BBT trustees (Conversations)

Expressions researched:
"BBT trustee" |"BBT trustees" |"BBT" |"Bhaktivedanta Book Trust trustees" |"Trustee" |"trustees" |"trustees, that Bhaktivedanta Book Trust"

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Conversation with the GBC -- March 27, 1975, Mayapur:

Rūpānuga: But now, we discussed this... We discussed this before, Śrīla Prabhupāda. You said that you didn't... You wanted to make some more BBT members.

Prabhupāda: If I require, I can make.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The reason I'm bringing this up is because, heretofore, the BBT has been managed by one or two trustees, and the point is that maybe it is best that it be managed by the GBC.

Prabhupāda: So that... First of all manage these things. Then you will, it will be included in the trustees. First of all show your capacity that you have managed these things very nicely, these two things. Why there should be complaint? How you can solve it? And why the temples should be maintained by collection of the BBT? It is meant for printing and constructing temples. Why should (we) violate the purpose of the Trust? So first of all you manage these two things. Then, if you want, you can come. If the problem remains the same, then what is the use of increasing heads?

Atreya Ṛṣi: What is obvious is that Prabhupāda's interference has always come because we have not done our jobs right.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Conversation with the GBC -- March 27, 1975, Mayapur:

Prabhupāda: Just like Śyāmasundara. He was appointed the BBT member. And what he is doing?

Jayatīrtha: There's been a very high attrition rate on GBC...

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Jayatīrtha: There's been a very high attrition rate on BBT trustees.

Prabhupāda: So this thing should be arranged first of all. Then...

Jayatīrtha: So the... There are a number of points that require discussion...

Prabhupāda: So discuss...

Conversation with the GBC -- March 27, 1975, Mayapur:

Madhudviṣa: But isn't the GBC supposed to be more trusted than the temple president?

Prabhupāda: Then everyone can do, who has got the...

Bhagavān: The BBT trustees did it.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Bhagavān: The BBT trustees also did it. They took unsanctioned loan from the BBT.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- Honolulu, May 20, 1976 :

Devotee (5): Yeah, they printed it while the festival was going on in India, and he didn't know anything about it until he came back and saw that it was all printed. He said they were going to use it for some, something to do with lectures.

Prabhupāda: Hmm?

Devotee (5): They were going to use it to introduce lectures and so forth.

Prabhupāda: When it was not published, so why did he publish unauthorized?

Devotee (5): Oh, I don't know. He said that he was a little upset about it himself.

Prabhupāda: So this should not take place again. They should be informed that without being passed by the authority, nobody should publish any literature. This is already (indistinct)...

Devotee (5): Without, without being passed by the authorities...?

Prabhupāda: Should not be published.

Devotee (5): Does that mean the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust trustees?

Prabhupāda: Yes. So those who are managing that why their (indistinct)? Where does he live?

Devotee (3): I, we're still not sure who published it, uh, Bahulāśva or Dharmādhyakṣa? Has anybody, did you recommend?

Devotee (5): Rameśvara told me that they are the ones who did it, from the San Francisco center. (indistinct) he mentioned, and a Dharmādhyakṣa.

Devotee (3): Mm hm. He's in LA.

Devotee (5): He mentioned those two. He didn't mention the others. He said they were...

Prabhupāda: Bahulāśva published, published?

Devotee (5): He said Bahulāśva and Dharmādhyakṣa.

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Devotee (5): Dharmādhyakṣa. I don't know who he is.

Devotee (3): It's the colleges.

Devotee (5): Oh. They're, I think, in charge of the college program.

Prabhupāda: The idea is good, but (indistinct). Impersonal.

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation with GBC members -- March 2-3, 1977, Mayapura:

Satsvarūpa: And we discussed the sannyāsa recommendations. No one who was recommended last year for sannyāsa was approved this year. During the year they did not prove well. No one is here for initiation. And for next year no recommendations were made. Then... One man... And I was accepted as editor in chief of Back to Godhead. The details of the editorial policies that I should follow, I can take in consultation from my other GBC Godbrothers. And further, in an attempt to set a uniform standard so that Back to Godhead is like scripture, I should function as editor for all Back to Godheads published in the various languages. In this I should work in cooperation with the co-editors and BBT trustees of the various foreign language BTGs. There may be various co-editors of those magazines, but I will be responsible to keep a uniform standard.

Prabhupāda: That's nice.

