	
  of	
  nourishing	
  and	
  protecting	
  
ISKCON’s	
  managers'	
  faith	
  that	
  they	
  (the	
  spiritual	
  masters)	
  are	
  fit	
  representatives	
  of	
  
the	
  spiritual	
  line	
  of	
  authority.	
  If	
  the	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  act	
  in	
  a	
  contrary	
  way,	
  they	
  will	
  
erode	
  the	
  faith	
  of	
  others.	
  
	
  
Conversely,	
  those	
  in	
  the	
  managerial	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  should	
  manage,	
  preach,	
  and	
  
behave	
  in	
  such	
  a	
  way	
  that	
  they	
  build	
  and	
  sustain	
  the	
  trust	
  of	
  those	
  in	
  the	
  spiritual	
  
line	
  of	
  authority	
  and	
  their	
  disciples.	
  By	
  the	
  managers	
  showing	
  genuine	
  concern	
  for	
  
the	
  devotees	
  under	
  their	
  care,	
  the	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  will	
  then	
  naturally	
  encourage	
  
their	
  disciples	
  to	
  assist	
  the	
  manager	
  in	
  his	
  service.	
  But	
  if	
  managers	
  act	
  in	
  a	
  way	
  
contrary	
  to	
  spiritual	
  principles,	
  in	
  conflict	
  with	
  the	
  spiritual	
  interests	
  of	
  those	
  
devotees	
  for	
  whom	
  they	
  are	
  responsible,	
  that	
  will	
  also	
  erode	
  others'	
  faith.	
  
	
  
Therefore,	
  to	
  safeguard	
  the	
  faith	
  of	
  all	
  of	
  ISKCON's	
  members,	
  it	
  is	
  necessary	
  that	
  we	
  
delineate	
  clear	
  principles	
  for	
  both	
  lines	
  of	
  authority	
  to	
  follow.	
  
	
  
Spiritual	
  Masters	
  Are	
  Not	
  Independent	
  
	
  
To	
  further	
  clarify	
  the	
  need	
  to	
  introduce	
  well-­‐defined	
  principles,	
  we	
  will	
  examine	
  the	
  
position	
  of	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  within	
  the	
  managerial	
  structure	
  of	
  ISKCON.	
  
	
  
When	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  was	
  physically	
  present,	
  he	
  was	
  ISKCON’s	
  sole	
  initiating	
  
spiritual	
  master,	
  its	
  preeminent	
  siksa	
  guru,	
  and	
  the	
  supreme	
  managerial	
  authority,	
  
superior	
  to	
  the	
  GBC:	
  
	
  
"[…]we	
  are	
  managing	
  our	
  Krishna	
  Consciousness	
  Movement	
  by	
  the	
  Governing	
  Body	
  
Commission,	
  GBC.	
  We	
  have	
  got	
  about	
  20	
  GBC's	
  looking	
  after	
  the	
  whole	
  world	
  affair,	
  
and	
  above	
  the	
  GBC	
  I	
  am	
  there.	
  Below	
  the	
  GBC	
  there	
  are	
  the	
  temple	
  president,	
  
secretary,	
  treasurer	
  in	
  every	
  centre.	
  So	
  the	
  temple	
  president	
  is	
  responsible	
  to	
  the	
  
GBC	
  and	
  the	
  GBC	
  is	
  responsible	
  to	
  me.	
  In	
  this	
  way	
  we	
  are	
  managing.."7	
  
	
  
In	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada’s	
  physical	
  absence	
  the	
  structure	
  is	
  now	
  somewhat	
  different.	
  His	
  
Divine	
  Grace	
  instructed	
  that	
  the	
  GBC	
  should	
  be	
  the	
  ultimate	
  managing	
  authority	
  for	
  
ISKCON.	
  At	
  the	
  same	
  time	
  he	
  indicated	
  that	
  the	
  Society	
  should	
  have	
  multiple	
  
spiritual	
  masters:	
  
	
  
