International Society for Krishna Consciousness facts for kids
- International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Quick facts for kids 
Official emblem of ISKCON
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ISKCON Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
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| Abbreviation | ISKCON |
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| Formation | 13 July 1966 New York City, United States |
| Founder | A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada |
| Type | Religious organization |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Headquarters | Mayapur, Nabadwip, Nadia, West Bengal, India |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Main organ
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Governing Body Commission |
| Affiliations | Gaudiya Vaishnavism (Hinduism) |
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), often called the Hare Krishna movement, is a Hindu religious group. It was started on July 13, 1966, in New York City. Its founder was A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Today, its main office is in West Bengal, India.
ISKCON believes in one main God, based on Hindu scriptures. They especially follow Prabhupada's writings on the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. ISKCON is the biggest part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. This tradition has been in India since the 1500s. It also had followers in America and Europe in the early 1900s. About 10 million people around the world follow ISKCON.
This group practices vegetarianism. It was first formed to spread the practice of Bhakti yoga. Its followers, called bhaktas, focus their thoughts and actions on pleasing Krishna. They see Krishna as the Supreme Lord God. They consider other Hindu gods as less important. The number of followers has grown fastest in India. It has also grown in Russia and other Eastern European countries after the Soviet Union ended.
Contents
- History of the Hare Krishna Movement
- Worshiping Krishna as the Supreme God
- Religious Practices and Festivals
- How ISKCON is Managed
- Music and Influence
- Vegetarianism and Food
- Followers Around the World
- Challenges Faced by ISKCON
- ISKCON Centers Around the World
- ISKCON's Other Activities
- Well-Known People Connected to ISKCON
History of the Hare Krishna Movement
ISKCON followers are part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. This is the largest group within Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Vaishnavism means worshiping Vishnu. Gauḍa is the area in West Bengal and Bangladesh where this group started. Gaudiya Vaishnavism has been popular in India for 500 years.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He quickly spread his way of showing devotion, called bhakti, throughout Bengal. He started Sankirtan, which is publicly worshiping Krishna with dance and song. This way of worship allowed everyone to join, no matter their social class. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu stressed chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Gaudiya Vaishnavas believe he is Krishna himself.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada brought Gaudiya Vaishnavism to the West in 1965. He was 70 years old and arrived in New York with very little money. He started preaching and chanting in public parks. He attracted young people and those from the 1960s counterculture. His movement, known as the "Hare Krishna Movement," grew even more when he moved to San Francisco.
When it reached England, it became famous. The Beatles' George Harrison helped with publicity and money. He recorded songs with the Hare Krishnas. He also put the Mahamantra in his hit song "My Sweet Lord." The first Hare Krishna community, New Vrindavan, was started by Prabhupada in 1968. Since then, ISKCON has opened over 800 centers worldwide. It now has millions of followers.
Prabhupada's writings helped spread Gaudiya Vaishnava ideas in the West. These include Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Srimad Bhagavatam, and Chaitanya Charitamrita. These books are now in over seventy languages. They serve as the main scriptures for ISKCON.
Worshiping Krishna as the Supreme God
ISKCON sees Krishna as the original source of all forms of God. Members worship Krishna as the highest form of God, called svayam bhagavan. They often call him the Supreme Personality of Godhead in their books. Prabhupada created this phrase.
For followers, Radha is Krishna's divine female partner. She represents spiritual power and loving devotion. ISKCON believes each soul has an eternal spiritual identity. This identity does not disappear into a larger consciousness. Prabhupada suggested "Sanatana-dharma" as a more accurate name for their religious system.
Followers believe that Krishna is greater than the traditional Hindu gods Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. ISKCON is a monotheistic tradition. This means they believe in one main God. It comes from the Vedanta traditions.
Religious Practices and Festivals
The most well-known ISKCON practice is kirtan. This is group chanting or singing of the Hare Krishna mantra. Kirtan helps followers show their devotion to God. It also helps attract new people to the movement. Devotees gather in public places like streets and parks. They sing the mantra with instruments like the mridanga, hand cymbals, and the harmonium.
In the 1970s, ISKCON became very visible because of kirtan. Devotees would sing, give out books, and share their beliefs in public. This often happened in airports and other busy areas. Sankirtan continues today, but in a less forceful way.
Japa is another important practice in ISKCON. It is a meditative practice. Followers repeat Krishna's names using prayer beads. They chant a mantra:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
This mantra is repeated 108 times on each bead. Devotees usually chant 16 rounds of this every day. They believe it is the only way to salvation in the current age, called Kali. Prabhupada set the rule for initiated followers to chant sixteen rounds daily. Each round means repeating Krishna's names 1728 times.
