Bhaktivedanta Manor

1
Bhaktivedanta Manor
VISION
STATEMENT
Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Our
Future
in the
Making
PREFACE
guiding principles
for the future
It is often the case that in management
there is little time to focus on the longterm. We can be so busy keeping up with
all that has to be done in one day what
to speak the next ten years. So it is with
great happiness that we welcome this
Vision Statement.
Over the last two and a half years a
team of devotees representing a cross
section of our various communities, have
worked hard in meetings conversing
about the Manor’s past, present and
potential future. Embracing the diversity
of our membership and meditating on
the directives of Srila Prabhupada, the
team have done very well to bring forth
substantial guiding principles in this
Vision statement.
With this Vision Statement we hope
to now build on our current successes,
address areas that require review and
keep this great flagship of Bhaktivedanta
Manor clearly on a course that is both
pleasing to Srila Prabhudada and all the
devotees.
My sincerest thanks and appreciation
goes to the team and that will be further
shown with our attention to the Vision’s
implementation.
Sruti Dharma das
Temple President
3
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endorsement
by the uk gbc
It is both my privilege and honour
to endorse this Vision Statement for
Bhaktivedanta Manor, which is the
culmination of two and a half years of
hard work by the Vision Team facilitated
by Sitarama das and Krish Raval.
As GBC for the UK I am very proud of
this achievement and in particular the
opportunity if offers for our devotional
community going forward.
While the core vision for our
international movement was shaped
and crafted by the previous Acharyas
and more specifically by our Founder
Acharya, Srila Prabhupada, it is
incumbent upon each individual branch
to form and build their own specific
vision from that essence given to us.
As the saying goes ‘life begins at forty’ so
how appropriate it is that Bhaktivedanta
Manor’s vision has been agreed on its
40th anniversary. I would now urge all
who consider the Manor their place of
service and worship to engage with this
vision and assist in it becoming a positive
living reality which has the potential to
benefit so many in the UK and beyond.
Hare Krishna.
Praghosa das
Governing Body Commissioner (GBC)
INTRODUCTION
This Vision Statement is the welcomed
outcome of the hard work and many
meetings of the Vision 2020 Group. It is
intended to assist and guide current and
future decision-makers at Bhaktivedanta
Manor. While building on current
strengths and redressing elements of
direction, the vision sets out a steady
course for a future in further concurrence
with the directives of His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
It is apt that in this 40th anniversary year
the Vision 2020 Group, having reflected
deeply on Srila Prabhupada’s instructions
and the trials and successes of the last
40 years, now presents this vision for
the future. The vision seeks to build on
this growing legacy, sustain its important
principles and ensure that they are not
compromised.
As a broad and inclusive gathering of
individuals from Bhaktivedanta Manor’s
diverse communities and leadership,
the Vision 2020 Group has endeavoured
to set out a vision in which an inclusive
spiritual culture may endure. The
balancing act of retaining spiritual
character and managing the material
demands of an institution has never
proven easy. Thus, this Vision Statement,
while recognising practicalities
and human frailty, offers guiding
principles that will keep vibrant Krishna
consciousness to the forefront in all areas
of temple activity.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is a strong
and stable temple with tremendous
participation from a vibrant and
responsible community and
congregation. Those involved certainly
deserve our gratitude. Many consider
the Manor a flagship amongst the
most successful of ISKCON’s temples
around the world. The example this
‘flagship’ sets to others is a daunting
responsibility. Therefore, the Vision 2020
Group, in seeking to redress imbalances
and sharpen Bhaktivedanta Manor’s
alignment to the directives of Srila
Prabhupada, offers this Vision Statement
as a road map for the coming years.
We wish to record our gratitude to the
many devotees who contributed their
time, critical advice and wisdom to the
Vision 2020 process in monthly meetings
over the last two and a half years.
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The following devotees formed the core
of the Vision 2020 Group:
Akhandadhi das, Bhagavat Asraya das,
Govardhana dasi, Sakshi Gopal das,
Chaitanya Jivan das, Gomati dasi, Kapila
Monet, Krsna Purna dasi, Padma Malini
dasi and Sanjay Gadhvi.
Our wider consulting group included:
Dayananda Swami, Dhananjaya das,
Ranchor das, Atmatma das, Kripamoya
das, Bhajahari das, Sarvamangala dasi,
Guru Carana Padma dasi, Rupa Vilasa
das, Sri Kama dasi, Kishor das, Sukadev
das, Srutidharma das, Dilip Patel,
Sundarananda das, Gauri das, Citi Sakti
dasi, Nadiya Mani dasi, Vrndavana Bihari
das, Yasoda Suta das, Hitu Sanghani,
Syamasundara das, Ananda Chaitanya
das, Sutapa das, Kanaiyah das, Sahil
Agarwal.
Further thanks go to the Temple and
Patrons Councils who have embraced and
invested in the entire process.
Sitarama das and Krish Raval
Vision 2020 Facilitators
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AT A GLANCE
the seven purposes
of iskcon
In this regard, we, the custodians of
Bhaktivedanta Manor, aspire to align
all our intentions and actions with Srila
Prabhupada’s mission and act in concert
with his teachings and guidelines under the
aegis of his movement, the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON’s
mission statement was out­lined as follows
when the society was incorporated in 1966:
This Vision Statement has its roots in the
Seven Pur­poses of ISKCON as drafted
by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, which he
had based on a similar set of purposes
composed by him in Jhansi, India, in 1953.
It is firmly anchored on the vision of the
Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
as THE VISION for the development of the
Hare Krishna Movement.
1. To systematically propagate spiritual
knowledge to society at large and to
educate all people in the techniques
of spiritual life in order to check the
imbalance of values in life and to
achieve real unity and peace in the
world.
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna
(God) as it is re­vealed in the great
scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and
Srimad Bhagavatam.
3. To bring the members of the Society
together with each other and nearer
to Krishna, the prime entity, thus
developing the idea within the
members at large that each soul is part
4.
5.
6.
7.
and parcel of the quality of Godhead
(Krishna).
To teach and encourage the sankirtana
movement, congrega­tional chanting
of the holy name of God, as revealed
in the teach­ings of Lord Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.
To erect for the members and for
society at large a holy place of
transcendental pastimes dedicated to
the personality of Krishna.
To bring the members closer together
for the purpose of teach­ing a simpler,
more natural way of life.
With a view towards achieving the
aforementioned purposes, to publish
and distribute periodicals, books and
other writings.
It is, therefore, incumbent on us to absorb
ourselves in the life and example of Srila
Prabhupada, the spiritual philosophy, the
culture of Krishna-bhakti and the specific
instructions he provided to guide us in
developing his movement and preaching
to the world. Furthermore, it is our duty
to strive to preserve the substance and
integrity of those teachings for generations
to come.
CONTENTS
FOLLOWING SRILA PRABHUPADA......................................... 9
Honouring Srila Prabhupada ................................................. 10
Srila Prabhupada as Founder-Acharya
and pre-eminent siksa-guru .................................................. 10
GBC statement on the position of Srila Prabhupada.............. 11
Bhaktivedanta Manor as Srila Prabhupada’s residence . ....... 12
Key daily practices ................................................................. 13
Srila Prabhupada’s books . ..................................................... 13
Representing Srila Prabhupada as aspiring pure devotees ... 14
‘Spiritual health check’........................................................... 14
Srila Prabhupada as primary authority................................... 14
A legacy in service.................................................................. 14
Consultation process: guru, sadhu & sastra .......................... 15
Important questions to address in decision-making ............. 15
Recording decisions ............................................................... 16
ROLE OF BHAKTIVEDANTA MANOR...................................... 17
Bhaktivedanta Manor as a spiritual embassy ........................ 18
Iconic and historic status ....................................................... 18
An ISKCON flagship project . .................................................. 19
Special status within UK ........................................................ 19
Sankirtana-yajna .................................................................... 19
The legacy and future of Srila Prabhupada’s standards of Deity
worship................................................................................... 19
Sanctity of the core aspects of Bhaktivedanta Manor . ......... 20
Expanding facilities ................................................................ 20
Avoiding over-commercialisation........................................... 20
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP......................................... 21
Leadership within Krishna consciousness . ............................ 22
Leadership under direction of higher authority..................... 22
Training in Srila Prabhupada’s principles of management...... 22
Management reflecting devotional culture . ......................... 22
Values and style of leadership ............................................... 23
Broad forward planning . ....................................................... 23
Encouraging responsibility and leadership at all levels ......... 23
Hidden enemies .................................................................... 23
Consultative bodies................................................................ 24
Visiting senior devotees ........................................................ 24
Support for managers . .......................................................... 24
Ethics and fiscal probity . ....................................................... 25
Devotional responsibility of fiscal management ................... 25
Clarity of decision-making...................................................... 25
Capital funds . ........................................................................ 25
Devotee maintenance ........................................................... 26
Considering long-term implications ...................................... 26
The effects of reducing project funding ................................ 27
Special role within UK . .......................................................... 27
Gifts and donations ............................................................... 27
UNITY IN DIVERSITY.............................................................. 29
Unity in diversity . .................................................................. 30
An inclusive and appealing culture......................................... 30
Balancing the resources of Bhaktivedanta Manor . ............... 31
Diversity in outreach ............................................................. 31
Welcoming people to Bhaktivedanta Manor . ....................... 31
Deepening spiritual experiences ........................................... 31
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EDUCATION............................................................................ 33
Education at Bhaktivedanta Manor ....................................... 34
Study of Srila Prabhupada’s books ........................................ 34
Range of education . .............................................................. 34
Role models ........................................................................... 35
Nurturing talent and potential .............................................. 35
Critical life junctures .............................................................. 35
Vocational training................................................................. 35
Devotional arts ...................................................................... 35
Varnasrama responsibilities . ................................................. 35
CARE....................................................................................... 37
Culture of care ....................................................................... 38
Vaisnava culture and relationships ........................................ 38
Clarity of the extent of responsibility of the organisation...... 38
Life-long consideration .......................................................... 39
Responsibilities of the individual towards others . ................ 39
Care for specific groups of devotees ..................................... 39
Pastoral care........................................................................... 40
Justice & dispute resolution................................................... 40
VARNASRAMA AND SUSTAINABILITY.................................... 41
The relevance of varnasrama................................................. 42
Understanding varnasrama.................................................... 42
Varnasrama: unity and diversity............................................. 42
SUSTAINABILITY..................................................................... 43
Application of the principles of sustainability........................ 44
Social sustainability................................................................ 44
Bhaktivedanta Manor’s policies on sustainability ................. 44
Culture consistent with sustainability ................................... 44
Development of sustainable projects .................................... 45
Spiritual, social and economic sustainability ......................... 45
Sustainability and outreach ................................................... 45
Model of sustainability .......................................................... 45
OUTREACH............................................................................. 47
The broad mandate for outreach at Bhaktivedanta Manor .. 48
Levels of membership ........................................................... 48
Personal spiritual development and outreach ...................... 48
Opportunities for outreach ................................................... 49
Consideration of the spaces used for programmes ............... 49
Dedicated time and space for outreach programmes ........... 49
Cultivating initiative and cooperation for outreach . ............. 50
Devotees visiting from other yatras ...................................... 50
Off-site opportunities for programmes ................................. 51
Management and outreach . ................................................. 51
Training programmes . ........................................................... 51
Devotional arts employed in outreach .................................. 52
Special fields of outreach ...................................................... 52
Representing Krishna consciousness ..................................... 52
The all-attractive culture of Krishna consciousness . ............. 53
Prasadam distribution ........................................................... 53
Plurality of outreach programmes and communications ...... 53
First contact ........................................................................... 54
Pastoral care .......................................................................... 54
• 9
FOLLOWING
SRILA
PRABHUPADA
We may not be cent percent perfect, but as far as possible, if we
follow the instruction as it is, that much [is] perfect. In this way,
one will get perfection. So, one has to follow. … So if you follow
pure devotee, then you are also pure devotee. It may not be one is
cent percent pure. Because we are trying to raise ourself from the
conditional life. But if we strictly follow the pure devotee, then we
are also pure devotee. So far we do, that is pure. So pure devotee
does not mean one has to become immediately cent per cent pure.
