"In the succeeding years the GBC will be elected by a vote of all Temple presidents who will vote for 8 from a ballot of all Temple presidents... Those 8 with the greatest number of votes will be members for the next term of GBC." July 28, 1970 - Srila Prabhupada issues the DIRECTION OF MANAGEMENT order stating that all GBCs are to be elected to 3 year terms by and from the ISKCON Temple Presidents. It is signed by Srila Prabhupada and counter-signed by GBC members Rupanuga das, Bhagavan das and Karandhar das. |
| INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS, INCORPORATED |
| FOUNDER-ACHARYA: HIS DIVINE GRACE |
| A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA |
I, the undersigned, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, disciple of Om Visnupad Paramhansa 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaj Prabhupada, came in the United States in 1965 on September 18th for the purpose of starting Krishna Consciousness Movement. For one year I had no shelter. I was travelling in many parts of this country. Then in 1966, July, I incorporated the Society under the name and style the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, briefly ISKCON. The lawyer was Mr. J. Goldsmith. Gradually the Society increased, and one after another branches were opened. Now we have got thirty-four (34) branches enlisted herewith:
Original Scanned Documents
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Amsterdam...........Holland
Atlanta.............Georgia............1476 Oxford Rd. N.E. 30322
Baltimore...........Maryland...........1300 N. Calvert St.
Berkeley............California.........2710 Durant Avenue 94704
Berlin..............West Germany
Boston..............Massachusetts......40 N. Beacon St. 02134
Boulder.............Colorado...........623 Concord St.
Buffalo.............New York...........40 Englewood Ave. 14214
Chicago.............Illinois...........2210 N. Halstead St.
Columbus............Ohio...............318 East 20th Ave. 43201
Detroit.............Michigan...........74 West Forest St. 48201
Edinburgh...........Scotland, U.K.
Hamburg.............West Germany.......2000 Hamburg 6, Bartelstrasse 65
Honolulu............Hawaii.............2016 McKinley St. 96822
Laguna Beach........California.........130 Woodland Drive 92651
London..............England............7 Bury Place, Bloomsbury, W.C. 1
Los Angeles.........California.........3764 Watseka Ave. 90034
Montreal............Canada.............3720 Park Ave.
New Vrndavana.......W. Virginia........RD 3 Moundsville 26041
New York City.......New York...........61 Second Ave. 10003
Paris...............France.............c/o Serge Elbeze, BO 113 Paris 14
Philadelphia........Pennsylvania.......416 South 10th St. 19147
Provincetown........Massachusetts......104 Bradford St.
San Diego...........California.........3689 Park Blvd.
San Francisco.......California.........618 Frederick St. 94117
San Jose............California.........70 Hawthorne Way
Santa Barbara.......California.........6654 del Playa, Goleta 93017
Seattle.............Washington.........5516 Roosevelt Way N.E. 98105
St. Louis...........Missouri...........4544 LaClede Ave. 63110
Sydney..............Australia..........298 Birrell St. Bondi, N.S.W. 2026
Tokyo...............Japan..............6-16, 2 Chome Ohhashi, Meguro-Ku
Toronto.............Canada.............40 Beverly St., Ontario
Vancouver...........Canada.............260 Raymur St., No. 305, B.C.
Washington..........D.C................2015 Q Street N.W. 20009
As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established. I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at any time I may be out of the scene, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of Temple management, propaganda for Krishna Consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard.
Therefore, I have decided to adopt the following principles and I hope my beloved disciples will kindly accept them. There was a meeting in San Francisco during the Ratha Yatra festival 1970 and many presidents of the centers were present. In that meeting it was resolved that an ad hoc committee be set up to form the constitution which is taken into consideration. My duty was to first appoint twelve (12) persons to my free choice amongst my disciples and I do it now and their names are as follows:
1. Sriman Rupanuga Das Adhikary
2. Sriman Bhagavandas Adhikary
3. Sriman Syamsundar Das Adhikary
4. Sriman Satsvarupa Das Adhikary
5. Sriman Karandhar Das Adhikary
6. Sriman Hansadutta Das Adhikary
7. Sriman Tamala Krsna Das Adhikary
8. Sriman Sudama Das Adhikary
9. Sriman Bali Mardan Das Brahmacary
10. Sriman Jagadisa Das Adhikary
11. Sriman Hayagriva Das Adhikary
12. Sriman Krsnadas Adhikary
These personalities are now considered as my direct representatives. While I am living they will act as my zonal secretaries and after my demise they will be known as Executors.
