Module 02 · Deity Worship — Standards, Authority & Moving Deities
Module 2 covers the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry's teaching authority, GBC 2025 rules on moving large stone deities, and Srila Prabhupada's worship standards.
⬡ ISKCON Resident Curriculum 2025
Module 02 of 08
Deity Worship
Standards, Authority & Moving Deities
2.1 GBC Resolution Summary
Resolution 1 — IDWM as Sole Teaching Authority
- All courses relating to deity worship must be IDWM-approved.
- Only IDWM-mandated devotees may teach deity worship courses.
- All IDWM-approved courses must offer IDWM-approved certificates.
- IDWM has 20+ courses from 25+ years of global curriculum development.
- The resolution responds to "irregular presentations that even invalidate the teachings of our founder-acarya."
Resolution 2 — Moving Large Stone Deities
- Once installed, large stone (marble/granite) deities should not be moved as a general principle.
- Must NOT be moved for celebrations, cleaning, or painting of the temple room.
- Moving to another building may be necessary in limited circumstances.
- Written permission required from IDWM and local GBC — except in genuine emergencies threatening the deity.
2.2 Prabhupada's Direct Instructions
The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the deities. Follow it just to the exact standard as I have given you, that's all.— Letter to Dhruvananda, Bombay, January 4, 1973
You should only do what I tell you and show you in regard to deity worship, and never make anything up or copy something you see somewhere else.— Personal instruction to Nanda Kumar dasa
It is not very good policy to move the deities once they have been installed.— Letter to Karandhara, February 21, 1973
No, the large Deity can never be moved, not at all.— Letter to Rupanuga, New Delhi, August 21, 1975
The Matsya Purana states: "A permanently installed deity should never be moved. If one does so, he will certainly incur sin." The Bhavisya Purana adds that moving a deity out of ignorance causes "obstacles on the path of spiritual progress." Both are cited in GBC resolution 407.01.
2.3 Compare & Contrast Analysis
Teaching Authority
2025 GBC Resolution
IDWM is sole authorized body. No independent deity worship courses permitted.Prabhupada's Instructions
Prabhupada set the standard through direct instruction, letters, and example. The IDWM model is the institutional attempt to preserve his standards after his departure.Unauthorized Presentations
2025 GBC Resolution
GBC identifies irregular presentations "that even invalidate the teachings of our founder-acarya" as the problem this resolves.Prabhupada's Instructions
Prabhupada: "The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process." The resolution directly implements this warning.Moving Large Deities
2025 GBC Resolution
Generally prohibited. Exceptions require written IDWM + GBC approval. Genuine emergencies allow local authority to act immediately.Prabhupada's Instructions
Prabhupada's language was absolute: "not at all." The exception framework addresses the reality that he is no longer personally present to exercise that judgment.Worship Standards
2025 GBC Resolution
25+ years of curriculum development; 20+ courses; emphasis on avoiding "elitist pujari mentality."Prabhupada's Instructions
Prabhupada emphasized exact standard-keeping. He was practical when genuine limitations existed but did not encourage lowering standards for convenience.✓ Alignment Note
This is one of the clearest areas of GBC–Prabhupada alignment in the 2025 resolutions. The IDWM structure directly implements his warning about manufactured processes. The emergency exception framework establishes who holds the authority to exercise judgment — a necessary institutional structure in Prabhupada's physical absence.
This is one of the clearest areas of GBC–Prabhupada alignment in the 2025 resolutions. The IDWM structure directly implements his warning about manufactured processes. The emergency exception framework establishes who holds the authority to exercise judgment — a necessary institutional structure in Prabhupada's physical absence.
2.4 Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
- 1. Memorize Prabhupada's two core instructions on deity worship standards (Letter to Dhruvananda; instruction to Nanda Kumar dasa).
- 2. Explain the scriptural basis for not moving large installed deities, citing both Prabhupada's letters and the Matsya and Bhavisya Puranas.
- 3. Identify which deity worship activities require IDWM certification and which may proceed under local authority.
- 4. Complete at least one IDWM-approved course and receive the associated certificate.
- 5. Conduct an audit of your local temple's deity worship practices against IDWM curriculum standards.
2.5 Practical Assignments
- Week 1: Memorize both Prabhupada letters. Write a 1-page reflection on their practical meaning for your current seva.
- Week 2: Review the IDWM course catalog. Register for one applicable course.
- Week 3: Interview your temple's head pujari. Document their training and compare to IDWM standards.
- Week 4: Write a 1,000-word position paper: "Under what circumstances, if any, should large deities be moved?" Use scripture, the GBC resolution, and Prabhupada's letters.
2.6 Assessment
Memorization Test
Oral recitation of both key Prabhupada instructions + citation from 407.01, unassisted.
IDWM Course Certificate
Certificate of completion from at least one IDWM-approved course.
Temple Audit Report
Written report comparing local practices to IDWM standards with recommendations.
Position Paper
1,000-word position paper on deity relocation with full scriptural and institutional grounding.