About ISKCON
International Society for Krishna Consciousness — spreading the science of Krishna consciousness worldwide.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a branch of the monotheistic Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition within Hinduism, dating back five thousand years to Lord Krishna Himself. ISKCON was established in the West in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada).
Since then, it has developed into a worldwide confederation of over 500 temples, centers, communities, schools, and restaurants, with some 250,000 devotees. The mission of this nonsectarian, monotheistic movement is to promote the well-being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to the Bhagavad-gita and other ancient scriptures.
- 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, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- 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.
ISKCON follows Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which is monotheistic and accepts the personality of Godhead as Krishna, the All-attractive. Its philosophy is based on the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita.
To understand knowledge of self-realization, one must approach a genuine spiritual master coming in an authorized parampara, or disciplic succession. 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 Chaitanya, is accepted by the Vedas as the most effective means of self-purification in this age.
Devotees may accept formal initiation by chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra every day and vowing to abstain from intoxication, gambling, illicit sexual connections, and the eating of meat, fish, or eggs. The ultimate goal of a Gaudiya Vaishnava is to develop a loving relationship with the Supreme Godhead, Krishna.
The word TEMPLE itself reflects what every visitor receives:
- Tranquility — to face the crests and troughs of life
- Education — to kill ignorance, the root cause of all suffering
- Medication — against the wounds caused by our own ego
- Purification — from self-abusive habits
- Love — unconditionally for everyone
- Engagement — righteously, for the overall betterment of society
Every visit to the temple cultivates lasting inner qualities that shape a balanced and purposeful life:
“The mission of ISKCON is to promote the well-being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness, awakening every soul to its eternal relationship with the Supreme.”