I have already awarded Sannyas or the renounced order of life to some of my students and they have also got very important duties to perform in this connection. The Sannyasis will travel to our different centers for preaching purpose as well as enlightening the members of the center for spiritual advancement. The Sannyasis will suggest for opening new centers in suitable places and the GBC will take action on it. As was stipulated by the ad hoc committee, the function of the GBC will be as follows with particulars:
PARTICULARS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION
"The purpose of the Governing Body Commission is to act as the instrument for the execution of the Will of His Divine Grace. And further,
1. The GBC oversees all operations and management of ISKCON, as it receives direction from Srila Prabhupada and His Divine Grace has the final approval in all matters.
2. His Divine Grace will select the initial 12 members of the GBC. In the succeeding years the GBC will be elected by a vote of all Temple presidents who will vote for 8 from a ballot of all Temple presidents, which may also include any secretary who is in charge of a Temple. Those 8 with the greatest number of votes will be members for the next term of GBC. Srila Prabhupada will choose to retain four commissioners. In the event of Srila Prabhupada's absence, the retiring members will decide which four will remain.
3. The commissioners will serve for a period of 3 years, and they may be re-elected at the end of this period.
4. The chairman is elected by the GBC for each meeting. He has no veto power, but in even of a vote tie, his vote will decide. The same will apply for votes cast by mail between regular meetings.
5. Throughout the year, each of the commissioners will stay with His Divine Grace for one month at a time and keep the other commissioners informed of His Divine Grace's instructions.
6. The primary objective of the GBC is to organize the opening of new Temples and to maintain the established Temples.
7. Advice will be given by the GBC in cases of real property purchases, which will be in the name of ISKCON, INC. (Trucks or other vehicles will be purchased in the name of the local president).
8. Removal of a Temple president by the GBC requires support by the local Temple members.
9. The GBC has no jurisdiction in the publication of manuscripts, which will be handled by a separate committee; profits to be returned to Srila Prabhupada."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So far my books are concerned, I am setting up a different body of management known as the BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST. The trustees of this body are also members of the GBC, but their function is not dependent on the GBC. ISKCON Press was created for the exclusive publication of my books and literatures and should be continued in that way. During my absence no one shall live in my apartment.
ACB
|
Witnessed by: Date July 28th 1970 Rupanuga das Adhikary (Robert F. Corens) Bhagavan das Adhikary (William R. Ehrlichman) Karandhar das Adhikary (Kelly Gifford Smith) |
Srila Prabhupadas supporting instruction
for his Direction Of Management
Mayapur, 29 September, 1974
74-09-29 Bhaktivedanta Manor
My Dear Mukunda das:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 22, 1974 and have noted the contents. Regarding the election of President, a president can only be changed by vote. If no vote was taken, then the president cannot be changed. Neither Hamsaduta can change the president whimsically or can anybody else change the president. According the "Direction of Management'' the GBC cannot change the President but only by vote can it be done. The GBC's business is to see that the President and the members are doing nicely, following the regulative principles, and chanting 16 rounds and that other things are going on nicely.
If it was decided by vote that Hamsaduta would select the president then Hamsaduta is right. Without authority Hamsaduta cannot change the election. If the vote was in favor of Madhavananda, then Hamsaduta cannot whimsically change the vote. But, if by vote he was authorized to select the president, then whomever he selects is right. I was not informed by my secretary that Hamsaduta was authorized by vote to make the selection. But, why was Hamsaduta authorized if the vote was already taken? This I do not know.
On the whole I understand there are so many contradictions, so in the presence of all members you may take the vote again and decide finally.
You may inform Prabhavisnu that I have received his letter dated 22/9/74.
I hope this meets you in good health.