But if he sticks to the principle that “We’ll follow a pure devotee,”
then his actions are... He is as good as a pure devotee.” Srila Prabhupada, Los Angeles, 25th November 1968
key areas of focus
• Honouring Srila Prabhupada
• Srila Prabhupada as Founder-Acharya
and pre-eminent siksa-guru
• Bhaktivedanta Manor as Srila
Prabhupada’s residence
• Srila Prabhupada’s books
• Representing Srila Prabhupada as
aspiring pure devotees
• Key Daily Practices
• Spiritual health check
• Srila Prabhupada as primary authority
• Guru, sadhu, Sastra
• Key questions to address in managerial
decision-making
• Recording decisions
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Honouring Srila Prabhupada
Bhaktivedanta Manor honours Srila
Prabhupada as described in his pranama
mantras:
nama om visnu-padaya
krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedantasvamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve
gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadipascatya-desa-tarine
I offer my respectful obeisances unto
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to
Lord Krishna on this earth, having taken
shelter at His lotus feet.
Our respectful obeisances are unto you,
O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati
Gosvami. You are kindly preaching
the message of Lord Caitanyadeva
and delivering the Western countries,
which are filled with impersonalism and
voidism.
These pranama mantras provide an
understanding of who Srila Prabhupada
is, now and in perpetuity, for us as
individuals and as a movement. It also
serves to communicate the identity
and role of Srila Prabhupada to society
in general. The entire community of
Bhaktivedanta Manor, immediate and
extended, which is comprised of, but
not limited to, the temple management
and members of the temple and patron
councils, along with its residents and
congregations – may reflect on and
consider the above translation as an aid
to personal meditation on the person and
mission of ISKCON’s Founder-Acarya, His
Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada as
Founder-Acharya and
pre-eminent siksa-guru
While cherishing the opportunity to
celebrate the identity and role of Srila
Prabhupada amongst ourselves and
communicating that to society at large,
it is important that we are fully aware –
as individuals and as a movement – of
his unique position as Founder- Acarya
of The International Society for Krishna
Consciousness. We understand that Srila
Prabhupada is not limited to the role of
a saintly historical figure or even to that
of founder of the spiritual institution. His
Divine Grace is forever transcendental
to time and place and, as designated by
the term ‘acarya’, does, indeed, remain
personally accessible to all, now and in
perpetuity, through his books, writings,
instructions, sound recordings and
personal darsana.
All participants at Bhaktivedanta Manor
are to be encouraged to understand Srila
Prabhupada as the primary authority
of ISKCON and that, in all matters,
the institution strives to be a living
example of the implementation of Srila
Prabhupada’s divine instructions.
It was Srila Prabhupada’s wish that the
Governing Body Commission of ISKCON
be the ultimate managing authority of
the society. Bhaktivedanta Manor will
always be part of ISKCON and will always
remain loyal and serve Srila Prabhupada
under the direction of the GBC body and
the local GBC member.
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GBC statement on
the position of Srila
Prabhupada:
As the Founder-Acarya of the
International Society for Krishna
Consciousness (ISKCON) and the preeminent teacher and ultimate authority
within our society, Srila Prabhupada has
a unique relationship with every ISKCON
devotee.
Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, is the original guru whose
Divine Grace descends through the
medium of the guru parampara. As such,
a devotee is ultimately delivered by Sri
Krishna acting through a combination
of various manifestations of His mercy.
These include, but are not limited to, the
caitya-guru, Srila Prabhupada, the guru
parampara, one’s diksa-guru, other siksagurus, the Holy Name, sastra, and the
nine processes of devotional service.
Within these cooperative elements,
Srila Prabhupada, as the FounderAcarya of the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, is the preeminent siksa-guru for all members of
ISKCON. All members of ISKCON, for all
generations, are encouraged to seek
shelter of Srila Prabhupada. All members
of ISKCON are entitled and encouraged
to have a personal relationship with
Srila Prabhupada through his books,
teachings, service, and his ISKCON
society.
spiritual instruction and inspiration on
behalf of Srila Prabhupada and our guru
parampara. The diksa-guru gives spiritual
instruction, inspiration, formal initiation,
a spiritual name, and later imparts the
sacred Gayatri mantras to a qualified
disciple as a service to Srila Prabhupada
and our guru parampara.
All members accepting leadership roles
within ISKCON, including diksa-gurus and
siksa- gurus, have the duty of serving
together under ISKCON’s Governing
Body Commission (GBC) to fulfil Srila
Prabhupada’s instructions as he has
given in his books, lectures and personal
communications.
Srila Prabhupada has clearly explained
that devotees who are strictly following
the Krishna conscious principles are
acting on the liberated platform, and,
as such, are pure devotees, even though
they may actually not yet be liberated.
Such unalloyed devotional service is
not necessarily determined by one’s
role or position of service, but by one’s
realisation.)
Overall, the primary duty of all diksagurus, siksa-gurus, and others in
leadership positions, is to assist Srila
Prabhupada in his service to his guru
maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura, and our Brahma Madhva
Gaudiya Sampradaya.
Those who accept the service of diksaguru or siksa-guru in ISKCON are required
to be exemplary in representing Srila
Prabhupada’s teaching in their words and
personal behaviour. The siksa-guru gives
Those who accept the service of diksa- or
siksa-guru within ISKCON are mandated
to be strict followers of the instructions
of Srila Prabhupada, and, as long as they
follow, they are acting on the liberated
platform. Thus they may serve, as Srila
Prabhupada ordered, as bona fide
representatives of the Lord and the guru
parampara and be a via media of their
mercy. Yet it should be clearly understood
that if such diksa- or siksa-gurus deviate
12
from strictly following, they may fall
down from their position.
Thus, to act as a diksa-guru in ISKCON
means to serve under the GBC and
in cooperation with other ISKCON
authorities by functioning as a regular
guru as Srila Prabhupada has directed.
(ISKCON GBC AGM 2013 - 303 GBC
Statement on the Position of Srila
Prabhupada)
Bhaktivedanta Manor as Srila
Prabhupada’s residence
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be preserved
and developed as a living sanctuary
dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and his
legacy. This entails nurturing it as a
site of his historical pastimes and as a
place of pilgrimage where his presence
may be felt by all, according to their
capacity, as an on-going and everpresent connection. This may variously
be experienced as a source of guidance,
mercy, empowerment, enthusiasm and
loving exchange – qualities that Srila
Prabhupada himself embodied and
exemplified as the Founder-Acarya.
Bhaktivedanta Manor aims to nurture the
benefits for people to see the historical
connection of Srila Prabhupada with the
site of the Manor. This is to encourage
everyone to develop a vision of Srila
Prabhupada as a real person – active
in the history of the Manor and the
Movement - and to help to bring his
teachings, activities and example to life.
As well as appreciating Srila Prabhupada
as a historical person, Bhaktivedanta
Manor can help people realise that Srila
Prabhupada is accessible to everyone
and to encourage devotees to develop
an active personal connection with His
Divine Grace. In particular, the mood
of service and respect offered to Srila
Prabhupada in his quarters allows access
to the tangible relationship of bhakti that
exists between Srila Prabhupada and his
followers.
The leadership of Bhaktivedanta Manor
is to determine the means to fulfil the
above aspirations to enhance devotees’
understanding of and connection with
Srila Prabhupada. Such measures
include Srila Prabhupada’s rooms
being designated as living museum
space (with his personal paraphernalia
and other exhibits displayed to a
professional standard), where guests
and members can read and learn
about Srila Prabhupada, his teachings,
life and achievements. And here, as
elsewhere throughout Bhaktivedanta
Manor, it will establish further anchors
to focus people’s consciousness on Srila
Prabhupada through pictures, images,
paraphernalia, publications, recordings,
etc.
‘...the most confidential servant of
Krishna, the spiritual master, and all
devotees of Vishnu are tadiya. The saccid-nanda-vigraha, guru, Vaisnavas and
things used by them must be considered
tadiya, and without a doubt worshipable
by all living beings.’
(Cc. Madhya 12.38 purport)
The Manor is to carry out educational
programmes to present Srila
Prabhupada’s unique position as
Founder-Acarya, his pastimes and
character as well as a thorough study of
his books and teachings.
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Key daily practices
Progress in Krishna consciousness
rests upon the regular daily practice of
sadhana-bhakti, as enunciated by Srila
Prabhupada, thus receiving his blessings.
The following key daily practices are vital
to the steady advancement of each of us
and should be preserved and cultivated
at Bhaktivedanta Manor for the
purification and benefit of one and all:
• Personal sadhana – minimum 16
rounds on beads
• Following the four regulative
principles
• Congregational chanting – kirtana,
bhajana, harinama-sankirtana
• Study of Srila Prabhupada’s books
– morning and evening class and
personal reading
• Communal worship – mangala-arati,
tulasi -puja, guru-puja, sundara-arati
• Asrama life – self-discipline, regulated
lifestyle, association, simple living and
high thinking
• Devotional service – service,
preaching, sankirtana
• Pranamas to Srila Prabhupada –
personal obeisances, in kirtana, in
class
Srila Prabhupada’s books
Srila Prabhupada’s writings are the
canonical texts of ISKCON in perpetuity.
