What is ISKCON

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Founder Acharya International Society For Krishna Consciousness:

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) is widely regarded as the
worlds pre-eminent exponent of the teachings and tradition of Bhakti-yoga, the practice of loving
devotion to God, to the Western world.

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896 in Calcutta,
India. From birth, Abhay was raised in a family devoted to Krishna (whose name means the all-
attractive, all-loving Lord). As a youth he became involved with Mahatma Gandhis civil disobedience
movement. However, it was a meeting with a prominent scholar and spiritual leader, Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, which proved most influential on young Abhays future.

Upon their first meeting in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, who represented an ancient tradition of
Bhakti-yoga, asked Abhay to propound the teachings to the English-speaking world. Deeply moved by
Srila Bhaktisiddhantas devotion and wisdom, Abhay became his disciple and dedicated himself to
carrying out his mentors request. But it wasnt until 1965, at the age of seventy that he would set off on
his mission to the West.Abhay Charan, now known as Bhaktivedanta Swami (an honorary title
awarded by his peers), was given free passage aboard a cargo ship to New York. The journey proved to
be treacherous, and he suffered two heart attacks while on the ship. After 35 days at sea he finally
arrived at a lonely Brooklyn pier with just seven dollars in Indian rupees and one crate of his
translations of sacred Sanskrit texts.

In New York he faced great hardships, and was regularly without money and a steady place to live. He
began his mission humbly, giving classes on the Bhagavad-gita in lofts in the Bowery (New Yorks
infamous skid row), and leading kirtan (traditional devotional chants) in Tompkins Square Park. His
message of peace and goodwill resonated strongly with the hippie community and younger generation,
some of whom came forward to become serious students of the Bhakti-yoga (loving devotion to God)
tradition. With the help of these followers, who affectionately began calling Bhaktivedanta Swami
Swamiji, a small storefront was rented on New Yorks Lower East Side to use as a temple. In July
1966, After almost a year of adversity and struggle, Swamiji established the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness for the purpose of working for real unity and peace and reinstating proper
values in the world.

He taught that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of God and that one could find true happiness
through living a simpler, more natural way of life and dedicating ones energy in the service of God and
all living beings.Having begun initiating his New York followers into the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage
(the line of Bhakti-yoga stemming from the 16th century saint Sri Krishna Caitanya), Swamiji next
travelled to San Francisco. Amidst the emerging hippie community in the Haight-Ashbury district,
during 1967s Summer of Love, he taught that the experience of devotion through Bhakti-yoga was a
spiritual high superior to any pleasures derived from material sources such as wealth, fame, or
intoxication. In the following months, many more people came forward to study under him and assist
him.

Desiring to address him with the respect due to a revered spiritual teacher, his disciples began to call
him Srila Prabhupada, meaning one at whose feet the masters sit.In the eleven years that followed,
Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times, bringing the teachings of Bhakti-yoga to many
thousands of people across all six continents. Men and women of all ages and backgrounds accepted his
message and integrated the teachings into their lives. With his disciples help, Srila Prabhupada
established centers and projects throughout the world, including temples, rural communities,
educational institutions, and what would become the worlds largest food relief program (which
happens to be vegetarian). Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times where he sparked a
revival of the Bhakti-yoga tradition and opened many temples, including important centers in the holy
towns of Vrindavana and Mayapur.Srila Prabhupadas most significant contribution, however, is his
books.

He authored over seventy authentic volumes on Bhakti-yoga, which are highly respected for their
authority, depth, clarity, and fidelity to tradition. His writings have been translated into seventy-six
languages and are used as standard textbooks in most colleges around the world. His most prominent
works include:Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the thirty-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the seventeen-
volume Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. To see the list of all books toggle Books by Srila Prabhupada.A. C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada left this world on November 14, 1977 in the holy town of
Vrindavan.

Mission
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was officially established in 1966 in America
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.

The philosophy of ISKCON is nothing but the philosophy of Sanantan Dharma. Sanatan means which has no
beginning and no end. This is existing from the dawn of creation. It is the worlds most ancient religion. The
main scriptures are The Bhagavad-gita (The Song of God), and the Shrimad Bhagavatam (entire story of
supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna).

