July 9 Appointments — Temporary or Permanent?

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By Gadadhar Dasa  Submitted on 2013/02/12 at 5:47 pm

July 9 Appointments

 Temporary or Permanent?

Ritvik or Diksha Gurus?

Available Evidence

My Approach

Attempt is made here to come to conclusion

using direct, simple, and short path.

There is no DOR or TFO in this document except in this line.
I thank these devotees who wrote those two documents.

I thank all devotees who provided me requested information.

 

Special thanks to Rocana Prabhu

who prodded me into this, encouraged me at times,

 and demanded that I produce higher quality product.

I must admit I am no where close to it.

 

EUREKA

I feel I have found something and want

to throw it open to the world.

It is possible that I am missing something

And getting carried away by mode of passion (I have plenty).

 

On the other hand, I am too close to see my faults.

I am willing to consider what the world has to say.

 

Read sections (1) and (2) and you have reached the conclusion.

Read first 8 pages and you are done.

Read remaining information if you like.

 

If you have any original or better document(s)

than what I have provided please forward them to me.

 

This is the first draft and I humbly request

every one to report any errors to me at

Gordhan_Goyani@yahoo.com

 

Now read next 7 pages and you are done.

 

Warning

Whoever ignores the bolded and underlined clause

in following statement of Jul 9 Letter and jumps ahead is speculating.

Enter their brahmanda of speculation at your own risk.

“Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “rittik”-representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation.”

(1)       This section proves that July 9 letter refers to May 28 Conversations and not to July 7 Conversations by exploring how many GBCs were there in the world in May 28, 1977,  and how many of them were in Vrindavan on May 28 and July 7.

(a) From Conversations 770528me.vrn we learn that there were 23 GBCs as of May 28, 1977. We do not know how accurate it is.

Srila Prabhupada: How many GBC’s are there already?
Tamala Krsna: Twenty-three.

(b) GBC Minute Book Entry of May 28, 1977 says there were 18 GBCs who signed their understanding of their discussions with Srila Prabhupada.

Vrindavana!

Morning meeting May 28, 1977

(There followers 18 signatures of the GBC members)

 

Source – ISKCON Journal, Vol 1. No 1 – Special Gaura Purnima Issue  1990
Found at – ISKCON JOURNAL.doc – Hinduism Today Home Page
Contains – GBC Minute Book Entry of May 28, 1977. Read at the end.

(C) Summary Report of GBC Meetings from May 27 to 29, 1997 states names of following 22 persons who attended those meetings. It was sent to all Temple Presidents.

GBC MEETINGS Vrindabana (Krsna Balarama Mandir) May 27-29, 1977

Signatures of Attendence

Adi Kesava Swami (acting GBC)
Harikesa Swami
Atreya Rishi dasa
Hridayananda Goswami
Balavanta dasa
Jagadisa das
Bali Mardan dasa
Jayapataka Swami
Bhagavan dasa
Kirtanananda Swami
Bhavananda Goswami (non GBC member)
Pancadravida Swami
Brahmananda Swami
Ramesvara Swami
Gargamuni Swami
Rupanuga das
Giriraj das (non GBC member)
Satsvarupa Goswami
Gopal Krsna das
Swarupa Damodara das
Guru Kripa Swami
Tamal Krsna Goswami

Note – That is a list of 22 persons – 19 GBCs, 1 Acting GBC, 2 non GBC members.

Source – Found within VNN Article “GBC Suppressed the Truth”
Found at – http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9912/ET13-5073.html

(d) Hamsadutta was not present during May 28 and July 7 discussions. He has said so in an email. That makes list of 23. Two of them are “non-GBC” and one is “Acting GBC”.

(e) For completeness – Using another “Major Source” specified below which had list of 17 GBCs and adding those found in © but were not in “Major Source” above we have List of 23 persons (20 GBCs, 2 non GBC Members, and one Acting GBC Member) as of May 28, 1977 in Alphabetical order.

Major Source (MS) : Provided by a Friend
FROM MARCH 1, 1977 GBC RESOLUTIONS:
Resolved: Division of worldwide GBC zones.

Adi Kesava Swami (acting GBC – found in item © above)

Atreya Rsi Das Adhikari

Balavanta Das Adhikari

Bali Mardan Das Adhikari

Bhagavan Das Adhikari

Bhavananda Swami (non GBC Member – found in item © above)

Brahmananda Swami

Gargamuni Swami

Giriraj das (non GBC member – found in item (C) above)

Gopal Krishna Das Adhikari
Gurukripa Swami

Hamsadutta Das Goswami

Harikesh Swami

Hrdayananda Das Goswami

Jaytirtha Das Adhikari
Jayapatak Swami (found in item© above)
Kirtananada Swami (found in item © above)
Pancha Dravid Swami

Ramesvar Swami

Rupanuga Das Adhikari
Satsvarupa Das Goswami

Swarupa Damodara das (found in item © above)
Tamal Krishna Goswami

(f) I have scanned through “Conversations With Srila Prabhupada” Books I have and found following (Under Documents see “Books – Conversations with Srila Prabhupada”:

(f.1) From May 25 to June 2 – there are many GBCs around every day. Plus as shown above, on May 28, 18 GBCs sign GBC Minute Book; Summary Report of GBC Meetings from May 27 to 29 is signed by 22 persons (20 GBCs, one Acting GBC, and 2 non GBC Members). Furthermore, 15 GBC members are found to be speaking with Srila Prabhupada during May 27, 28, and 29 – as per “Conversations With Srila Prabhupada” Books. I can produce the list if needed.

(f.2) From July 2 to July 10 only GBC found to be speaking with Srila Prabhupada is TKG – as per “Conversations With Srila Prabhupada” Books.

(g) Comparing (f.1) and (f.2) it is clear that July 9 letter refers to May 28 Conversation because the requirements of the underlined clause in the following statement of July 9 is met by only May 28 conversations and not by July 7 Conversations. Technically you can say that since Hamsadutta was not there on May 28 and thus May 28 does not meet the requirement. In that case you will not find any other GBC meeting in Vrindavan between May 28 and July 9 Vrindavan, if it took place at all, to meet requirement that all 100% of GBCs must be present because Hamsadutta was in Shri Lanka during that time.

“Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “rittik”-representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation.”

(h) Above July 9 statement specifically refers to following May 28 statements:

Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.