Any further writings and publications
produced by the Movement, as well as
all teaching offered by Bhaktivedanta
Manor, are intended to be in pursuance
of elucidating and revealing the message
of Krishna consciousness within these
texts. Thus, all teachings and published
materials offered by Bhaktivedanta
Manor are to reflect the knowledge
expressed by Srila Prabhupada in spirit,
emphasis, application and specific
philosophy.
It is the duty of the management of
Bhaktivedanta Manor to help preserve
this precious legacy by making the
full range of Srila Prabhupada’s books
available – as well as those biographies
which provide authorised insight into his
life and teachings - both for study in the
Bhaktivedanta Manor Library and, as far
as possible, in the temple shop.
In this regard, the Manor is to ensure that
all editions of Srila Prabhupada’s books
are made available for reference at the
Bhaktivedanta Manor library. That is,
original pre-edited editions and re-prints,
as well as newly revised editions of his
works issued by the Bhaktivedanta Book
Trust, should be on hand and clearly
marked to identity the various versions.
This library should be an on-going
resource and ever-growing archive that
reflects the history of the movement in
the UK and worldwide with bound copies
of Back to Godhead magazine as well as
the Manor’s own newsletters, festival
publications and leaflets.
Also, that the Manor is to ensure that
any and all writings and publications by
other Vaisnavas that are on sale or held
for study are in pursuance of the Gaudiya
Vaisnava siddhanta as uniquely presented
by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Devotees are to be encouraged to
read and propagate Srila Prabhupada’s
teachings and achievements.
14
Representing Srila
Prabhupada as aspiring pure
devotees
The key purpose of training members of
Bhaktivedanta Manor’s community is to
foster the consciousness and practices
of pure devotional service. By nurturing
pure devotees of Krishna in each
successive generation, the application
and dissemination of the Gaudiya
Vaisnava teachings remains fresh, alive
and accessible to an ever-widening
audience. This preserves the integrity
of the parampara and offers access to
a manifest culture of Srila Prabhupada’s
teachings
Ista-gosthi
In pursuance of Srila Prabhupada’s vision
for creating a society of independently
thoughtful men and women, the
management at Bhaktivedanta
Manor shall encourage full and open
discussion of all topics addressed in Srila
Prabhupada’s lectures, letters, books and
conversations. Such discussion amongst
devotees is known as ista-goshti, and
the Manor leadership is to encourage
all members (management, residents
and community alike) to attend and
participate in such open fora. Leadership
encourages discussion on the full range
of Vaisnava interests and concerns and
offers suitable opportunities for such
topics to be debated with due Vaisnava
etiquette.
‘Spiritual health check’
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to support the
continual development of the spiritual
life of the devotees and requires a
system of health checking to ensure
that individuals are supported in their
practice of Krishna consciousness and
are encouraged in their personal siksarelationship with Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada
as primary authority
All decisions and policies at
Bhaktivedanta Manor must be fully
informed by the directives of Srila
Prabhupada, as primary authority. As
such they should always be in pursuance
of his instructions. Further to this, the
leadership must be inclusive and to
involve consultation from a broad and
appropriate range of sources.
A legacy in service
Special attention should be given to
consulting those devotees who received
direct training from Srila Prabhupada
in particular areas of service. Records
should be kept of their experience,
knowledge and the standards as they
have understood them to be. This
resource will serve to sustain and
promote a legacy of service as Srila
Prabhupada desired and taught for the
future.
15
Consultation process:
guru, sadhu & sastra
The consultation matrix for decision
and policymaking should be based on
the guru, sadhu and sastra principle,
which provides a system of checks and
balances. All leaders and leadership
bodies at the Manor must engage with
this tripartite method of determining
what may be best in any given time or
scenario.
For leadership and management
purposes the terms, guru, sadhu &
sastra, should be understood as follows:
Guru:
His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada;
The GBC body (This does not mean that
the GBC body is on an equal footing with
Srila Prabhupada, but Srila Prabhupada
has stipulated that the GBC body is the
ultimate managing authority of the
movement and, as such, is to represent
his wishes and direction for the society.)
Sadhu:
Senior ISKCON devotees – local and
international;
The respective GBC zonal secretary and
the UK national leadership body (ISKCON
management council); and
The temple president, temple council and
all consultative bodies of devotees are
also included herein.
Sastra:
The library of His Divine Grace Srila
Prabhupada, including all his written and
recorded works;
The ISKCON lawbook and current GBC
resolutions;
The Manor’s various policies and
protocols as documented;
Any relevant ISKCON literature in accord
with the GBC body;
In light of the above, further texts and
commentaries by the acaryas in the
disciplic succession serve as an important
resource.
The above decision-making matrix forms
the hierarchy in the consultative process.
In all cases, and as previously stated,
Srila Prabhupada remains the primary
authority.
Important questions to
address in decision-making
In order to keep Srila Prabhupada’s
sacred mission on course, Bhaktivedanta
Manor encourages issues to be
discussed thoroughly in the light of Srila
Prabhupada’s instructions before any
action is taken.
In considering any proposal for
implementation, five key questions are to
be addressed and satisfied:
1. How will this proposal serve Srila
Prabhupada’s mission?
2. Which of the seven purposes of
ISKCON is this proposal aligned to?
3. How will this proposal align with
Srila Prabhupada’s teachings and
guidelines for ISKCON’s management
in general and for Bhaktivedanta
Manor in particular?
4. How will it spread Krishna
consciousness to others?
5. How will it purify all those devotees
engaged in delivering it?
16
Recording decisions
The management is to ensure that
good records are kept of all significant
decisions that have ramifications for the
Manor and its members. Such records
should keep a note of how the decision
has been arrived at and if consultation
was involved.
Although management must strictly
adhere to the stated instructions of
Srila Prabhupada, in exceptional and
rare circumstances if the management
make decisions after due consultation
which they feel are in pursuit of Srila
Prabhupada’s ultimate wishes, but at
the same time contravene certain of his
stated instructions, then, in these cases,
comprehensive details must be recorded.
Such records must explain the logic and
rationale by which such conclusions
have been reached. If such decisions or
policies are not intended to persevere
for the long term, the date of their
termination or review should be clear.
The thoughtfulness, consultation and
necessity of recorded detail in all such
matters are to safeguard against making,
or being perceived to make, harmful or
whimsical decisions. Further, it avoids
such decisions made with regard to
specific time, place and circumstance
from carrying authority or becoming a
precedent for future decision-making.
There are often questions and issues to
be determined within the management
of ISKCON projects which involve
deliberation on matters of time, place
and circumstance. Sometimes, we must
reflect on novel situations or innovative
proposals for which we do not have any
direct instruction from Srila Prabhupada
or which might seem to be even in
contravention of specific guidance from
Srila Prabhupada. And, sometimes, there
may be the concern that applying specific
instructions might not be appropriate
in particular circumstances. In these
cases, the management of Bhaktivedanta
Manor is to proceed with caution.
It should consult appropriately and
debate the issues with trusted bodies of
devotees, and it should confirm decisions
and policies with higher authorities.
Following the afore-mentioned principles,
Bhaktivedanta Manor should carry out
a review of all current practices and
policies in the light of Srila Prabhupada’s
instructions and identify issues that may
need to be rectified or corrected.
ROLE OF
BHAKTIVEDANTA
MANOR
‘Here we only talk about the spirit soul, about Krishna, about
relationship with Krishna, how to act to satisfy Krishna. This
is the business here. That is the difference. Formerly, this
place, Manor, was known as Piggot’s Manor. Now we have
named it Bhaktivedanta Manor. What is the difference?
Formerly, it was for sense gratification. Now it is meant for
elevating one to the spiritual standard of life.’
(Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita class 2:16,
22nd August 1973)
We recognise that ISKCON was and always will be dependent
on the inspiration, teachings and guidance we receive from
Srila Prabhupada. To that end, we define our intention as
ensuring that all the activities performed under the auspices
of Bhaktivedanta Manor are in keeping with his desires and
are pleasing to him.
17
key areas of focus
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bhaktivedanta Manor as a spiritual embassy
Iconic historic status
An ISKCON flagship project
Special status in the UK
Sankirtana-yajna
Sanctity of the core aspects of Bhaktivedanta Manor
Expanding facilities
18
Bhaktivedanta Manor
as a spiritual embassy
Srila Prabhupada in all his dealings, as
recorded in all literary, audio and visual
presentations of him.
We accept that Srila Prabhupada
intended Bhaktivedanta Manor to
be a unique vibrant environment of
devotional culture. Bhaktivedanta Manor
is to be defined and understood as a
spiritual embassy: its role is to teach and
implement Srila Prabhupada’s teachings,
instructions and lifestyle, so that
devotees may become living examples of
Krishna-bhakti.
Iconic and historic status
We acknowledge the emphasis on the
term ‘Bhaktivedanta’. It reminds us that
the role of Bhaktivedanta Manor is to
connect all devotees to the parampara,
thence onto Krishna, through Srila
Prabhupada’s teachings, instructions
and lifestyle. We also draw inspiration
from the etymology of ‘Bhaktivedanta’
which emphasises both the expression
of devotion and the cultivation of
knowledge as the prime functions of
Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to preserve,
support and promote the transcendental
culture which is encapsulated in the
teachings of Srila Prabhupada and
which was personally demonstrated by
Bhaktivedanta Manor has special
significance in the history and mission
of the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness, which should always be
made known to its members so that they
may appreciate:
• The Manor’s role during the historic
periods of Srila Prabhupada’s
manifested pastimes;
• The Manor’s role nationally in the UK;
and • The Manor’s role internationally
in the development of the ISKCON
movement.
Specifically, we are to honour
Bhaktivedanta Manor in the following
ways:
• As one of only ten remaining
places internationally where Srila
Prabhupada actually resided and
spent significant time;
• As used by Srila Prabhupada as his
headquarters for the development
of ISKCON in Europe; it was, and
is to be forever considered, Srila
Prabhupada’s home;
• As the domain of Their Lordships, Sri
Sri Radha Gokulananda, and a place
of transcendental pastimes for the
Deities and Their devotees;
• As a gift of George Harrison; and
• As a place of pilgrimage.