"Anyone	
  following	
  the	
  order	
  of	
  Lord	
  Caitanya	
  under	
  the	
  guidance	
  of	
  His	
  bona	
  fide	
  
representative	
  can	
  become	
  a	
  spiritual	
  master,	
  and	
  I	
  wish	
  that	
  in	
  my	
  absence	
  all	
  my	
  
disciples	
  become	
  the	
  bona	
  fide	
  spiritual	
  master	
  to	
  spread	
  Krishna	
  Consciousness	
  
throughout	
  the	
  whole	
  world."8	
  
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  
7
      Letter	
  to:	
  Vasudeva,	
  New	
  Vrindaban,	
  30	
  June,	
  1976
8
      Letter	
  to	
  Madhusudana,	
  Navadvipa,	
  2	
  November	
  1967.	
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            7	
  
	
  

	
  

	
  
This	
  gives	
  rise	
  to	
  a	
  challenging	
  situation.	
  Many	
  spiritual	
  organizations	
  have	
  one	
  
spiritual	
  master	
  operating	
  as	
  the	
  sole	
  head	
  of	
  the	
  institution,	
  whereas	
  ISKCON	
  has	
  
many	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  within	
  one	
  organization,	
  in	
  addition	
  to	
  a	
  "governing	
  body"	
  
that	
  operates	
  as	
  the	
  "ultimate	
  managing	
  authority"	
  for	
  the	
  institution	
  as	
  a	
  whole.	
  
Those	
  serving	
  as	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  in	
  ISKCON	
  are	
  meant	
  to	
  follow	
  the	
  instructions	
  of	
  
Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  and	
  work	
  under	
  the	
  GBC	
  Body.	
  	
  
	
  
The	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  are	
  thus	
  obligated	
  to	
  follow	
  the	
  Society's	
  policies	
  and	
  codes	
  of	
  
conduct,	
  including	
  those	
  outlined	
  in	
  this	
  GBC-­‐approved	
  paper,	
  and	
  to	
  abide	
  by	
  the	
  
decisions	
  of	
  its	
  management.	
  Included	
  within	
  that	
  obligation	
  is	
  the	
  responsibility	
  to	
  
inspire	
  their	
  disciples	
  to	
  associate	
  with	
  and	
  serve	
  within	
  ISKCON's	
  already-­‐existing	
  
managerial	
  and	
  devotee-­‐care	
  sangas,	
  located	
  within	
  their	
  disciple's	
  area	
  of	
  
residence	
  rather	
  than	
  only	
  inspiring	
  them	
  to	
  associate	
  with	
  themselves	
  (the	
  
spiritual	
  masters)	
  or	
  with	
  their	
  sangas	
  and	
  projects	
  that	
  have	
  no	
  connection	
  with	
  
the	
  ISKCON	
  zonal	
  management	
  structure.	
  
	
  
Disciples	
  Should	
  Avoid	
  Creating	
  Conflict	
  Between	
  Their	
  Authorities	
  
	
  
Disciples	
  should	
  also	
  understand	
  the	
  greater	
  picture	
  within	
  ISKCON.	
  Certainly	
  a	
  
spiritual	
  master	
  may	
  be	
  more	
  spiritually	
  advanced	
  than	
  any	
  given	
  GBC	
  member	
  or	
  
any	
  other	
  ISKCON	
  manager	
  (while	
  there	
  may	
  also	
  be	
  cases	
  where	
  the	
  local	
  GBC	
  or	
  
ISKCON	
  manager	
  may	
  be	
  more	
  spiritually	
  advanced	
  than	
  a	
  particular	
  spiritual	
  
master).	
  	
  
	
  
Nevertheless,	
  concerning	
  the	
  spiritual	
  management	
  of	
  the	
  Society,	
  as	
  we	
  have	
  
already	
  clearly	
  shown,	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  invested	
  authority	
  in	
  the	
  GBC	
  and	
  its	
  
individual	
  members	
  and	
  in	
  other	
  ISKCON	
  managers.	
  
	
  
If	
  a	
  disciple	
  has	
  the	
  mistaken	
  conviction	
  that	
  his	
  or	
  her	
  spiritual	
  master	
  is	
  above	
  the	
  
GBC	
  and	
  ISKCON’s	
  laws	
  and	
  policies,	
  that	
  should	
  be	
  corrected	
  by	
  the	
  spiritual	
  
master	
  and	
  other	
  authorities.	
  Otherwise,	
  that	
  misconception	
  may	
  lead	
  to	
  actions	
  
which	
  create	
  conflict	
  between	
  his	
  or	
  her	
  spiritual	
  and	
  managerial	
  authorities	
  
	
  
Indeed,	
  all	
  disciples	
  should	
  follow	
  their	
  ISKCON	
  authorities	
  in	
  the	
  same	
  way	
  that	
  all	
  
initiating	
  and	
  instructing	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  should	
  follow	
  their	
  own	
  authorities	
  
within	
  ISKCON.	
  
