BBT vs BBTI: What Happened?
The Original BBT
Srila Prabhupada established the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) in 1972 as a California charitable trust. Its sole purpose was to publish and distribute his books and use the proceeds for printing more books and building temples. Prabhupada was the Settlor of this trust, and his instructions for its operation were clear and specific.
The original BBT was governed by a trust document that Prabhupada personally approved. The trustees were to carry out the Settlor’s wishes — primarily, the printing and distribution of his books as he wrote them.
The Creation of BBTI
BBT International (BBTI) is a separate legal entity — a California corporation — that was created after Prabhupada’s departure. The distinction between a charitable trust and a corporation is significant:
- A trust is bound by the Settlor’s original intentions as expressed in the trust document.
- A corporation is governed by its board of directors and can change its policies, goals, and operations by board vote.
The transfer of Prabhupada’s copyrights from the original BBT to BBTI has been a subject of legal controversy and concern. Critics argue that this transfer removed the books from the protections of the original trust document — protections that Prabhupada put in place.
Key Differences
| Aspect | Original BBT | BBTI |
|---|---|---|
| Legal form | Charitable trust | Corporation |
| Established by | Prabhupada (1972) | Board of directors (post-1977) |
| Governing document | Trust deed | Corporate bylaws |
| Bound by | Settlor’s intent | Board decisions |
| Copyright holder | Original holder | Current holder |
Why It Matters
The distinction between BBT and BBTI matters because:
-
Trust obligations — The original BBT was bound to fulfill Prabhupada’s intentions. A corporation has more flexibility to change direction.
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Book revisions — Under the original trust, there is a strong argument that the books should be preserved as the Settlor wrote them. Under a corporation, the board can authorize revisions.
-
Copyright control — Whoever holds the copyrights controls what gets printed. If the original editions are not printed, readers cannot access the author’s actual words.
-
Legal accountability — The mechanisms for holding a trust accountable to its Settlor’s wishes differ from those for holding a corporation accountable to its stakeholders.
The Larger Question
The BBT-to-BBTI transition raises a fundamental question: can an institution created to serve a spiritual master’s mission change the very works that define that mission? The original BBT was created to publish Prabhupada’s books. If the entity now controlling those books is publishing revised versions that Prabhupada did not authorize, is it fulfilling or contradicting its purpose?
This is not merely a legal question. It is a question of spiritual integrity and faithfulness to the founder’s vision. Understanding the distinction between BBT and BBTI is essential for anyone who cares about the preservation of Prabhupada’s literary legacy.