Room Conversation with GBC members -- March 2-3, 1977, Mayapura:

Satsvarūpa: Then, regarding the program to sell standing orders to individuals, this should be undertaken with GBC supervision. Tripurāri Mahārāja has volunteered to supervise a team in the US and Gopāla Kṛṣṇa in India. The BBT at their trustees meeting will consider their role in printing brochures for this.

Prabhupāda: Nice.

Room Conversation with GBC members -- March 2-3, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Property committee means the GBC and Tamāla Kṛṣṇa.

Jayatīrtha: Five.

Prabhupāda: Four?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah.

Prabhupāda: Or what else?

Rāmeśvara: No, that will be good. But, Prabhupāda, I think that also if Tamāla Kṛṣṇa can help supervise, perhaps, the spending of the money that we send for construction as part of property committee duties, at least he could check, 'cause he's also a BBT trustee, how it's being spent by Saurabha.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Should be checked. That's nice.

Room Conversation with GBC members -- March 2-3, 1977, Mayapura:

Satsvarūpa: More resolutions about book distribution. The temple presidents, in order to control the techniques of book distribution, whether they are going against our resolution not to use illegal techniques, the presidents should go out on a monthly basis and observe their own book distributors, how they distribute books in the field. And also the GBC man should go out in each of his temples in his zone at least once during the year to see how the men are distributing books. And if a temple continues some illegal technique for book distribution, the BBT trustees are responsible to do the needful to rectify it.

Prabhupāda: What is that?

Satsvarūpa: We have made one resolution that certain techniques should not be done. They are too dangerous for arrest. So if a temple persists in doing those illegal techniques, then the BBT will...

Prabhupāda: Rectify.

Morning Conversation -- April 11, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: No, what is the trustees?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The BBT trustees means of the different publishing arms of the BBT. French trustee is Bhagavān...

Prabhupāda: Oh, BBT.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: BBT, yes. They had a meeting in Māyāpura discussing some common points of interest and concerns. It says, "We will anxiously be awaiting a report on Śrīla Prabhupāda's reaction to the various points, and it would be good if you sent copies to all the trustees directly if there are any urgent points. I am going to L.A. in a few weeks, at which time I will make it my business, as one of the US trustees, to look into the Press matter. I will send a report after doing so. I also share your concern in this matter. I am going to France in a few days and will send a report on my findings. I am especially concerned to see that BBT be set up along standard lines. I have heard that Śrīla Prabhupāda's health has improved somewhat. Please be so kind as to send reports on this from time to time, as all the devotees are very much concerned. We are all praying to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva that His Divine Grace's health will be completely restored. I remain your servant, Jayatīrtha dāsa. P.S. I will be visiting Africa in May." This letter is dated 25th March.

Prabhupāda: March?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. It is quite a... It's about two weeks old. Somehow or other, Śrīla Prabhupāda, the mail is... This was sent to Hyderabad, this letter. So that accounts for it. "BBT Trustees' Meeting. 1) Yogeśvara dāsa was appointed the Los Angeles production manager for all international publications and will also act as assistant to the English production manager, Rādhā-vallabha." Yogeśvara dāsa was already in Los Angeles, and the various different foreign BBT's were com-plaining that they weren't getting the proper help from L.A. BBT.

Prabhupāda: He?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They were complaining that they weren't getting things timely. So Yogeśvara will handle all the international business of the L.A. BBT.

Prabhupāda: That's nice. He's very good.

Morning Conversation -- April 11, 1977, Bombay:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: "3) There will be a BBT budget meeting every week in L.A. at which all Press expenditures will be discussed and approved by Rāmeśvara Mahārāja, and a monthly financial statement detailing the Press expenditures will be sent to all the trustees."

Prabhupāda: This unnecessary expenditures like Sanskrit department and art department, this should be curtailed. We require money for Bhaktivedanta Institute.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: "4) Every BBT division must make a monthly BBT report showing the income and expenditure and reviewing Press activity. All forms must be stated in US dollars except the Indian statement, which should also be stated in rupees." One of the reasons for this, Śrīla Prabhupāda, is that the only two, or I should say, the only three BBT divisions, or four, that gave regular reports was English, that was Rāmeśvara; Spanish, Hṛdayānanda Mahārāja; German was Jayatīrtha; and then Harikeśa. But the French were not giving any kind of regular statement. They have never given any statement.