	
  
By	
  both	
  example	
  and	
  precept,	
  therefore,	
  all	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  should	
  not	
  only	
  
educate	
  and	
  train	
  their	
  disciples	
  in	
  the	
  development	
  of	
  bhakti	
  but	
  should	
  also	
  
educate	
  and	
  train	
  them	
  about	
  their	
  relation	
  to	
  the	
  managerial	
  structure	
  of	
  ISKCON,	
  
as	
  well	
  as	
  about	
  the	
  spiritual	
  masters'	
  own	
  relation	
  to	
  that	
  structure.	
  
	
  
Principles	
  Being	
  Introduced	
  
	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     8	
  
	
  

	
  

	
  
Education	
  of	
  guru's	
  disciples	
  
	
  
It	
  is	
  the	
  responsibility	
  of	
  the	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  within	
  ISKCON	
  to	
  help	
  every	
  one	
  of	
  
their	
  disciples	
  clearly	
  understand	
  the	
  following:	
  
	
  
1)	
  The	
  spiritual	
  master	
  draws	
  his	
  authority	
  from	
  his	
  fidelity	
  to	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada.	
  
This	
  includes	
  fidelity	
  to	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada's	
  order	
  to	
  work	
  within	
  his	
  mission,	
  
ISKCON.	
  
	
  
2)	
  The	
  spiritual	
  master	
  is	
  a	
  member	
  of	
  ISKCON	
  and,	
  as	
  such,	
  is	
  accountable	
  to	
  the	
  
collective	
  will	
  of	
  its	
  leadership,	
  the	
  GBC	
  Body.	
  
	
  
3)	
  The	
  spiritual	
  master	
  does	
  not	
  derive	
  any	
  specific	
  right	
  or	
  prerogative	
  over	
  
ISKCON	
  resources	
  simply	
  by	
  dint	
  of	
  his	
  being	
  a	
  spiritual	
  master.	
  Moreover,	
  the	
  
spiritual	
  master	
  should	
  not	
  misuse	
  his	
  rights	
  and	
  prerogatives	
  over	
  his	
  disciples.	
  
	
  
4)	
  The	
  disciples	
  should	
  follow	
  their	
  ISKCON	
  authorities	
  in	
  the	
  same	
  way	
  that	
  all	
  
initiating	
  and	
  instructing	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  set	
  an	
  example	
  by	
  following	
  their	
  own	
  
ISKCON	
  authorities.	
  
	
  
5)	
  Disciples	
  have	
  the	
  essential	
  task	
  of	
  surrendering	
  to	
  Krishna	
  through	
  the	
  spiritual	
  
master,	
  and	
  included	
  within	
  this	
  task	
  is	
  recognizing	
  and	
  respecting	
  other	
  superiors	
  
within	
  ISKCON's	
  management	
  who	
  are	
  helping	
  them	
  in	
  their	
  process	
  of	
  spiritual	
  
progress.	
  
	
  
6)	
  Spiritually	
  mature	
  managers	
  may	
  be	
  the	
  main	
  siksa	
  gurus	
  for	
  devotees	
  who	
  are	
  
not	
  their	
  initiated	
  disciples,	
  and	
  such	
  relationships	
  are	
  to	
  be	
  fully	
  encouraged	
  by	
  the	
  
initiating	
  spiritual	
  masters.	
  
	
  
Conduct	
  of	
  gurus	
  
	
  
Moreover,	
  to	
  show	
  respect	
  toward	
  the	
  managerial	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  and	
  to	
  help	
  
nurture	
  and	
  protect	
  managers'	
  faith	
  in	
  the	
  spiritual	
  line	
  of	
  authority,	
  every	
  spiritual	
  
master	
  should:	
  
	
  
1)	
  When	
  first	
  visiting	
  or	
  preferably	
  before	
  arriving	
  at	
  a	
  recognized	
  ISKCON	
  temple	
  
or	
  preaching	
  center,	
  ask	
  the	
  local	
  manager	
  how	
  he	
  (the	
  spiritual	
  master)	
  may	
  serve	
  
that	
  yatra	
  during	
  his	
  visit	
  (rather	
  than	
  the	
  spiritual	
  master	
  only	
  pursuing	
  his	
  own	
  
agenda).	
  
