Note: We have received information that at least 10.000 signatures are needed in order for this proposal to pass.

Dear GBC Members,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The position of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada within ISKCON has been formally acknowledged as the sole Founder-Acharya of ISKCON by the GBC since its inception in 1970. In the original GBC charter, Srila Prabhupada’s ultimate authority and position in ISKCON were clearly established. This was reaffirmed through formal GBC resolutions in 1980 and further confirmed in 2004 when the GBC declared Srila Prabhupada as the Preeminent Śikṣā Guru for all ISKCON devotees.

Srila Prabhupada's position in ISKCON is akin to the role of Ramanuja Acharya in the Sri Sampradaya and Madhva Acharya in the Madhva Sampradaya. For instance, in the Sri Sampradaya, the verse honoring Ramanuja Acharya—Srimate Ramanujaya Namah—is central to their daily worship. Similarly, in the Madhva Sampradaya, the Prema Ratnavali emphasizes the importance of honoring Madhva Acharya as the founder of their tradition.

Since the establishment of ISKCON, devotees have traditionally glorified Srila Prabhupada at various occasions. For example:

1. Chanting "All glories to Srila Prabhupada" at the end of the Prem Dhvani prayers.

2. Chanting "Jaya Jaya Prabhupada" at the close of kirtans.

3. Reciting Srila Prabhupada's pranam mantras before beginning bhajans, parikrama kirtans, official ceremonies, and lectures.

Srila Prabhupada was personally present during these glorifications and never objected to them, though he understandably did not glorify himself. These practices reinforce Srila Prabhupada’s unique role as the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

However, in recent years, some GBC members, sannyasis, temple leaders, and devotees have deviated from these established standards, arguing that Srila Prabhupada himself did not chant these glorifications and that they are voluntary, not compulsory. This has led to a gradual decline in these essential practices, with many devotees ceasing to glorify Srila Prabhupada altogether.

It is imperative to recognize that Srila Prabhupada's glorifications are not merely a tradition, nor are they optional or based solely on personal feelings of love or gratitude. They are essential to affirming his position as the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON.

Scriptural Support for the Founder-Acharya:

Skanda Purana (6.11): “One should know the Acharya as Myself, Krishna, and never disrespect him in any way.”

Prameya Ratnavali by Vyasatirtha: “One should not neglect or disrespect the Founder-Acharya, for he is the beacon of the sampradaya.”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: “Our loyalty should be to the Founder-Acharya, who is the very root of our spiritual family. Without that loyalty, our connection to Krishna becomes weakened.”

He further stated: “To approach the Supreme, one must go through the Founder-Acharya, for he alone embodies the essence of the sampradaya’s teachings. By serving the Founder-Acharya, we can access the teachings of all previous gurus.”

In a conversation on July 13, 1977, Srila Prabhupada declared: “I am the Founder-Acharya of this movement. My position will remain like that, and there cannot be any change in that.”

We, therefore, humbly request the GBC to pass a formal resolution declaring the following practices compulsory within ISKCON:

1. Chanting "All glories to Srila Prabhupada" at the end of the Prem Dhvani prayers.

2. Chanting "Jaya Jaya Prabhupada" at the end of kirtans.

3. Reciting Srila Prabhupada's pranam mantras before bhajans, parikrama kirtans, official ceremonies, and lectures.

Wthout this resolution, we risk a future where new devotees fail to glorify Srila Prabhupada altogether. Leaving it to individual discretion will result in followers emulating senior devotees who omit these practices.