What is ISKCON? History, Philosophy & Beliefs Explained

History of ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON, the Hare Krishna Movement, on July 13, 1966, in New York City. At the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada traveled to the United States of America with ₹40, an umbrella, and a few translated scriptural writings.

During the early days of the Hare Krishna Movement, Srila Prabhupada held Bhagavad Gita classes and led kirtan in a small storefront on Second Avenue in New York’s Lower East Side, attracting young Americans searching for peace.

After some time, he gradually gained popularity among the young people in the town, who came to him for his tasty vegetarian food, karma-free living, and spiritual qualities.

Within a few years, ISKCON had spread across the United States and internationally, with temples and centers established across multiple continents during Srila Prabhupada’s own lifetime.

ISKCON's Roots in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya

ISKCON’s Hare Krishna Movement was primarily formed on the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who established the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya in the late 15th century. However, this disciplic succession traces back to Lord Brahma, from whom an unbroken chain of spiritual masters passed on the teachings.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His disciples, the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, belong to the Gaudiya Sampradaya, which is known for congregational chanting, the most effective spiritual practice for Kali Yuga.

Through ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada fulfilled the instruction of his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, to spread Krishna Consciousness in Western society. He emphasized the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and the distribution of translated scriptures such as the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad Gita.

Under Srila Prabhupada's leadership, the Hare Krishna Movement reached a remarkable level. With Lord Krishna’s mercy and the blessings of his Guru, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, he opened more than 108 ISKCON temples and centers around the globe during his lifetime.

ISKCON has carried on the practice of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu for the last 60 years. Every act or practice of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is based on spreading the Lord’s holy name, so that everyone in the world may remember the Lord.

Core Philosophy and Beliefs of ISKCON

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada built ISKCON on the Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy by spreading its teachings throughout the West. He focused on translating major Hindu scriptures, including Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and Chaitanya Charitamrita.

According to ISKCON, Lord Krishna is the primary and only source of all the avatars, including the Dashavatara. According to the Brahma Samhita and the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna is the Supreme Lord, svayam bhagavan. Therefore, ISKCON's mission is to spread this prime knowledge to everyone.

ISKCON teaches the following core beliefs:

i) Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

ii) Every living being is an eternal spiritual soul, distinct from the temporary material body.

iii) The soul has an eternal relationship with Krishna, rooted in love and service.

iv) Bhakti-yoga is the path of loving devotional service, the process by which the soul reconnects with Krishna.

v) The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the recommended spiritual practice for the present age, Kali Yuga.

vi) Authentic knowledge is received through scripture and disciplic succession, known as guru-parampara.

vii) Actions should be performed as service to Krishna, rather than for personal gratification.

viii) The goal of spiritual life is the restoration of one's loving relationship with Krishna.

ISKCON teaches that there is one Supreme Reality known by different names and approaches across religious traditions, while its own theology specifically focuses on Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

What Is Krishna Consciousness?

Krishna consciousness is a state of loving devotion towards the Supreme Person, Krishna. It is a natural and blissful condition in which one’s soul acts in harmony with the Divine, often cultivated through bhakti-yoga.

This particular state of consciousness is based on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam, and centers on worshiping Lord Krishna as the source of all creation.

By engaging in devotional practices such as chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, learning from Vedic texts, and performing acts of compassion, one can engage the soul in Krishna consciousness, which ultimately leads to moksha, or liberation.

Hare Krishna Mantra and Bhakti-yoga

The Hare Krishna Mahamantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, is a powerful 16-word Vaishnava mantra. According to Bhakti-yoga and scriptures such as the Kali-Santarana Upanishad, this mantra is considered the supreme means of attaining God in the age of Kali Yuga.

It is said that this mantra purifies the soul and restores our forgotten connection with Lord Krishna. Chanting this great mantra removes all impurities from the heart.

Daily Practices and Devotional Life in ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON is a community that operates solely for the benefit of humanity and to help people understand the main aim of our existence. Including both rural and urban people in more than 150 countries, the organization works continuously to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna.

The purpose of ISKCON temples is to develop a sense of spirituality and God consciousness in every human being, so that one can acknowledge the true power of the Supreme Divinity and help others through ISKCON preaching activities.

However, to maintain purity, a disciple must follow four regulative principles to fully engage in Krishna Consciousness.

1. No meat eating — Pillar: Mercy, or Daya.

2. No intoxication, including caffeine, tea, and tobacco — Pillar: Austerity, or Tapa.

3. No gambling — Pillar: Truthfulness, or Satya.

4. No illicit sexual activity — Pillar: Cleanliness, or Shaucha.

These four regulative principles are true reflections, or pillars, of Sanatana Dharma. By following them, one can engage and act correctly in spiritual life.

ISKCON's Festival Calendar and Vaishnava Traditions

The ISKCON festival traditions revolve around the pastimes of Lord Krishna, honoring His incarnations and saintly acharyas by observing fasts, worshiping deities, and offering grand prasadam feasts.

Core Vaishnav Festivals:

1. Sri Krishna Janamashtami: The appearance day of Lord Krishna in Dvapara Yuga.

2. Radhashtami: The appearance day of Srimati Radharani, Lord Krishna’s eternal consort.

3. Ratha Yatra: The famous festival of chariots, honoring Lord Jagannath, Lord Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra.

4. Kartik Month (Damodar Month): A sacred month when devotees offer ghee lamps to Lord Damodara.

5. Gaur Purnima: The appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Traditions and Practices:

1. Ekadashi: Occurring every month on the 11th day of the waxing moon, devotees observe a fast in honor of Lord Vishnu.

2. Chaturmasya: A four-month penance period during the rainy season. Devotees gradually restrict some foods month by month to gain purity.

