2023 ISKCON Governing Body Commission Society Resolutions

The ISKCON Governing Body Commission Society made several resolutions, including continuing Narahari Dasa's suspension as an initiating guru, permitting ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry to issue a Certificate of Readiness to ISKCON Guntur, and appointing members to the joint ISKCON Bureau-GBC relationship committee. The resolutions also addressed initiates' vows, initiation requirements, and recognized the North American Regional Governing Body, and elected GBC leadership.

advtanmoy 20/03/2024 3 minutes read

ISKCON GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION SOCIETY
Registration Number S/74662 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961
P.O. Shree Mayapur Dham, Dist. Nadia, West Bengal 741313

GBC Resolution 2023

It is resolved that:
Narahari Dasa’s suspension as an initiating guru is continued until February 20, 2025. His suspension will not automatically be lifted, but further considered based on his performance.

It is resolved that:
ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry is hereby permitted to issue a Certificate of Readiness to ISKCON Guntur for the deities of Laksmi-Nrsimha and Balaji.

It is resolved that:

Guru Prasad Swami, Dina Sharana devi dasi, Gauranga dasa (RNS), Tapana Misra dasa
(BVKS) and Govardhana dasa (BCAIS) are appointed as members to the joint ISKCON Bureau (IB)-GBC relationship committee; and
The Committee will provide quarterly updates to the GBC body.

, It is resolved that:

Initiates’ vows at first initiation shall be, as Śrīla Prabhupāda required, to chant a minimum of sixteen rounds daily of the maha-mantra:
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
as well as giving up intoxication, illicit sex, gambling and the eating of meat, fish, and eggs.
Initiating gurus at second initiation shall give the specific seven mantras that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave to all initiates at what we call brahminical initiation or second initiation, and direct them to chant them three times a day at three sandhyas (morning, mid-day, and evening).
Gurus and those who recommend initiation candidates shall not make any distinction of birth, nationality, race, ethnicity, previous saṁskāra, marital status, gender, or classifications within the varṇas (such as occupational livelihood) as to who would be eligible to take those vows and receive those mantras in full at first and second initiation.
At the time of initiation, gurus should say, “As a member of ISKCON under the guidance and leadership of the GBC Body, I give you initiation in the guru Parampara.”
Initiates must then take only the vows that Srila Prabhupada gave. Gurus may request, or instruct, disciples to accept additional voluntary individual commitments, such as chanting extra rounds on Ekadasi, or remaining loyal to ISKCON. However, such should be in the form of instructions or guidelines and should not be included as an initiation requirement or vow.

It is resolved that:
The GBC accepts the application of the North American Council, including the accompanying Rules and Regulations, and officially recognizes the North American Regional Governing Body.

Resolved that: