THE CONSTITUTION International Society for Krishna Consciousness As It Is TABLE OF CONTENTS PREAMBLE ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 ARTICLE 1 - INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS AS IT IS .......................................... 8 1.1 Purpose of Constitution ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Constitution as Absolute .................................................................................................................... 8 1.3 Constitution as Legal Determinant .................................................................................................... 8 1.4 Srila Prabhupada on Constitution and Purpose of Society ................................................................ 8 1.5 The Krishna Consciousness Movement ........................................................................................... 11 1.6 Further Definitions of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness As It Is ........................ 11 ARTICLE 2 - THE MEMBERS ......................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Definition of 'Members' ................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Oath of Allegiance ............................................................................................................................ 13 2.3 Conflicting Principles ........................................................................................................................ 15 ARTICLE 3 - MEMBER RIGHTS ..................................................................................................................... 16 3.1 Autonomy of Members .................................................................................................................... 16 3.2 Society Lawbook .............................................................................................................................. 16 3.3 Protection of Member Rights ........................................................................................................... 17 3.4 Judiciary System ............................................................................................................................... 19 ARTICLE 4 - MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIETY ............................................................................................. 23 4.1 Management Instructions ................................................................................................................ 23 4.2 Decentralization ............................................................................................................................... 23 4.3 Founding Members and Brahminical Council .................................................................................. 24 4.4 The Governing Body Commission .................................................................................................... 27 4.5 Group Members and their Appointed Leaders ................................................................................ 36 4.6 Direction of Management and Topmost Urgency Documents ........................................................ 36 4.7 Control and Protection of Property and Assets ............................................................................... 39 ARTICLE 5 - THE SANKIRTAN MOVEMENT .................................................................................................. 40 5.1 Sanatana-dharma ............................................................................................................................. 40 5.2 Yuga-dharma .................................................................................................................................... 40 5.3 Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Sankirtan Movement ........................................................................ 40 5.4 Hare Krsna Maha-mantra ................................................................................................................. 42 5.5 Harinama Sankirtan .......................................................................................................................... 43 5.6 Book Sankirtan and Distribution of Literature ................................................................................. 43 5.7 Preaching Krsna Consciousness ....................................................................................................... 44 5.8 Temple and Group Member Programs ............................................................................................ 45 5.9 Social Welfare Activities ................................................................................................................... 49 5.10 Cooperation ................................................................................................................................... 50 ARTICLE 6 - SADHANA-BHAKTI .................................................................................................................... 51 6.1 Vaisnava Values ................................................................................................................................ 51 6.2 Four Regulative Principles ................................................................................................................ 51 6.3 Nine Devotional Processes ............................................................................................................... 51 6.4 Principles of Devotional Service ....................................................................................................... 51 6.5 Sadhana Practice .............................................................................................................................. 52 6.6 Vaisnava Decorum ........................................................................................................................... 55 ARTICLE 7 - DAIVI-VARNASRAMA ............................................................................................................... 57 7.1 Definition .......................................................................................................................................... 57 7.2 Establishment of Daivi-varnasrama ................................................................................................. 57 7.3 Instructions on Varnasrama ............................................................................................................. 57 7.4 Daivi-varnasrama in Current Practice .............................................................................................. 59 7.5 Simple Living, High Thinking ............................................................................................................. 62 7.6 Education ......................................................................................................................................... 64 ARTICLE 8 - GURU-TATTVA .......................................................................................................................... 66 8.1 Connecting to the Pure Sampradaya ............................................................................................... 66 8.2 Caitya Guru ....................................................................................................................................... 67 8.3 Book Bhagavat ................................................................................................................................. 67 8.4 Vartma-pradarsaka Guru ................................................................................................................. 68 8.5 Siksa Guru ......................................................................................................................................... 68 8.6 Diksa Guru ........................................................................................................................................ 71 ARTICLE 9 - SADHU-SANGA ......................................................................................................................... 79 9.1 The Association of Devotees ............................................................................................................ 79 9.2 Sadhu-sanga ..................................................................................................................................... 79 9.3 Absence of Personal Sadhu-sanga ................................................................................................... 79 9.4 Sanga Outside the Society ................................................................................................................ 80 9.5 Association with the Gaudiya Matha ............................................................................................... 80 9.6 Association with GBC/ISKCON Devotees ......................................................................................... 81 ARTICLE 10 - RATIFICATION & AMENDMENTS ............................................................................................ 82 10.1 Initial Constitution Review and Ratification Process ..................................................................... 82 10.2 Failed Ratification Vote .................................................................................................................