The principles and practices of ISKCON were taught by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1532) through his
dearmost associate Nityananda Prabhu and six of his principle associates, the Goswamis of Vrindavana,
Sanatana, Rupa, Jiva, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunatha Dasa and Raghunatha Bhatta. And later by
BhaktivinodaThakura (1838-1914), his son Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami (1874- 1937) and Srila
Prabhupada (1896-1977) who spread Krishna consciousness all over the world in English Language.

ISKCONs history includes a disciplic succession (guru sisya parampara). It draws its legitimacy from its place
in a succession of spiritual teachers and disciples. There are four major disciplic successions, and ISKCON
belongs Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya lineage founded by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 16th century.

7 Purposes of ISKCON

To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of
spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, especially
Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. We accept the principle of transmigration of the soul (reincarnation).

To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus
developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of
Godhead (Krishna).

To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as
revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the
personality of Krishna.
To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.

With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines,
books and other writings and to create websites that help realize these purposes.

Structure
ISKCONs community organization is best understood as a series of concentric circles, with the temple at the
absolute center. Radiating out from the temple with increasing metaphoric distance are full-time residents of
temples, ISKCON-initiated congregational members, non-initiated congregational members, and frequent
visitors.

Though ISKCONs temples undoubtedly serve as ceremonial and ritual centers for the movement, they also
function as the center of community organization. With few exceptions, members of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness live within easy driving distance of a temple, and have chosen to do so intentionally. The
movement operates over three hundred temples, spread over every continent except Antarctica, and in most
major cities around the globe. It also operates several dozen farming communities and rural communes, which
generally function as temple equivalents for purposes of community organization.

Governing Body Commission (GBC)

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), established the Governing Body Commission (GBC) to
be the ultimate managing authority for the society. In ISKCONs Direction of Management written on
July 28, 1970, Srila Prabhupada states:

As we have increased our volume of activities, now I think a Governing Body Commission
(hereinafter referred to as the GBC) should be established. I am getting old, 75 years old, therefore at
any time I may be out of the scene, therefore I think it is necessary to give instruction to my disciples
how they shall manage the whole institution. They are already managing individual centers
represented by one president, one secretary and one treasurer, and in my opinion they are doing
nice. But we want still more improvement in the standard of temple management, propaganda for
Krishna consciousness, distribution of books and literatures, opening of new centers and educating
devotees to the right standard.

Srila Prabhupada reaffirmed the position of the GBC in his final will drafted in June, 1977:

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) will be the ultimate managing authority of the entire
International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Through legal documents, training, and discourse, Srila Prabhupada clearly identified the GBC as the highest
managerial body in ISKCON.

At present, the GBC body is comprised of thirty-two members who are individually responsible for overseeing
the management and spiritual standards of ISKCON centers in assigned geographic regions. GBC members also
supervise specific projects, initiatives, and ministries. Following the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, the GBC
body convenes yearly in Mayapur, West Bengal for their Annual General Meeting, during which time they
discuss proposals, specific issues and projects within ISKCON, and pass resolutions by way of a voting process.
Basic philosophy of ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), otherwise known as the Hare Krishna
movement, includes five hundred major centers, temples and rural communities, nearly one
hundred affiliated vegetarian restaurants, thousands of namahattas or local meeting groups, a wide
variety of community projects, and millions of congregational members worldwide. Although less than
fifty years on the global stage, ISKCON has expanded widely since its founding by His Divine Grace A.
C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupda in New York City in 1966.

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradya, a monotheistic tradition within the Vedic or
Hindu culture. Philosophically it is based on the Sanskrit texts Bhagavad-gt and the Bhagavat
Purana, or Srimad Bhagavatam. These are the historic texts of the devotional bhakti yoga tradition,
which teaches that the ultimate goal for all living beings is to reawaken their love for God, or Lord
Krishna, the all-attractive one.

God is known across the world by many names including Allah, Jehovah,Yahweh, Rama, etc. ISKCON
devotees chant Gods names in the form of the maha-mantra, or the great prayer for deliverance:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Many leading academics have highlighted ISKCONs authenticity. Diana Eck, Professor of
Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University, describes the movement as a
tradition that commands a respected place in the religious life of humankind. In the 1980s Dr.A. L.
Basham, one of the worlds authorities on Indian history and culture, wrote of ISKCON that, It arose
out of next to nothing in less than twenty years and has become known all over the West. This, I feel, is
a sign of the times and an important fact in the history of the Western world.

