About ISKCON
Have you ever come across devotees from the Hare Krishna movement, singing and dancing joyously, spreading spiritual messages, and engaging in various philanthropic activities like distributing books and serving meals through the Food for Life program? Perhaps you’ve seen glimpses of us on television or read about our endeavors in newspapers.
Curiosity often strikes: Who are the individuals behind these vibrant expressions of devotion? What principles guide their beliefs and practices? Why is singing such an integral part of their tradition? And who exactly is Krishna?
Let us provide you with an insight into our spiritual journey as we share the essence of our movement.
Welcome to the ISKCON family! The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), affectionately known as the Hare Krishna movement, was established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in July 1966 in New York.
ISKCON follows a monothesitic tradition within the Vedic culture and belongs to Brahma Madhav Gaudiya Vaishnav sampradaya.
ISKCON follows the teachings of the Vedas and Vedic scriptures, including the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam which teach Vaishnavism or devotion to God (Krishna) in His Supreme Personal aspect of Sri Sri Radha Krishna. ISKCON is part of the disciplic succession which started with Lord Krishna Himself and continued with Srila Vyasadeva, Srila Madhavacharya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and in the present day His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his followers.
ISKCON’s teachings are non-sectarian, following the principle of sanatana dharma or eternal religion, which denotes the eternal activity of all living beings – loving devotional service (bhakti-yoga) to Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The aim of ISKCON is to acquaint all people of world with universal principles of self-realization and God consciousness so that they may derive the highest benefit of spiritual understanding, unity and peace. The Vedic literature recommend that in the present age of Kali-yuga the most effective means of achieving self-realization is always hear about, glorify, and remember the all-attractive Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Therefore, it recommends the chanting of the Holy Names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This sublime chanting puts the chanter directly in touch with the Supreme Lord through the sound vibration of His Holy Name.
