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Dedicated to ISKCON Founder-Acharya

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada

GBC Resolutions About or For Vaishnavis

May 17, 2015 by Pranada dasi 4 Comments

1996
102. The GBC Body shall establish an International Womens Ministry. This Ministry will
address the following concerns in a clear, mature, and deliberate manner:

1. Appreciating the contribution of ISKCONs female devotees.

2. Increasing understanding of the serious concerns of women in ISKCON.
3. Providing facility, communication and support for all female members of ISKCON.
4. Addressing issues of abuse and sexual impropriety in ISKCON.
5. De ning the different female devotee situations (e.g. grhastha women, older, renounced
women, and brahmacarinis).
6. Working with temple authorities and GBCs to identify role models and encourage them to
inspire and train junior Vaisnavis.

The rst duties of this Ministry:

1. Establishment of Regional Ministers (who will serve on a worldwide Womens Ministerial
Council.)
2. Selection of an International Womens Minister.
3. Communication with regional GBC, temple presidents and other leaders as to the purposes,
understanding and practical application of the Womens Ministry in each individual region.
4. Positive, regional guidelines for protecting ISKCON women, including domestic violence,
sexual impropriety, etc.

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maturely with local leaders, senior and junior female devotees and female congregation;
genuine understanding of the needs and concerns of ladies; ability to proceed with Womens
Ministry responsibilities in a non-confrontational yet serious manner.

STEP TWO: (Complete by October 1996)

Choose an International Minister. The International Minister will be chosen as follows:

1. Senior Vaisnavis from each region will nominate appropriate candidates.

2. Discussion of these candidates will ensue via COM, mail and phone.
Sudharma dasi, with the help of Bhaktitirtha Swami, Madhusevita Prabhu, and Bir Krishna
Goswami will ensure the completion of these tasks.

103. The GBC hereby requests all temple and congregational leaders to practically engage
female devotees in areas of temple sadhana and preaching, giving careful and mature
consideration to devotee ability, local culture, devotee seniority, dedication, service, need for
encouragement, and temple environment.

ISKCON is a family where everyone should feel welcome. Although temple environments may
differ, the underlying principle of facilitating ladies sadhana must remain, based on an attitude
of encouragement and respect.

104. [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 ones husband.
avoid intimate dealings with men.
as far as possible appoint a senior man to deal with mens 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 dealwith the
women. The general principle is that the temple president should avoid intimate dealings with
the opposite sex.

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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 rmly rejected by all practicing Vaisnavas.

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.

1999
504. [VISION AND GOAL] VARNASRAMA DHARMA AND CARE FOR DEVOTEES
Whereas Srila Prabhupada repeatedly and consistently advocated the implementation of
Varnasrama as the panacea for all of societies social imbalances, and

Whereas Srila Prabhupada instructed that Varnasrama must be implemented within ISKCON,
It is resolved THAT

as a humble beginning of the process of implementing Daivi-varnasrama within ISKCON, the

GBC Body emphasizes the need to care for devotees in the following fundamental areas:

Children
Women
Elderly
Brahmanas
Cows

2000
Womens Participation
618 [LAW]

WHEREAS, the Womens Ministry presentation on March 1st, 2000 to the GBC Body brought a

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sankirtana movement and are capable of developing full love of God, and

WHEREAS, it is our belief that many of the social issues that confront us are exacerbated
because the voice of our women, who are the mothers and daughters of our Krsna conscious
family, have been hushed and sti ed due to misinterpretation of our Vaisnava philosophy, and
thus the human and interpersonal needs of our devotees have been minimized,

THEREFORE IT IS RESOLVED THAT:

501 [STATEMENT] 1. The members of the Governing Body Commission of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness offer their humble apologies to the women of Srila
Prabhupadas society who, because of our own shortcomings and those of the Society, have
suffered due to a lack of protection, support, facility and appreciation for their service, devotion
and vast contributions to the Society, and

2. [ACTION] All GBC Body members and other leaders shall hold istagosthis [meetings] in each of
their respective temples to establish the priority of providing equal facilities, full
encouragement and genuine care and protection for the women members of ISKCON. Also,
separate meetings should be held with the leaders and women of each temple to address the
womens needs and concerns,

Womens Participation 19 [LAW]

A. All ISKCON temples are to allow all quali ed devotees, regardless
of gender, to speak on Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, etc. during the regular temple class.
B. All ISKCON temples designate half of the temple room area, divided
in the center from the altar, for the ladies.
C. If the management in a particular temple feels it is unable to
implement these proposals, the Executive Committee will appoint a small team of senior
devotees, including women, to sensitively review the particular local situation.

