ISKCON NewsThe News Agency of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

isnt the ISKCON divorce rate like 90%? This not off to a good start. All jokes aside, this is just another way the GBC will alienate existing "members" or new ones...

All Glories to all the Vasinavas: What we need here is a clarification by the GBC, who else can decide who is a member of Iskcon, Although Krishna is in everyones heart!

These are the original principles of Krishna Consciousness established by
Srila Prabhupada in 1966 in New York

Constitution of Association

1. The name of the society is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

2. The headquarters of the Society is located at Radha-krishna temple, 26 2nd Avenue, New York City, 10003, USA.

3.The objectives for which the Society is being established are:

(A) To educate the greater human society in the techniques of spiritual life as the basis for a balanced psychic and biological development, and thereby achieve for the first time in human society a real peace and unity among the contending forces in the world today.

(B) To propagate the sense of Godhead, the all attractive Personality of primal eternal form, as He Himself revealed in His own words in the Bhagavad-gita, the Holy Scripture of the Lord Krishna, the Godhead.

(C) To bring together individuals in a Society, regardless of nationality and irrespective of creed or caste, in order to develop a nearness to the Godhead and thereby the idea that within the members and humanity-at-large there is an infinitesimal soul-spirit that is part and parcel in quality with the Godhead, and that all life is meant for the satisfaction of said Godhead, the Supreme Soul.

(D) To encourage the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who demonstrated practically the transcendental process of approaching the absolute Personality of Godhead by His acts of congregational chanting of the holy name of God, a process known as samkirtan.

(E) To prove by active work and preaching that Lord Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer of all the outcomes of individual and collective sacrifice, penance, meditation, arts, culture, science, because He is the Supreme Proprietor of the whole universe, eternally apart of Him everyone knows Him as a friend. Real peace can be attained when this is realized, in fact.

(F) To assist whenever and wherever possible in the building of a social structure on the real foundation of spiritual progress and establishment of peace and unity between men throughout the world.

(G) To attempt to save men individually from the chain of victimization the ongoing trend in modern civilization operates by, in the name of ideologies of false sentiment, so that Man may again be a free soul, to act and live freely with spiritual vision. This is possible by individual spiritual initiation, Diksha, when a man can see everything in Godhead and Godhead in everything.

(H) To further toward realization this highest truth as revealed by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamins headed by Srila Rupa and Sanatana Goswamins.

(I) To have for its objectives amongst the others four principles which the Goswamins had in view. They are the following:

1. To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes as well as a place where members of the Lord Sri Krishna can flourish.

2. To propagate all over the world in the form of missionaries the process of devotion, the transcendental service to the Godhead, and to make known that this devotional service is the main function of the human being.

3. In order to accomplish this, to adopt proselytizing methods of peaceful means and to establish a broader society of association for all members, including scholars, and admirers, to engage in this service as put forth in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

4. To install, wherever it is possible, the worship and temple of Radha-krishna and that of Sri Chaitanya, and to give facility to everyone to become trained in the modes of archan or preparatory principles of devotional service.

(J) To introduce to the members of the Society and humanity-at-large a simpler and more natural purpose in life by means suitable to the particular place and time, and as enjoined in the Bhagavad-gita.

(K) To organize educational programs, such as classes and lecture tours, and to institute services, such as mailing, for the benefit of the members of the Society and humanity-at-large.

(L) To publish periodicals, books and/or pamphlets in all important languages in order to reach human society and give an opportunity to same to communicate with the Society.

(M) To invoke the quality of goodness particularly in every member of the Society, individually by the process of Diksha and by establishing one in the status of a brahmin (good and intelligent man) on the basis of truthfulness, knowledge and faith in the transcendental service of the Lord.

(N) Among the secondary objectives of the society, it shall undertake the following activities:

1. To revive the scientific system of social orders of classification based on intelligence, martial spirit, productivity and common assistance, generally known as the four castes, with reference to quality and worth for the common cause of world society.

2. To discharge as a matter of course the vitiated system of supremacy of one man over another by false prestige of birthright or vested interests.

3. To popularize the vegetable-grain diet under approved methods in order that full value of protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin benefit may be derived.

4. To discourage intoxicating or addicting habits of all descriptions and dimensions and to expose such persons thus afflicted to approved methods of spiritual realization.

July 7, 1966

Original signed by

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Acharya

Raymond Marais
Micheal A. Grant
Robert Lefkowitz
James S. Greene

These are the original principles of Krishna Consciousness established by
Srila Prabhupada in 1966 in New York

Constitution of Association

1. The name of the society is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

2. The headquarters of the Society is located at Radha-krishna temple, 26 2nd Avenue, New York City, 10003, USA.

3.The objectives for which the Society is being established are:

(A) To educate the greater human society in the techniques of spiritual life as the basis for a balanced psychic and biological development, and thereby achieve for the first time in human society a real peace and unity among the contending forces in the world today.