In order to maintain clarity on the
unique nature of the Bhaktivedanta
Manor, within the main building of
Bhaktivedanta Manor, the following
should be documented and prominently
displayed:
• The historical pastimes and current
presence of Srila Prabhupada;
• The life, teachings and mission of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; and
• The transcendental nature of the
arca-vigraha, the presiding Deities of
Bhaktivedanta Manor.
19
An ISKCON flagship project
Sankirtana-yajna
The Manor is a flagship project within
ISKCON worldwide. It has, therefore,
special responsibilities to preserve the
good name of ISKCON internationally. As
is practical, it must exercise goodwill and
hospitality to devotees worldwide and
encourage unity throughout the devotee
world. Further, it can provide special
and unique services and support to the
preaching efforts of the society in Europe
and beyond.
Sankirtana-yajna refers to the spreading
of Krishna consciousness, as established
by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and put
into practice by Srila Prabhupada in the
modern era. Bhaktivedanta Manor is
to encourage the understanding that
every facet of ISKCON’s activities are,
and should remain, part and parcel of
sankirtana-yajna and thereby to develop
an awareness and appreciation in all
devotees of the value of all services
as being interconnected and essential
for the successful performance of
sankirtana-yajna. This will develop and
enhance a spirit of inclusiveness in the
endeavours of the devotees in every
facet of ISKCON. For example, devotees
who perform book distribution and
harinama-sankirtana and devotees who
perform Deity worship will come to
understand how each activity relates to
and enhances the other.
Special status within UK
It is important to consider the important
status that Bhaktivedanta Manor has
within ISKCON UK. It has the ability
to offer many functions of preaching,
teaching, culture and support that
may assist to nurture the growth and
spread of ISKCON in other regions.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is committed
to collaborate with other UK centres
in propagating Krishna consciousness
as well as in effective recruitment
of devotees and the utilisation and
movement of devotee resource between
temples.
The legacy and future of
Srila Prabhupada’s
standards of Deity worship
Their Lordships Sri Sri RadhaGokulananda are among the very few
arca-vigraha personally installed by
Srila Prabhupada. This places enormous
responsibility upon Bhaktivedanta Manor
to ensure that Their worship, security
and pleasure is maintained and enhanced
to the highest standards that Srila
Prabhupada wanted.
The management of Bhaktivedanta
Manor will consult thoroughly with those
devotees personally trained and charged
with Deity worship – particularly in the
UK – and develop a full compendium of
standards and practices to be followed in
the worship of Radha-Gokulananda.
20
Sanctity of the core aspects of Expanding facilities
Bhaktivedanta Manor
It is inevitable that there may be
Avoiding overcommercialisation
All preaching and general activities taking
place within Bhaktivedanta Manor are
to be organised in order to preserve the
sanctity of Bhaktivedanta Manor and
support the Vaisnava culture therein.
Although it is correct that Bhaktivedanta
Manor offers devotees and visitors
the opportunity to purchase books,
prasadam, paraphernalia and services,
all such sales activity should be carried
out in such a way that is appropriate to
maintaining the spiritual atmosphere of
the project.
The altar of Their Lordships, Their temple
room, Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasana and
his rooms and the devotees’ asramas are
to be given absolute priority to preserve
and enhance the spiritual sanctity and
atmosphere that each of these areas
deserves. Each of these facilities is to
be protected from neglect, misuse,
inappropriate activities and interference
from other quarters.
Management is to ensure a balanced use
of the overall space of Bhaktivedanta
Manor, thereby preserving the sacrosanct
atmosphere of all areas and in particular
those mentioned above. All activities
and projects are to be assessed against
this criterion, and consideration shall be
given to relocating those activities that
are not aligned to the core functions of
Bhaktivedanta Manor.
incongruity or even conflict in the use of
certain spaces or just a lack of adequate
facility within the Manor building
because of its current limitations – even
so, as much as is possible must be done
to protect the key areas as described
above.
The management are to consider the
options for creating new facilities within
the estate and also facilities off-site to
accommodate some of the functions
currently held at the Manor.
There is also the need to consider
expansion of activities and the creation
of new facilities beyond the immediate
locality of Bhaktivedanta Manor and
to open new centres and run new
programmes in other locations within our
remit which will cater for the devotees
and visitors in those localities.
MANAGEMENT
AND
LEADERSHIP
‘So the future of this Krishna Consciousness movement is very
bright, so long the managers remain vigilant that 16 rounds are
being chanted by everyone without fail, that they are all rising
before four in the morning, attending mangal arati—our leaders
shall be careful not to kill the spirit of enthusiastic service,
which is individual and spontaneous and voluntary. They should
try always to generate some atmosphere of fresh challenge
to the devotees, so that they will agree enthusiastically to
rise and meet it. That is the art of management: to draw
out spontane¬ous loving spirit of sacrificing some energy for
Krishna. But where are so many expert managers? All of us
should become expert managers and preachers. We should not
be very much after comforts and become complacent or selfcontented.”
(Srila Prabhupada letter to Karandhar, 22nd December 1972)
As leaders and followers entrusted with the welfare and future
of all the devotees and projects of Bhaktivedanta Manor, we
recog¬nise the enormous responsibility to maintain, nurture
and expand the movement as would be most pleasing to Srila
Prabhupada.
key areas of focus
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Leadership within Krishna consciousness
Management reflecting devotional culture
Values and style of leadership
Broad forward planning
Encouraging responsibility and leadership at all levels
Hidden enemies
Consultative bodies
Visiting senior devotees
Support for managers
Ethics and fiscal probity
Devotional responsibility of fiscal management
Clarity of decision-making
Capital funds
Devotee maintenance
Considering long-term implications
The effects of reducing project funding
Special role within UK
Gifts and donations
22
Leadership within Krishna
consciousness
Bhaktivedanta Manor accepts the
following principles regarding the
character and behaviour of leaders and
managers within the movement:
A good leader is one who is a good
follower.
A leader has others’ well-being at heart.
The principles of leadership apply to
everyone: from those charged with the
responsibility of leading the temple or a
particular project or for caring for other
devotees down to each individual, who is
ultimately responsible for implementing
Krishna consciousness at a personal level.
Sound spiritual sadhana and good
personal conduct are vital for anybody
making decisions that affect the lives and
spiritual progress of others.
Leadership is effective when
accompanied by inspiring personal
qualities.
Along with setting rules for his followers,
Prabhupada was constantly coaching and
encouraging the devotees in their service
and spiritual development. Hence, we
expect our leaders to:
• Exhibit kindness, fairness, maturity,
common sense and have the ability to
consult broadly and listen to others
when reaching decisions;
• Anchor their decisions and policies
in the core values of Krishna
consciousness that are the heart
of the spiritual community of
Bhaktivedanta Manor; and
• Look to Srila Prabhupada’s example
as a leader and take inspiration from
him.
Leadership under direction of
higher authority
In ISKCON, each one of us, regardless
of the title, role or service we engage
in, is under the care and direction of a
higher devotee authority. The overall
management of the Bhaktivedanta
Manor project recognises and is faithful
and cooperative with the authority of
ISKCON UK, the local GBC member and
the GBC body as the ultimate governing
body for the movement.
Training in Srila Prabhupada’s
principles of management
Bhaktivedanta Manor will offer training
programmes to assist its leaders and
managers in understanding the principles
by which Srila Prabhupada and the GBC
body wish the movement to be run.
Management reflecting
devotional culture
Srila Prabhupada wanted his temples to
be well-organised, clean and welcoming.
However, in trying to achieve that goal,
he warned us not to set up too much
bureaucracy. The balance is having
sufficient organisation, systems and
management controls which do not
interfere with the higher goals of a
vibrant, happy, flexible and welcoming
centre of Krishna consciousness.
It is preferable for us to keep to
organisational terminology that reflects
our spiritual aspirations and traditions.
We wish to distinguish the purpose and
mood of Bhaktivedanta Manor from
mundane or commercial corporations.
23
Values and style of leadership
The managerial organisation of
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be in keeping
with the values of devotional leadership,
justice and fairness, as elaborated by Srila
Prabhupada. The processes by which
leaders are appointed and trained should
enshrine these Krishna conscious values
in a way that is clearly visible to the
community of devotees.
In pursuit of initiatives, the preferred
leadership style is to strive to build
a consensus opinion from relevant
devotees for significant proposals to fulfil
Srila Prabhupada’s Seven Purposes of
ISKCON at Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Managerial bodies should contain
representation from as broad a spectrum
of its area of care as is practical.
Broad forward planning
There is to be forward planning at
Bhaktivedanta Manor that attempts to
forecast the future needs of all elements
of our community with the establishment
of an on-going, inclusive process of
consultation and communication with
those devotees. This is to be undertaken
with due consideration of age, gender,
ethnic background and ISKCON
experience.
Encouraging responsibility
and leadership at all levels
The structure and policies of the society
should support and encourage the sense
of leadership, responsibility and initiative
at all levels of the organisation.
The organisational culture of
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to embody the
principle of identifying, encouraging and
training leadership for the future and of
offering suitable opportunities for them.
It is recognised that leadership of a
particular unit or department within
the whole organisation must endeavour
to avoid conflicts with or detriment to
others and should strive to build synergy
and common benefit.
Hidden enemies
As with all human organisations, there
is the danger that certain undesirable
factors may affect our leadership,
management and decision-making. The
devotees of Bhaktivedanta Manor are to
be mindful of such ‘hidden enemies’ and
are able to recognise and avoid them in
themselves and in the temple bodies in
which they participate.
Such ‘hidden enemies’ include the
following traits:
• Personal interest, ambition or selfcentred motive;
• Commercialism and profit at the
expense of spiritual principles;
• Materialistic expressions of religiosity
which subvert or take the place of the
culture of bhakti;
• Tribal or party mentality in which
one group puts its interest unfairly or
unduly above another;
• Politics and diplomacy which promote
individual of party gain and which
undermines the devotional culture of
the organisation;
• Nepotism and cronyism in which
benefit and service is awarded not on
merit, but as a favour to those related
in family or friendship;
• Philosophical deviation in which one
may unintentionally or carelessly act
against or without due regard for
ISKCON philosophy and policy;
24
• Philosophical manipulation in which
one uses a narrow presentation of
philosophy, including sastric quotes,
to promote a particular conclusion,
that if analysed more broadly, may
prove to be a deviation; and
• Isolationism that involves a lack of
appropriate interaction with others
or a failing to consider the needs and
thoughts of others.