(2)       This section proves that GBC seeks LTS – Long Term Solution for Initiations and Srila Prabhupada gives them that by issuing July 9 Letter. Let us look at following statements from different dates:

(a)       On May 28 following dialog takes place where GBC Delgation seeks LTS – Long Term Solution for initiations and Srila Prabhupada says in reply that he will appoint “Officiating Acaryas”.

(a1)  Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.

(a2) Srila Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.

(b)        Srila Prabhupada starts appointing senior Sanyasis and devotees to carry out first and second initiations on his behalf and a rough list is prepared. Following statements (b1 to b10) are from July 7 conversations.

(b1) Tamal Krishna: Srila Prabhupada, we are receiving a number of letters now. These are people who want to get initiated. So, up until now, since you’re becoming ill, we asked them to wait.

(b2) Srila Prabhupada: Local senior sanyasis can do.

(b3) Tamal Krishna: That’s what we were doing. I mean, formally we were…the local GBC sannyasis were chanting on their beads, and they were writing to Your Divine Grace. And you were giving a spiritual name. So should that process be resumed, or should we…I mean, one thing is that it is said the spiritual master takes on the…he takes on the…he has to cleanse the disciple by…so we don’t want that you should have to uh…your health is not so good, so that should not be…That’s why we’ve been asking everybody to wait. I just want to know if we should continue to wait some more time.

(b4) Srila Prabhupada: No. Senior sannyasis.

(b5) Tamal Krishna: So they should continue to..

(b6) Srila Prabhupada: You can give me a list of sannyasis. I’ll mark them.

(b7) Tamal Krishna: Ok

(b8) Srila Prabhupada: You can do. Kirtanananda can do. Satsvarupa can do. So these three can do.

(b9) Tamal Krishna: So suppose someone is in America. Should they simply write to Kirtanananda or Satsvarupa?

(b10) Srila Prabhupada: Nearby. Jayatirtha can do.

(b11) Note – We can see that “resuming old system or existing system” is dismissed; idea of waiting for Srila Prabhupada’s health to improve is dismissed; then Srila Prabhupada starts appointing Senior Sanyasis and devotees to perform initiations of his behalf with emphasis on words local and nearby.

(b12) Note – It appears that he is appointing them in response to statement (b1) which states “we are receiving many letters from those who want to get initiated but because you are sick we have asked them to wait”. But this understanding is refuted by statement (C1) below which was included in July 9 Letter two days later.  

(c)       Srila Prabhupada issues July 9 with all the details. Below are two statements from July 9 Letter.

(c1) Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “rittik”-representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation.

(c2) His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:

(c3) The clause “when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana” in statement (C1) above refers to statement (a1) and (a2) above and statement (a2) is response to statement (a1) which is seeking Long Term Solution for initiation. Thus what is given until statement (C2) in July 9 Letter is at least LTS – Long Term Solution for Initiations.

(c4) We find that remaining part of the July 9 Letter after statement (C2) does not change “LTS – Long Term Solution for Initiations” understanding in any way.

(c5) Effective date for LTS plan to start is July 9, 1977.

(c6) There is no evidence that this plan was changed by His Divine Grace during his remaining days on this planet.

(C7) It does not matter if you call the “Appointed Devotees” “Officiating Acharyas”, “Rittvik Acharyas”, or “”rittik”-representative of the acarya”. They mean same thing.

(c8) Statement (c1) is a restatement of statements (a1) and (a2) and thus there is an “Equivalence” relationship. Tamal  Krishna is main participant in all three conversations – May 28, July 7, and as Composer of July 9 letter. In restating essence of statements (a1) and (a2) he is calling “officiating acharyas/Rittvik Acharyas” as “”rittik”-representative of the acarya”. When you restate or summarize prior conversations you do not add or subtract. It must mean same thing.

(c9) Do not forget that GBC asked for Long Term solution for initiation. GBC prepared questions, appointed Delegation Members, and asked them to go and meet His Divine Grace and obtain answers to their questions, enter their understanding of the answers they received, made an entry of their questions and their understanding of the answers they received, and 18 Persons signed it. One of those questions was seeking Long Term Solution for initiations in future (particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us) – and that is what His Divine Grace delivered. Accept it as it is and march forward.

(c10) Why did GBC go and ask such a question when it is known to them and everyone else that they can become Gurus after his disappearance if qualified?  Why did His Divine Grace said “Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.” instead of saying “I shall recommend some of you as “Gurus” or “Diksha Gurus” or “Uttam Adhikaris” or “Madhyam Adhikaris” or “Kanistha Adhikaris”” or saying “you become Gurus after my disappearance”?

He knew very well what happened to Gaudiya Matha and you know too what happened to Gaudiya Matha and GBC leaders knew it too. I have included below one document – see Gaudiya Matha History – Conversation 760816rc.bom.

(c11)  He already had “Temporary System”. Read statements (b2), (b3), and (b4). TKG even asks if we should resume that Temporary System”.

(c12) Conclusion – By issuing July 9 Letter Srila Prabhupada gave “Long Term Solution for Initiations” as GBC asked.

(C13)  Below are more points and details which I gathered during this investigation and I am keeping them here. You may read it or may not.    

(3)        Few word on “absolute proof”:

(a) Following will produce same result no matter in which order you test the conditions.

In Mathematics:
If (A1 = B1 AND A2 = B2 AND A3 = B3) Then
DO abc
Else
DO xyz
End

(b) It is easy to test A1 = B1 in Mathematics but it is not easy to test A1 = B1 in linguistic statements.

(c) There is a branch of Mathematics where word “equivalent” is used and above can be stated as

If (A1 Equivalent to  B1 AND A2 Equivalent to B2 AND A3 Equivalent to B3) Then
DO abc
Else
DO xyz
End

(4)       GBC Body had its own meetings before and after the GBC appointed Delegation had their meeting with Srila Prabhupada. See document “GBC Minute Book“ at the end.

(a) It is not clear when and where GBC Body had their first meeting to prepare their questions

(b) It states that GBC Body prepared list of questions, appointed GBC Delegation members, and asked this Delegation to take these questions and get answers from Srila Prabhupada.

From Conversations 770528me.vrn we learn that following words states same thing.

Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most… These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up.