(B) To propagate the sense of Godhead, the all attractive Personality of primal eternal form, as He Himself revealed in His own words in the Bhagavad-gita, the Holy Scripture of the Lord Krishna, the Godhead.

(C) To bring together individuals in a Society, regardless of nationality and irrespective of creed or caste, in order to develop a nearness to the Godhead and thereby the idea that within the members and humanity-at-large there is an infinitesimal soul-spirit that is part and parcel in quality with the Godhead, and that all life is meant for the satisfaction of said Godhead, the Supreme Soul.

(D) To encourage the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who demonstrated practically the transcendental process of approaching the absolute Personality of Godhead by His acts of congregational chanting of the holy name of God, a process known as samkirtan.

(E) To prove by active work and preaching that Lord Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer of all the outcomes of individual and collective sacrifice, penance, meditation, arts, culture, science, because He is the Supreme Proprietor of the whole universe, eternally apart of Him everyone knows Him as a friend. Real peace can be attained when this is realized, in fact.

(F) To assist whenever and wherever possible in the building of a social structure on the real foundation of spiritual progress and establishment of peace and unity between men throughout the world.

(G) To attempt to save men individually from the chain of victimization the ongoing trend in modern civilization operates by, in the name of ideologies of false sentiment, so that Man may again be a free soul, to act and live freely with spiritual vision. This is possible by individual spiritual initiation, Diksha, when a man can see everything in Godhead and Godhead in everything.

(H) To further toward realization this highest truth as revealed by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamins headed by Srila Rupa and Sanatana Goswamins.

(I) To have for its objectives amongst the others four principles which the Goswamins had in view. They are the following:

1. To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes as well as a place where members of the Lord Sri Krishna can flourish.

2. To propagate all over the world in the form of missionaries the process of devotion, the transcendental service to the Godhead, and to make known that this devotional service is the main function of the human being.

3. In order to accomplish this, to adopt proselytizing methods of peaceful means and to establish a broader society of association for all members, including scholars, and admirers, to engage in this service as put forth in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

4. To install, wherever it is possible, the worship and temple of Radha-krishna and that of Sri Chaitanya, and to give facility to everyone to become trained in the modes of archan or preparatory principles of devotional service.

(J) To introduce to the members of the Society and humanity-at-large a simpler and more natural purpose in life by means suitable to the particular place and time, and as enjoined in the Bhagavad-gita.

(K) To organize educational programs, such as classes and lecture tours, and to institute services, such as mailing, for the benefit of the members of the Society and humanity-at-large.

(L) To publish periodicals, books and/or pamphlets in all important languages in order to reach human society and give an opportunity to same to communicate with the Society.

(M) To invoke the quality of goodness particularly in every member of the Society, individually by the process of Diksha and by establishing one in the status of a brahmin (good and intelligent man) on the basis of truthfulness, knowledge and faith in the transcendental service of the Lord.

(N) Among the secondary objectives of the society, it shall undertake the following activities:

1. To revive the scientific system of social orders of classification based on intelligence, martial spirit, productivity and common assistance, generally known as the four castes, with reference to quality and worth for the common cause of world society.

2. To discharge as a matter of course the vitiated system of supremacy of one man over another by false prestige of birthright or vested interests.

3. To popularize the vegetable-grain diet under approved methods in order that full value of protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin benefit may be derived.

4. To discourage intoxicating or addicting habits of all descriptions and dimensions and to expose such persons thus afflicted to approved methods of spiritual realization.

July 7, 1966

Original signed by

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Acharya

Raymond Marais
Micheal A. Grant
Robert Lefkowitz
James S. Greene

Hare Krishna

Please accept my humble obeisances

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!

As they burn in effigy in Puri the image of His Divine Grace, why do devotees argue about this or anything for that matter. We must engage in devotional service as one, love the Lord and care for one another, continually. Argument is the work of demonic personalities attacking the devotional service. We must get together right now.

There should be a mandatory acceptance of Iskcon by devotees that wish to follow in the teachings of and/or be officially connected in disciplic succession of His Divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada brought into being with the mercy of Lord Krishna the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. As such we are required to accept and respect Iskcon's right to exist. To follow the teachings of Srila Prabhupada does not mean one must be a member of Iskcon. However, as it stands today Iskcon is the sole authority and the official entity under the disciplic succession of Srila Prabhupada. As there are other Vaisnava Lineages some of you may have branched out into another lineage and might be in reality falling under another Guru and lineage.