2002
502 Womens Issue Discussion in India

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members will be selected by the Executive Committee, of three or four devotees to engage in
discussions over the course of the next 12 months or longer with the members of the Indian
Continental Committee (ICC) with a mandate to:

1. Explain resolution 618/2000 and the intention of the GBC Body as to how it should be
implemented in India.
2. Carefully hear the various objections being raised by different members of the ICC.
3. Attempt to isolate whatever genuinely contentious issues exist and prepare a joint statement
explaining all viewpoints on these issues.
4. Seek out possible resolutions for these contentious issues and report back to
the GBC Body and ICC, possibly with recommendations for further action by
either body.

417. Endorsement of the Grihastha Ashram and Community Development

[Statement]
The Governing Body Commission expresses its support and encouragement to devotees
serving in the grihastha ashram.

We af rm that the grihastha ashram is a valuable institution that brings great bene t. Those
who sincerely serve Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada in this ashram will make tangible
spiritual advancement.

We also af rm the importance in ISKCON of nurturing strong marriages, encouraging harmony

in families, improving the welfare of children, ensuring the protection and care of women,
discouraging divorce, and enlivening grihastha men and women in Krishnas service.

We hereby pledge ourselves, and will encourage our regional and other senior leaders, to:
Promote an environment conducive to successful Krishna conscious family life in ISKCON
temples and communities

Encourage on-going support for Vaisnava families in ISKCON communities through Krishna
conscious grihastha activities, community preaching programs, and other initiatives

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grihastha ashram, or discriminates against spiritually based grihastha life

Engage in thoughtful and meaningful discourse about the responsibilities, privileges, and goals
of grihastha life with devotees who are considering marriage

Ensure that marriages facilitated under our care prioritize the needs of the individuals involved,
and the health and longevity of the marriage

Encourage professionally developed pre-marital counseling for all potential grihastha couples

Match newly married devotees, whenever possible, with mature, spiritually strong couples who
can act as mentors and supporters

Be trained personally, as appropriate, in marital counseling, communication and con ict

resolution skills

2006
425. Female Diksa Guru
[Statement]
The GBC accepts the basic philosophical conclusion presented in the SACs Female Diksa Guru
Paper, i.e. that a mature, quali ed, female devotee may accept the role of an initiating spiritual
master. The implementation thereof is pending further GBC consideration.

420. Task Force on Abuse of Women

[Action Order]
Whereas it is the duty of the leadership of a spiritual society to protect its members so that they
can peacefully perform devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krishna
Therefore it is resolved that:
The GBC Body hereby directs the GBC CCO and Tamohara Prabhu to coordinate a Task Force to
de ne and deal with abuse against women in ISKCON.
421. Womens Ministry Regional Representatives
[Guideline]

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properly represented in each region of the globe.

Whereas the original GBC resolution forming the Womens Ministry directs the Ministry to
appoint regional Womens Ministry representatives.

Therefore the GBC Body hereby recommends that the Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs) work
with the ISKCON Womens Ministry to designate, at their determination, either a Womens
Ministry representative or a Womens Ministry Council for their respective region. This
representative or Council will operate under the direction and auspices of both the Womens
Ministry and the RGBs.

2008
311. End Notes or Appendices in Srila Prabhupadas Books
Whereas some of Srila Prabhupadas books contain sentences such as the following, which
when taken in isolation may be considered derogatory to and offensive against women:

Although rape is not legally allowed, it is a fact that a woman likes a man who is very expert at
rape. (SB 4.25.41, p.)
When a husbandless woman is attacked by an aggressive man, she takes his action to be mercy.
(SB 4.25.42, p.)
Generally, when a woman is attacked by a manwhether her husband or some other manshe
enjoys the attack, being too lusty. (SB 4.26.26, p.)

Whereas some ISKCON devotees may have used these statements out of context as an excuse
to offend, neglect and abuse women;

Whereas some people who read such statements may consider them to be derogatory or
offensive, may misunderstand what Srila Prabhupada actually means, and may not want to
further read those books, notwithstanding the many other bene cial statements in them;

RESOLVED: That the GBC Body recommends to the BBT Trustees that the above quotes, and
other such statements as determined by the BBT, be explained in endnotes or in appendices.

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Whereas there is a factual need for more diksa-gurus in ISKCON to accommodate the worldwide
preaching;
Whereas there are mature female preachers quali ed to take on diksa-guru responsibilities;
Whereas there are a number of such quali ed women who already have siksa disciples;
Whereas the GBC Body previously issued the following statement in 2005, which has now been
given further consideration:

425. Female Diksa Guru

The GBC accepts the basic philosophical conclusion presented in the SACs Female Diksa Guru
Paper, i.e. that a mature, quali ed, female devotee may accept the role of an initiating spiritual
master. The implementation thereof is pending further GBC consideration.