3. Vyasa Puja: Done to honor the spiritual master, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON.

What Are the Seven Purposes of ISKCON?

ISKCON, or the Hare Krishna Movement, was established with clear and exact purposes that originally outlined the organization's goals as follows:

1. Propagate Spiritual Knowledge: 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 achieve real unity and peace in the world.

2. Propagate Krishna Consciousness: To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, or God, as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.

3. Bring Society Nearer to Krishna: 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.

4. Teach the Sankirtana Movement: 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.

5. Establish Holy Places: To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

6. Promote Simple Living: To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

7. Publish and Distribute Literature: With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books, and other writings.

How is ISKCON Governed?

ISKCON is governed by the Governing Body Commission, known as GBC, a centralized body founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada in 1970.

The GBC serves as the ultimate governing authority, upholding the organization's standards and aligning with global policies.

Governance Structure of ISKCON From Top to Bottom:

1. The Governing Body of ISKCON

2. Executive Committee, EC

3. Regional Governing Bodies and Zonal Secretaries

4. Temple President and Local Boards

ISKCON's Humanitarian and Cultural Work

ISKCON runs various humanitarian and cultural initiatives globally. Its international hubs have more than 110 vegetarian restaurants, 60 rural communities, and 50 schools worldwide.

Humanitarian and Social Impact Initiatives:

1. Food Relief: ISKCON operates Food for Life, the world’s largest pure vegetarian food distribution network, serving millions of families and children in disaster zones and impoverished areas. Moreover, in India, the Akshaya Patra program, in collaboration with the government, provides nutritious mid-day meals to thousands of schoolchildren daily.

2. Education and Youth Development: ISKCON's teachings have always focused on uplifting society by helping the youth. They run schools, colleges, and training centers across countries, offering better food, clothes, and quality education to children who cannot access it.

The ISKCON community also organizes over 6,000 annual cultural festivals, including the massive Rath Yatra (Chariot festival), which bring communities together. ISKCON also promotes the large-scale distribution of scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and the Srimad Bhagavatam, bringing historical evidence to the world.

3. Holistic Wellness and Eco-Village: The Hare Krishna Movement works every day to make the environment cleaner and also promotes traditional practices like Ayurveda, Yoga, and bhakti philosophy in its eco-village, where people can go, learn, and feel nature.

4. Society and Sustainability: Srila Prabhupada's Hare Krishna Movement is also a champion of cow protection and animal welfare through goshalas worldwide. Also, it is one of those spiritual organizations that generates employment through temples, restaurants, farms, and eco-villages, providing better work opportunities to people with the Lord’s blessings.

ISKCON's Achievements and Global Impact

Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON contributions span religious, humanitarian, cultural, and environmental dimensions, earning wide recognition from governments, institutions, and global organizations.

Awards and Recognition

1. Multiple Guinness World Records for large-scale temple construction and record-breaking festival gatherings.

2. Devotees like Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa have received the Padma Shri, Gandhi Peace Prize, National Award for Child Welfare, and the Nikkei Asia Prize.

3. IGBC Green Champion award and Platinum-Level Green Certifications for eco-friendly hubs like Govardhan Eco-Village and Chowpatty Mandir.

Religious and Cultural Contributions:

1. Largest global distributor of Vedic scriptures, including Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam.

2. Organizes the world-famous Ratha Yatra in cities across the globe, attracting massive crowds every year.

3. Preserved and promoted Indian culture and Vedic philosophy across 150+ countries.

ISKCON Today: Global Presence and Temples

Over the years, ISKCON has worked very hard to spread compassion and spirituality around the world. With more than 800 temples and centers across 150 countries, the organization expanded its initiatives westward year by year, making the Hare Krishna Movement the epicenter of Bhakti.

Global Distribution Of Centres

Europe: 135+ centers

Asia (excluding India): 69 centers

North America: 75 centers

South America: 60 centers

Australia/Oceania: 10 centers

By building monuments like temples, like Sri Sri Krishna Balaram temple (Vrindavan), Temple of Vedic Planetarium (Mayapur), Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center (Detroit), New Vrindaban community (West Virginia), Krishna Valley (Hungary), and New Govardhana (New South Wales), ISKCON made it very easy and mesmerizing for society to preach the Lord and to understand the true meaning of life that we all have.

All these things started with just distributing the holy scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, by building Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), the largest global publisher of Vedic literature.

Honoring Srila Prabhupada's Legacy

Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada was a spiritual master who single-handedly founded ISKCON. He closely followed his Guru’s (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura) guidance. At the age of 70, he led a movement that changed the world through the japa (chanting) of the Hare Krishna mantra alone.

He translated over 80 volumes of transcendental literature and worked more than 18 hours a day during his pastimes. He was so compassionate about his Guru’s mission that, even after facing many challenges earlier in America, he did not lose hope.

During his ISKCON mission, he traveled the globe about 14 times and established 108 temples while alive. He was so calm and clear that he managed a rapidly expanding organization of thousands of disciples, rural communities, and global projects through personal meetings and a staggering 7,000 letters.

While founding ISKCON, he also planned for the future growth of the Hare Krishna Movement, establishing a special team, the Governing Body Council, to manage and lead it after him. He also followed the Vaishnavism Guru-parampara and established a ritvik system in which anyone who receives diksha from ISKCON will be the ultimate disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

Conclusion

ISKCON is a global spiritual movement that has successfully achieved its primary purpose: bringing the ancient Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings into modern life. By emphasizing bhakti-yoga and the chanting of Hare Krishna Maha-mantra, it provided a pathway to attain liberation and self-realization.

Over the years, it faced several internal administrative challenges and debates over traditionalism vs. modernization; it remained a major force in spreading Vedic wisdom and welfare worldwide.