© It also states that GBC meets again after Delegation meets with Srila Prabhupada and enters their collective understanding of answers Srila Prabhupada gave in GBC Minute Book. It is not clear when and where GBC Body had this second meeting.

(d) But following lines are in GBC meeting:

Vrindavana!

Morning meeting May 28, 1977

(There followers 18 signatures of the GBC members).

(5)       Some Conversations around May 28, 1977.

(a) Conversations   770527vg.vrn – May 27, 1977

Following Dialog Takes Place –

Bhavananda: There will be men, I know. There will be men who want to try and pose themselves as guru.
Tamala Krsna: That was going on many years ago. Your Godbrothers were thinking like that. Madhava Maharaja…
Bhavananda: Oh, yes. Oh, ready to jump.
Srila Prabhupada: Very strong management required and vigilant observation. (background whispering, Tamala Krsna and Bhavananda) So you are foreign…

(B) Conversations  770528me.vrn  – Below is List of persons who spoke in this meeting with Srila Prabhupada on May 28, 1977.
Srila Prabhupada
Gopal Krishna
Tamal Krishna
Bhakti Charu
Giriraj
Ramesvar
Jaytirtha
Jayapatak
Satsvarupa
Kirtananada
Bhavananda
Bhagavan

© Conversations Volume 33 (May 28-29), Pages 273-277 are titled “Prabhupada Vigil” and on Page 277 Following takes place on May 29:

Bhavananda: The GBC men that met with you yesterday (May 28), they would like to see you again. They have one more resolution.

Note – I do not know if that meeting took place or not. Nor do I know what might be that resolution.

(6)       There was break in May 28 Discussions.

From Conversations 770528me.vrn we can see that there is break in conversations – that means there was discussion before a break and after the break.

Tamala Krsna: Oh, yes, there’s some prasadam for you.
Srila Prabhupada: Prasadam? I am not just now very much willing. And if I require, I shall call for it.
Tamala Krsna: All right. Kirtana party should be called?
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Tamala Krsna: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: Jaya. (break)
Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most… These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up. So our first question is about the GBC members. We want to know how long should they remain in office?

(7)        Discussions before the break.

From Conversations 770528me.vrn  we can see that following persons took part in discussions before the break when handling of Bank Account and BBT Loans to Temples, etc. was discussed.

Srila Prabhupada
Gopal Krishna
Tamal Krishna
Bhakti Charu
Giriraj
Ramesvar
Jaytirtha
Jayapatak
Satsvarupa
Kirtananada
Bhavananda
Bhagavan:

(8)       Discussions after the break was with GBC Appointed Delegation.

From Conversations 770528me.vrn  we can see that the discussion that took place after the break was with GBC appointed Delegation.which was asked by the rest of GBCs to go and meet with Srila Prabhupada and ask some specific questions.

Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most… These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up.

(9) Names of persons in GBC Delegation:

(a) From Conversations 770528me.vrn  we can see that  following persons spoke during the meeting GBC Delegation had with Srila Prabhupada.

Bhagavan Das Adhikari

Bhavananda Swami

Kirtanananda Swami

Ramesvar Swami

Satsvarup Das Goswami

Tamal Krishna Goswami

(may be some more were present but did not speak during conversation – below GBC Minute Book Entry of May 28, 1977 says Jagdish, Rupanuga, and Bali Mardan were part of the delegation – )

(b) Furthermore keep following two individuals in mind, Ramesvar and Bhavananda – they spoke during GBC Delegation Conversations with Srila Prabhupada but their names are not in GBC Delegation List. Below is what they said .
Srila Prabhupada: No, no, no, the principle is… Just like my translation, another person translating into Hindi or other languages, we are publishing. Similarly, if somebody has translated properly, it can be published. But amongst our disciples, I don’t think there are many who can translate properly.
Ramesvara: None. We’re not eager to publish anything which is not perfect, because you have already set the highest standard for the BBT. The name BBT means the highest standard right now in the world.
Srila Prabhupada: That is good answer.

Srila Prabhupada: A realized soul, must be. Otherwise, simply by imitating A-B-C-D will not help. My purports are liked by people because it is presented as practical experience. (aside:) It is within the mouth.
Bhavananda: I’m sorry. (Note – GBC Minute Book source ISKCON JOURNAL.doc – Hinduism Today Home Page says “Devotee: I’m sorry”. So who is this devotee if not Bhavananda?)
Srila Prabhupada: Such a nice instrument, (laughter) that it must enter into the mouth. Then it will act. That kind of instrument not required. It must remain three miles off. Our translation must be documents. They are not ordinary… One cannot become unless one is very realized. It is not A-B-C-D translation.

© May 27, 1977 Entry in GBC Minute Book says:

“Resolved! The following questions will be taking to Srila Prabhupada for his answers.  They will be presented by a committee of Tamal Krishna Goswami, Satsvarupa Goswami, Jagadisha, Rupanuga, Bhagavan, Kirtanananda Swami, Bali Mardan.” (Note- but we see above that both Ramesvar and Bhavananda spoke but their name is not in this quote.)

(d) GBC Minute Book says that 18 GBCs signed GBC Minute Book.

Vrindavana!

Morning meeting May 28, 1977

(There followers 18 signatures of the GBC members)

(e) Note(s) – Comparing two data sets following observations are made.

(e.1) Jagadisha, Rupanuga, and Bali Mardan did not speak during meeting.

(e.2) Bhavananda and Ramesvar spoke during meeting but they are not part of the GBC Delegation as their names are not in  “GBC Minute Book Entry of May 28, 1977”. This needs to be explained.

(e.3) 18 GBCs signed the entry in GBC Minute Book – not all 23 listed above (20 GBCs, 1 Active GBC, 2 non GBC members)

(e.4) Hamsadutta has replied to me that he was not present in Vrindavan on May 28, 1977 but he has been in Shri Lanka – prior to May 28 and until end of September 1977.  

(10) Overview of GBC Delegation Discussions with Srila Prabhupada.

From Conversations 770528me.vrn we can see that GBC Delegation which met with Srila Prabhupada on May 28, 1977 asks questions related to GBC Tenure and GBC Replacement, initiations (Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. etc), BBT – translating and Publishing new books (Next we have a question about the BBT. At present, no translation work is to be published without your seeing and approving it. So the question is, is there any system for publishing works in the future that you may not see? Etc.). At end of the meeting following discussion takes place which says GBCs are appointed for life, competent persons should be added, GBCs should be Acharya like, and those who fall down or deviate can be replaced.

