As ISKCON Leaders and Managers we agree to support and encourage devotees serving in the Grihastha Ashram. We recognize that the Grihastha Ashram is a bonafide spiritual institution and that devotees who sincerely serve Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada in this ashram will make progressive spiritual advancement. As ISKCON Leaders and Managers we acknowledge that the grhasta ashram is a necessary and valuable institution that will benefit most devotees in their spiritual life. As ISKCON Leaders and Managers we will encourage our regional leaders to be pro-active in creating an environment where there is the greatest possible opportunity for successful Krishna conscious grihastha and family relationships. As ISKCON Leaders and Managers we agree that it is important to nurture marriages, encourage harmony in families, improve the welfare of children, ensure the protection and care of women, discourage divorce and enliven grihastha men and women in Krishna’s service. As ISKCON Leaders and Managers we will encourage regional leaders and senior devotees: • to educate their congregations and particularly their youth about the spiritual importance and value of Krishna conscious marriage based on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, • to confront and oppose any preaching or teaching in their area that compromises the health and strength of the grihastha ashram or discriminates against spiritually-based grihastha life, • to engage in thoughtful and meaningful discourse about the goals, privileges and responsibilities of marriage in Krishna consciousness with devotees who are requesting to marry, • to ensure that marriages facilitated under our care are arranged with the primary interest being the needs of the individuals and the health and longevity of the marriage, • to encourage professional pre-marital counseling for all potential grihastha couples whenever possible, • to match newly married couples with mature, spiritually strong grihastha couples who can act as mentors and supporters whenever possible, • to encourage on-going support for Vaishnava couples in their respective communities i.e.; grihastha social activities, community preaching programs etc. As ISKCON Leaders and Managers we will endeavour to: • Personally seek education and training in marital communication and conflict resolution skills, • Work with our respective Boards of Trustees or other organizational management groups to stand behind and promote grihastha and community initiatives. I agree to the tenets of the above Pledge of Support Signature: Position: Signature: Position: _______________ _____________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _____________ _______________ _____________