Prabhupāda: Why?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Well, Bhagavān said he didn't have the necessary accountants. He gave a number of reasons. But the BBT Trustees rejected all the reasons and said that now there has to be a regular statement monthly. Similarly from India, there was no regular monthly statement given out to the other trustees. So now every month all the trustees must send a regular statement." 5) The Deity worship book will be printed by Jayatīrtha dāsa without BBT funds." This is that book. I forget the Sanskrit name, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Devotee: Hari-bhakti-vilāsa.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hari-bhakti-vilāsa. So Jayatīrtha wants to print it on his own. Means he doesn't want to take BBT funds. So the trustees felt that that was very good, since funds were scarce; he does a nice printing. He said that he would take responsibility for printing and distributing it. Because it is a very limited edition, it's not going to be sold to the common people, just to devotees.

Prabhupāda: No. Few copies.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. "6) Hṛdayānanda Mahārāja will settle the Portuguese money through Satsvarūpa Gosvāmī." I don't exactly know the meaning of that. "7) Sa-vijñānam Journal"—that's the Bhaktivedanta Institute Journal, Śrīla Prabhupāda, the scientist journal—"will be printed and paid for by BBT India and exported to the Bhaktivedanta Institute." So that monthly journal or quarter, you know four times a year journal, will be printed here in India, because we felt the printing could be done much less expensively. And it will be sent from here.

Prabhupāda: But he was going to print it at Los Angeles.

Conversation Pieces -- May 27, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: No, don't waste time, a single moment. Very cautiously, intelligently work. (break) Mr. Sharma in Calcutta, I was guest in his house for some time.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Veni Shankar Sharma.

Prabhupāda: Hm. Hm.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. Formerly he was an M.P. He's a lawyer also.

Prabhupāda: Yes. I think he can write.

Bhavānanda: He was out in Māyāpura about one month back.

Prabhupāda: Ah. Then you shall benefit. Gargamuni knows him. Make this.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Bhavānanda knows him. Jayapatākā too.

Prabhupāda: He is nice man. Each property, trustee.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Asnani can also help.

Prabhupāda: Trustees appointed by me. That's all. That will save.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What did you say, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Trustees appointed by me. Each temple should have three trustees.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: And they're appointed by you.

Prabhupāda: Yes, they are appointed... And the format is already there.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: In BBT.

Prabhupāda: Yes. In this way make it immediately.

Conversation Pieces -- May 27, 1977, Vrndavana:

Rāmeśvara: This is based on the BBT Trust document that you wrote many years ago, the same idea almost. "I, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, disciple of Oṁ Viṣṇupāda 108 Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja Prabhupāda, and we, the members of the Bureau of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, hereby give and transfer the properties and all the property rights incidental thereto, as hereinafter described, to the following persons as trustees in trust for purposes hereinafter stated and to be administered in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth." And there are five different trusts. The first one is for Māyāpura, and the proposed trustees are Jayapatākā Mahārāja, Bhavānanda Mahārāja and Gopāla Kṛṣṇa. The second one is for Bombay, and the proposed trustees are Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Mahārāja, Girirāja and Gopāla Kṛṣṇa. The third one is for Vṛndāvana, and the proposed trustees are Akṣayānanda Swami, Gopāla Kṛṣṇa and Viśvambhara.

Prabhupāda: Viśvambhara is not our regular disciple.

Jayapatākā: Shouldn't be included.

Prabhupāda: Then he has to accept sannyāsa from me.

Jayatīrtha: Jaya.

Prabhupāda: He should know...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Become initiated.

Jayapatākā: Trustee must be initiated disciple.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Conversation Pieces -- May 27, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: This should be done immediately, make trust property.

Prabhupāda: You are seeing it is done? Who says that? Where is the rascal?(?)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: To designate all these...

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: It should be done for all the property all over ISKCON.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah, but especially here in India.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Like in big temples, like in L.A., New York, like that.

Bhavānanda: Śrīla Prabhupāda, the trustees should be designated.

Prabhupāda: You do not know. Trustee without designation—where is the trustee? I have already made one block of trustees, that Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes.

Prabhupāda: In that style you make.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. So we'll make up a draft of that style and then, after the draft is approved, you can tell us which trustees you want.

Prabhupāda: That you select amongst yourselves. Why you are taxing me?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: All right. I didn't know if you wanted us to do that.

Prabhupāda: You do not know? I have repeatedly said. You do that.

Discussions -- June 2, 1977, Vrndavana:

Jayapatākā: We had a... Regarding the letter I had written, that ISKCON Food Relief has got some liability at Māyāpura.

