ISKCON Governance Analysis

How the GBC Captured Control After Srila Prabhupada

An examination of the transition of authority in ISKCON following Srila Prabhupada's passing and the GBC's consolidation of power.

Historical Timeline

1966

Srila Prabhupada establishes ISKCON in New York as a legal entity with a trustee-based model.

1970

Prabhupada establishes the Governing Body Commission (GBC) as the "ultimate managing authority" of ISKCON.

1977

Prabhupada's will designates the GBC as the ultimate authority for managing ISKCON.

Post-1977

After Prabhupada's passing, the GBC gradually centralizes authority and expands its role.

Srila Prabhupada's Initial Vision

Trust-Based Structure

Prabhupada designed ISKCON as a trustee-based model where authority was delegated to manage the society but ultimately derived from his spiritual leadership.

GBC's Original Role

The GBC was established to oversee administrative and spiritual standards while Prabhupada focused on writing and preaching.

Local Initiative

Prabhupada emphasized that temple presidents should act with local initiative while remaining accountable to the GBC.

"GBC does not mean to control a center. GBC means to see that the activities of a center go on nicely."

- Srila Prabhupada

How the GBC Consolidated Control

Centralization of Power

After Prabhupada's passing, the GBC gradually centralized authority, expanding its role from oversight to direct control over appointments, resources, and policies.

Structural Mechanisms

The GBC created hierarchical structures including zonal secretaries, regional governing bodies, and executive committees to enforce compliance.

Theological Shifts

The promotion of a "diksha guru" system where appointed gurus were treated as absolute authorities, sometimes leading to abuses of power.

Critiques of GBC's Control

Authoritarian Tendencies

Critics accuse the GBC of creating a "rubberstamped guru" system where disciples are discouraged from questioning authority.

Departure from Vision

Some argue the GBC exploited ambiguities in Prabhupada's directives to consolidate power beyond his original intent.

Internal Strife

The GBC struggled with issues like Mayavada philosophy infiltration, pseudo-devotees seeking power, and failure to maintain spiritual standards.

Conclusion: Trustee vs. Inherent Control

Prabhupada established the GBC as a trustee to protect ISKCON's mission after his death. However, the GBC's evolution into a centralized governing body—coupled with theological deviations and administrative failures—led to accusations of "capturing" control beyond its original mandate.

The core issue revolves around whether the GBC adhered to Prabhupada's ideal of collective leadership or transitioned into an inherent hierarchy that diluted local autonomy and spiritual purity.

ISKCON Governance Analysis | Based on Historical Documents and Research