[1] 

1. He is learned in Sastras. Srila Prabhupada says in the first canto of Srimad Bhagavatam that the acarya
does not deliver lectures capriciously or does not try to screw some obscure meaning out of the scriptures. His sastric knowledge should be firmly based in siddhanta or conclusion, and he should be effective in his practical preaching.
2. He should show understanding of and dedication to Srila Prabhupada's mission, maintaining and establishing book distribution and other projects.
3. He recognizes the GBC as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON.
4. He has excelled in preaching activities.
5. He should also be free from Kamini (attachment to sense gratification), pratistha (false prestige and personal ambitions), and Kancan ( the accumulative spirit).
6. He should be free from nisiddha – acar (behavior against Vaisnava principles); he should also be free of kutinati (diplomatic or duplicitous behavior). He should also be free from puja (the desire for personal worship); and he should be free from labha (mundane profiteering).

[2] 

1. He must agree that his personal mission is the same as the mission of Srila Prabhupada, to flood the world with transcendental literatures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam and to "do as he was doing" in establishing ISKCON all over the world.
2. He must agree that Srila Prabhupada is represented by ISKCON and that ISKCON is governed by the GBC. Even Srila Prabhupada said he was a member of ISKCON. Therefore, when Srila Prabhupada gives permission to be a guru, it is to be a guru for and within ISKCON, not outside.
3. He must agree that external behavior is indeed a sign of internal realization and must harmonize with ISKCON policies in general and never act in a way which might unnecessarily jeopardize our worldwide mission. He should understand that taking disciples restricts external behavior.
4. He must agree to carefully study and review aspiring disciples so as not to make a mockery of the initiation process, and he must give his disciples direction and examples which corroborate with that of Srila Prabhupada and teach his disciples that they are part of ISKCON.
5. That as ISKCON is non-different from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, no one has the right to lead anyone away from ISKCON.
6. That when there is significant difficulty with a GBC member one should state his problem in writing and forward it to the GBC officers committee for necessary consideration.

[3] 

Including the following:
“[...] 8. The GBC has failed to maintain and protect the spiritual standards of the Society.

[...] 16. The GBC members have allowed, have failed to halt, or have arranged for or demanded gross misappropriation of facilities and funds for their own self-aggrandizement [...]

18. The GBC has needlessly kept incompetent, fallen, or deviant persons as active members of the GBC body, suppressing, denying, and misrepresenting the nature of their incompetence, fall, and deviation.

[...] 23. The GBC members have displayed gross, rampant impurity in their dealings with one another.

[...] 28. The members of the GBC have neglected and misrepresented numerous other teachings and instructions of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

[...] 29. The GBC has failed to adequately respond to just and ongoing pleas for self-reform.

[...] 32. By allowing, advocating, taking part in, perpetuating, and defending these and other forms of contamination and decay, the members of the GBC have brought the ultimate managing authority of the entire International Society for Krishna Consciousness to a state of disrepute and pollution.”

[4] 

65.  That if a guru is engaged in sense gratification violating either one or more of the regulative principles but there is hope that he can be rectified, then his disciples should allow time for such rectification to take place and they should take shelter of Srila Prabhupada and senior Vaisnavas as siksha gurus.

66.  That if a guru has become hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and it has been shown either by observation or from his own admissions that he has been regularly violating the regulative principles of Krishna Consciousness and that there is virtually no hope for his rectification, then the disciple should reject him and may accept re-initiation.

67.  That if the Spiritual Master takes on demoniac qualities and becomes inimical to ISKCON he should be rejected and the disciple may take re- initiation.

68. That if it is ascertained either by the admission of the guru or through irrefutably reliable witness(es) that the guru was fallen at the time of giving initiation, then the disciple has a legitimate reason to reject him and take re-initiation.

69.  That there should not be any public worship of a guru who is suspended.

70.  That disciples of a suspended guru while performing arotik to the Deities should offer the various articles through Srila Prabhupada to the disciplic succession.

71.  That while offering obeisances in a public place the disciples of a suspended guru should recite Srila
Prabhupada's pranama mantra aloud and should chant the mantras to the suspended gurus silently or not at all.