Your ever well wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/bs
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Letter to: Rupanuga:
Bombay 7 November, 1974
74-11-07
Washington, DC
My Dear Rupanuga das:
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 1, 1974 with enclosed clipping. But, I have not yet received the report of the inquiry commission investigating the charges against Bali Mardan. (Later on heard something by telephone message to Brahmananda)
Regarding your GBC report, at the Buffalo farm the deer were eating daily the crop or all at once? Regarding Boston, it is a better house they have now purchased? What is the price and what are the facilities? Regarding the book distribution increasing in Philadelphia. yes we are getting such reports of increasing book distribution from all over. In L.A. they have sold over 600 copies of the new Srimad-Bhagavatam in one weekend.
Atlanta facility of 10 acre and 3 building sounds very nice. Purchasing or renting doesn't matter. Only here in India is a purchased house more important than a rented house. The prasadam program must be continued and increased. It is very good program for attracting the students. They have never tasted this kind of foodstuffs. Regarding Miami that you want to replace Abhirama, yes a capable man must be there, what can be done. But I have already written that he can marry that girl and divorce his wife. Regarding Washington, D.C., that Damodara is also resigning, we are increasing in so many ways, but our men are deteriorating. What to do? Regarding Gainesville installation of Gaura-Nitai, where did you get the murtis from?
I hope this meets you in good health.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/bs
N.B. Regarding replacing Abhirama and Damodara I refer to the "Direction of Management'' as follows: "Removal of a Temple President by GBC requires support by the local Temple members.'' Therefore you should take a vote of the Temple members and do the needful.
A.C. B.S.
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Analysis of the Direction Of ManagementSrila Prabhupada's Direction Of Management is interesting for a number of reasons:
TP's can ONLY be removed with consent of temple devotees:
"8. Removal of a Temple president by the GBC requires support by the local Temple members."
Since this 'Direction
of Management' is signed by Srila Prabhupada, this gives us both legal and moral
protection in the event of the GBC unilaterally taking any action.
(In 1975, a GBC resolution was passed that TP's could be removed by 3 GBC's but
this states that this can ONLY be done in the following cases:
1) TP does not submit reports;
2) TP mis-spends money;
3) TP does not follow regulative principles.
Otherwise it states that "there should be NO CHANGE of presidents", and only that
"difficulties should be worked out". (GBC RESOLUTION 4, March 26th, 1975)
GBC's to be elected by temple presidents:
"In the succeeding years the GBC will be elected by a vote of all Temple presidents who will vote for 8 from a ballot of all Temple presidents, which may also include any secretary who is in charge of a Temple."
Though in 1977, Srila
Prabhupada stated that those already GBC should remain for life:
Satsvarupa: So our first question is about the GBC members. We want to know
how long should they remain in office?
Prabhupada: They should remain for good.
Tamala Krsna: They should remain for good.
Prabhupada: Selected men are chosen, so they cannot be changed. (Room
Conversation, May 28th, 1977)
The main function of the GBC is to simply maintain and spread what has already been given, not to introduce or adjudicate on issues not spoken of by Srila Prabhupada:
"6. The *primary* objective of the GBC is to organize the opening of new Temples and to maintain the established Temples."
No books apart from Srila Prabhupada's to be printed in ISKCON:
"So far my books are concerned, I am setting up a different body of management known as the BHAKTIVEDANTA BOOK TRUST. The trustees of this body are also members of the GBC, but their function is not dependent on the GBC. ISKCON Press was created for the exclusive publication of my books and literatures and *should be continued* in that way."
The MOST important point - Srila Prabhupada clearly refers to his leaving - yet makes no mention of how INITIATIONS will continue:
"I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at *any time I may be out of the scene*, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of Temple management, propaganda for Krishna Consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard. Therefore, I have decided to adopt the following principles and I hope my beloved disciples will kindly accept them."
"In the event of Srila Prabhupada's absence, the retiring members will decide which four will remain."
"While I am living they will act as my zonal secretaries and after my demise they will be known as Executors."
"During my absence no one shall live in my apartment."
Yet Srila Prabhupada
even makes provision for who should live in his apartment!
