8.5.1 Prohibition of Chocolate
As it contains various stimulants like caffeine (contained in coffee), theine (contained in black tea) and theobromine (contained in cocoa), chocolate should not be eaten by ISKCON devotees.
(93)
8.5.2 AIDS Test
1. The GBC Body requires that all devotees living and/or serving in our temples should take an AIDS test, local laws permitting. All new devotees, as they join, should also take an AIDS test.
2. The GBC Health and Welfare Committee advises that temples should not allow persons who are HIV positive to engage in services within our temples which involve the preparation or serving of bhoga or pras€dam.
8.5.3 Holding ISKCON Assets In One’s Private Name
Anyone holding ISKCON assets in his private name, in the name of another, or in the name of a corporate entity and controlled by himself or another, shall provide an annual detailed confidential declaration of such assets and the reasons for the holding arrangements to his GBC representative. When the GBC representative holds such assets, he shall disclose the same information to the GBC Body in the manner provided by it.(88)
9
šramas (Spiritual Orders) in ISKCON
9.1 Sanny€sa-šrama
9.1.1 Principles
ISKCON sanny€s…s are individually and collectively responsible for maintaining the purity and high spiritual standard of ISKCON by their personal example and in their preaching according to the instructions of ®r…la Prabhup€da.
9.1.2 Regulations
9.1.2.1 Application for Sanny€sa Initiation
1. Any GBC member can nominate a man from his zone for sanny€sa each year at the GBC annual meeting. The man must be a preacher and not sexually inclined. He must be an initiated br€hmaŠa. A GBC should avoid recommending a sanny€s… whimsically.(75)
2. Any GBC member can place a devotee on a two-year trial period for sanny€sa. After one year, the GBC Body will discuss the qualifications of the candidate and pending their approval, the candidate will enter into the final one-year trial period. At the end of the final year, the GBC will vote for the appointment of the sanny€s….
3. Sanny€sa candidates must meet personally with the Sanny€sa Committee in M€y€pur before receiving final approval for taking sanny€sa, unless exempted by the Sanny€sa Minister.(95) 4. Candidates for Sanny€sa must submit their applications in accordance with the Society’s
Rules of Order and include a statement by a GBC member listing the candidate’s qualifications to take sanny€sa and a letter written by the candidate explaining his reasons for wanting to accept sanny€sa.
5. When the GBC Body approves a candidate for sanny€sa, they reserve the right to assign the candidate a mission of their choice which may take him far from his previous area of service.
Before making such an assignment, the GBC Body shall discuss the suitability of the candidate for the assigned mission with the local GBC, the Sanny€sa Committee, the candidate’s sanny€sa-guru and the candidate.(97-102)
6. A devotee must pass the Bhakti-€str… test before being placed on the sanny€sa waiting list.
Those who are currently on the list must pass the Bhakti-€str… test before taking sanny€sa.
Exceptions to this require a two thirds(2/3) vote of the GBC Body.(97-301)
9.1.2.2 Sanny€sa Recommendations
1. If a GBC member or initiating guru who has recommended someone for sanny€sa withdraws his recommendation, the candidacy is canceled.
2. The GBC Body can waive the preliminary one year of the two years suggested in the previous proposal by its own decision at the time of discussion of the candidates. (At this time the sanny€sa-guru of the candidates should be specified).
3. All sanny€sa candidates are to be examined on the basis of the following qualifications before their names are accepted on the list of candidates for sanny€sa:
a. How free is he from sex desire?
i. How long has he been a brahmac€r…?
ii. How long has he been living away from his wife?
b. What is his preaching record? Is it demonstrated by his ability to preach strongly? Is he a preaching leader? Has he been doing this for a good amount of time?
c. Is he strict in his personal conduct? Is he beyond suspicion?
d. Is he philosophically strong? Is this demonstrated through his lectures?
e. Is he willing to accept fully the authority of the GBC and work under the auspices of the GBC?
f. Does he have the proper quality of leadership to train and lead brahmac€r…s who are under his direction?
g. Is he self-reliant?. Does he have the ability to keep himself continuously engaged in some way which contributes positively to our preaching work?
h. Is the field of his preaching after taking sanny€sa clear and acceptable to the GBC or other authorities?
4. Applications for sanny€sa candidacy should include written endorsements from the local GBC(s) and the local managerial body or bodies where the candidate serves. In addition, it should include a resume detailing the candidate’s devotional career.(96)
The sponsor of a proposal for a candidate for sanny€sa should each year give a report of the candidate’s qualifications according to the GBC Rules of Order, “The Qualification for Sanny€sa.” To be put on the list, an initial report is required. Thereafter an annual report is also necessary.(93)
9.1.2.3 Reinstatement Procedures for a Devotee Who Has Fallen From His Sanny€sa Vows
If a sanny€s… frequently falls down or goes away for a prolonged time from ISKCON but later returns, the following procedure is to be followed:
1. A sanny€s… who returns should not wear the sanny€s… dhoti, but later he may also be re-instated. Exactly when these procedures should be used will have to be judged according to individual circumstances.(81)
2. Anyone abandoning the sanny€sa-€rama to take up the ghastha-€rama shall immediately relinquish his sanny€sa name and title and resume his name at first initiation.
9.1.3 Duties
1. Each ISKCON sanny€s… should allocate some time for traveling and preaching in various ISKCON temples in addition to his existing administrative and other responsibilities.
2. ISKCON sanny€s…s shall always endeavor to increase their active assistance to the GBC in maintaining the spiritual standard of ISKCON, expanding the dynamic preaching of ISKCON, and preserving ®r…la Prabhup€da’s mood and instructions.
9.1.4 Guidelines
9.1.4.1 Sanny€sa Reinitiation
1. Those who have taken sanny€sa from a sanny€s… in ISKCON who was in good standing but later fell from sanny€sa are recommended to take sanny€sa re-initiation by an authorized ISKCON sanny€s….
2. Anyone who took sanny€sa outside of ISKCON and whose sanny€sa-guru has fallen, but wants to serve as an ISKCON sanny€s… must take sanny€sa re-initiation from an ISKCON sanny€s….