After Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakur’s departure, however, discord erupted in the Gaudiya Math on the
topic of succession. Srila Prabhupada recounts:
In the beginning, during the presence of Om
Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Astottara-sata Sri Srimad
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, all the disciples worked
in agreement; but just after his disappearance, they disagreed. One
party strictly followed the instructions of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura, but another group created their own concoction about executing
his desires. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, at the time of his
departure, requested all his disciples to form a governing body and
conduct missionary activities cooperatively. He did not instruct a
particular man to become the next acarya. But just after his passing
away, his leading secretaries made plans, without authority, to occupy
the post of acarya, and they split in two factions over who the next
acarya would be.
Some Gaudiya Math accounts maintain that a
governing body did form, however the organization fractured in attempt
to name the next acarya of the institution. Out of disagreement on who should be the successor, the once unified Gaudiya Math broke into factions.
Having witnessed the disintegration of the
Gaudiya Math and closely patterning his spiritual master, in 1970 Srila
Prabhupada established a Governing Body Commission (GBC) for ISKCON.
From its inception, Srila Prabhupada personally trained his disciples in
governing the institution to insure the continuance of ISKCON and its
governing body beyond his inevitable departure. Srila Prabhupada
emphasizes, “Personally I wish all the existing GBC may be trained up so
perfectly that in the future in my absence they can manage the whole
Society very nicely and strongly. That is my desire.”
Although informal GBC meetings began in
1970, the first formal Annual General Meeting of ISKCON’s GBC took place
in Mayapur, West Bengal in 1975. Srila Prabhupada himself attended and
guided the first session to show how such meetings should be conducted.
During this 1975 meeting, a significant decision was made regarding the
appointment of GBC members. ISKCON’s original Direction of Management
states that in the future, temple presidents would elect GBC members. However, this was never implemented, and in 1975 a resolution was
passed effectively amending the original Direction of Management so that
temple presidents would not elect GBC members. The resolution, approved
and signed by Srila Prabhupada reads:
5) Resolved: The selection of GBC members
is that Srila Prabhupada will nominate, and if there is a discrepancy,
His Divine Grace will change him. There will be no elections, and the
present GBC member will remain. Notice: “There will be no elections.”
Two years later in May 28, 1977 an official
delegation of GBC members asked Srila Prabhupada for further direction
regarding the future operation of the GBC. On the subject of a GBC
member’s term of office, Srila Prabhupada replied that a GBC member
should “remain for good” and that a “GBC is not to be changed.” Srila
Prabhupada further clarifies “So there is no question of changing GBC.
Rather, one who is competent, he can be selected to act by the board of
the GBC.”
The GBC continues to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions today,
maintaining lifelong positions and appointing new members through an
election process within the governing body.
The position of the GBC was carefully
reaffirmed in Srila Prabhupada’s will. Traditionally, the will of an
acarya first names an heir, a successor of the institution, in effect
passing on the institution to a leading disciple who would then act as
the next acarya. Srila Prabhupada’s will does not name an individual,
however, but rather states “The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be
the ultimate managing authority for the entire International Society for
Krsna Consciousness.”
By naming the GBC as the heir to ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada again affirms
the position of the GBC as the ultimate managerial head of ISKCON.
ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has
continued without break since its establishment in 1970, and the GBC
continues to convene annually in Mayapur, West Bengal for its formal
annual general meeting. Currently, there are thirty-two members of the
governing body overseeing a growing number of ISKCON centers worldwide.
Still today, the function of the Governing Body Commission remains—to
serve as the ultimate managerial authority for the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness as instructed by Srila Prabhupada.
1. The Gaudiya Math is a preaching mission founded by Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakur (1874-1937) who became Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual
master. The Gaudiya Math thrived under the leadership of Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati, but later fragmented after his demise.
2. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi-lila, chapter 12, verse 8, purport.
3. Ravindra Svarupa Dasa. “Cleaning House, Cleaning Hearts: Reform and Renewal in ISKCON.” ISKCON Communications Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2.
4. Correspondence, “Letter to: Hamsaduta,” September 29, 1974, Vedabase.
5. Direction of Management, Vedabase.
6. GBC Meeting Minutes 1975
7. Conversation, “GBC Meets with Srila Prabhupada.” May 28, 1977, Vedabase.
8. Legal Documents, “Declaration of Will.” June 1977, Vedabase.
8. Legal Documents, “Declaration of Will.” June 1977, Vedabase.