[5] 

GBC compulsory rules for approval of new gurus:
a) Must be strictly following the four regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds daily.
b) Must have been an initiated disciple for at least ten years.
c) Must not have had a fall-down within 5 years.
d) Must have no record of moral turpitude either in his present activities or his previous record.
e) Must not have allegiance to a spiritual authority outside of ISKCON unless approved by the GBC, i.e. he must have no
loyalty to anything other than to Srila Prabhupada  (non-Prabhupada loyalties).
f) Must not be lacking in understanding and knowledge of the shastra.
g) Must support the GBC system in ISKCON and follow the GBC.

Guidelines for Approval/Disapproval:

a) Should have a Bhaktivedanta or Bhakti-vaibhava degree in philosophy.
b) Should not cause doubt about his ability to follow the code of conduct.
c) Should not be involved in "abnormal situations." An example of this is cited as a disrupted or abnormal family life which
could distract a guru from his guru duties or otherwise prove a disruption for him.
d) Must always be conscientious about presenting proper philosophy.
e) Must always behave responsibly.

[6]  

Privileges of ISKCON members concerning gurus:

a) Privilege to Accept Initiation from Guru of Choice:
Any member of ISKCON may accept initiation from the guru of his choice according to mature faith and desire for advancing
in Krishna Consciousness.  This is provided the guru is eligible to initiate, the candidate is qualified, and that the procedures
authorized in this regard are adhered to.
b) Privilege to listen to any bona fide ISKCON guru's tapes.
c) Privilege of an initiated devotee to serve in ISKCON.
d) Privilege of a disciple to glorify his guru.

[7] 

Code of Conduct for a guru:

a) Standards of action of guru in a temple:
1. No canvassing for disciples.
2. No transferring disciples without permission of authorities.
3. No preaching which distracts faith of existing disciples.
4. Must cooperate with ISKCON spiritual authorities.
5. Must show good example for other devotees.
6. Must work and preach for the interest of the temple.
7. No initiating of any disciple who has not been recommended.
8. No initiating until one's blessing to be a diksa guru is given.
9. Coordinate ceremonies with temple schedule.
10. Should not keep separate accounts unless authorized. (Bank accounts in personal name.)

b) Standards for a guru with ISKCON Spiritual Authority:

[Note: a "spiritual authority" is a temple president, regional secretary, local GBC representative, etc.]

1. Must cooperate with ISKCON spiritual authorities.
2. Must preach to disciples and others to cooperate.
3. Must act according to service position, not guru position.
4. Must not undermine spiritual authorities in any way.
5. Must show financial records if need arises.
6. Must avoid confrontation and settle misunderstanding amicably.

c) Standards for a guru in relation with GBC zonal secretaries:
1. Must act under supervision and coordination of GBC zonal secretaries.
2. Must not leave temple or move without informing GBC.
[This refers to a guru shifting his residence. As this may affect the temples and devotees, the GBC zonal secretary should be          
consulted beforehand.]

d) Standards for a guru in relation with the GBC body:
1. Must respect GBC (Body) as representative of Srila Prabhupada. (A spiritual master is servant to the previous acaryas, therefore respecting the GBC as Srila Prabhupada's representative indicates adopting a respectful serving attitude towards the GBC).
2. Must follow directives of GBC.
3. Must stop initiations if asked to do so by the GBC body.
4. Must follow disciplinary codes as prescribed by GBC Body.

General Codes of Conduct:

a) Protect the faith of all disciples.
b) Encourage the faith of new people in ISKCON.
c) Allow disciples to accept initiation from the guru of their faith.
d) Instruct all devotees to follow GBC system and guru parampara.
e) Not to initiate without receiving full blessings.
f) To surrender one's disciples to the ISKCON temple structure.
g) To be accountable to the spiritual authorities for one's acts.
h) Provision for candidate changing his mind on guru choice.

87.  The following is the GBC position on guru suspension:

a) Warning (or censure) -
That when a deviation or neglect of spiritual practices is detected and the deviation or negligence is not very severe or habitual, or when guru is transgressing the approved guidelines and codes for guru behavior (such as canvassing disciples, etc.) the guru should be warned (or censured) confidentially.

b) Probation -
That if the warnings are not heeded or if the deviation or neglect of spiritual practices are of a more serious nature, or if the transgressions of guru codes of behavior are repeated and serious, the guru may be put under probation with specific conditions which regulates his guru functions (including temporary withdrawal of authorization to initiate new disciples).
In addition he may be given general recommendations or specific activities to perform as guidelines for his rectification and eventual reinstatement.