(11)   GBC Lifetime Tenure, Fall down, Replacement, Acharya Like Character Expected

From Conversations 770528me.vrn following is given

(a) Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most… These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up. So our first question is about the GBC members. We want to know how long should they remain in office?
Srila Prabhupada: They should remain for good.
Tamala Krsna: They should remain for good.
Srila Prabhupada: Selected men are chosen, so they cannot be changed. Rather, if some competent man comes, he should be added. I shall recommend that Vasudeva become one of the GBC.
Tamala Krsna: Vasudeva is Deoji Punja. He’s the founder of our… He’s building the temple in Fiji.
Srila Prabhupada: How many GBC’s are there already?
Tamala Krsna: Twenty-three.
Srila Prabhupada: So add him. GBC is not to be changed.
Satsvarupa: But then, in the event that some present GBC member leaves, either leaves…
Prabhupada: Another should be elected.
Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present.

(b) Satsvarupa: That’s all the questions.
Srila Prabhupada: So there is no question of changing GBC.
Satsvarupa: No.
Srila Prabhupada: Rather, one who is competent, he can be selected to act by the board of the GBC.
Tamala Krsna: Of course, if someone has a falldown, just like in the past some GBC men have fallen down…
Srila Prabhupada: He should be replaced.
Tamala Krsna: Then he should be replaced. But that’s a serious falldown, not some minor discrepancy.
Srila Prabhupada: They must be all ideal acarya-like. In the beginning we have done for working. Now we should be very cautious. Anyone who is deviating, he can be replaced.

(12) Analysis of following statement in July 9 letter

Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “rittik”-representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity

(a)        Is this true statement? If no, then TKG must have made it up and Srila Prabhupada still went ahead and signed July 9 letter.

(b)        If it is true then we must find evidence. First we must find evidence that meets the condition “when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana”.

(c)         May 28 and July 7 are two possibilities. Available evidence included above strongly proves that May 28 is such a date.

(d)        Now we must find “Srila Prabhupada indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples”. We find in “Conversations 770528me.vrn following statement dialog in which bolded and underlined  statement meets this criteria.

Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.

Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.

(e)        If one accepts above as evidence then it is established that July 9 Letter refers to above underlined statement, above dialog, and in general a section of Conversations that deals with Guru Issue on May 28, 1997. Considering that GBC prepared these questions, appointed delegation which met with Srila Prabhupada, received his answers, summarized their understanding, entered their questions and their understanding in GBC Minute Book, and 18 GBC members signed it one must accept this conclusion.

(f)        If one does not accept above as “referred” statement for whatever reasons (such as words “Rittik” and “senior disciples” are not there) then one has to find another conversation that took place on May 28, 1977 which uses words “Rittik” and “senior disciples”. We do not find such conversation on May 28, 1977.

(g)       Now if we started seeking evidence in reverse order saying that first we must find the evidence which contains words “Rittik” and “Senior Disciples” then we find that May 28 and July 7 conversations do not meet defined requirements because word “Rittik” is not there.

Documents:

Conversations  770528me.vrn

                 GBC Meets with Srila Prabhupada
—
May 28, 1977, Vrndavana

Srila Prabhupada: This paper was started, one page, this. Now it has developed.
Gopala Krsna: Now it’s the biggest paper in this area, Hindi paper, Amara Jana(?). In Agra, Vrndavana, Mathura. They have written about us several times. Even when the road was changed to Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, we had a press conference–I was there–and they reproduced it that Chattikara Road name had been changed to Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg.
Srila Prabhupada: What is that photograph?
Gopala Krsna: They have one of your photographs.
Srila Prabhupada: Which one?
Gopala Krsna: On the right, walking on the beach, I think.
Tamala Krsna: “Transcendental autocrat.”
Gopala Krsna: Lord Caitanya’s picture is also there.
Bhakti-caru: (reads in Hindi about “Fifth Avenue Hare Krsna Sankirtana”)
Gopala Krsna: Bali-mardana’s picture is there. He was leading that kirtana party then.
Bhakti-caru: Was it written by the same person who wrote this book?
Gopala Krsna: No, no, no. No.
Bhakti-caru: I mean, this Caitanya Mahaprabhu Siksamrta.
Gopala Krsna: No.
Bhakti-caru: Somebody else.
Gopala Krsna: Yeah.
Bhakti-caru: Yet that style of writing is quite alike. (break)
Srila Prabhupada: When I go to Los Angeles I am in Vaikuntha. When I am got to New York I am in Vaikuntha. Wherever we have got temple, that is Vaikuntha. So why shall I have objection? So do your duty nicely and see what Krsna desires. Let it be fulfilled. But you do your duty. It is your duty to pray to Krsna as affectionate children, and let Krsna decide. And I have no objection, either. So what is the next?
Giriraja: Well, in continuation of arranging for the properties and other things to be managed…
Srila Prabhupada: Which… Bhagatji is proposed for the trustee?
Tamala Krsna: Yeah.
Srila Prabhupada: Which?
Tamala Krsna: Of Vrndavana, Krsna-Balarama Trust.
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna-Balarama Trust.
Tamala Krsna: We propose to you.
Srila Prabhupada: That’s right… Bhagatji and?
Giriraja: Gopala Krsna and Aksayananda Swami.
Srila Prabhupada: Oh.
Giriraja: And we were also going to add Gurukrpa Maharaja because he gave so much money.
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Giriraja: And also for Mayapura add him as a trustee.
Srila Prabhupada: Very good. So do it. His condition will take some time. He has agreed. Then he’s gone to London.
Giriraja: Then for the bank accounts, the main fund is the ISKCON Mayapura-Vrndavana fixed deposits and savings account. So we thought that the best thing would be to have a committee to oversee the spending of this money in terms of your desire. So we propose that the committee consist of Gurukrpa Maharaja, Ramesvara Maharaja, Jayapataka Maharaja, Tamala Krsna Goswami, Gopala Krsna and myself.
Srila Prabhupada: Very good. Approved.
Giriraja: This would represent Gurukrpa, who’s collecting also the money, and Ramesvara.
Srila Prabhupada: I think you are all competent. Very good selection. Do it.
Giriraja: Then the persons who sign the checks, they would do so according to the decision made by the…
Srila Prabhupada: Of this committee.
Giriraja: Yes.
Srila Prabhupada: That’s nice.
Giriraja: And then the signers would be, in Bombay, Tamala Krsna Goswami, Gopala Krsna and myself, two out of the three. And then in Los Angeles, jointly, Ramesvara Maharaja and Satsvarupa Maharaja.
Srila Prabhupada: Very good.
Giriraja: Then, for the BBT, the idea would be that the principle amount should not be touched, but it can be given, you know, for loan if absolutely necessary, just as you have been doing. But the idea is that that amount should always be repaid.
Srila Prabhupada: On principle.
Giriraja: Yeah.
Srila Prabhupada: Even by chance it is not paid, don’t mind. Business should not suffer. That’s all.
Giriraja: Yes.
Srila Prabhupada: If you can provide, you must, of course, see that business is done. And then they should try to pay. If they are actually not able to pay, don’t mind. Is that all right?
Ramesvara: Yes, Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: Principle should be they should return back. But if by chance they cannot, don’t press. Let them go on with business. But don’t be lenient. (laughter)
Jayatirtha: I think they’ll be able to pay.
Srila Prabhupada: That’s nice.
Tamala Krsna: They should want to pay, out of duty to you.
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna will give them. You are increasing the book sale. That is Krsna’s favor. Krsna is assuring, “Don’t be disturbed about money matters. I’ll pay you.” But don’t be very loose or extravagant. Every paisa should be spent very cautiously. That is wanted. So it is all right.
Giriraja: So the signers on this account would be Tamala Krsna, Gopala Krsna and myself, two out of three.
Srila Prabhupada: Don’t open many accounts at the bank. The same signer, one or two of them must sign the… The accounts may be in your books, but there is no necessity of opening so many accounts and different signers. That is not necessary.
Giriraja: Right. So these are actually the same signers as the Mayapura-Vrndavana Fund.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Giriraja: And in some cases… I mean, there are different accounts distributed in different places that should be…
Srila Prabhupada: That you can keep in your books, not in the bank.
Giriraja: So all the funds can be consolidated…
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Giriraja: …in the accounts in Bombay.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. To see your accounts…
Jayapataka: This evening we’re going to change the names.
Srila Prabhupada: Eh?
Giriraja: No, no, what he’s saying…
Ramesvara: We should consolidate the accounts. Just on paper keep it simple.
Giriraja: Yeah. And then for the BBT money the decision to give out loan should be unanimously approved by all three of us, Tamala Krsna, Gopala and myself.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes.
Giriraja: Then the accounts in your personal name… We thought that those funds could be transferred to the Mayapura-Vrndavana Fund, just as you suggested, and just keep our own account, how it is spent in terms of your desire.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can transfer at any moment.
Giriraja: And then for the fixed deposits, the interest for your family members, that we would just leave them in your name, as it’s mentioned in the will, and throughout their life they will get the income.
Srila Prabhupada: That we shall do. I shall… How to do it… For the time being you haven’t got to bother.
Giriraja: No.
Srila Prabhupada: So that I shall pay.
Tamala Krsna: We also felt that. We wouldn’t bother with that.
Srila Prabhupada: That’s nice. Very good.
Giriraja: So we are…
Srila Prabhupada: Do it very nicely, cool-headed. Mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca. We shall be always prepared to take instruction from Krsna. That is best.
Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: There’s a kirtana party waiting to come in.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Come on.
Jayapataka: And I think your prasada.
Tamala Krsna: Oh, yes, there’s some prasadam for you.
Srila Prabhupada: Prasadam? I am not just now very much willing. And if I require, I shall call for it.
Tamala Krsna: All right. Kirtana party should be called?
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Tamala Krsna: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: Jaya. (break)
Satsvarupa: Srila Prabhupada, we were all asked by the rest of the GBC to come to ask some questions. Most… These are the members of the original GBC as you first made it up. So our first question is about the GBC members. We want to know how long should they remain in office?
Srila Prabhupada: They should remain for good.
Tamala Krsna: They should remain for good.
Srila Prabhupada: Selected men are chosen, so they cannot be changed. Rather, if some competent man comes, he should be added. I shall recommend that Vasudeva become one of the GBC.
Tamala Krsna: Vasudeva is Deoji Punja. He’s the founder of our… He’s building the temple in Fiji.
Srila Prabhupada: How many GBC’s are there already?
Tamala Krsna: Twenty-three.
Srila Prabhupada: So add him. GBC is not to be changed.
Satsvarupa: But then, in the event that some present GBC member leaves, either leaves…
Srila Prabhupada: Another should be elected.
Satsvarupa: By the votes of the present GBC. Then our next question concerns initiations in the future, particularly at that time when you’re no longer with us. We want to know how first and second initiation would be conducted.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas.
Tamala Krsna: Is that called rtvik-acarya?
Srila Prabhupada: Rtvik, yes.
Satsvarupa: Then what is the relationship of that person who gives the initiation and the…
Srila Prabhupada: He’s guru. He’s guru.
Satsvarupa: But he does it on your behalf.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. That is formality. Because in my presence one should not become guru, so on my behalf, on my order… Amara ajnaya guru hana. Be actually guru, but by my order.
Satsvarupa: So they may also be considered your disciples.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, they are disciples. Why consider? Who?
Tamala Krsna: No, he’s asking that these rtvik-acaryas, they’re officiating, giving diksa. Their… The people who they give diksa to, whose disciple are they?
Srila Prabhupada: They’re his disciple.
Tamala Krsna: They’re his disciple.
Srila Prabhupada: Who is initiating. He is granddisciple.
Satsvarupa: Yes.
Tamala Krsna: That’s clear.
Satsvarupa: Then we have a question concer…
Srila Prabhupada: When I order, “You become guru,” he becomes regular guru. That’s all. He becomes disciple of my disciple. That’s it.
Satsvarupa: Next we have a question about the BBT. At present, no translation work is to be published without your seeing and approving it. So the question is, is there any system for publishing works in the future that you may not see? For example, we’ve heard suggested that the Padma Purana or the Sat-Sandarbha may be translated. But what would the system be to insure the parampara if you would not personally see these translations?
Srila Prabhupada: That you have to examine expertly.
Tamala Krsna: In other words, there’s no set principle that only the works which you have already translated can be published by the BBT. If there is some worthy translation of a bona fide Vedic reference, if it’s properly done, the BBT could publish it.
Srila Prabhupada: That we are doing, just like Hindi. We are doing other languages. If it is properly translated, it can be…
Tamala Krsna: Even if it’s a work which you have not yet translated yourself.
Srila Prabhupada: No, no, no, the principle is… Just like my translation, another person translating into Hindi or other languages, we are publishing. Similarly, if somebody has translated properly, it can be published. But amongst our disciples, I don’t think there are many who can translate properly.
Ramesvara: None. We’re not eager to publish anything which is not perfect, because you have already set the highest standard for the BBT. The name BBT means the highest standard right now in the world.
Srila Prabhupada: That is good answer.
Kirtanananda: Therefore, Srila Prabhupada, we think that you cannot leave us very soon.
Srila Prabhupada: I don’t want. But if I am obliged, what can I do?
Kirtanananda: If you don’t want, Krsna will not want.
Srila Prabhupada: A realized soul, must be. Otherwise, simply by imitating A-B-C-D will not help. My purports are liked by people because it is presented as practical experience. (aside:) It is within the mouth.
Bhavananda: I’m sorry.
Srila Prabhupada: Such a nice instrument, (laughter) that it must enter into the mouth. Then it will act. That kind of instrument not required. It must remain three miles off. Our translation must be documents. They are not ordinary… One cannot become unless one is very realized. It is not A-B-C-D translation.
Bhagavan: It’s not a matter of scholarship.
Srila Prabhupada: And Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, amara ajnaya guru hana. One can understand the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he can become guru. Or one who understands his guru’s order, the same parampara, he can become guru. And therefore I shall select some of you. (hums)
Satsvarupa: That’s all the questions.
Srila Prabhupada: So there is no question of changing GBC.
Satsvarupa: No.
Srila Prabhupada: Rather, one who is competent, he can be selected to act by the board of the GBC.
Tamala Krsna: Of course, if someone has a falldown, just like in the past some GBC men have fallen down…
Srila Prabhupada: He should be replaced.
Tamala Krsna: Then he should be replaced. But that’s a serious falldown, not some minor discrepancy.
Srila Prabhupada: They must be all ideal acarya-like. In the beginning we have done for working. Now we should be very cautious. Anyone who is deviating, he can be replaced.
Tamala Krsna: So Srila Prabhupada, there’s chanting party ready to do sankirtana. So may they come in?
Srila Prabhupada: Hm.
Tamala Krsna: Thank you, Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: Jaya. (end).

