GBC Resolution 2018 Sannyasa Services Policy Manual

Sannyasi Standards and Discipline

ISKCON sannyasis shall be subject to the same basic disciplinary rules as other ISKCON members regarding the conduct of their services within ISKCON. A sannyasi's behavior that is subject to disciplinary action is specified in the approved ISKCON Ministry of Sannyasa Services' Policy Manual. However, if any complaint concerning a sannyasi is received by any ISKCON authority then the ISKCON Ministry of Sannyasa Services shall be promptly informed of the complaint as well as of any and all subsequent actions taken either by the ISKCON authority receiving the complaint or any other ISKCON authority that becomes involved in the matter.

Upon being informed in this regard, the ISKCON Ministry of Sannyasa Services shall consider whether the matter is in any way relevant to its mandate to uphold the prestige of the sannyasa asrama. If so, then it may choose to advise the ISKCON authority(ies) that are dealing with the matter locally and/or undertake its own proceedings.

However, if a complaint is received directly by the ISKCON Ministry of Sannyasa Services and it contains primarily general concerns about the behavior and activities of a particular sannyasi then it can be dealt with directly by the ISKCON Ministry of Sannyasa Services according to the following procedures:

An investigation will be initiated if a majority of the Sannyasa Standing Committee members determines a complaint to merit investigation. Disciplinary decisions will also be made by a majority vote. The GBC Executive Committee shall present the decision to the GBC Body either by correspondence or at the next Annual General Meeting. A decision of the Sannyasa Standing Committee may be overturned by a majority vote of the GBC Body; otherwise the Standing Committee’s decision remains in effect. A sannyasi who does not abide by the decision shall be subjected to penalties according to ISKCON Law. The appeals process is explained in the Policy Manual.

Changes to the ISKCON Ministry of Sannyasa Services' Policy Manual must be approved by the GBC.

Such complaints concern misconduct in areas such as:

Misconduct and Indiscipline

• a. Willful violation of GBC resolutions
• b. Improper discharge or neglect of duty
• c. Spiritual discrepancy

Breach of Legal and Moral Standards

• a. Fraud
• b. Misconduct
• c. Engaged in prohibited acts

Adjucation by the Sannyasa Ministry or its representatives can result in the following disciplinary steps

• 1. Censure
• 2. Probation
• 3. Suspension
• 4. Removal

A decision made by the Sannyasa Ministry can be appealed under certain conditions.

Complaints can be forwarded to the Sannyasa Ministry secretary Brajsunder dasa: brajsunder das <sannyasasec@gmail.com>

The Sannyasa Ministry website is: iskconsannyasa.com.  It will be down for a few days for upgrading.

Please let me know if this is sufficient.