c) Suspension -
That if a guru repeatedly breaks one or more of the  regulative principles or acts in a manner which seriously and harmfully disregards existing ISKCON or GBC policies or left his ashram of sannyasa without authorization or left the association of devotees and the ISKCON movement, or completely deviates from standard sadhana, he should be suspended.
If a guru is suspended he cannot give initiation, nor maintain an absolute siksa position in relation with his disciples, nor be introduced as initiating spiritual master, nor perform his guru functions such as Vyasa Puja or the acceptance of dakshin.

d) Removal -
If the guru becomes openly inimical to Srila Prabhupada or ISKCON; or otherwise acts demonically; or becomes an impersonalist (mayavadi) or who preaches the philosophy of unauthorized or asampradaya against Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's principles; or blatantly and consistently defies ISKCON and GBC policies; or when one becomes hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and material attachments, as per shastric injunction, he shall be removed from his position as initiating guru.

e) Renunciation of guru responsibilities -
That in situations where a guru becomes hopelessly entangled in sense gratification and material attachments and unable to function or continue acting as spiritual master for his disciples, he may renounce his position and request the GBC to give direction to his disciples for their further advancement in Krishna Consciousness.

f) Permission of disciples to accept re-initiation -
That a disciple of a suspended guru who has severely lost his faith or who has developed an offensive mentality towards his initiating guru, and who is not able to regain his faith, even after hearing so many instructions in the matter, may take permission from the spiritual master for release from vows to accept another initiating guru, take guidance from local GBC men and apply relevant ISKCON laws in this regard; or take permission from the GBC body.

[8] 

That before a devotee can be recommended for initiation or be officially encouraged to take shelter of a particular ISKCON spiritual master he or she should demonstrate a basic understanding of Srila Prabhupada's teachings by answering an oral or written test administered by the Temple President.  The questions to be answered are:

1. What are the qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master?
2. Why are you convinced to follow the orders of the spiritual master in this life, and even life after life?
3. Why does one worship the spiritual master like God?
4. Do you believe the spiritual master speaks the absolute truth?  If so, why?
5. Under what circumstances should the spiritual master be rejected?
6. What are the qualifications and responsibilities of a disciple?
7. What is the unique position of Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON?
8. Why do you accept Lord Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
9. Why do we follow the four regulative principles?
10. Why do we chant Hare Krishna?
11. What is the position of the GBC Body?
12. Explain the difference between the body and the self?
13. What is ISKCON, and why should one remain in ISKCON?

[9] 

That before a candidate can be (first) initiated; the guru must receive a written recommendation from the Temple President under whom the candidate is currently serving.  In the case of candidates who are not full-time ISKCON members, the recommendation must be given by the Temple President of a temple near the candidate who has familiarity with the spiritual status of the candidate.  If said Temple President is also the prospective initiating guru, then special procedures must be followed (see Note below.)  Future legislation will deal with situations where there is no Temple President with sufficient familiarity to make or deny a recommendation, as may occur in the case of congregational members who do not live near an ISKCON temple.
The recommendation of the Temple President must certify that the candidate has fulfilled the qualifications for initiation to the best of his understanding, and, specifically, it must state that the candidate has been engaged in favorable devotional service, has chanted sixteen rounds of japa daily, and has adhered to the four regulative principles, all for the previous twelve months.  It must also state that the candidate is sufficiently knowledgeable in the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness and the structure and purpose of ISKCON to have passed the prescribed examination, and has accepted shelter of the guru since more than six months.  If the candidate has not been serving continuously under the recommending Temple President for the previous twelve months, then the Temple President must still satisfy himself with the activities of the candidate for the full twelve month period by contacting other ISKCON authorities with knowledge of the candidate's activities during the balance time.
The Corresponding Secretary shall prepare and make available to Temple Presidents and Initiating Gurus a standard form which may be used for the recommendation letter.
This formal recommendation process is not intended to replace or overshadow the (more important) need for other regular contact between the ISKCON devotees who are guiding the candidate and the prospective spiritual master regarding the spiritual progress of the candidate.  Also, the prospective spiritual master is under no obligation to initiate a devotee because a recommendation has been given or is available to be given.
The same procedures apply for re-initiation.  In the case of second initiation, a written recommendation is also required from the appropriate ISKCON authority as above.  This recommendation must certify that the candidate has fulfilled the qualifications for second initiation to the best of his understanding, and, specifically, it must state that the candidate has been steadily engaged in favorable devotional service, has chanted sixteen rounds of japa daily, and has adhered to the four regulative principles, all for the previous twelve months (having received first initiation more than twelve months before).  As in the case of a recommendation for first initiation, if the candidate has not been serving continuously under the recommending Temple President for the previous twelve months, then the Temple President must still satisfy himself with the activities of the candidate for the full twelve month period by contacting other ISKCON authorities with knowledge of the candidate's activities during the balance time.  A similar standard form shall also be prepared which may be used for second initiation recommendations.
Note:  Procedures to be followed if the prospective guru is also the Temple President with appropriate jurisdiction:  In this case, the local GBC shall either write the recommendations himself or establish a local Board of Initiations, which does not include the prospective guru as a member, to review the qualifications of the candidates.  The chairman of this Board of Initiations may then prepare the necessary written recommendations.  In the extreme case that the local GBC, Temple President, and prospective guru are all the same person, the GBC Executive Committee shall establish the appropriate procedures to be followed.