Now with that said, the GBC and Iskcon at large realizes they have to get going in structuring and organization. I fully agree with the need for membership requirements. However, I would hope there would be room for a general membership of newer devotees or devotees that are moving a little slower with their devotional service and Krishna consciousness. A general membership would carry lesser rights than an initiated membership. The general membership would still be required to pledge adherence to a minimum standard that is inline with the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. The initiated membership would then be the working arm of the GBC and Iskcon at large. The initiated membership would carry more rights and responsibilites and be the "official" Iskcon body. The general membership would be more of a public membership and less affiliated with a working membership. However the general membership should still be welcomed at Iskcon gatherings and establishments with the caveat that they are established under the initiated membership. As always, specific violations will always be addressed by Iskcon judicial proceedings in all matters pertaining to Iskcon and its administration.

It would also be my hope that the GBC could find enough "teaching" senior initiates to provide instruction, mentoring and records keeping on specific devotees as to the progress in their devotional service. This should include utilizing instructional material specified by the GBC Guru to include video of the GBC initiating Guru. These records can then be utilized by the initiating Guru in evaluating a devotees progress. This will allow the GBC Guru and Iskcon to increase their reach and effectiveness, especially into areas not presently serviced by an Iskcon Guru. "Teaching" senior devotees could be recruited using the new membership requirements and information tendered for membership. It should still be recommended that the GBC Guru have a minimum amount of time with the devotee before initiation. No initiation should be complete without direct service to the specific initiating GBC Guru or as specified by the initiating GBC Guru.

Iskcon's responsibility increases many fold when membership requirements are solidified and when the new organizational changes are made. I do believe in freedom of speech and I hope devotees can always, within reason speak their mind on issues of concern. However, it must always be with the agreement that Iskcon is the final authority on the issues as it affects the membership body and welfare of devotees as they seek to serve. It is my hope whatever the decision of the GBC as well as Iskcon at large, that the blessings and mercy of the Supreme Personality of the Godhead, and the well wishing of all the devotees of Lord Krishna, go with Iskcon as it moves forward in its quest to fulfill the hopes and dreams of its founder His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Devotee:"Srila Prabhupada, What did Bhaktivinoda Thakura mean when he said,"I am going my work unfinished"?"

Srila Prabhupada:"So let us finish. We are descendent of Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He kept unfinished so that we will get the chance to finish. That is his mercy. He could have finished immediately. He is Vaisnava. He is all powerful."

The use of the term "member" here doesn't exclude in any way devotees from their spiritual practices,or seek to disenfranchise them from their personal relationships with Krsna or Srila Prabhupada or even each other,it just clarifies in a straightforward and practical way how the balance of responsibility between ISKCON and it's followers should lie.
No real need to become upset,as no-one is actually being discredited or consigned to the spiritual dustbin here.
Krsna doesn't forget any service we do for him no matter how small,but he's also acutely aware of our level of surrender and he reciprocates accordingly.
If we spent so many years serving ISKCON nicely we are the beneficiaries still,but what Maharaja is saying here is that it doesn't end with that service alone.

Dear devotees,

We should fully agree with Sivarama Swami Maharaja who is an authority and initiating Guru in ISCKON. He is instructing for those who wants to go back to Godhead in this lifetime. Unless, we are humble, we won't be able to realize what is good and bad for us. "If we do away with these simple instructions, then we are no better than Sahajiyas." Ofcourse, if we want to become members, we should co-operate and maintain the standards of the organization. We all know how blissful it is an experience to be in the company of pure devotees and Vaishnavas. They are always ready to give full respect and serve the living entity. Unless, we aspire for such high standards, we will create an atmosphere of blunder. A degraded person cannot help a living entity in true sense. Therefore, we should accept our failures and proceed towards aspiring high standards. Everyone is given an opportunity to serve Krishna provided he tries his best.

Ys,
Sugandha

Being a Krishna devotee and a Prabhupada follower is not the same of being an ISKCON member. What is special to be a MEMBER? You don't need to be a member to perform practical service at the temple, attend kirtans and festivals, become friend of everybody inside our Society and outside too.
Beside that, it's not much simpler to establish that every disciple initiated by an ISKCON guru is by default an ISKCON member and those who are not initiated but friendly are on the way to becoming disciples-iskcon members by default?
I think the principle of Guru-Disciple is more important that being a member of any Institution and being part of ISKCON must be subordinate to the fact of becoming a sincere initiated disciple of an Iskcon Guru.

This is a joke, right?

Lila (ACBSP)

I am happy to eat the halava for now....