Major Source : Provided by a Friend

FROM MARCH 1, 1977 GBC RESOLUTIONS:

Resolved: Division of world wide GBC zones.

1. Hrdayananda Maharaj  :a) San Paulo and Rio De Janiero and the farm in Brazil
2. b)  Caracas,Venezuela.
3. c) Bogata,Coloumbia.
4. d) Lima,Peru.  e)Santiiago,Chile.
5. f) Guayaquil,Equador and co-GBC responsibility for Spain and Portugal.

He will maintain BBT Spanish responsibilities with assistance of Pancha
Dravida Swami.

2. Pancha Dravida Swami    : Mexico,Central America and Guyana, Santo
   Domingo, Trininad, L.A., Spanish BBT office.
3. Brahmananda Swami      : GBC of Africa and South Africa.
4. Bhagavan Das            : France, Benelox, Italy, co-GBC of Spain and
   Portugal.
5. Harikesh Swami          :Germanic, Switzerland, Scandinevia East
   Europe. Also preaching in Russia.

6.Jaya Tirtha Das          :British Isles, Mid-West USA, Detroit, Chicago, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis.

Also he is to co-operate with Brahamananda Swami in management of Africa
and South Africa.

7. Satsvarupa Das Goswami  : Go to Los Angeles to be editor in chief of
   Back to Godhead.

North zone, Berkely, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Dallas.

8.Rameswara Swami          : Los Angeles, San Diego, Laguna- Beach, Denver.

9. Balavanta Das          : Atlanta, Tennessee Farm, New Orleans,
   Mississippi Farm, Gainsville, Miami, Houston
10. Rupanuga Das          : Wash.D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, St Louis,
    St.Louis Farm, Ottawa, Montreal.
11. Tamal Krsna Goswami shall be Srila Prabhupada’s permanent secretary
    and will retain GBC responsibility for New York, Pennsylvania Farm,
    Boston, Puerto Rico and Radha Damodar- Party Adi Kesava Swami will
    immediately supervise all these areas as special assistant to the
    GBC.Tamal Krsna Maharaj will also take the zone of Red China.
12. Gopal Krsna Das        : The North and West sections of India.
13. Gargamuni Swami        : The Estern section of India, including Calcutta and Mayapur

Satadhanya Swami is also appointed as President of Calcutta and Panihati.

14. Hansaduta Das Goswami  : The south India including Hyderabad Farm and Ceylon.
15. Gurukripa Swami        : Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong.
16. Bali Mardan Das        : Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, South SeaIslands, Book distribution in South East Asia.
17. Atreya Rsi Das        : Mid-East

May 28, 1977 Entry in GBC Minutes Book

Sourced from article at following link

Source – ISKCON Journal, Vol 1. No 1 – Special Gaura Purnima Issue  1990
Found at – ISKCON JOURNAL.doc – Hinduism Today Home Page
Contains – GBC Minute Book Entry of May 28, 1977. Read at the end.

GBC MINUTES BOOK

The following is from the GBC minutes of May 28, 1977, entered just before and just after the conversation. The first entry records the questions the GBC gave the sub-committee to ask Srila Prabhupada; the second, the GBC’S understanding of Prabhupada’s reply. Eighteen GBC members immediately understood and accepted that Srila Prabhupada expected his disciples to become diksa gurus after his departure. Not one of them had any inkling of any posthumous ritvik notion.

For 100 devotees for India the members of this committee will take this task as their highest priority.

Resolved! The following questions will be taking to Srila Prabhupada for his answers.  They will be presented by a committee of Tamal Krishna Goswami, Satsvarupa Goswami, Jagadisha, Rupanuga, Bhagavan, Kirtanananda Swami, Bali Mardan.

1) How long should GBC members remain in office?

2) How can GBC members who leave he replaced?

3) In the absence of Srila Prabhupada what is the procedure for first, second and sannyasa initiations?