He sees the most important thing once he leaves 'the scene' is that his disciples
should continue to 'manage' the centers. Thus Srila Prabhupada is linking his
absence with the need to continue to 'manage' and expand better.
The issue of how his devotees would SUCCEED him is not even HINTED at. Thus in
the matter of Guruship, the only conclusion that can be drawn from this document
is that things would remain as they are, since he has specifically addressed HOW
and WHAT his disciples should do when he DEPARTS, but the issue of them succeeding
him as Diksa Gurus is not even mentioned.
Of course though Srila Prabhupada in later years added to and amended some of
the points in this direction of management, it is still an instructive document.
We are left with the conclusion that all written documents to do with managing
ISKCON in the context of Srila Prabhupada's departure - this direction of management,
the will, the July 9th letter, make no mention of the *Diksa* Guru changing.
There is also no mention in any of his books about him being replaced by any of
his disciples as the Diksa Guru for ISKCON.
Supposed evidence for the contrary is confined to:
Private letters addressing premature guru-ship desire;
A 30 second taped conversation; and even 1) and 2) at *BEST* can be said to be inconclusive - they do not *clearly* authorise Guruship changing but only the POSSIBILITY of WHEN and HOW it CAN change. Even H.H. Jayadwaita Maharaja states that the change of guru-ship is not 'clear' from the tape.
Srila Prabhupada's emphasis in the above 'direction of management' on managing temples, and not mentioning a change in guruship, further confirms his letter in 1967 where he states that:
"I wish that each and every Branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate keeping the Acarya in the centre. On this principle we can open any number of Branches all over the world. The Ramakrishna mission works on this principle and thus as organization they have done wonderfully."
(Letter to Kirtanandana, 67-2-11)
(The Ramakrishna
mission achieves 'this principle' that Srila Prabhupada wants to be followed
in ISKCON through a ritvik system.)
We are not presenting the above as any sort of conclusive evidence, but simply
presenting it as an original document authored by Srila Prabhupada, that the
devotees would probably be interested in seeing.
Note:
July 22, 1974 - Upon discovering the disobedience of the GBC to implement His 1970 Direction Of Management order (DOM), Srila Prabhupada issues a second order for the DOM in his "TOPMOST URGENCY" LETTER, which states:
Srila Prabhupada: "There shall be a Governing Board Committee of trustees appointed by the Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad according to the document "Direction Of Management" dated July 28, 1970."
["TOPMOST URGENCY" LETTER]
In '74 Srila Prabhupad authored a document and gave emphasis TOPMOST URGENCY. The document was kept hidden for decades. Those Topmost Urgent instructions were never executed. ALL of SP's Followers need to study this document & act to see that these instructions are finally carried out.
In 1970 Srila Prabhupad wrote the Direction of Management - In 1974 He wrote amendments for ISKCON temples - that were never implemented - yet on the document is the emphasis " TOPMOST URGENCY ", the most emphasis of any order he gave (that we know of) - To today that order has not been executed.
----
The "Direction of Management" was signed by Srila Prabhupada and witnessed on July 28, 1970 in Los Angeles. After a brief introduction to the document, Srila Prabhupada listed the thirty-four branches (temples) of ISKCON that existed at the time. He goes on to say that while the temples are currently being managed nicely there is room for improvement, and he writes in the DOM:
"As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established. I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at any time I may be out of the scene, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of Temple management, propaganda for Krishna Consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard."
Srila Prabhupada had obviously not established the GBC before this writing. He says here that he is instructing his disciples, not just the GBC, as to "how they shall manage the whole institution." This statement "whole institution" is all-inclusive, although Srila Prabhupada makes a distinction at the end of the DOM regarding separation between the GBC and the BBT.
In the next paragraph he writes:
"Therefore, I have decided to adopt the following principles and I hope my beloved disciples will kindly accept them. There was a meeting in San Francisco during the Ratha Yatra festival 1970 and many presidents of the centers were present. In that meeting it was resolved that an ad hoc committee be set up to form the constitution which is taken into consideration. My duty was to first appoint twelve (12) persons to my free choice amongst my disciples and I do it now and their names are as follows:"
The creation of the DOM obviously immediately followed the San Francisco Ratha Yatra. We know from a passage later in the DOM that the ad hoc committee was established, but we don't know what work they actually did on a constitution.
