[My comments are in bold, italic and blue Fonts & withing brackets.]
The following, in Segment 1, 2 & 3, is a transcription of Srila Prabhupada’s original direction for the management of ISKCON that he gave when he first proposed setting up the GBC in 1970. This document is evidence that Prabhupada wanted and desired more or less a democratic form of government, especially after his departure.
Then in Segments 4 & 5, two key elements of the DOM are emphasized
After this, in Segments 6 thru 11, I present various passages from letters that give evidence that while he was present, he advocated democracy. In the end Segment 12 – 14, I give some closing Commentary.
Direction of management for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Incorporated. Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
I, the undersigned, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, disciple of Om Visnupad Paramahansa 108 Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada, came in the United States in 1965 on September 18th for the purpose of starting Krishna Consciousness Movement.
For one year I had no shelter. I was traveling in many parts of this country.
Then in 1966, July, I incorporated the Society under the name and style the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, briefly ISKCON. The lawyer was Mr. J. Goldsmith. Gradually the Society increased, and one after another branches were opened. Now we have got thirty-four (34) branches (list left out).
As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission (hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established.
I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at any time I may be out of the scene, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of Temple management, propaganda for Krishna Consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating devotees to the right standard.
Therefore, I have decided to adopt the following principles and I hope my beloved disciples will kindly accept them. There was a meeting in San Francisco during the Ratha Yatra festival 1970 and many presidents of the centers were present. In that meeting it was resolved that an ad hoc committee be set up to form the constitution which is taken into consideration.