Each of these ‘hidden enemies’ may
affect an individual, a sub-set of
devotees or an entire project such as
a temple community. The devotees of
Bhaktivedanta Manor must do their
utmost to avoid decisions which would
exacerbate the problems that these
hidden enemies can cause.
Consultative bodies
Visiting senior devotees
Bhaktivedanta Manor always seeks to
work with suitable consultative bodies
of devotees set up in advisory capacities
to assist the managers of Bhaktivedanta
Manor.
There must be a clear definition of the
roles, responsibilities and extent of
authority of senior ISKCON devotees
visiting the UK. While we appreciate their
senior association, such visiting devotees
do not have any managerial authority
over devotees at Bhaktivedanta Manor
Some of these bodies may be formed of
devotees who have special expertise in
practical or fiscal matters or a particular
field of service.
Special consideration should also be
given to the formation of an advisory
and consultative body of mature and
experienced devotees exhibiting broad
wisdom, integrity, good character
and detachment and thereby able to
deliberate on spiritual and theological
matters as they relate to the running of
the project.
Support for managers
Bhaktivedanta Manor accepts that
managers and leaders deserve
and require support to help them
in the challenges of their onerous
responsibilities, and it will provide
sufficient support, training, guidance
and mentorship to all those who have
the responsibility (or the potential) to
manage others to enable them to fulfil
their roles well.
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises that
the key role of a manager in Krishna
consciousness is to deal with people and
to implement policies and programmes
to assist its members in behaving in
such as way so as to be consistently
encouraging, fulfilling, inspiring, as well
as effective and beneficial.
25
An effective system of mentorship
should be made available to all of
the managers of Bhaktivedanta
Manor – specific to their roles and
responsibilities - to be implemented
to support their self-awareness; to
enhance their relationships with other
devotees and with Srila Prabhupada;
and to encourage them to develop
a reflective practice as part of their
responsible role.
Ethics and fiscal probity
It is the responsibility of leaders at all
levels of Bhaktivedanta Manor to carry
out their duties with due regard to the
standards of fiscal probity and ethical
values that are expected of a spiritual
movement and UK charity.
It is the responsibility of all devotees
to care for the wealth and property
of ISKCON as belonging to Krishna
and placed in our care for His service.
All devotees are to be conscious to
avoid wasting of resources - either by
unnecessary expenditure or by damage
or loss to Krishna’s property.
Bhaktivedanta Manor accepts that
all funds that come into its care
belong to Krishna. They are not the
preserve of any particular person or
department. They are to be used in the
appropriate way to serve the broadest
understanding of Bhaktivedanta
Manor’s remit. Although there are
specific bodies delegated with the
responsibility to manage particular
funds for designated purposes, the
understanding remains that the
funds are in the ownership of Radha
Gokulananda and are for the benefit of
the overall project.
Devotional responsibility
of fiscal management
Although it requires a certain level of
understanding of financial issues to
manage a charitable organisation, the
care and allocation of Krishna’s funds
are a devotional responsibility, and
therefore those persons responsible
for this activity should be of devotional
character appropriate to their service.
Clarity of decision-making
There must always be transparency
and clarity about how and by whom
management and financial decisions
are made. And, suitable explanations
are to be provided for the allocation
of funding for new projects and
investments. Such transparency
of leadership offers protection for
the managers as well as for other
members.
Capital funds
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to have a
defined and transparent system to
decide on the allocation of capital
funds that strives to guarantee the
appropriate balance of the interests of
preaching and expansion of new and
current projects against expenditure or
investment in the long-term security
and development of the temple. It is
recognised that, although a body may
act with due diligence and integrity
within the law and spirit of a charity
organisation, there remains the specific
issue of the priorities for ISKCON as
a preaching movement. An example
26
of such a dilemma might be deciding
between investing in long-term capital
security or funding a new or expanded
outreach project. Neither is inherently
right or wrong – it is a question of
balancing the movement’s priorities.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to reflect on
the best approach for such capital
fund decision-making and possible
approaches may include one or more of
the following: Pre-set budget strategy
allocating certain percentages for certain
purposes;
• Policies agreed within a long-term
vision strategy;
• Guidance from advisory and
consultative bodies;
• Ista-goshtis, discussion and
consultation with the community.
Devotee maintenance
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises that
it is necessary and desirable to provide
personal and family maintenance for
certain devotees engaged in the project.
It also recognises that such provision
may, at times, potentially undermine
devotional culture or cause disharmony
amongst members of the community.
The Manor should periodically review its
approach in caring for and maintaining
devotees and their families with the
objective of devising a system that is seen
to be:
• In pursuance of Srila Prabhupada
directions on this matter;
• Consistent with the devotional
culture and spiritual aspirations of the
Manor;
• Fair, reasonable and equitable for the
devotees involved; and
• Open, balanced, broadly acceptable
and open to all members.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be mindful
of implementing any policy of devotee
maintenance or provision that might
detract from others volunteering their
services or from feeling accepted or
welcomed within the community. It is to
consider the ramifications that, because
a particular devotee is being supported
financially to carry out a specific task,
such a service may no longer be open for
a non-maintained devotee to participate
in.
Considering long-term
implications
When taking decisions on expenditure,
investments and commitments which
have long-term implications (such as
leases, mortgages, etc.), managers are to
be mindful not to cause undue burden or
impact on the Society in the future.
27
The effects of reducing
project funding
When taking decisions on cutting or
terminating funding for existing projects,
all due consideration is to be given to
the spiritual value of such a programme,
particularly in terms of preaching,
education or care for the devotees. If a
reduction in funding is unavoidable, then
managers are to consider how the loss
of such a programme can be mitigated
and how the current provision can be
retained or replaced to an acceptable
degree.
Special role within UK
Gifts and donations
Each temple and project within ISKCON
UK is autonomous and working together
under the aegis of the national leadership
of the local GBC. Because of its history,
size and status, Bhaktivedanta Manor
recognises it holds a unique and
privileged position within UK. Within
its own capability, it will endeavour to
respond to the desires and interests of
the rest of ISKCON UK, to try to assist
other projects and regions as best
it can. This assistance may take the
form of suitable advice, support and
encouragement. In certain circumstances
it may involve non-obligatory financial
aid which may be offered at the
discretion of the Manor. And, it should be
implemented in such a way as to avoid
dependency or the loss of initiative for
the recipient project.
All donations made for a specific
fund-raising purpose must be utilised
for that purpose with full clarity and
transparency.
However, Bhaktivedanta Manor is to
be vigilant to avoid accepting gifts or
donations for certain purposes that
are inappropriate, unnecessary or
which cause problematic obligations
or commitments – particularly those
that might be inconsistent with Krishna
conscious philosophy or practice.
Care is to be taken not to confer undue
benefit, influence or special status to
those who have given significant or
particular funds or gifts to the temple.
UNITY
IN
DIVERSITY
‘If we keep Krishna in the centre then there will be agreement
in varieties. This is called unity in diversity...Please try to
maintain the philosophy of unity in diversity. That will make our
movement successful.’
(Srila Prabhupada letter, Bombay, 18th October 1973)
The devotees of Bhaktivedanta Manor seek to demonstrate
true unity in diversity through devotion to Lord Krishna, as
taught by Srila Prabhupada.
key areas of focus
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unity in diversity
An inclusive and appealing culture
Balancing the resources of Bhaktivedanta Manor
Diversity in outreach
Welcoming people to Bhaktivedanta Manor
Deepening spiritual experiences
Association amongst the generations
Possible requirement for new facilities
30
Unity in diversity
Krishna consciousness offers a unique
understanding and spiritual process to
cultivate harmony and to encourage
people towards unity in diversity. The
Manor accepts that Srila Prabhupada
had a vision of unity in diversity for his
Society. Krishna consciousness is the
basis of spiritual unity which should
be nurtured as the goal and guiding
objective for the life and preaching of
Bhaktivedanta Manor.
The Manor must always endeavour
to create a consciousness of unity
and greater family spirit. Part of this
may be through the transcendental
principles, standards and practices of
Krishna consciousness as taught by
Srila Prabhupada. Serving together
in openness, generosity of spirit and
inclusivity creates a mood of happiness,
unity and satisfaction.
An inclusive and
appealing culture
Bhaktivedanta Manor should be
universally attractive to all visitors and
devotees from a variety of cultures.
Bhaktivedanta Manor represents the
Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition, and this will
always be a prominent aspect of the
culture of any of its temples. However,
Bhaktivedanta Manor may also adopt
certain suitable aspects of the customs,
culture and cuisine to reflect its location
in Britain and to appeal to all aspects of
the British public.
Britain is not a singular culture and is
composed of many community groups.
The leadership of Bhaktivedanta Manor
must always reflect on how the temple
should remain of broad appeal to
all aspects of British society without
negating the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition
or compromising the principles on which
ISKCON is based.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is naturally
attractive to British Hindus and should
take care not to allow the style of
any particular Hindu denomination
to become overly dominant. This will
inappropriately portray Bhaktivedanta
Manor as providing for a specific
grouping within the broader Hindu
community.
Bhaktivedanta Manor should strive to
reveal the relevance of the spiritual
philosophy and practices of Krishna
consciousness to all people, regardless of
their background culture or beliefs.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to ensure that
every visitor gets the opportunity to
increase his/her Krishna consciousness
in line with Srila Prabhupada’s teaching,
and it will develop programmes and
opportunities to assist persons from all
backgrounds to connect with Krishna
consciousness, to develop association
and friendships with devotees and to
be supported with specific guidance,
practices and activities that might reflect
their personal cultural background.
However, such provision of specific
programmes must operate within the
intention of unifying all devotees in the
service of Krishna.
It is appropriate to organise specific
programmes to cater for particular
constituent groups and interests,
provided that those programmes do not
dominate the facilities and schedule of
the Manor such that others might feel
excluded.
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Balancing the resources of
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Management is to ensure a balanced
use and allocation of time, space and
facilities at Bhaktivedanta Manor so
that all diverse constituent groups are
catered for fairly. The Manor’s facilities
and resources are to be directed in
terms of fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s
broad vision for the project. The success
or demand of a particular programme
should not undermine the allocation of
resources from other constituent groups.
Programmes with strong financial benefit
should not be allowed to eclipse the
implementation of preaching activities
that do not generate equivalent funds.
The opportunities and resources for
personal spiritual development and
devotional service should be provided
equally to both brahmacari and
brahmacarini asramas.
Diversity in outreach
The Manor is to be creative and to target
new and diverse groups for preaching.