Prabhupāda: No, that you discuss. Don't bother my head.

Jayapatākā: No, we just... (Rāmeśvara whispering)

Rāmeśvara: Prabhupāda, this afternoon we had a meeting of the BBT trustees, and we were discussing the situation of the Bengali printing. There are some manuscripts lying, and we want to print them as soon as possible so that selling can increase.

Prabhupāda: So Gopāla Kṛṣṇa, give them money.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: I have already given seventy thousand rupees.

Rāmeśvara: The situation is that the seventy thousand rupees is already invested in Gītār Gāns, and all the rest of the money Gopāla has...

Jayapatākā: Gītār Gāns and Bhāgavat Darshan and...

Prabhupāda: So you are not selling?

Rāmeśvara: They are.

Prabhupāda: Utilize that money. You have taken already seventy thousand. That's all.

Conversation, 'Rascal Editors,' and Morning Talk -- June 22, 1977, Vrndavana:

Yaśodā-nandana: In the Gurukula we were teaching Īśopaniṣad class to the children. So we took... (break) ...Prabhupāda and the words which the recent edition of the Press is wrong. Many changes were brought. They were trying to make better English, but sometimes, to make better English, I think they were making philosophical mistakes also. There is no so much need of making so much better English. Your English is sufficient. It is very clear, very simple. We have caught over 125 changes. They're changing so many things. We are wondering if this is necessary. I will show you today. I have kept the book.

Prabhupāda: I know that these rascals are doing. What can be done? How they can be relied on?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: It's not the responsibility of the BBT trustee, to see these things don't change without Prabhupāda's sanction?

Prabhupāda: And Rāmeśvara is indulging this. The great rascal is that Jagannātha? He's there in Los Angeles.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Jagannātha dāsa?

Prabhupāda: Maybe.

Indian devotee (2): Jagannātha-suta.

Prabhupāda: Jagannātha-suta.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No...

Prabhupāda: And the one rascal is gone.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Nitāi.

Prabhupāda: It is starting. What can I do? These cannot... These rascals cannot be educated. Dangerous. Little learning, dangerous. So how to correct? The leader of these dangerous-Rādhā-vallabha.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Rādhā-vallabha?

Prabhupāda: Hm. He's a dangerous, who maintains these rascal with this work. He'll always have questions and alteration. That is his business. That is American business. They take that always. What can I do? Ultimate, it goes for editorial. They make changes, such changes.

Visit From Allopathic Doctor -- October 10, 1977, Vrndavana:

Harikeśa: Each of these is twenty thousand copies. Then we are making these Kṛṣṇa books. Of this book we printed sixty thousand copies.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: How many?

Harikeśa: Sixty thousand for mass distribution. There's very nice cover.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Wow. Look at Rāmeśvara. He jumped at that.

Prabhupāda: He's defeated. (laughter)

Harikeśa: I am just taking everything they do and do it. That's all. And then there is these other ones, volume two and three. We have printed 35,000 of each. This one has a very nice picture of you on the back.

Rāmeśvara: Oh, yes.

Prabhupāda: Rāmeśvara Mahārāja, how do you like?

Rāmeśvara: These books are very good. The most incredible thing, the printer can print them faster than anywhere else in the world. From the day he gives the book to the printer and the day the printer ships it, it is faster than anywhere else in the world.

Harikeśa: The printer has invited all the BBT trustees from all over the world, and he will pay their fare, and he will say he will beat everybody's price in the whole world for printing.

Prabhupāda: Then why not print there?

Rāmeśvara: He wants us to go to do the research next month in November.

Prabhupāda: So go. If you get cheaper and nicer, why not?

Rāmeśvara: We're planning to go and research it very carefully.

Harikeśa: This is another part. This is also 35,000.

Room Conversation -- October 11, 1977, Vrndavana:

Dr. Kapoor: The most wonderful thing is that they say life comes from matter, and they don't know what matter is. They don't know what matter is. They confess, "We don't know what matter is." Yet they say life comes from matter. Not one scientist till today has been able to say what matter is. Rather, they have confessed, "I know not what matter is." Even the biggest scientists, they have made this confession.

Prabhupāda: And a person from whom life is coming, He says aham ādir hi. And they will not come. Where is Tamāla Kṛṣṇa?

Hari-śauri: He's in a BBT Trustee's meeting right now, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Now, whatever direction...

Brahmānanda: Prabhupāda was saying that one of the medicines has made some intoxicating...