	
  
2)	
  Before	
  planning	
  a	
  visit	
  to	
  a	
  zone	
  or	
  region	
  where	
  there	
  is	
  no	
  local	
  temple	
  or	
  
preaching	
  center,	
  first	
  ask	
  the	
  Zonal	
  GBC	
  if	
  there	
  is	
  a	
  vision	
  local	
  leaders	
  have	
  for	
  
that	
  place	
  or	
  region	
  which	
  he	
  (the	
  spiritual	
  master)	
  could	
  serve.	
  	
  
	
  


                                                                                                                                    9	
  
	
  

	
  

3)	
  If	
  there	
  is	
  a	
  disagreement	
  in	
  terms	
  of	
  managerial	
  decisions,	
  do	
  his	
  best	
  to	
  
cooperate	
  with	
  the	
  relevant	
  authority.	
  If	
  no	
  agreement	
  can	
  be	
  reached,	
  then	
  the	
  
spiritual	
  master	
  should	
  defer	
  to	
  the	
  decision	
  of	
  the	
  relevant	
  authority,	
  with	
  the	
  
option	
  of	
  appealing	
  to	
  higher	
  authorities	
  if	
  necessary.	
  
	
  
Duties	
  of	
  Managers	
  
	
  
To	
  build	
  cooperation	
  within	
  ISKCON,	
  show	
  respect	
  for	
  the	
  spiritual	
  line	
  of	
  authority,	
  
and	
  help	
  nurture	
  and	
  protect	
  the	
  faith	
  of	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  and	
  their	
  disciples	
  in	
  the	
  
managerial	
  line	
  of	
  authority,	
  all	
  managers	
  should:	
  
	
  
1)	
  Be	
  receptive	
  to	
  advice	
  given	
  by	
  initiating	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  and	
  other	
  itinerant	
  
preachers	
  visiting	
  their	
  area	
  of	
  jurisdiction,	
  especially	
  on	
  matters	
  concerning	
  
devotee	
  care.	
  
	
  
2)	
  Protect	
  the	
  faith	
  that	
  their	
  dependents	
  have	
  in	
  pure	
  devotional	
  service	
  and	
  in	
  the	
  
principle	
  of	
  accepting	
  and	
  serving	
  an	
  initiating	
  spiritual	
  master	
  and	
  instructing	
  
spiritual	
  masters.	
  
	
  
3)	
  Encourage	
  and	
  support	
  a	
  system	
  of	
  devotee	
  care	
  (i.e.,	
  counselor	
  system,	
  
brahminical	
  advisory	
  board,	
  etc.)	
  within	
  their	
  sphere	
  of	
  management.	
  
	
  
4)	
  Assure	
  that	
  the	
  managers	
  in	
  their	
  line	
  of	
  authority	
  are	
  themselves	
  trained	
  in	
  the	
  
principles	
  of	
  devotee	
  care.	
  
	
  
5)	
  Inform	
  visiting	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  about	
  the	
  spiritual	
  health	
  and	
  overall	
  well-­‐being	
  
of	
  their	
  disciples.	
  
	
  
6)	
  Encourage	
  and	
  help	
  visiting	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  and	
  other	
  itinerant	
  preachers	
  to	
  
reach	
  out	
  to	
  those	
  disciples	
  who	
  are	
  in	
  need	
  and	
  who	
  would	
  be	
  most	
  responsive	
  to	
  
their	
  help.	
  
	
  
7)	
  Insure	
  that	
  there	
  is	
  an	
  equitable	
  system	
  for	
  initiation	
  recommendations	
  which	
  
does	
  not	
  condone	
  unwarranted	
  pressure	
  or	
  manipulation	
  from	
  the	
  local	
  
management	
  for	
  managerial	
  gains.	
  