[10] 

The Siksa Guru:

The basic definition of guru is anyone who gives spiritual instructions based on the revealed scriptures. The acceptance of such instructions from the spiritual master is called siksa, and consequently one who transmits transcendental knowledge to another is known as a siksa guru.

By taking responsibility for different aspects of siksa, Vaisnavas are known according to their specific dealings. The devotee who first gives siksa is the vartma-pradarsaka guru, and the saints who give general instruction in devotional practice are known as sadhus or siksa gurus. The siksa guru who gives initiation with the holy name and gayatri mantra becomes known as the diksa guru, and those Vaisnavas who elevate one to transcendence by their teachings are also siksa guru.

Any Vaisnava who gives instruction, shelter, and inspiration should be considered as siksa guru. Because the transcendental knowledge which originates from Sri Krishna comes to a devotee through his siksa gurus, he deeply reveres them as confidential servants of Krishna (and worships them according to their station).

[11] 

The Diksa Guru:

Among many siksa gurus, the one who through personal association and regular instruction inspires faith in a devotee generally becomes the diksa guru. It is Lord Krishna’s system that a conditioned soul must surrender to and take initiation from His representative, a guru in parampara.

Although their dealings are different, both the siksa and diksa gurus are representatives of Sri Krishna (and Srila Prabhupada) acting to guide the disciple back to Godhead. The disciple should not see them as superior or inferior on the basis of the difference in their dealings.

The duty of the diksa guru is to train the disciple in the process of devotional service and initiate him by giving the holy name and gayatri mantras. After initiation he further instructs the disciple in the meaning of the Vedas and remains committed to his liberation from repeated birth and death.

In ISKCON the diksa guru is happy to see a disciple receiving training and guidance from many other siksa gurus, for this is opulence of the Society. He may also recommend a disciple to a siksa guru(s) for specific tutoring, which for some reason(s) he is not able to give.

[12] 

Relationship Between Siksa and Diksa Gurus:

Since faith is the basic ingredient of spiritual life, the dealings among diksa and siksa gurus increase and focus the faith of the disciple in a co-operative relationship. The general sad-acarya is that the multiple siksa gurus, regardless of their spiritual strength, act as associates of the diksa guru. They promote the initiator as the prominent force in the spiritual life of the disciple, who sees first and foremost the mercy and shelter of his diksa guru.

If there are exceptions to this protocol it is primarily evaluated by the gurus who conduct their dealings in a visibly co-operative way. Their common ground of understanding is the directions of Srila Prabhupada. They are not independent agents, for both are subordinate to the leadership of the mission as its servants.

The diksa guru wholeheartedly supports the disciple's faith in, and association with his instructors. He respects the siksa gurus as equal manifestations of Godhead. Although the relationship between diksa guru and siksa guru(s) may appear to be one of leader and his assistant (s), a disciple should be careful to see their spiritual unity while engaged in different dealings.

13] 

Relationship Between Siksa and Diksa Gurus

Since faith is the basic ingredient of spiritual life, the dealings among diksa and siksa gurus increase and focus the faith of the disciple in a co-operative relationship. The general sad-acara is that the multiple siksa gurus, regardless of their spiritual strength, act as associates of the diksa guru. They promote the initiator as the prominent force in the spiritual life of the disciple, who sees first and foremost the mercy and shelter of his diksa guru.

If there are exceptions to this protocol it is primarily evaluated by the gurus who conduct their dealings in a visibly co-operative way. Their common ground of understanding is the directions of Srila Prabhupada. They are not independent agents, for both are subordinate to the leadership of the mission as its servants.