New audiences may require different
and novel packaging of the message of
Krishna consciousness.
Deepening spiritual
experiences
The Manor is to produce various means
of communication (magazines, istagosthis, etc.) which reflect and match the
needs of all constituents.
The prime function of activities carried
out at Bhaktivedanta Manor is for
spiritual experience. For example,
the way in which programmes and
ceremonies, such as weddings, are
organised and performed needs to
optimise their potential to convey Krishna
consciousness.
Welcoming people to
Bhaktivedanta Manor
There is a need to guide people towards
behaviour that is appropriate to this
place of worship and sanctity.
The Manor is to develop a welcoming
mood and a culture and system of
hospitality. All visitors to Bhaktivedanta
Manor are to receive a welcome. And,
all participants in Krishna consciousness
at Bhaktivedanta Manor are to be
encouraged to understand how they
have inherited the joyful responsibility of
welcoming others in their turn.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to provide
opportunities for every community
member to have a sustained and
growing spiritual experience, which may
include opportunities for a residential
stay to immerse oneself more deeply in
devotional service.
Devotees are to be trained explicitly
towards commitment to unity of purpose
and consciousness within the community.
The Manor is to consider how to provide
opportunity for younger devotees to
associate with the pioneer generation of
ISKCON for mutual benefit.
EDUCATION
‘Krishna consciousness is required because the soul is eternal,
but your body is not eternal. So, in order to get rid of this
repetition of birth and death, therefore Krishna consciousness.
To conquer over the repetition of birth and death, and “teacher”
means one who can educate the student to this understanding
or this platform that there is no more birth and death. Then it is
perfect teaching. The whole thing is how to stop. Nobody wants
to die, but he has no education how to become free from the
punishment of death. That is what nobody has education of.
And nobody wants to die, that’s a fact. So Krishna consciousness
means to stop this nuisance business, repetition of birth and
death.’
(Srila Prabhupada Room conversation, Dallas, Texas, July 1975)
The development of Krishna consciousness is a lifelong process
of purification, learning and practical application.
key areas of focus
• Education at Bhaktivedanta Manor
• Study of Srila Prabhupada’s books
• Study of Srila Prabhupada’s principles and style of
management for ISKCON
• Range of education
• Devotional arts
• Role models
• Nurturing talent and potential
• Critical life junctures
• Vocational training
• Varnasrama responsibilities
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Education at
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Study of Srila
Prabhupada’s books
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be promoted
as a seat of learning, training and
education. The role of the Manor is to
provide educational and developmental
opportunities to guide and support
its members as lifelong teachers and
learners.
Srila Prabhupada always instructed
us that the development of Krishna
consciousness must include the
systematic study of his books in order to
enhance our understanding, realisation
and commitment to the performance of
bhakti-yoga.
The primary objective of teaching and
learning is to nurture devotion to Krishna,
inspire devotional qualities and authentic
personal character, and to enrich the
collective devotional culture. Devotees
are to be trained in the role of spiritual
ambassadors, based upon this definition
and understanding.
Provision for the study of Srila
Prabhupada’s life and teachings must be
always available and should encompass
all levels of education from elementary
to advanced. As part of its educational
function, the Manor will assist members
understand a clear pathway of learning
through Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.
Devotees are to be trained in such a way
that all exchanges are carried out with
transmission of knowledge, consideration
and compassion.
Range of education
There should be a range of educational
programmes to cover the full spectrum
of age and commitment to Krishna
consciousness. There should be
systematic presentation and teaching to
develop devotees from initial interest to
deep faith and commitment.
‘Bridge’ courses (such as hatha-yoga,
Ayurveda, cooking, making garlands,
etc.) may be offered which seek to
attract individuals or interest groups, but
with the intention of assisting persons
develop the desire to explore Krishna
consciousness more deeply.
As a theological college, Bhaktivedanta
Manor should offer theological courses
up to and including university level.
University level courses and qualifications
in Srila Prabhupada’s authorised
teachings should be available for all
adults, irrespective of age.
Bhaktivedanta Manor will consider the
benefits of and seek accreditation for
certain courses from suitable educational
bodies.
When there is a strong demand from a
sector of the community, particularly in
35
regards to education, the Manor is to
respond and make suitable provision as
best it can.
leadership potential at large and within
the ISKCON society and to train and
prepare leaders for society.
A variety of teaching models are required
to cater to different learning styles.
Critical life junctures
Role models
The Manor can provide mentorship
and support for devotees, at critical life
junctures and periods of transition and,
particularly, during periods of study at
outside institutions.
It is essential to provide the example of
role models on the basis that education
includes development of exemplary
character.
Nurturing talent and potential
The Manor is to have a culture that
recognises and nurtures talent and
potential. In such a culture, inspiration,
empowerment and engagement
predominate, and individuals feel the
responsibility to encourage and empower
others.
We have a commitment to assist
everyone, but especially our young
people, to reach their potential and equip
them to make a unique and valuable
contribution to the devotee community
and greater society.
We want to identify and respond to
Vocational training
The Manor can offer guidance for young
people to explore their skills, interests
and propensities and, specifically,
the possibilities for vocational and
transferable skills, as well as those
offering potential for engagement within
the mission of ISKCON. Such skills include
those which can be directly engaged in
serving Krishna - such as Deity worship,
cooking, flower decoration, giving class
and so forth. Vocational skills infer
both skilled services at the temple and
also those that may assist devotees
in vocations and employment beyond
immediate temple service, possibly in a
career or profession.
Devotional arts
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to offer training
in a variety of devotional arts and skills
(such as drama, art and music) related to
expressing and promoting our faith and
culture.
Varnasrama responsibilities
The Manor is to offer the opportunity for
people to be educated in the dharmic
responsibilities related to their specific
varna and asrama.
CARE
‘We must always remember that the leader in charge of a
temple must learn to successfully deal with the other persons
there. No one is working as a paid servant so if the dealings
are not friendly everyone will decide to leave. The leader of
the temple must try always to be sober and tolerant and at
the same time manage everything nicely. Please continue to
try and cultivate this talent and I know you will be given all
intelligence to do this.’
(Srila Prabhupada letter to Upendra, November 26th 1968)
It is said that Srila Prabhupada built a house in which the
whole world can live. At Bhaktivedanta Manor, let us create
a mood in which we care for and serve with affection all
those who seek spiritual shelter and solace in Krishna
consciousness.
key areas of focus
• Culture of care
• Vaisnava culture and relationships
• Clarity of the extent of responsibility of
the organisation
• Life-long consideration
• Responsibilities of the individual towards
others
• Care for special groups of devotees
• Pastoral care
• Justice & dispute resolution
38
Culture of care
The management is responsible
for ensuring that each member at
Bhaktivedanta Manor will:
• Feel cared for;
• Feel a sense of belonging;
• Be inspired to contribute to the
mission;
• Have the opportunity to contribute
their personal skills and abilities to
Srila Prabhupada’s mission;
• Cultivate his / her personal link to
Srila Prabhupada; and
• Feel and show care and concern
for others as displayed by Srila
Prabhupada’s own example.
Managers and leaders at all levels must
seek to be exemplary themselves in their
application of these duties.
Vaisnava culture and
relationships
Bhaktivedanta Manor’s role is to offer
spiritual shelter to all devotees who wish
to participate in serving ISKCON’s mission
and deepen their relationship with Srila
Prabhupada.
To that end, training programmes will
be offered to help devotees develop
appropriate Vaisnava attitudes in their
personal dealings. And such training will
be given with due consideration to the
individuals personal circumstances and
to strive to nurture deep relationships
amongst the devotees.
Bhaktivedanta Manor must aim to
provide programmes of devotional,
personal and vocational development for
devotees under their care and encourage
the similar programmes within the wider
community.
Clarity of the extent of
responsibility of the
organisation
Bhaktivedanta Manor should establish
policies which explain the form and level
of care that it aims to offer devotees in
respective constituencies.
39
Life-long consideration
All Vaisnavas are to be held in high regard
throughout their lives, and Bhaktivedanta
Manor will strive to encourage its
members to serve devotees with respect
and compassion. Where Bhaktivedanta
Manor has undertaken the responsibility
to provide board and maintenance of
devotees, it should do so to a fitting
standard of living and health care, taking
into account the particular needs of
those who are young, old, vulnerable or
infirm.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be
particularly aware of the recognition and
understanding deserved by those who
may have undergone significant sacrifice
and hardship including those who have
suffered abuse or trauma - in particular,
women and children – and also of those
who have served for significant years in
the building of the yatra.
Within its own charitable remit,
Bhaktivedanta Manor will encourage
and facilitate programmes and projects
by ISKCON-related and/or independent
bodies to provide congregational
members with suitable care for aging,
serious and terminal illnesses, trauma
and abuse, as well as social, personal and
relationship issues.
Responsibilities of the
individual towards others
Care for specific
groups of devotees
Bhaktivedanta Manor is mindful of
specific groups of devotees who may
need extra care:
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises that
devotee care is not dependant on
structures and can come from anywhere.
The procedures used to engage devotees
in devotee care are not to become overly
bureaucratic– they are to encourage
devotees to offer each other appropriate
loving exchange and service.
• Pioneer devotees - particularly
those who gave up education and
career prospects to help establish
Bhaktivedanta Manor;
• Devotees who are and have been
dependant on the temple during
many years of service; and
• Devotees currently living within the
asrama.
Bhaktivedanta Manor strives to ensure
that each member takes it as his/her
responsibility:
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to cultivate a
culture in which:
• To care for others, as appropriate
within Vaisnava behaviour;
• To encourage others in their
devotional service and spiritual
advancement; and
• To spread Krishna consciousness as
the primary means of care for the
soul.
Former temple asrama devotees and
pioneers feel welcomed, respected and
valued; and
Former temple asrama devotees and
pioneers are offered suitable roles
in leadership, mentorship, care of
others and the spreading of Krishna
consciousness.
Pastoral care
Justice & dispute resolution
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to implement
systems and programmes that offer
greater pastoral care and spiritual
support, training and development to
attract and retain its members through a
range of measures – such as mentorship,
publications, handbooks, counselling, and
shared resource schemes. In this way, it
is nurturing a more caring, attractive and
participative movement.
Bhaktivedanta Manor will seek to
incorporate a system of dispute
resolution to resolve issues and deal with
sensitive disputes amongst devotees.
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises that a
spiritual movement like ours preaches
through the public’s appreciation of
satisfied devotees living an ethical life.