	
  
Summary	
  
	
  
To	
  promote	
  the	
  full	
  flourishing	
  of	
  devotees'	
  spiritual	
  lives,	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  created	
  
for	
  ISKCON	
  a	
  managerial	
  structure	
  with	
  clear	
  lines	
  of	
  authority.	
  Every	
  member	
  of	
  
ISKCON	
  should	
  respect	
  this	
  structure	
  and	
  learn	
  to	
  work	
  within	
  it.	
  The	
  goal	
  of	
  the	
  
managerial	
  structure	
  is	
  spiritual:	
  to	
  facilitate	
  the	
  spiritual	
  advancement	
  of	
  ISKCON's	
  
members	
  through	
  association	
  with	
  devotees,	
  opportunities	
  for	
  service,	
  and	
  effective	
  
preaching	
  strategies.	
  Simultaneously,	
  ISKCON	
  affirms	
  the	
  fundamental	
  importance	
  
of	
  accepting	
  initiation	
  from	
  a	
  bona	
  fide	
  spiritual	
  master.	
  	
  
	
  
                                                                                                                               10	
  
	
  

	
  

Of	
  paramount	
  importance,	
  of	
  course,	
  is	
  our	
  Founder-­‐Acarya,	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada,	
  who	
  
is	
  the	
  initiating	
  spiritual	
  master	
  of	
  many	
  devotees	
  in	
  ISKCON	
  and	
  the	
  foremost	
  
instructing	
  spiritual	
  master	
  of	
  every	
  devotee,	
  now	
  and	
  in	
  the	
  future.	
  Also	
  important	
  
are	
  the	
  many	
  initiating	
  and	
  instructing	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  now	
  serving	
  in	
  ISKCON.	
  
	
  
All	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  and	
  their	
  disciples	
  should	
  likewise	
  appreciate	
  the	
  importance	
  
of	
  the	
  many	
  managers	
  in	
  our	
  society,	
  who	
  help	
  guide	
  and	
  train	
  disciples	
  and	
  oversee	
  
the	
  facilities	
  ISKCON	
  provides	
  for	
  their	
  spiritual	
  advancement.	
  All	
  spiritual	
  masters	
  
and	
  their	
  disciples	
  should	
  work	
  cooperatively	
  within	
  ISKCON’s	
  managerial	
  system,	
  
both	
  to	
  benefit	
  themselves	
  spiritually	
  and	
  to	
  help	
  the	
  Society	
  flourish.	
  
	
  
This	
  cooperative,	
  mutually	
  respectful	
  spirit	
  is	
  the	
  best	
  way	
  to	
  preserve	
  the	
  Society's	
  
unity,	
  please	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada,	
  and	
  expand	
  the	
  sankirtana	
  mission.	
  
	
  
In	
  the	
  mood	
  of	
  Lord	
  Caitanya,	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  desired	
  that	
  the	
  sankirtana	
  
movement	
  be	
  spread	
  all	
  over	
  the	
  world,	
  "to	
  every	
  town	
  and	
  village."	
  He	
  
demonstrated	
  that	
  desire	
  by	
  his	
  constant	
  traveling,	
  writing,	
  and	
  speaking.	
  He	
  
requested	
  his	
  disciples	
  to	
  open	
  centers	
  far	
  and	
  wide,	
  distribute	
  his	
  books,	
  arrange	
  
for	
  attractive	
  festivals,	
  distribute	
  prasada,	
  etc.	
  It	
  was	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada's	
  desire	
  that	
  
ISKCON	
  continue	
  to	
  expand,	
  to	
  rise	
  as	
  the	
  benediction	
  moon	
  of	
  Lord	
  Caitanya's	
  
mercy.	
  
	
  
It	
  is	
  for	
  this	
  purpose	
  that	
  Srila	
  Prabhupada	
  established	
  ISKCON	
  as	
  a	
  spiritual	
  
institution	
  with	
  a	
  managerial	
  structure.	
  The	
  purpose	
  of	
  this	
  structure	
  is	
  to	
  maintain	
  
the	
  standards	
  he	
  established,	
  to	
  offer	
  shelter	
  and	
  spiritual	
  nourishment	
  to	
  the	
  
devotees,	
  and	
  to	
  support	
  and	
  increase	
  the	
  sankirtana	
  mission.	
  To	
  please	
  Srila	
  
Prabhupada	
  by	
  delivering	
  the	
  mercy	
  of	
  Sri	
  Sri	
  Gaura-­‐Nitai	
  to	
  the	
  conditioned	
  souls,	
  
everyone	
  within	
  ISKCON—spiritual	
  masters,	
  disciples,	
  and	
  managers	
  alike—should	
  
work	
  cooperatively	
  within	
  this	
  structure.	
  
	
  
[end]	
  




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