Preaching Krishna Consciousness As It Is

It is the duty of the Society's preachers to present the Krsna consciousness philosophy as it is presented in Srila Prabhupada's books. (76)

Standing of Members

Standards for Devotees In Good Standing

A devotee in good standing may enjoy all the privileges which are normally offered to all the members of the Society, in accordance to their situation, as per ISKCON Law, the ISKCON constitution and the GBC resolutions.

8.1.4.2 Principles for Determining Who Is "In Good Standing"

1. An ISKCON devotee (temple resident/ congregational) who follows the rules and regulations appropriate to his situation, who is not acting inimically to ISKCON or its interests, who is not put under any disciplinary mandate, and;

2. Anyone serving in ISKCON who is a disciple of a bona fide guru, who is faithfully following his vows and obligations to his guru, and;

3. A person who is appropriately adhering to the rules and regulations in his asrama and

4. A spiritual authority who is not on probation or suspension-is in good standing.

This list is not exhaustive, the GBC or its delegated authorities may add standards for determining devotees in good standing as required.

Duties

Loyalty to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada

Seeking Instruction Outside ISKCON Improperly

Since all the spiritual knowledge and instruction required is available in Srila Prabhupada's books and from ISKCON, no ISKCON member shall be allowed to seek spiritual instruction from any other person or institution outside of ISKCON without approval of the GBC Body. Any member of ISKCON who willfully disobeys the above order will thereby sever his connection with ISKCON.(82)

1. Although all respects should be shown to senior Vaisnavas of the Gaudiya-math or other non-ISKCON Vaisnavas, no one should independently approach these respected personalities with the intention of begging advice or opinions regarding management or any controversial matters pertaining to ISKCON. The GBC is the ultimate authority for resolving such matters, and its decisions should be accepted.(79)

Prohibition to Lead Anyone Away from ISKCON

As ISKCON is spiritually non-different from His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, no one has the right to lead anyone away from ISKCON.(82)

Initiation Regulation

Devotees who live and work within ISKCON must be initiated in ISKCON, except one previously initiated by a recognized sampradaya who later wants to join and serve in ISKCON under the approval and direction of the local GBC.(82)

Initiated ISKCON Members Taking Further Initiation

Outside of ISKCON

1. Any ISKCON Leader, sannyasi, or senior devotee who was initiated in ISKCON from a bona fide spiritual master who has taken further initiation outside of it, without appropriate permission, must renounce their non-ISKCON initiation, receive a clearance and be re-assigned a preaching field in order to work again within ISKCON. (82)

2. Such reformed devotees shall be reassigned a preaching field by the GBC Executive Committee, or a Divisional Council and in cases not involving a very senior devotee the local GBC Zonal Secretary, for a one year probation.(82)

3. Such reformed devotees will be reassigned a preaching field by the GBC officers committee for a one year probation.(82)

4. To avoid offenses to Srila Prabhupada and to avoid offenses to his godbrothers, the GBC reminds all ISKCON devotees of Srila Prabhupada's instruction that in general we should avoid the association of His godbrothers and members of other spiritual groups unless one has permission from a GBC member for some specific purpose. Intimate siksa association is prohibited from non-ISKCON spiritual masters.(87)