Srila Prabhupada says the ad hoc committee was being set-up "to form the constitution which is taken into consideration." This infers that the constitution had already been created, or at least formulated to the point that it could be considered as part of this document.
He then says that his duty was to appoint 12 disciples. Taken in context, this statement seems to infer that naming the 12 was his duty in relationship to the constitution and/or the work of the ad hoc committee,, as he says, "My duty was to first appoint…" In the statement above he infers that the constitution was already created to some degree, but given that he is only now naming the 12 appointees, it indicates that the constitution may not have been completed until the execution of this DOM.
"These personalities are now considered as my direct representatives. While I am livingSrila Prabhupada named 12 "direct representatives" who were to act as "zonal secretaries" while Srila Prabhupada was living, and were to act as Executors after his departure. So far, these individuals have not been called "GBC's".
Here, Srila Prabhupada specifies that the following text describes the GBC's function with particulars, i.e., in detail:
PARTICULARS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION"The GBC's first duty is to execute his Will. The word "Will" being capitalized indicates that he means his Last Will and Testament, not his "will" as in his determined wishes. In a preceding passage, the DOM clarified that the GBC will not act in this role until after Srila Prabhupada's departure.
1. The GBC oversees all operations and management of ISKCON, as it receivesItem #1 refers to the GBC's role during Srila Prabhupada's manifest lila, during which time they are also presumably acting in their role as "zonal secretaries".
2. His Divine Grace will select the initial 12 members of the GBC.In context, this statement indicates that the 12 individuals named above as "zonal secretaries" are not actually GBC members. Srila Prabhupada says he "will select", not that he "has already selected, as is the case above where he named the selected "zonal secretaries" and future "Executors".
In the succeeding years the GBC will be elected by a vote of all Temple presidentsThe first sentence indicates that this process is to be carried out for the indefinite future: "In the succeeding years…"
The language in the remainder of this passage is somewhat open to interpretation. We can understand that the Temple Presidents will be doing the voting for 8 GBC's.
The sentence also states "…from a ballot of all Temple presidents, which may also include any secretary who is in charge of a Temple." This phrase might be interpreted in one of two ways:
1) those persons named on the ballot must be either Temple presidents or secretaries in charge of a Temple; or
2) "from a ballot of" meaning the ballot was created by all Temple Presidents or Secretaries, in which case GBC candidates might not themselves be serving as Temple Presidents or Secretaries at the time of the election.
The 8 candidates winning a majority of votes will serve as GBC for "the next term". In item #3 below, we read that the term of GBC elected office is three years.
Srila Prabhupada also states that he will "choose to retain" four commissioners. These four, plus the 8 elected, form the 12-person GBC. Because he does not provide any distinction in this document between the roles of the 8 GBC members compared to the select group of four commissioners, the reader must ask whether he meant for there to be a functional difference between these roles, or whether he simply meant to have a small hand-picked group with greater longevity.
will choose to retain four commissioners. In the event of Srila Prabhupada'sSrila Prabhupada has already stated that he will chose the entire first 12-member GBC body, and that 4 of these commissioners he will retain, while 8 members will come up for election. While it's not definitively stated, we assume that "retain four commissioners" means Srila Prabhupada will choose them and they will stay on, while the other 8 members rotate through elections. In this context, the word "retain" obviously speaks to longevity rather than engagement (e.g., "I have retained (hired) commissioners").
To our knowledge, Srila Prabhupada never actually chose these four commissioners. Perhaps someone can confirm this, and tell us if the reason is known?
"In the event of Srila Prabhupada's absence" appears to mean "following Srila Prabhupada's departure", but that is also open to interpretation. Less clear is the meaning of "the retiring members". One would assume that he would have named the 4 commissioners prior to his departure, given the intent stated in this document. "Retiring members" could mean those among the 8 elected GBC who either chose to retire, or who were "retired" by the electorate who voted them out of office, or it could refer to any of those among the four retained commissioners who choose to retire from their GBC service.