"A HOUSE THE WHOLE WORLD CAN LIVE IN"
In this hopeful time of healing and emerging inclusiveness brought about by the example of such non envious souls as, for example, HH Radhanatha Swami, we really don't need to be thrown back into the dark ages of "exclusiveness". This will not facilitate healing and the coagulation of loving relationships between the Vaisnavas.
According to the scripture, all Vaisnava's should be given all respect, so lets not kick them out of our house because they are struggling on a level below where we are struggling. I do not believe this would be pleasing to Srila Prabhupada.
Better to remember the past, adjust, and move forward.
Your aspiring servant;
Yudhisthira Dasa

Could it be that just as in Catholisism where you have ¨non-practicing
catholics¨, if there are Vaisnavas who are considered as ¨un-touchables¨
within the varna-asrama system, that that makes them qualified as
¨non-members?¨

Perhaps this definition of "member" originated from a discussion of how to protect ISKCON properties. From a legal standpoint, it makes a certain sense to limit "members" who have legal control over real estate. We have seen how problems can arise when these matters are not considered (temple properties diverted from ISKCON standards and/or control).

In terms of defining "members" who are constituents of ISKCON, however, I have to agree with Babhru prabhu. In fact, from the point of view of defining constituency, this proposal seems to be in the "last man standing" lineage. (One continues weeding out the unqualified members of one's group until one is the "last man standing.")

Srila Prabhupada reached out to his disciples when they fell down, encouraging them to come back to active service or to continue their service even when they were experiencing spiritual weakness. There was never any indication that they were no longer "members" of his movement.

It will be very nice to hear from HG Malati prabhu and HH Radhanatha Swami on this topic.

Of all of the devotees I know, I can think of only a few who would actually be included as members according to these definitions. And I'm not on that list. My very conservative estimate is that defining membership in this way will exclude at least 75% of those who currently are members of ISKCON. So, good luck with this membership definition business. We'll be lucky if the whole society does not disintegrate by the time the constitution is finished.

This whole idea is superficial "society consciousness," not Gaudiya Vaisnavism.

Iskcon needs real spirtual leadership, not more rules and management.

Dear Devotees, here's a little something I wrote after listening to Sivarama Swami's presentation, someone posted a like to something else I wrote which was more just something related but not a direct response.

Your Servant,
Gauranga Kishore Das

http://gaurangakishore.blogspot.com/2009/11/considering...

GBC seems to be attempting to create ISKCON Church.... Well, not everyone needs yet another church.

Not sure I agree 100% but here's an interesting article that responds to this:

http://gaurangakishore.blogspot.com/2009/11/project-for...

I haven't had a chance to listen to the audio yet, but someone sent me Sivarama Swami's powerpoint presentation a couple of weeks ago. At the moment, I can only respond to that. Although I understand the perceived need to define membership, such definition should be in line with Srila Prabhupada's standard, as suggested by others here and elsewhere.

With regard to specifics of his presentation, I can share a couple of my initial, immediate responses to reading his ideas.

He suggests that membership requires accepting the GBC as one's "ultimate managerial and spiritual authority." What's the basis for such an assertion? Certainly not Srila Prabhupada's instruction. We know he told us that the GBC is the Society's ultimate managerial authority, but spiritual authority? Bullet Point One, and I'm already out.

He says that members must "be connected to ISKCON's line of authority." That reads to me as an empty claim. What does it even mean?

He writes that members may "only accept initiation from member of ISKCON." Well, I guess I'd be okay, if I hadn't already been excluded by Bullet Point One. But we might ask about the status of those serving in ISKCON who are initiated by preachers working outside the GBC's authority. Perhaps he means that they should be purged, however valuable their service may be and despite the fact that they follow all the other requirements. I'm not sure that's a good idea.

He says that members of ISKCON "do not divorce." It appears that certain members of the GBC, as well as other officers in the Society, be they local, regional, or international, must be exempt from this requirement.

He writes that "[t]he laws and bylaws of ISKCON determine devotees’ values and conduct in all aspects of their live; work (varna), social status (asrama) and spiritual practice and aspiration." I'm certainly further excluded, it seems. I have chosen for the last 40 years to shape my values and conduct according to guru, sadhu, and shastra. ISKCON's laws and bylaws change too frequently, and on the basis of too many factors other than guru, sadhu, and shastra, for me to take that seriously.

This strikes many devotees as an outline of a plan for further reducing ISKCON's membership and consequently its influence. I'm looking for a reason to disagree with that assessment. Can someone throw me a line?

What ever happened to the ISKCON Constitution committee? That should surely be part of a story on this...

Defining clearly who is a member of iskcon is indeed a very much needed thing. This helps to demarcate those who are following sincerely and those who are not. Otherwise, just anyone could claim to be a member of Iskcon without really following the discipline required. Thus giving opportunities for others to criticise. It would also help to encourage those who are following to keep up the good job!

First I think I should have a clear understanding of what Iskcon means...otherwise how can I be a member of something that I don't know.
I think they should focus on that first then I would decide if I want to be a member or not.

we should stick to the real Iskcon definition by Srila Prabhupada.

One doesn't have to be a member of any organization to be a devotee.