ISKCONs founder, Srila Prabhupada, has drawn appreciation from scholars and religious leaders
alike for his remarkable achievement in presenting Indias Vaishnava spiritual culture in a relevant
manner to contemporary Western and worldwide audiences.

Members of ISKCON practice bhakti-yoga in their homes and also worship in temples. They also
promote bhakti-yoga, or Krishna Consciousness, through festivals, the performing arts, yoga seminars,
public chanting, and the distribution of the societys literatures. ISKCON members have also opened
hospitals, schools, colleges, eco-villages,free food distribution projects, and other institutions as a
practical application of the path of devotional yoga.

Anyone by sincerely cultivating true spiritual science, we can be free from anxiety and come to a state
of pure, unending, blissful consciousness in this very lifetime.

We are not our bodies but eternal, spirit souls, parts and parcels of supreme lord Sri Krishna. As such,
we are all brothers, and Krishna is ultimately our common father. We accept the process of
transmigration of the soul (reincarnation).

Krishna is eternal, all-knowing, omnipresent, all-powerful, and all-attractive. He is the seed-giving

father of all living beings, and He is the sustaining energy of the entire cosmic creation. He is the same
God as The Father Allah, Buddha and Jehovah.
The Absolute Truth is contained in the Vedas, the oldest scriptures in the world. The essence of the
Vedas is found in the Bhagavad-gita, a literal record of Krishnas words.

One can learn the Vedic knowledge from a genuine spiritual master one who has no selfish motives
and whose mind is firmly fixed on Krishna.

Before one eats, one offers to the Lord Krishna the food that sustains all humans; then Krishna
becomes the offering and purifies the offered.

One performs all actions as offerings to Krishna and does nothing for ones own sense gratification.

The recommended means for achieving the mature stage of love of God in this age of Kali, or quarrel,
is to chant the holy names of the Lord. The easiest method for most people is to chant the Hare Krishna
mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Karma and Reincarnation

It is too late to avoid reaction, but not too late to come to the right conclusion.
Radhanath Swami.

Karma refers to action performed for the sake of the body and its senses. The work we do to earn a
living is karma. The work we put into having a good time is karma too. When we eat, thats karma.
When we sleep, thats karma. When we watch TV, listen to Beethoven, or Ravi Shankar, or Madonna,
when we have kids, or drive our carwhen we do just about anythingthats karma.

Karma can be extended too. Its not only what we do directly for ourselves but also what we do for
others, in relation to the body and senses. When we help out a friend, give food to the poor, serve in the
Army, or show our uncle how to cheat on his tax returnsagain, its all karma.

Karma may be good or bad (or, for that matter, mixed). So karma may bring good or bad results
(or, again, mixed). These results are also sometimes called karma. (More precisely, they are
karmic reactions.)

Sometimes the results of karma are quick and obvious: work hard and get a good grade, overeat and
get indigestion. But sometimes the results may take yearsor, according to Vedic literature, lifetimes. I
may do something this life and get the results in the nextor ten lifetimes from now, or thousands. So
karma and its results form an intricate web.

If someones born ugly or poor or sick, thats a sign of bad karma. Or if someone gets in trouble with
the police, or gets in legal troublebad karma again. And good looks, good money, good healthgood
karma.

Were getting reactions now for what weve done in the past, and creating future reactions by what
were doing now. Gets complicated, doesnt it
The scriptures of the worldthe Vedas includedtry to warn us away from bad karma and guide us
towards good.

But we dont always go along. And even when we do, the best that we get are good karmic results. And
good or bad, were still caught in the net, still entangled. Good karma or bad, were still tied to the
wheel of repeated birth and death.

What is karma and how does it work?

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His feature of eternal time, is present in the material world
and is neutral towards everyone. No one is His ally, and no one is His enemy. Within the jurisdiction of
the time element, everyone enjoys or suffers the result of his own karma, or fruitive activities. As, when
the wind blows, small particles of dust fly in the air, so, according to ones particular karma, one suffers
or enjoys material life. Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.11.20

Karma is the cosmic law of action and reaction. Under its control we souls in the material world reap
good or bad results according to each act we perform.