4) What is the relationship of the person who gives this initiation to the person who he gives it to?

5) Is then a provision for publication of other translations of Vaisnava scriptures by the BBT after the disappearance of Srila Prabhupad?

For the purpose of recording information Srila Prabhupada’s answers to the above questions are given as follows:

1) GBC members shall remain permanently.  If a member leaves the GBC can appoint new GBC members.

2) Srila Prabhupada said he will appoint several devotees who shall perform initiations in the future even after his disappearance. The disciples they accept shall be their disciples and Srila Prabhupada will be their grand spiritual master.

3) New translations of Vedic works can be published in the future even after Srila Prabhupada’s departure, but they can only be done by one who is very expert, at present Srila Prabhupada acknowledged there are very few such men.

Vrindavana!

Morning meeting May 28, 1977

(There followers 18 signatures of the GBC members)

Summary Report of GBC Meetings from May 27 to 29

Source – Found within VNN Article “GBC Suppressed the Truth”
Found at – http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9912/ET13-5073.html

December 13, 1999   VNN5073 Comment on this story

GBC Suppressed the Truth

BY LOCANANANDA DAS

EDITORIAL, Dec 13 (VNN) — New evidence has just been discovered that suggests a GBC conspiracy to suppress instructions given by Srila Prabhupada concerning how he wanted initiations to be performed after his departure.

In May of 1977, the members of the GBC were summoned to Vrindavana, India to meet with Srila Prabhupada when His Divine Grace thought his departure from this world was imminent. His Divine Grace revealed to a committee of GBC members that he was going to recommend some of his disciples to act as officiating acharyas to perform first and second initiations when he would no longer be with us. As evidenced by the following document, the GBC decided at the time that devotees throughout the world should not be informed of this most important revelation made by their beloved spiritual master.

The repercussions of the decision to suppress the truth and the subsequent deviation from Srila Prabhupada’s instructions have left devoted followers of His Divine Grace deadlocked over the issue of guru succession and initiations in ISKCON for more than two decades.

The document in question is a summary report of the GBC meetings held during the three days from May 27-29, 1977. The report was sent out to all ISKCON temple presidents and begins with a list of names of the GBC members in attendance. The first point mentioned in the report is that a list of trustees of all ISKCON properties was submitted to Srila Prabhupada. The second point states that committees were formed to improve the original charter and expand the Bureau of Management in India. Point number three deals with the questions posed by the GBC committee concerning how Srila Prabhupada’s mission was to be continued under the direction of the GBC after his departure. It is this third item that is of great significance.

A review of the document shows quite clearly that the GBC deliberately omitted from the report Srila Prabhupada’s answer to the question concerning initiations. This intentional omission was apparently made to conceal Srila Prabhupada’s wishes from his disciples worldwide concerning the initiation procedures he wanted followed after his departure. Had this been an honest presentation of the facts, the report would have stated:

“When asked how first and second initiations would be performed after he was no longer with us, Srila Prabhupada said that he was going to recommend some of his disciples to act as officiating acharyas.”

The text of Srila Prabhupada’s conversation with the GBC committee was not disclosed for many years, which has created a credibility gap between the leaders of ISKCON and ISKCON’s general membership.

Six weeks later, a letter issued on July 9th, 1977 bearing Srila Prabhupada’s signature was sent to all temple presidents to explain changes that were being made in initiation procedures. It was the outcome of a discussion that had taken place two days earlier between Srila Prabhupada and his secretary. In that conversation, to resolve the problem of an initiation backlog, Srila Prabhupada first recommended that senior sannyasis could again perform initiation ceremonies as had been done before his illness. However, when the secretary reminded Srila Prabhupada of the May 28th meeting with the GBC, this historic conversation evolved into the naming of the officiating acharyas, referred to in the letter as “ritvik representatives”.

Srila Prabhupada had said he was going to recommend some of his disciples to perform initiations on his behalf after his disappearance, and the July 9th letter was the fulfillment of that promise. According to the May 28th announcement to the GBC, those initiated during his physical presence by representatives of the acharya would be considered his direct disciples, while those initiated after his disappearance by officiating acharyas would be considered his second generation of disciples, or granddisciples. The difference was considered to be one of formalities, since all members of ISKCON throughout the course of its history would perpetually serve, worship and follow the teachings of their great preceptor acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. That is the principle that unifies the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The document presented below was transcribed exactly from the original which accounts for any spelling or grammatical errors. Because the only remaining copy may be the one in my possession, I recommend that devotees save copies in their files for future reference.

Beginning of Document

GBC MEETINGS Vrindabana (Krsna Balarama Mandir) May 27-29, 1977

Signatures of Attendance

Adi Kesava Swami (acting GBC)
Harikesa Swami
Atreya Rishi dasa
Hridayananda Goswami
Balavanta dasa
Jagadisa das
Bali Mardan dasa
Jayapataka Swami
Bhagavan dasa
Kirtanananda Swami
Bhavananda Goswami (non GBC member)
Pancadravida Swami
Brahmananda Swami
Ramesvara Swami
Gargamuni Swami
Rupanuga das
Giriraj das (non GBC member)
Satsvarupa Goswami
Gopal Krsna das
Swarupa Damodara das
Guru Kripa Swami
Tamal Krsna Goswami

SUMMARY REPORT

1. A list of trustees for all ISKCON properties worldwide was submitted to Srila Prabhupada at his request. Properties in India can never be sold, mortgaged, etc. Properties outside India in principle should never be sold, but in the event it is necessary, they can be mortgaged, etc. only with the signed approval of all the appointed trustees. The list of trustees (and instructions for setting up this “trustee-system” legally) will be circulated by the GBC Property Committee to all GBC members and temple presidents for immediate implementation.
2. For ISKCON India, committees were formed to protect the Society by making improvements in the original “charter”, expanding the Bureau of Management (for India), and seriously researching permanent residency visas as our top priority.
3. A list of questions was presented to Prabhupada, some of which he said he would tell us later. Two significant questions His Divine Grace did reply to are:
4. GBC members shall remain permanently. If a member leaves, the GBC can appoint new GBC members.
5. New translations of Vedic works can be published in the future, even after Srila Prabhupada’s departure, by the BBT but they can only be done by one who is very expert and advanced in his realization. At present, Prabhupada acknowledged, there is no one yet qualified.