The diksa guru wholeheartedly supports the disciple's faith in, and association with his instructors. He respects the siksa gurus as equal manifestations of Godhead. Although the relationship between diksa guru and siksa guru(s) may appear to be one of leader and his assistant (s), a disciple should be careful to see their spiritual unity while engaged in different dealings.

[14] 

RESOLVED:
“On My Order-Understood” is replaced as official GBC policy by the following statement:

The GBC officially accepts the following conclusions about continuing the disciplic succession:

Srila Prabhupada consistently said that his disciples would themselves become spiritual masters.
Guru, sadhu, and sastra all support this standard way of continuing the disciplic succession. Srila Prabhupada said that his disciples would become “regular Gurus” and that each of their disciples would thus be a “disciple of my disciple.” On the strength of our Vaisnava tradition and the statements of Srila Prabhupada, the GBC concludes that Srila Prabhupada intended his disciples to become “regular Gurus” after he physically departed.

[15] 

Mandatory Qualifications:
1. Must have been an initiated disciple for at least ten years.
2. Must have been strictly following the four regulative principles, regularly attending the morning program, and chanting sixteen rounds daily, and have otherwise remained in good standing for the previous ten years.
3. Must not exhibit tendencies toward behavior contrary to Vaisnava moral principles.
4. Must be free from the following undesirable qualities:
a. Attachment to kamini-kancana, sex objects and wealth
b. Pratistha, false prestige and personal ambition
c. Nisiddhacara, behavior contrary to Vaisnava principles
d. Kuti-nati, diplomatic or duplicitous behavior
e. Puja, the desire for personal worship
f. Labha, mundane profiteering.
5. Must have excelled in preaching activities.
6. Must exhibit proficiency in knowledge and understanding of sastra.
7. Must preach without concoction and strictly according to the parampara, with sastric knowledge grounded firmly in siddhanta, or conclusive truth.
8. Must be effective in practical preaching and counseling.
9. Must have no loyalties that compete with or compromise his loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and to ISKCON.
10. Must show understanding of and dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s mission with a strong commitment to maintaining and increasing book distribution and other ISKCON projects.
11. Must recognize the GBC as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, support the GBC system, and follow the GBC.
12. Should be engaged full-time in devotional service in an ISKCON center or other ISKCON-approved preaching program.
13. Within the previous ten years at a minimum, must not have engaged in serious criminal activities or been responsible for:
a. A financial impropriety that put significant funds or other assets at risk
b. Risking legal consequences through the improper handling of funds and assets under his/her control
c. Causing a loss of significant funds through unauthorized actions
d. Any other act of moral turpitude, as defined in the ecclesiastical discretion of the GBC, and/or the legal jurisdiction in which the candidate resides
An additional requirement is attendance of the Guru Seminar.
Discretionary Qualifications:
1. Spiritual degrees – Bhakti Sastri, Bhakti Vaibhava, and Bhaktivedanta (when available) – shall be a strongly recommended qualification for being granted no objection status to serve as a guru in ISKCON.
2. Should be nothing in his character, conduct, or circumstances to give rise to doubt about his ability to follow the code of conduct for gurus.
3. Should not be involved in any abnormal personal situation. An example of such a situation would be a disrupted or anomalous family life which could distract a guru from his guru duties or otherwise prove a disturbance to him or his followers.
4. Should always be responsible, conscientious, and honorable in ordinary dealings.

[16] 

Note: this resolution marks the first time the GBC officially suggests that a person’s natural siksa guru should normally become the diksa guru of that person.

[17] 

New standards (refer to footnote 15 for old standards:
1.   is twice-initiated for at least ten years
2.   has been requested to initiate by the candidate’s own  diksa-guru, if physically present
3.   is in good standing in ISKCON
4.   has good sadhana, including chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds daily and following the four regulative principles
5.   has shown consistent adherence to the principles of one’s asrama in terms of:
   - acceptable Vaisnava behavior (sadacara)
   - engagement in Srila Prabhupada’s mission
6.   has substantial knowledge and realization of sastra, including a Bhakti-sastri degree
7.   preaches according to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings
8.   works cooperatively with local authorities
9.   recognizes the GBC body as the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON, supports the GBC system, and follows the GBC 
10.  has no loyalties that compete with or compromise the candidate’s loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, to his teachings, and to ISKCON