Avoiding Rasika Literature

The members of ISKCON should regularly study Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Caitanya-caritamrta, and the other books given by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The recent proliferation in ISKCON of literature focusing on "rasika-bhakti," intimate Radha-Krsna lila, and other subject matters suitable only for highly advanced souls, represents a departure from Srila Prabhupada's orders and obstructs the smooth spiritual progress of ISKCON devotees. ISKCON members should therefore avoid collecting, reading, discussing, or distributing such literature.(95)

Support and Adjust to GBC Decisions

The authorized forum for GBC policy is the annual GBC meeting, annual ISKCON Leaders meeting, annual sannyasis assembly, and similar official meetings held after the Gaura-purnima festival at Sri Mayapur. Outside of these meetings it is the duty of all ISKCON members and leaders to support and adjust to GBC decisions. Srila Prabhupada's principle was to meet once a year, make decisions, and follow them during the year. Activities contrary to this, shall be considered as a serious breach of etiquette and discipline.(86)

When there are significant difficulties with a GBC member one should state his problem in writing and forward to the GBC Executive Committee for necessary consideration.(82)

Categories of ISKCON Members

Temple-dependent Resident Members

Definition

A Temple-dependent Resident Member is defined as a devotee who is dependent upon ISKCON for residential facilities, food, clothing, and basic health care.

Temple-dependent Resident Members have voluntarily taken a more renounced, less materialistic, plainer form of life for the purpose of dedicating maximum energy toward spiritual advancement and devotional service to Lord Krsna.

Such devotees are free to leave the asrama at any time and continue their residence on their own free will for the purpose of engaging in Krsna consciousness.

Duties

Temple-dependent Resident Members shall have the following obligations and responsibilities

1. To maintain the Krsna conscious standards of behavior, including following the four regulative principles and chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds of japa per day.

2. To attend the spiritual programs in the temple regularly.

3. To adhere to ISKCON Law and the regulations of the temple or asrama.

4. To be honest and straightforward in all dealings.

5. To be loyal to ISKCON and report any deviations from ISKCON standards to higher authorities.

6. To make no claim of ownership over ISKCON property which has been allocated for use in one's service, and to return such property when requested or when one has decided to leave the asrama or community of residence.

7. To agree to be transferred from one temple to another as may be needed from time to time. Such circumstances require mutual consideration. (Special consideration and sensitivity should be given when asking families with children to transfer to another temple.)

8. To take any regular health test according to local temple policy.

9. To settle disputes through the ISKCON Judicial System or through ISKCON approved arbitration, and not to take recourse in a court of law against ISKCON except where expressly allowed under ISKCON Law.

Regulations

8.3.1.3.1      Standards of Service

1. Sannyasis, brahmacaris, vanaprasthas, and brahminical grhasthas (living in facilities provided by ISKCON) are to be fully engaged in devotional service with all their time and energy.(92)

2. There are grhasthas who dedicate the major part of their time and energies to render devotional service in ISKCON. They need, however, to earn a minimum amount of income for family obligations that are not borne by ISKCON. They are exempted from the fifty percent(50%) donation rule. (92)

Temple-dependent Resident Members shall engage in devotional service as instructed by the local authority with a minimum of 48 hours of practical service a week.

8.3.1.3.2      Change of Temples for Temple Resident Devotees

8.3.1.3.2.1  Both Temple Presidents Should Agree

If a devotee wants to change temples, his present Temple President should agree as well as the new Temple President. The GBC member may be consulted if there is disagreement.

8.3.1.3.2.2  Permission is Necessary To Serve in India

Any temple devotee seriously desiring to go and serve ISKCON in India must obtain the permission of his GBC Zonal Secretary and Temple President. The GBC Zonal Secretary should not discourage serious devotees in their zone from serving ISKCON in India if they are having a serious and appropriate service to do in India. However, they shall still require the permission of GBC Zonal Secretary and Temple President.(77)

8.3.1.3.2.3  Devotees should not be encouraged

                     to Abandon Prescribed Temple Duties

Even if there is any alleged deficiency in a temple program, that is not sufficient grounds in itself for a sannyasi, party leader or anyone else to encourage a devotee to abandon his prescribed duty in the temple. If the Temple President and GBC representative do not correct a deficiency in a period of time agreed upon by the Temple President, the GBC representative and the devotee making a complaint, the GBC, Divisional Council or appropriate authority may transfer the devotee to other duties.(77)

8.3.1.3.3      Child Protection Concerns

Persons who after an ISKCON investigation are confirmed to be guilty of child abuse must report their status to the local Temple President upon their arrival in an ISKCON community. Also, it is the obligation of a Temple President to determine, for every member joining his community, if the newcomer is a confirmed child abuser. The Temple President is then obliged to notify the local householders and GBC of the offender's presence.(94)

8.3.1.3.4      Written Agreement Between the Temple and the Resident

A simple written agreement should exist between the temple and dependent resident members stating conditions under which the residential dependent members will be maintained by the temple.

Facilities

The facilities ISKCON temples should provide for Temple-dependent Resident Devotees will vary according to local conditions. Generally, though, the minimum should include:

8.3.1.4.1      For All Members

1. Modest but adequate dormitory facility.

2. Adequate Krsna-prasadam.

3. Suitable clothing for protection of body.

4. Basic medical care or health insurance as affordable by the temple. (Strong encouragement is given that temple managers see this as a basic requirement and not a luxury.)

5. To not have their privilege of residence revoked without adequate cause.

6. Reasonable allowance for study time.

7. Sufficient time for health programs if required.

8. Regular program for attending India pilgrimage.

9. Reasonable time for cultivation of family members.

8.3.1.4.2      For Married Families, Additionally

1. Adequate residence for family and children.

2. Education for children

3. Life insurance for parents to maintain dependents in case of unexpected death, as affordable by temple.

4. Reasonable arrangements for family needs to be met with dignity.

Financial Standards

1. That, since preaching Krsna consciousness is the principle business of ISKCON, the GBC recommends that, as far as possible, devotees living in the asramas of ISKCON temples should collect money through preaching activities such as book distribution, membership, cultivation of the congregation, restaurants, temple stores, etc. Since Srila Prabhupada stated that "business means to help the preaching", it may also be necessary for ISKCON Leaders to organize businesses which utilize devotee resources in generating income for the support of the temple. However, ISKCON Leaders involved in such activities should insure that the main focus of the temple remains on preaching and not on business.

Business activities other than as described above are permissible, provided they are not in contradiction to the regulative principles. As far as possible, ISKCON Leaders should encourage devotees for preaching work, while also engaging devotees according to their nature and asrama, and the temple needs.

Recognizing that there are varied economic and social conditions in different parts of the world, as well as the fact that sometimes special collection drives have to be organized for particular projects, the GBC accepts that the sale of paraphernalia may be necessary as a means of generating income. These programs of paraphernalia sales, however, fall within the realm of "business", or "collection" activities and should therefore not be termed as "sankirtana".

2. That transactions between ISKCON entities and devotees involving the transfer of funds over US $1,000 or equivalent, should be substantiated by written contracts, purchase orders, invoices and/or other appropriate documentation. This principle should also be followed in dealings between devotees and non-devotees.(92)

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