750202 - Letter to GBC Godbrothers from Hansadutta, Gopal Krishna, Kirtanananda and Jayatirtha

Honolulu,

February 2, 1975

Hansadutta, Gopal Krishna, Kirtanananda, Jayatirtha

Dear GBC Godbrothers,

Please accept our humble obeisances at your feet. All glories to Sri Guru and Gouranga. His Diven Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Grace has requested that the following points be made clear to all GBC members:

No one should write to Srila Prabhupada with any problem or question unless he has first of all consulted with his GBC representative. If he is not satisfied with the answer given by his GBC man then he should consult with another GBC man for clarification. Not that Srila Prabhupada should be bothered with every unimportant detail. The devotees should understand that His Divine Grace generally turns such questions back to the GBC for answering anyway, therefore they should stop writing directly. Recently Srila Prabhupada told one devotee “I am not a machine that you can ask any question and get the answer. I am an old man. Please allow me some time to write my books.” Also GBC men should not make proposals to Srila Prabhupada until they have been discussed with several other GBC men.

Srila Prabhupada is concerned that so many temples have got big debts to the BBT and he wants that the GBC take a very active interest in seeing that these debts are paid as soon as possible. He was very strong on this point and went so far as to say that temple presidents who do not keep up with their BBT payments must be replaced.

Persons desiring initiation (especially second initiation) must be very closely scrutinized as to whether or not they are actually serious to remain engaged in Krishna’s service for their entire lives. So many men have come and gone, so Srila Prabhupada is placing a great deal of the blame on the leaders that recommended them in the first place. Srila Prabhupada has been emphasizing that anyone who wants to live in our temples must be willing to stay engaged 24 hours daily in Krishna’s service. Otherwise, He said, “Let them go home.”

Srila Prabhupada’s itinerary is as follows: Honolulu until February 9, then to Los Angeles until February 11, Mexico City until February 18, Caracas until February 25, Puerto Rico until February 28, New York until March 2, then on to India via London.

Hoping this finds you in good health.

Your servants,

Hansadutta das Adhikary

Gopal Krishna das Adhikary

Kirtanananda Swami

Jayatirtha das Adhikary