And, it acts to manifest that principle
through the care and education of its
members and also in the exemplary
behaviour of the institution.
It will also operate an internal open and
fair disciplinary process incorporating full
protection and rights as provided for in
law.
VARNASRAMA
AND
SUSTAINABILITY
‘Vaisnava is not so easy. The varnasrama-dharma should be
established to become a Vaisnava. It is not so easy to become
Vaisnava...In order to serve the mass of people, to bring them to
the ideal position, we should try to introduce this varnasrama,
not that we are going to be candidates of varnasrama. It is
not our business. But to teach them how the world will be in
peaceful position we have to introduce.’
(Srila Prabhupada room conversation, February 14th 1977)
Varnasrama is a harmonious system for the benefit of all. As the component parts of the body work together, so the
component parts of society can also work together with a
considered understanding and application of the roles, rights,
responsibilities, and needs of both the individual and society in
the service of Krishna through all stages of life. The system is
fluid and dynamic, it exists to recognise and empower human
capability and cooperation. It never seeks to pigeon-hole or label
others; for by doing so, it may hamper or confine their growth
and contribution.
key areas of focus
•
•
•
•
The relevance of varnasrama
Understanding of varnasrama
Education in varnasrama principles
Unity in diversity of varnasrama
42
The relevance of varnasrama
Bhaktivedanta Manor understands
the term ‘varnasrama’ as the Vedic
framework for society to help its diverse
members to live in peace and to progress
toward the goal of life. It is based on
the recognition and engagement of
individuals in relation to their propensity
in work/service (varna) and stage of life
(asrama).
The application of varnasrama is
accepted as it applies to ISKCON in
the 21st century. It respects that all
members have a unique and personal
contribution to make both within greater
society and in the service of Krishna.
Assisting to identify and invest in the
inherent interest and capabilities of
devotees so that they may achieve their
full human and spiritual potential is at
the heart of the system.
In pursuit of life’s ultimate goal - love
of Krishna (prema) - it is understood
that the balance of virtue (dharma),
wealth (artha), and pleasure (kama) is
relevant to both society and individual
and is intended to be conducive to the
development of Krishna consciousness
which is superior to all other
purusarthas. A progressive, stable society
and the welfare and success of the
individual in the highest ideal, go hand in
hand. Varnasrama: unity and
diversity
Understanding varnasrama
Bhaktivedanta Manor must equally value
all divisions of labour (varna) and stages
of life (asrama) in their performance
of devotional service and not focus
exclusively on any one to the exclusion
of others. In endeavouring to engage
the diverse and unique contributions
of devotees, members and friends, the
Manor may offer a working model of how
all classes can work together for mutual
and symbiotic benefit in the service of
Krishna.
Bhaktivedanta Manor should initiate
research and discussion to further the
understanding of what varnasrama
means to us and how it relates to the
development of Krishna consciousness in
our community, as well as to how it may
be taught and applied.
Encouraging individuals to cultivate a
balanced self helps the society develop
a balanced state. Although the culture
of varnasrama as complete social model
is beyond any one organisation, a role
of Bhaktivedanta Manor is to encourage
and develop its further understanding.
The Manor must seek to educate and
train, wherever possible, individuals
to recognise and appreciate their full
potential in interests, skills and learning,
as well as the stages of life and their
concomitant responsibilities.
SUSTAINABILITY
key areas of focus
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Application of the principles of sustainability
Social sustainability
Bhaktivedanta Manor’s policies on sustainability
Culture consistent with sustainability
Development of sustainable projects
Social and economic sustainability
Sustainability and outreach
Model of sustainability
‘Ultimately we have to depend on the production of the field
and not on the production of big factories. The field production
is due to sufficient rains from the sky, and such rains are
controlled by demigods like Indra, sun, moon, etc., and they are
all servants of the Lord. The Lord can be satisfied by sacrifices;
therefore, one who cannot perform them will find himself
in scarcity—that is the law of nature. Yajna, specifically the
sankirtana-yajna (chanting the names of the Lord) prescribed
for this age, must therefore be performed to save us at least
from scarcity of food supply.’
(Srila Prabhupada, Bhagavad Gita As It Is 3:14, purport)
Bhaktivedanta Manor accepts the definition of sustainability
as the capacity to endure; the long-term maintenance of
society which has environmental, economic, spiritual and social
dimensions, and which includes the concepts of stewardship
and the ethical and responsible use of resources.
44
Application of the principles
of sustainability
Bhaktivedanta Manor further accepts
that the application of sustainability, as
it applies to ISKCON in the 21st century,
includes the following principles:
• Simple living, high thinking; working
to define simple living and high
thinking for those who live in rural
and urban settings;
• Sustainable stewardship over nature
is inherent in a Krishna conscious way
of life;
• The overly industrialised way of life
comes with many hidden negative
social, environmental and spiritual
costs;
• Sustainable agrarian lifestyles allow
society as a whole to best participate
in simple living and higher thinking;
• An agrarian society is developed
through acquisition of agricultural
land and support for dedicated
individuals focused on building this
type of society; and
• Education, training, and action are
required to work towards this goal.
Social sustainability
Priority is to be given to actions which
aid long-term societal sustainability.
Bhaktivedanta Manor will develop
ways to develop social sustainability
through means of mentorship, social
support, school opportunities, spiritual
opportunities and other similar type
initiatives. It will continue to strengthen
its commitment to environmental
sustainability, accepting that being true
to sustainability principles sometimes
involves additional economic costs
or sacrifice of short-term commercial
benefits.
Bhaktivedanta Manor’s
policies on sustainability
Bhaktivedanta Manor should always
engage the participation of mature and
experienced devotees’ input in order
to further its own policies of Krishna
conscious stewardship and sustainability.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is then to strive
actively to implement such policies and
garner support and participation from its
members for such a change of culture,
attitudes and behaviour.
Further, Bhaktivedanta Manor is to
promote this higher understanding
of spiritual sustainability amongst its
community and to society at large.
The community is to reflect and strive
to avoid being drawn into implementing
or promoting those aspects of ‘green’
or ‘sustainable’ policies which, although
considered acceptable by the public, are
at odds with Krishna conscious lifestyle
and philosophy.
Culture consistent with
sustainability
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be mindful of
the hidden messages it communicates to
its members, congregation and broader
society through the choice of books or
goods we do or do not sell and by the
things we do or do not do. By clearly
communicating that stewardship of
nature is a Krishna conscious way of life,
we enable outreach and educational
opportunities.
The Bhaktivedanta Manor management,
along with its community, are to reflect
on practices and attitudes within the
operation of the temple and asrama
45
that may appear inconsistent with the
principles of sustainability as would
be reasonably expected of a Krishna
conscious lifestyle. Such issues may
include: use of resources, waste,
recycling, sourcing of goods, energy
consumption, wildlife and ecology,
organic husbandry, travel, construction,
social matters, etc.
Spiritual, social and
economic sustainability
Development of
sustainable projects
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to consider its
responsibilities to sustainable social
issues as they might affect outreach
programmes, ministering to distant
devotees and communities and avoiding
a sense of isolation for its members.
One of the key aspects of the role of
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be a training
base for aspects of rural sustainability,
and it is to embark on a range of
educational, research and training
programmes in rural sustainability and
engage its urban congregation to support
future rural projects that may provide
alternatives to urban life.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to consider how
to training might be given to help people
and develop satellite commercial and
livelihood activities such as small-scale
cottage industries. These initiatives
along with other soft commerciality may
aid economic self-sustainability for the
movement and for its members.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to continue and
expand a culture that encourages its
members to invest of themselves and to
provide them opportunities to ‘give back’
to the Society over their lifetime.
Economic stability is a key achievement
of the current Bhaktivedanta Manor
project, and this should be preserved and
enhanced in keeping with sustainable
economic policies. Sources of income
should be appropriate to our spiritual and
sustainable principles and future income
should come from a balance of diverse
sources. Over-reliance on a particular
source of income may lead to an
imbalance which is not sustainable. Each
source of income should be appropriate,
in and of itself, so that it may remain a
long-term source of income, and there
should be a reasonable balance of the
range of all income sources.
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises the
importance of balancing environmental,
economic and social sustainability such
that any one aspect of sustainability
should not, in its application, undermine
another aspect. For instance, the
principle of economic stability should not
entail the compromise of Bhaktivedanta
Manor’s core purposes and ethos.
Sustainability and outreach
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to devise and
encourage practical models involving
the principles of sustainability and
cruelty-free practices as an alternative
to mainstream practices in farming, food
and dairy production.
Model of sustainability
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to demonstrate,
as far as practicable, a small-scale model
of agrarian-based sustainability. This is
to be educational and a show-piece to
encourage future development. It is to
seriously consider its own long-term
requirements of agricultural land and to
identify and develop those persons who
are interested in developing this.
OUTREACH
key areas of focus
‘The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means
to convert the non-devotees in terms of particular time and
circumstance. Devotional service is dynamic activity, and
the expert devotees can find out competent means to inject
it into the dull brains of the materialistic population. Such
transcendental activities of the devotees for the service of
the Lord can bring a new order of life to the foolish society
of materialistic men. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
His subsequent followers exhibited expert dexterity in this
connection. By following the same method, one can bring the
materialistic men of this age of quarrel into order for peaceful
life and transcendental realization.
(Srila Prabhupada purport, SB 1.5.16)
As leaders and followers, our primary goal is to become pure
devotees and to spread Krishna consciousness under the
banner of Srila Prabhupada to every town and village within its
geographical remit.
• The broad mandate for outreach at Bhaktivedanta
Manor
• Levels of membership
• Personal spiritual development and outreach
• Opportunities for outreach
• Consideration of the spaces used for programmes
• Devotees visiting from other yatras
• Off-site opportunities for programmes
• Management and outreach
• Training programmes
• Devotional arts employed in outreach
• Special fields of outreach
• Representing Krishna consciousness
• The all-attractive culture of Krishna consciousness
• Prasadam distribution
• Plurality of outreach programmes and communications
• First contact
• Pastoral care
48
The broad mandate for
outreach at
Bhaktivedanta Manor
Bhaktivedanta Manor must consider
and engage in the range of preaching
that Srila Prabhupada envisaged for this
important centre. It is to broaden its
role from being primarily a congregation
maintenance centre for its predominant
audience and implement diversification
and fulfilment of its brief towards other
key audiences, in particular the majority
non-Hindu population. This diversification
is to be reflected in the use of its facilities
and resources, as well as in the funding
for relevant new initiatives.
