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ISKCON >> The International Society for Krishna Consciousness His Holiness Indradyumna Swami is one of ISKCON's
initiating spiritual masters.
About ISKCON  The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
(ISKCON) was established in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada). ISKCON has
since developed into a worldwide confederation of 10,000 temple
devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees.
Better known as the Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON is comprised of more than 350 centers, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide. The mission of this nonsectarian, monotheistic movement is to promote the well being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to Bhagavad-gita and other ancient scriptures. ISKCON's Mission
The Seven Purposes of ISKCON
Vaisnava Philosophy
 The Vedic scriptures state that spiritual
life begins when one inquires into the nature of the absolute truth,
the Supreme Godhead. Gaudiya Vaisnavas are monotheists and know
the Personality of Godhead as Krishna, the all-attractive. But it
is also recognized that the Supreme has unlimited names such as
Rama, Buddha, Vishnu, Jehovah, Allah, etc. The ultimate goal of
Gaudiya Vaisnavism is to develop a loving relationship with the
Supreme Godhead.
The Vedas also tell us that the understanding of the self, as being non-material or spiritual by nature, is the preliminary stage of realization of the absolute truth. To understand knowledge of self-realization one must approach a genuine spiritual master, just as one learns the essence of any subject from a perfected practitioner. The congregational chanting of the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, as promoted by Sri Caitanya, is accepted by the Vedas as the most effective means of self-purification in this age. The Vedas describe the mantra as a prayer to the Lord, "Please Lord, engage me in Your service". Devotees may accept formal initiation into the chanting of the Holy Name by vowing to abstain from intoxication, gambling, illicit sexual connections and the eating of meat, fish or eggs. ISKCON members believe indulgence in the aforementioned activities disrupts physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and increases anxiety and conflict in society. At the time of initiation devotees also agree to chant a prescribed number of mantras each day. ISKCON's History
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
in 1966. It belongs to the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition, a devotional
tradition based on the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The precepts and practices of ISKCON were taught and codified by the 15th century saint and religious reformer Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his principle associates, the Six Goswamis of Vrindavana. Sri Caitanya, whom devotees revere as a direct incarnation of Krishna, gave a powerful impetus for a massive bhakti (devotional) movement throughout India. Under his direction hundreds of volumes on the philosophy of Krishna consciousness were compiled. Many devotees have followed in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu including, in the 19th century, an outstanding Vaisnava theologian, Bhaktivinoda Thakura who brought Krishna consciousness to a modern audience. Bhaktivinoda's son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, became the guru of Srila Prabhupada and instructed him to spread Krishna consciousness in the West. Disciplic Succession - The Guru Parampara The International Society for Krishna Consciousness draws its legitimacy from its place in a long succession of spiritual teachers and disciples (parampara). There are four major disciplic successions (sampradayas); ISKCON belongs to the Brahma Sampradaya, founded by Lord Krishna Himself. There are many branches to this sampradaya. Our society belongs to the branch founded by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century. The principle is that Vaisnava teachings should be passed on, unchanged, from guru to disciple. The most prominent devotees in this lineage are accepted as acaryas: those who teach by example and carry the line forward. Listed below are the acaryas since, and including, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
ISKCON's Structure
Communities Most ISKCON members practice Krishna consciousness in their homes and live and work in the general community. They also congregate in temples for worship. Most temple-based members are in training, or serve as clergy engaged in ministerial and missionary work. Some members also help maintain ISKCON rural communities throughout the world. For a full list of ISKCON centers worldwide click here. Governing Body Commission (GBC) In 1970 Srila Prabhupada formed a Governing Body Commission (GBC) to help manage an expanding ISKCON. Before Srila Prabhupada passed away in 1977, he requested that executive authority for ISKCON be passed to this Commission. The GBC decides ISKCON's major strategies and guidelines by democratic voting and in consultation with Temple Presidents and other leaders. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) Working tirelessly for over 12 years, Srila Prabhupada managed to write more than 70 volumes of books - translations of Vedic scriptures into English with extensive commentaries. Established in 1972 for publishing Srila Prabhupada's works, The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) has become the world's largest publisher and distributor of books on Indian philosophy and religion. To date, the BBT has published over 500 million books and magazines in more than 60 languages. To learn more about ISKCON please visit: ISKCON.COM - The official website of the Hare Krishna Movement >> |
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