Karmic reactions include not only things that happen to us, but such things as our health, wealth,
intelligence, physical appearance, and social status, as well as our personalities and inclinations. While
we have some freedom to choose our current acts, our choices are influenced by our natures, or
personalities, which have developed from our previous actions. For example, good choices tend to make
us good persons who make further good choices.

The law of karma begins to act upon us when we desire to enjoy separately from Krishna, and it locks
us into an endless cycle. Each action begets a reaction that begets another action, and so on. Whether
the reactions are good or bad, we must repeatedly accept new bodies in order for the reactions to play
out. And each lifetime in a material body means unavoidable miseries, such as disease, old age, and
death.

While the Vedas give directions for assuring good reactions, they tell us that the only truly beneficial
course of action is to perform spiritual acts that can gain us freedom from the bonds of karma.
Spiritual acts are acts for the service of Krishna and are the essence of Bhakti yoga. They awaken our
innate love for Krishna, destroying our desire to enjoy separately from Him, which is the root of our
karmic bondage.

Chanting Hare Krishna

The first principle in devotional service is to chant the Hare Ka mah-mantra (mah means
great; mantrameans sound that liberates the mind from ignorance):

Hare Ka, Hare Ka, Ka Ka, Hare Hare

Hare Rma, Hare Rma, Rma Rma, Hare Hare

You should chant these holy names of the Lord as much as possible anywhere and at any time but it
is also very helpful to set a specific time of the day to regularly chant. Early morning hours are ideal.

The chanting can be done in two ways: singing the mantra, called krtana (usually done in a group), and
saying the mantra to oneself, called japa (which literally means to speak softly). Concentrate on
hearing the sound of the holy names. As you chant, pronounce the names clearly and distinctly,
addressing Ka in a prayerful mood. When your mind wanders, bring it back to the sound of the
Lords names. Chanting is a prayer to Ka that means O energy of the Lord [Hare], O all-attractive
Lord [Ka], O Supreme Enjoyer [Rma], please engage me in Your service. The more attentively
and sincerely you chant these names of God, the more spiritual progress you will make. Since God is
all-powerful and all-merciful, He has kindly made it very easy for us to chant His names, and He has
also invested all His powers in them. Therefore the names of God and God Himself are identical. This
means that when we chant the holy names of Ka and Rma we are directly associating with God and
being purified. Therefore we should always try to chant with devotion and reverence. The Vedic
literature states that Lord Ka is personally dancing on your tongue when you chant holy name.

When you chant alone, it is best to chant on japa beads (available at www.blservices.com or at any
ISKCON temple). This not only helps you fix your attention on the holy name, but it also helps you
count the number of times you chant the mantra daily. Each strand of japa beads contains 108 small
beads and one large bead, the head bead. Begin on a bead next to the head bead and gently roll it
between the thumb and middle finger of your right hand as you chant the full Hare Ka
mantra. Then move to the next bead and repeat the process. In this way, chant on each of the 108 beads
until you reach the head bead again. This is one round ofjapa. Then, without chanting on the head bead,
reverse the beads and start your second round on the last bead you chanted on.

Initiated devotees vow before the spiritual master to chant at least sixteen rounds of the Hare Ka
mantra daily. But even if you can chant only one round a day, the principle is that once you commit
yourself to chanting that round, you should try to complete it every day without fail. When you feel you
can chant more, then increase the minimum number of rounds you chant each day but dont fall
below that number. You can chant more than your fixed number, but you should maintain a set
minimum each day. (Please note that the beads are sacred and therefore should never touch the ground
or be put in an unclean place. To keep your beads clean, its best to carry them in a special bead bag,
such as the one that comes as part of most mantra meditation kits.)

Aside from chanting japa, you can also sing the Lords holy names in krtana. While you can
perform krtana individually, it is generally performed with others. A melodious krtana with family or
friends is sure to enliven everyone. ISKCON devotees use traditional melodies and instruments,
especially in the temple, but you can chant to any melody and use any musical instruments to
accompany your chanting. As Lord Caitanya said, There are no hard and fast rules for chanting Hare
Ka. One thing you might want to do, however, is order some krtana and japa audiotapes or CDs.