(Note – added by Gadadhar Dasa  – Above answer does not include any thing about discussions that took place with Srila Prabhupada regarding initiations in future)

4. In order to help the India Yatras, a co-GBC was appointed for liasion purposes, especially to assist with manpower and financial requirements- for each of the major India projects as follows:
   a. Bombay: Ramesvara Swami and the Western USA Zone
   b. Mayapura: Tamal Krsna Goswami, Adi Kesava Swami and the Northeast USA Zone
   c. Vrindavana: Bhagavan dasa and the Southern Europe Zone
   d. Hyderbad Farm: Harikesa Swami and the North Europe Zone
   e. Hyderbad temple: Hrdayananda Goswami, Pancadravida Swami and the two Latin America Zones

(note: this does not mean that assisting these projects is the exclusive responsibility of these western zones- these still remain the whole Society’s projects, and we are all responsible)

5. The Australia GBC Zone and Hari Sauri dasa will be responsible for assisting Fiji.
6. As the date for the Bombay opening is fixed (October 21) funds are required immediately and a short term solution adopted was that Nama Hatta would make one more substantial payment in June, and funds would be borrowed from Spiritual Sky Incense Co. in LA for a comparable payment in June. The main source of increased funds is recognized as increasing book distribution, and the US BBT must resume its monthly payments at the end of July.
7. Each temple must donate a fixed contribution each month to ISKCON Food Relief, on the following allocation:

small temple: $50.00 medium temple: $100.00 large temple: $150.00 maha-large temple $200.00

Each GBC man shall open one zonal account, and be responsible to collect money from all his temples, then send it in one sum to Adi Kesava Swami for forwarding to ISKCON Food Relief in India. The India centers distributing food must send the GBC regular reports of their prasad distribution, including photos.

8. The profit made by the US BBT by selling 100,000 records to temples will be set up as a travel fund for the 20 Argentina devotees going to India, and for repaying the Food Relief debt of Rs. 50,000 to Mayapur.
9. As each BBT division must allocate funds for temple construction, and as the Latin America zones are responsible for assisting the Hyderbad temple, the Spanish BBT construction money will be sent each month to Hyderbad to complete the temple construction there (estimated completion by January 1) and thereafter their monthly allotment sent to Srila Prabhupada to repay Hyderbad’s loan from His Divine Grace.

10) RESOLVED: Whereas Srila Prabhupada’s desires and goals for expanding ISKCON activities through special projects in India (construction, development, maintenance, food distribution, etc.) are known to all GBC members, it is resolved that the GBC body accepts the final responsibility for these.

End of Document

THE JULY 9thLETTER

Following is the text of the July 9th, 1977 Letter, which is Srila Prabhupada’s last signed directive on the matter of initiations in ISKCON. This letter serves as the foundation of Ritvik-vada philosophy.

July 9th, 1977

To All G.B.C., and Temple Presidents

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

July 9th, 1977

To All G.B.C., and Temple Presidents

Dear Maharajas and Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vrndavana, Srila Prabhupad indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as “rittik” — representative of the acarya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:

His Holiness Kirtanananda Swami

His Holiness Satsvarupa das Gosvami

His Holiness Jayapataka Swami

His Holiness Tamal Krsna Gosvami

His Holiness Hrdayananda Gosvami

His Holiness Bhavananda Gosvami

His Holiness Hamsadutta Swami

His Holiness Ramesvara Swami

His Holiness Harikesa Swami

His Grace Bhagavan das Adhikari

His Grace Jayatirtha das Adhikari

In the past Temple Presidents have written to Srila Prabhupad recommending a particular devotee’s initiation. Now that Srila Prabhupad has named these representatives, Temple Presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple.

After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupad by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gayatri thread, just as Srila Prabhupada has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C.

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the above eleven senior devotees acting as His representative. After the Temple President receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajna in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupad, to be included in 18

[His] Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book.

Hoping this finds you all well.

Your servant,

[signed]

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to Srila Prabhupad

Approved: [signed] A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Gaudiya Matha History

760816rc.bom              Conversations
Srila Prabhupada: Liberated soul never says that “I am liberated.” As soon as he says “liberated,” he’s a rascal. A liberated soul will never say that “I am liberated.” That is liberated. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He is God–guru more murkha dekhi’ karila sasan. “My Guru Maharaja saw Me a fool number one, and he has chastised Me.” He’s God. This is the example. If one remains always a servant ever-lastingly of guru, then he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he’s a rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Guru more murkha dekhi’. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why He’s posing Himself that murkha? “I am fool number one.” That means that is liberation. You must be ready always to be chastised by guru. Then he’s liberated. And as soon as he thinks that “I am beyond this chastisement, I am liberated,” he’s a rascal. Why Caitanya Mahaprabhu says guru more murkha dekhi’ karila sasan? This is sahajiya-vada. He is thinking, “Oh I have become liberated. I don’t require any direction of my guru. I’m liberated.” Then he’s rascal. Why this Gaudiya Matha failed? Because they tried to become more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave all direction and never said that “This man should be the next acarya.” But these people, just after his passing away they began to fight, who shall be acarya. That is the failure. They never thought, “Why Guru Maharaja gave us instruction so many things, why he did not say that this man should be acarya?” They wanted to create artificially somebody acarya and everything failed. They did not consider even with common sense that if Guru Maharaja wanted to appoint somebody as acarya, why did he not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insist upon it. They declared some unfit person to become acarya. Then another man came, then another, acarya, another acarya. So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Maharaja. That is perfection. And as soon as he learns the Guru Maharaja is dead, “Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.” Then he’s finished.

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Books – “Conversations With Srila Prabhupada”

In regard to “Conversations With Srila Prabhupada” – it is a set of 37 books published by BBT in 1991. One Thousand sets were published. It says         “Unedited and Unabridged”,

“Complete Archival Collectors Edition”

For example “770528me.vrn” I quote in Item (1) – (a) is an electronic version of the same content in the book. One devotee sent me this information. I do not know where I can find electronic version of “770528me.vrn” and all  “Coversations with Srila Prabhupada” on the internet. Please let me know if you know about it.

Secondly, in these books each speaker name is “bold” so it is easier to quickly scan through and get names of speakers.

Third, books are chapter(s) for a date. For every date you may not find a chapter and for some dates you may find multiple chapters.

THE END