If "retiring members" refers to any among the four commissioners who choose to retire, it might be interpreted that such retiring members have the right to basically replace themselves, appointing a new non-elected commissioner who will stay until his own retirement. Because the term "retiring members" is plural, however, it could also mean that the selection of "remaining" commissioners is to be a joint decision making process.
If "retiring members" refers to the four commissioners, then it is not clear if the decision on appointment replacements of non-elected commissioners is to be an individual or a joint decision.
3. The commissioners will serve for a period of 3 years,This item provides for re-election of the 8 GBC members to a second or subsequent term.
4. The chairman is elected by the GBC for each meeting. He hasHere Srila Prabhupada adds further definition to the roles of GBC members. Each elected class of GBC, along with the four retained commissioners, appoints a Chairman who holds that position for a year.
5. Throughout the year, each of the commissioners will stay with His Divine Grace for one month
Interestingly, with all the detail we can image Srila Prabhupada could have provided in the DOM about who will do what, this is a point he felt it necessary to establish legally, even with his own hand-picked four commissioners.
6. The primary objective of the GBC is to organize the openingObviously, the phrase "maintain the established Temples" is open to interpretation, and this aspect of the GBC's role has proven to be far more problematic than "organizing" the opening of new Temples.
7. Advice will be given by the GBC in cases of real property purchases,We note that "advice" does not constitute absolute decision-making.
Srila Prabhupada does not specify whether it is the role of the GBC or the temple presidents to ensure that newly purchased properties are put in the name of ISKCON, INC., so one would assume that it's a cooperative duty between the two.
Perhaps of greatest note is the nomenclature Srila Prabhupada used in stating that new properties shall be put in the name "ISKCON, INC." He did not say ISKCON of _________, Inc., but rather that they were to be named a single corporate entity name. If we take the DOM literally in this regard, one would have to conclude that Srila Prabhupada directed that a single corporation named "ISKCON, INC." be formed, and that all property assets would be vended into it, including every new temple as it was acquired. Of course, this clearly seems to go against his expressed wishes for decentralization. Consequently, it seems fair to assume that he meant " ISKCON of _________, Inc.", since corporation law in most states would prevent two temple, being two independent incorporated entities, to have exactly the same name, "ISKCON, INC."
8. Removal of a Temple president by the GBC requires support by the local Temple members.This instruction is quite clear, although it is regularly ignored by the GBC.
9. The GBC has no jurisdiction in the publication of manuscripts, which willHere Srila Prabhupada clearly states that his books are not under the purview of the GBC. The meaning of "separate committee" is made clear in the paragraph that follows.
So far my books are concerned, I am setting up a different body of managementSrila Prabhupada uses an interesting format device, a line of asterisks, to emphasize and set apart this statement from the preceding portion of the DOM. Here, he further qualifies his instructions regarding how his books are to be handled. This statement sets forth his intention to establish the BBT and have it run by GBC members, while at the same time clarifying the division of powers between the two entities. But have the BBT trustees always been GBC members?
ISKCON Press was created for the exclusive publication ofSrila Prabhupada does not clarify the relationship, if any, between ISKCON Press and the soon-to-be-formed BBT, consequently we must assume that no such relationship exists.
"During my absence no one shall live in my apartment."Given the number of Temples already open at the time of this writing, we would assume that Srila Prabhupada meant no one should live in 'his apartment' at any Temple.
While probably not important, it's interesting to note the typed signature line, "ACB" – not "ACBS", the abbreviation for his name as he actually signed it. To our knowledge, Srila Prabhupada didn't typically refer to himself as "A.C. Bhaktivedanta", but usually added "Swami".
One of the most noteworthy aspects of the DOM is what is not included – that is, more specificity regarding the actual activities to be performed, and not performed, by members of the GBC.
In the Direction of Management (written and notarized by Srila Prabhupada in 1970), he suggested that eight GBC be elected from the temple presidents every three years, and that four of the eight who win the election be retained on the body by choice. Theoretically, this means that two-thirds or more of the GBC could change every three years.
Please also see: Direction Of Management For An Elected GBC