Levels of membership
The Manor is to define levels of
membership that reflect the current level
of interest of its members. Preachers and
other educators are to be made aware of
this in order to be successful in retaining
a maximum level of interest.
One potential suggestion is the following:
In the broadest sense, a member of
the Krishna consciousness movement
is anyone who expresses faith and
desire to develop their understanding of
and relationship with Krishna through
involvement with Srila Prabhupada’s
ISKCON under the direction of the GBC.
Personal spiritual
development and outreach
Bhaktivedanta Manor is both a place
of personal spiritual development and
one of active engagement in preaching
to others. Management, preaching
objectives and strategies are to reflect
the principle (which is applicable to
Manor residents, local community
and congregation) that the spiritual
advancement gained from participation
in the temple is to be shared widely with
others.
49
Opportunities for outreach
The Manor is to reflect on all
opportunities for outreach in two ways:
• How people may come to the Manor;
• And situations in which the Manor
preachers may go out to connect with
the public.
The intention behind all activities
and programmes at the Manor is
to encourage the optimum spiritual
advancement of all persons taking part.
Care is to be taken to ensure that all
functions taking place on the Manor
property are supervised and carried
out to the expected spiritual standards
worthy of the sanctity of Bhaktivedanta
Manor and to provide guidance and
training to develop all functions towards
the highest standards.
Consideration of the spaces
used for programmes
Dedicated time and space
for outreach programmes
Management will pay specific regard
to the nature of the spaces wherein
activities take place to ensure that they
are suitable for those activities – both
in terms of spiritual ambiance and
practicality.
Management is to implement the
appropriate overall balance in the
availability of the time, use and resources
of the Bhaktivedanta Manor building
for the full range and diversity of its
preaching objectives. For instance,
Sunday might be regarded as the
prime day of public worship for the
congregation. Bhaktivedanta Manor
might therefore seek to enhance Sunday
worship and spirituality and to utilise
other key times for other groups and
programmes.
Special care and consideration is to be
applied to activities and programmes
taking place within the temple room
and within Srila Prabhupada’s quarters.
It is the intent of Bhaktivedanta Manor
to establish that, as far as possible, only
activities consistent with those sacred
spaces should occur there.
There are to be specific periods within
each week for each and all of our major
target groups to be directed to attend
Bhaktivedanta Manor for programmes
devised specifically for that group. For
example, there is to be a specific day and
time each week that devotees can direct
western congregation and newcomers to
Bhaktivedanta Manor, knowing that there
will be a specific programme to suit their
cultivation and interests.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to exercise
care that no particular programme
should overshadow any other key area
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of preaching. Management is to ensure
that no one programme adversely
affects the availability of Bhaktivedanta
Manor for other preaching. For example,
the weddings programme has its own
intrinsic value, but weddings are to be
scheduled in a way that does not unduly
prevent other preaching taking place.
Cultivating initiative and
cooperation for outreach
Devotees visiting
from other yatras
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to cultivate
interest and involve new devotees with a
view to their going out and preaching in
their own fields.
Assuming that activities have been
planned in keeping with the above
principles, priority is to be given to
those activities which have their regular
allocated time slot or space.
Outreach is a collaborative process/
effort, involving communication between
those based at Bhaktivedanta Manor and
those devotees active in the field.
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises
the value of devotees visiting from
beyond the yatra, and their potential
contribution should be encouraged
and maximised. However, all such
involvement is to be coordinated with
Bhaktivedanta Manor and the devotees
in the field. Consideration is to be given
to the specific skills and interests of these
visiting devotees, the particular context
of their programmes and how they will
enhance the overall preaching objectives
of Bhaktivedanta Manor.
It is a principle not to put financial or
mundane social needs ahead of the
preaching.
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises the
resource of householders who are willing
to participate in outreach – and will
consider suitable ways to support them
through various means.
Bhaktivedanta Manor management is
to ensure that both visiting devotees
and those inviting or hosting them are
aware of the specific responsibilities
of all preachers within Bhaktivedanta
Manor’s region, particularly in terms of
philosophy, the on-going education and
guidance of devotees and also fundraising.
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Off-site opportunities for
programmes
Bhaktivedanta Manor is committed to
explore and expand off-site opportunities
for first contact and congregational
development programmes. It will strive
to establish a proliferation of branches/
houses within its geographical remit (not
necessarily Radha-Krishna temples, or
even ‘centres’ in prominent High Street
locations, but, at least, places from which
our devotees can reach local newcomers
and existing members).
Proposals for funding and resources for
outreach preaching are to be reviewed
by a suitable broad body, including
management and preachers.
Management and outreach
Training programmes
Management should be wary of
constricting our mission by being
too conservative in the allocation of
money and manpower for preaching
programmes. In deliberating whether
money or manpower is to be allocated,
due care must be given to the quality
of the proposal and the abilities and
commitment of those involved, but
in general, the balance should favour
supporting reasonable proposals
intended to expand the preaching.
In regard to outreach, Bhaktivedanta
Manor is to implement the following
training objectives:
Thought is to be given as to how
financial support may be provided to
the projects of those householders
engaged in outreach in their locality
or preaching field. Also, Bhaktivedanta
Manor may offer other support (which
could be in the form of training, guidance
or assistance) to help them deal with
financial and other administration, so
that they can comply with both ISKCON
standards and UK law.
• Beginners to be trained in Krishna
conscious knowledge, skills
and values, and in accepting
responsibility;
• Youth to be offered special
programmes that enhance their
Krishna conscious experience;
• More experienced members to be
trained in public speaking, systematic
presentation to small groups,
techniques of pastoral care and
ministering to others;
• All members who wish to are to
receive training in priestly skills for
puja and ceremonial events;
• Specific focus on women’s induction
and training;
• Attention to involving elders in
passing on their learning and
experience; and
• Implementation of a much wider
distribution of knowledge within the
community.
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Devotional arts employed
in outreach
programmes geared towards specific
groups and the ongoing development of
their needs and aspirations.
Representing Krishna
consciousness
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to restore what
appears to be a lapsed, but important,
dimension of ISKCON: that of quality
artistic expression and creativity in
relation to preaching. This area of
engaging drama, music and art in
many forms deserves high priority, and
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to invite and
reflect on ideas on how to inject vitality,
diversity and new modes and ideas.
All aspects of preaching projects to
diverse audiences are to be connected
through the sharing of resources. All
temples and centres, as well as their
respective departments, are to be
connected in a common effort to serve
the public broadly and inclusively.
Bhaktivedanta Manor management
should establish a uniform explanation
of the organisation’s relationship with its
roots and traditions which can be utilised
by members. There should be standard
definitions of such terms as ‘Vedic’,
‘Vaisnava’ and ‘Hindu’, etc.
Special fields of outreach
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to consider
programmes and opportunities to reach
out to and engage special target groups
– such as yoga and healthy life types,
cooking, artists, green movements,
scientists, etc.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to explore
outreach opportunities in relation to
social and welfare programmes such as
hospital or prison chaplaincy, etc.
Bhaktivedanta Manor should continue to
develop its own diversity of population
by connecting with diverse groups.
This would require a diverse range of
Bhaktivedanta Manor accepts that
ISKCON should always be defined and
promoted in such a way as to assure
people – of whatever background – that
Krishna consciousness is a spiritual
process that is equally relevant and
vital to everyone. Furthermore,
Bhaktivedanta Manor must apply utter
caution not to give the impression to
non-Hindus that Krishna consciousness
has spiritual relevance only to Hindus.
It is recognised that many official and
academic bodies classify ISKCON as
being part of the dharmic traditions –
specifically Hinduism. Bhaktivedanta
Manor needs to assess the merits of and
the extent to which it is able to represent
the broader faith community of Hinduism
in social, educational and political matters.
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The all-attractive culture of
Krishna consciousness
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to be wary that
its appeal does not become somewhat
‘mono-cultural’ - appealing to a certain
strand of individuals. Bhaktivedanta
Manor is to broaden its scope of
outreach and preaching to ensure greater
appeal across a larger and more diverse
audience and membership.
Prasadam distribution
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to develop
and expand the range and modes of
prasadam distribution – both in terms
of charitable free distribution as well
as through various types of commercial
outlets.
Plurality of outreach
programmes and
communications
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to bear
in mind factors which may cause
interested people to hesitate in visiting
Bhaktivedanta Manor or in participating
in events – such as the promotional
descriptions, the material in publications,
types of advertising as well as our
general image. Bhaktivedanta Manor
is to encourage preachers to devise
programmes (as well as the descriptions
and promotion of them) to reflect the
perceptions of the public and to be more
effective at attracting newcomers to
making first contact.
There is to be a plurality of opportunities
for people within an area to make
contact with the devotees. Bhaktivedanta
Manor is to implement a variety of
events, programmes and first contact
opportunities, as well as using more than
one method of promoting a particular
event or programme to attract different
audiences. This may involve advertising
in various ways or emphasising different
aspects of a single event to attract people
of different interests.
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First contact
Preachers are to receive guidance and
training to recognise and respond to
the needs of individuals so that the first
contact those persons experience is
handled delicately and provides a positive
experience.
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to ensure that,
whenever a newcomer expresses interest
in Krishna consciousness, there is a clear
pathway of learning and involvement
suitable for that person.
Bhaktivedanta Manor will create events
specific for first-time contact. Many
festivals and events are more suitable for
those who already participate in Krishna
consciousness. New, specific and inspiring
events and programmes can be devised
to suit those who are encountering
Krishna consciousness for the first time.
There is a need to balance the schedule
of Bhaktivedanta Manor to create the
ideal circumstances for programmes for
first-time contact.
In first contact and early development, the
devotees may implement novel modes of
programmes which may be appropriate
to encourage those in early stages of
participation in Krishna consciousness.
However, care is to be taken to avoid
anything which may be a deviation from
ISKCON principles. Such programmes
are to offer only what is effective in
encouraging newcomers to accept the
standard practice of Krishna consciousness.
Pastoral care
Bhaktivedanta Manor is to implement
systems and programmes that offer
greater pastoral care and spiritual
support, training and development to
attract and retain its members through a
range of measures – such as mentorship,
publications, handbooks, counselling, and
shared resource schemes. In this way, it
is nurturing a more caring, attractive and
participative movement.
Bhaktivedanta Manor recognises that a
spiritual movement like ours preaches
through the public’s appreciation of
satisfied devotees living an ethical life.
And, it acts to manifest that principle
through the care and education of its
members and also in the exemplary
behaviour of the institution.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Vision Statement - September 2013