RESOLVED:
1. That resolution 425/2005 Female Diksa Guru is amended to read as follows:
The GBC accepts the philosophical conclusion presented in the SACs Female Diksa Guru Paper
that a mature, quali ed, female devotee may accept the role of an initiating spiritual master.
2. The GBC Body authorizes local area committees to put forward for approval as initiating guru
any devotee in their area, male or female, who is quali ed according to existing GBC Law.

2013
309. Female Diksa Gurus

The subject of Vaisnavis initiating in ISKCON is tabled until the GBC Annual General Meeting
2014.

310. Female Diksa Guru Research Paper

Whereas there is a need for clarity in ISKCONs current policy regarding Vaisnavi diksa gurus;

And whereas there have been calls for additional references and support from Srila Prabhupada
and the sastra to explain and justify that policy:

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diksa gurus based on Srila Prabhupadas teachings, sastra, and historical precedents. The
committee may enlist the service of other devotees including current members of the Sastric
Advisory Council.

The committee will speci cally document and provide justi cation of the current ISKCON
policy, or reasons to reconsider that policy.

The committee shall send a draft of its work to the GBC Executive Committee by September 30,
2013 so that it may be circulated to the GBC members in advance of the Midtermr GBC meeting
in Mumbai in October 2013, and may be discussed there.

The committee will then consider the input from the GBC members and complete a nal draft
to be sent to the Executive Committee by January 15, 2014. The Executive Committee will
circulate that nal draft so that it may be discussed and voted upon at the AGM in 2014.

2014
312: Should Women be Called Prabhu, Mataji, or Devi?

Whereas in ISKCON men had generally been taught to see all women other than their wives as
mother;

Whereas in more recent times a practice has gained momentum that women should not be
called Mataji, but Prabhu;

Whereas the word Prabhu is traditionally used to address men;

Whereas one section of ISKCON considers addressing women as Prabhu to have no cultural or
linguistic backing, or any evidentiary or experiential support from Srila Prabhupadas teachings;

Whereas another section of ISKCON cites conversational or correspondence-based evidence

that Srila Prabhupada addressed female disciples as Prabhu;

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RESOLVED:

That the Sastric Advisory Committee is requested to research the evidence for women being
called Mataji, Prabhu or Devi and give a conclusive directive as to which of these terms
should and should not be used by members of ISKCON.

316: Gender Kirtan

[Guideline]

Whereas a new practice has emerged in ISKCON kirtan consisting of:

Kirtan Leader Chants Ladies Only Respond

Kirtan Leader Chants Men Only Respond
Kirtan Leader Chants Full Congregation Responds

Whereas there is no description of Srila Prabhupada ever leading kirtan like this, nor of any
devotee leading kirtan like this in Srila Prabhupadas presence;
Whereas this new practice emphasizes the bodily conception of life and our false designations
as man and woman;

Whereas when such questionable chanting occurs, some devotees are uncomfortable, alienated,
disturbed, or may even refuse to participate in such a kirtan, and thus the unity of our
movement, even in its most core activitysankirtanis jeopardized

RESOLVED:

Kirtan leaders in all temple and public programs, should refrain from separating the
congregation into responding sections based on bodily considerations like male, female, young,
old, etc.

321. Female Diksa Gurus

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1. Creating a committee of devotees who have no pre-determined view on this topic who will
gather documents from all sources on the subject of female diksa-gurus.

2. The committee will sort, summarize, and categorize all documentation. Categories could
include Srila Prabhupadas quotations, varnasrama-dharma, history within our
sampradaya and other Vaisnava sampradayas, etc.

3. As far as possible all documentation will be veri ed for accuracy, authenticity, etc.

4. As far as possible this committee will do whatever other research may be required.

5. The committee will then provide all those documents to the GBC members prior to the
Midterm meeting. Thus all GBC members will come to the Midterm Meeting well

aware of all the arguments, information, and evidences available. This will then enable the GBC
to make either informed progress or an informed decision on this matter.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

Govindanandini dd RNS says

September 13, 2015 at 9:06 pm

wonderful!

Reply

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Nice to see these things in detail getting resolved

Reply

Sonal Sharma says

October 5, 2016 at 9:58 am

HK Mataji,dandavats! agtsp!pamho! like all the prabhujis accept sanyas, they have their
brahmachari ashram, does iskcon women matajis also have brahmachari ashram.

Reply

Kavicandra dasa KrKS says

October 22, 2016 at 2:02 pm

Thank you very much for extracting these resolutions.

Reply

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