1996

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

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

The first objectives of this Ministry:
STEP ONE: (Complete by July 1996)
Appoint Regional Ministers. The regional minister will by chosen conjointly by local senior Vaisnavis, GBC, and other ISKCON leaders. Her qualifications include: ability to communicate 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 Women’s 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 one’s husband.
– avoid intimate dealings with men.
– as far as possible appoint a senior man to deal with men’s 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 deal with the women. The general principle is that the temple president should avoid intimate dealings with the opposite sex.”

1997

501. THAT the GBC Body hereby declares that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness does not condone abuse of any kind, especially that which is directed 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 firmly 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

Women’s Participation
618 [LAW]

WHEREAS, the Women’s Ministry presentation on March 1st, 2000 to the GBC Body brought a clearer understanding of the mistakes of the past and the need to provide equal and full opportunity for devotional service for all devotees in ISKCON, regardless of gender, and

WHEREAS, it is clearly following in our line that all people are welcome to join Lord Caitanya’s 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 stifled 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 Prabhupada’s 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 women’s needs and concerns,

Women’s Participation 19 [LAW]
A. All ISKCON temples are to allow all qualified 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                     Women’s Issue Discussion in India
Whereas, there is a need for a dialogue between the GBC Body and ISKCON leaders in India about implementation of the resolution 618/2000 concerning women in ISKCON;

[ACTION ORDER] Resolved, That the GBC Body hereby appoints a subcommittee, whose 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 affirm that the grihastha ashram is a valuable institution that brings great benefit. Those who sincerely serve Lord Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada in this ashram will make tangible spiritual advancement.

We also affirm 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 Krishna’s 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

Educate congregations, and particularly youth, about the spiritual and social value of Krishna conscious marriage based on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings

Confront and correct any preaching or teaching that undermines the health and strength of the 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 conflict resolution skills

2006

425.           Female Diksa Guru
[Statement]
The GBC accepts the basic philosophical conclusion presented in the SAC’s Female Diksa Guru Paper, i.e. that a mature, qualified, 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 define and deal with abuse against women in ISKCON.
421.             Women’s Ministry Regional Representatives
[Guideline]
Whereas women reside in ISKCON temples and communities across the globe where customs, culture, and facility vary greatly. While the basic principles of full engagement in devotional service, protection, and freedom from exploitation are foundational principles for all women, how they are applied locally may vary. Thus, it is imperative that the Women’s Ministry is properly represented in each region of the globe.

Whereas the original GBC resolution forming the Women’s Ministry directs the Ministry to appoint regional Women’s Ministry representatives.

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

2008

311.           End Notes or Appendices in Srila Prabhupada’s Books
Whereas some of Srila Prabhupada’s 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 man–whether her husband or some other man–she 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 beneficial 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.

2009

305.               Female Diksa Gurus
[Action Order]
Whereas there is a factual need for more diksa-gurus in ISKCON to accommodate the worldwide preaching;
Whereas there are mature female preachers qualified to take on diksa-guru responsibilities;
Whereas there are a number of such qualified 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 SAC’s Female Diksa Guru Paper, i.e. that a mature, qualified, 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 SAC’s Female Diksa Guru Paper that a mature, qualified, 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 qualified 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 ISKCON’s 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:

RESOLVED:

A GBC committee consisting of Bir Krishna Das Goswami (convenor), Bhanu Swami, Badrinarayan Das and Praghosa Das shall research and write a paper on the subject of female diksa gurus based on Srila Prabhupada’s 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 specifically document and provide justification 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 final draft to be sent to the Executive Committee by January 15, 2014. The Executive Committee will circulate that final 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 Prabhupada’s teachings;

Whereas another section of ISKCON cites conversational or correspondence-based evidence that Srila Prabhupada addressed female disciples as “Prabhu;”

Whereas there is increasing discord among the proponents of these two opinions;

Whereas all initiated women also have the title “Devi” as part of their spiritual name, an address that could also apply to the non-initiated

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 Prabhupada’s 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 activity—sankirtan—is 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

The subject of Vaisnavis initiating in ISKCON is further tabled until additional discussion at the 2014 GBC Midterm Meeting. In the meantime the GBC Eexecutive Committee will work on the following process:

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 Prabhupada’s quotations, varnasrama-dharma, history within our
sampradaya and other Vaisnava sampradayas, etc.

3. As far as possible all documentation will be verified 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.