The transcendental vibration establish by the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra: Hare
Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare
Hare is the sublime method for reviving our original pure consciousness.

Although Hare Krishna has become a household word, practically nobody knows what it means. Is it
merely a repetitious incantation designed to hypnotize its practitioners? Is it a form of escapism? Or is
it a genuine meditation method that can actually summon higher awareness?

Why should we chant?

A mantra is a spiritual sound vibration that purifies the heart and awakens love of God. The
transcendental vibration established by the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra-Hare Krishna,
Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-helps
to revive our original pure consciousness.

As living spiritual souls, we are all originally pure, but due to our association with matter from time
immemorial, our consciousness is now adulterated by qualities of lust, anger, greed, envy, pride and
illusion. And if we want to enter the kingdom of God, we need to cleanse our heart and consciousness,
of these traits. Chanting this transcendental vibration will help us to purify our consciousness.

What is the proof from scriptures?

The Kali Santarna Upanishad says In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is
chanting of the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.
According to Srimad Bhagavatam (12.3.51) kirtanad eva krishnasya- simply by chanting of the holy name
of Krishna, one is liberated and returns home, back to Godhead. Therefore one must adopt the chanting of the
holy name as the principal method of advancing in spiritual life.

Krishna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind. This consciousness is the original, natural
energy of the living entity. When we hear this transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived. This
simplest method of meditation is recommended for this age.

How does the chanting work?

In the material concept of life we are busy in the matter of eating, sleeping, mating and defending, as if we
were in the lower, animal stage. A little elevated from this bodily concept of life one is engaged in mental
speculation for the purpose of getting out of the material clutches. A little elevated from this speculative
status, when one is intelligent enough, one tries to find out the supreme cause of all causes, within and
without. And when one is factually on the plane of spiritual understanding, surpassing the stages of sense,
mind, and intelligence, he is then on the transcendental plane. This chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra
is enacted from the spiritual platform, and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of
consciousness-namely sensual, mental and intellectual. There is no need, therefore, to understand the language
of the mantra, nor is there any need for mental speculation, nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this
mahamantra; also anyone can take part in the chanting without any previous qualification. Chanting
reestablishes our lost connection with God and takes one immediately to spiritual platform.

Even a child can take part in the chanting and dancing. Of course, for one who is too entangled in material
life, it takes a little more time to come to the standard point, but even such a materially engrossed man is
raised to the spiritual platform very quickly. When the mantra is chanted by a pure devotee of Lord in love, it
has the greatest efficacy on hearers, and as such this chanting should be heard from the lips of a pure devotee
of the Lord, So that immediate effects can be achieved.

What is the actual meaning of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra?

The word Hara is the form of addressing the energy of the Lord, and the words Krishna and Rama are forms
of addressing the Lord Himself. Both Krishna and Rama mean the supreme pleasure, and Hara is the
supreme pleasure energy of the Lord, changed to Hare in the Vocative. The supreme pleasure energy of the
Lord helps us to reach the Lord.

The material energy, called maya, is also one of the multi-energies of the Lord. And we, the living entities, are
the marginal energy of the Lord. The living entities are described as superior to material energy. When the
superior energy is in contact with inferior energy, an incompatible situation arises; but when the superior
marginal energy is in contact with the superior energy, Hara, it is established in its happy, normal condition.
These three words, namely Hare, Krishna, and Rama, are the transcendental seeds of maha-mantra. The
chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His energy, to give protection to conditioned soul. The chanting is
exactly like the genuine cry of a child for its mothers presence. Mother Hara helps the devotee achieve the
Lord Fathers grace, and the Lord reveals Himself to the devotee who chants this mantra sincerely.

In this way, continue chanting on each of the 108 beads in the strand until you again reach the Krishna bead.
This is known as one round of japa and usually takes from six to ten minutes.
It is beneficial to chant thePancha-tattva mantra before beginning your japa meditation. Many people like to
chant it before each round. This is a prayer to Krishnas most merciful avatar, Lord Chaitanya and His
associates, to help us become ecstatic and avoid offenses while chanting.

sri-krishna-chaitanya prabhu-nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara
srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrinda

I offer my obeisances to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhara, Srivasa and all
others in the line of devotion.