Arati (also called puja) is also important. During arati, devotees offer water, incense, a fire lamp, and flowers. They offer these to a murti, which is a sacred statue or image of Krishna. Prayers and devotional songs called bhajans are sung. People can do arati at home or at a temple. They also bathe, dress, and offer food to the murti. By doing arati, devotees aim to grow their connection with Krishna.
ISKCON followers meet regularly, usually on Sunday. This is called the Sunday Feast. They worship deities, listen to talks by older devotees, join in kirtan, and eat blessed food called prasadam. Listening to spiritual talks is very important for spiritual growth.
Four Main Principles
When they are initiated (diksha), ISKCON devotees promise to follow four main rules:
- Eat only lacto-vegetarian food (no meat, fish, or eggs).
- Do not use any intoxicants (like onion, garlic, coffee, tea, or tobacco).
- Do not gamble.
Celebrated Festivals
ISKCON celebrates many Hindu festivals. These include Janmashtami, Radhastami, Diwali, Gaura Purnima, Ekadasi, Holi, Rama Navami, and Gita Jayanti.
The Ratha Yatra Festival of Chariots is an annual parade. Devotees chant and dance in the street. They pull a chariot with statues of Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. This public parade usually has performances and free vegetarian food.
Sharing Their Beliefs
ISKCON encourages sharing their beliefs. Members spread Krishna consciousness by singing the Hare Krishna mantra in public. They also sell Indian spiritual books. These books were translated from their original languages by Prabhupada.
A study by E. Burke Rochford Jr. found four ways people connect with ISKCON. These are individual interest, meeting members in public, personal connections, and contact with supporters.
How ISKCON is Managed
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Prabhupada spent his last years setting up ISKCON's structure.
The Governing Body Commission (GBC) manages ISKCON. Prabhupada created it in 1970. It meets every year. In 1970, Prabhupada appointed twelve members to the GBC. Their goals were to improve temple management, spread Krishna consciousness, distribute books, open new centers, and educate followers. The GBC has grown to 48 senior members. They make decisions by agreeing together.
In 1983, the GBC was declared the highest authority in ISKCON. After many talks and changes, women were accepted as leaders in ISKCON. In 1998, Malati Devi Dasi became the first woman on the GBC. Dina Sharana was the second in 2009.
Teaching Lineage
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Prabhupada said he belonged to a traditional system called parampara. This means teachings from scriptures are passed down from teacher to student, generation after generation.
Roles of Women
The role of women is a topic of discussion within ISKCON. Some leaders believe women should have public leadership roles. Others think traditional roles are better. They worry about outside influences like modern feminism.
In Vedic culture, mothers are highly respected. So, women in the Hare Krishna community are all seen as mothers. "Mother" is a respectful term for women in ISKCON. It is often added to their Sanskrit name after initiation. Even unmarried women are called mothers.
After years of discussion, it was agreed that women could become leaders and initiators in ISKCON. Malati Devi Dasi was the first woman on the GBC in 1998. Dina Sharana was the second in 2009.
In 2019, the GBC released an updated document. It stated that women could become initiating gurus within ISKCON.
Child Protection Office
In 1998, ISKCON shared information about past problems in its boarding schools. These problems happened in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States and India. The report said that monks and young devotees caring for children were not trained.
The ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (CPO) was set up in 1997. It released its first Child Protection Policy and Procedure Guidelines. The CPO has trained over 500 child care providers around the world. It continues to check on local Child Protection Teams. The Child Protection Policy was updated in 2018.
Music and Influence
Chanting mantras, or kirtan, is very important in ISKCON. Kirtan festivals are held every year around the world. Famous kirtan singers include Jahnavi Harrison and Gaura Vani. They have released kirtan albums. Kirtan sessions also happen outside temples. These include university "Bhakti Clubs" and yoga festivals.
Plays based on Vedic stories have been produced. Viva Kultura and Vande Arts are well-known performance groups.
The Hare Krishna mantra appears in some famous songs. Beatle George Harrison's 1970 hit "My Sweet Lord" is one example. John Lennon included the phrase "Hare Krishna" in "Give Peace a Chance". The Beatles' 1967 song "I Am the Walrus" also has it.
George Harrison was the only Beatle who fully followed Krishna Consciousness. He also helped fund ISKCON's UK branch. In 1973, he bought Bhaktivedanta Manor for their temple. Harrison was good friends with Prabhupada. Prabhupada inspired Harrison's songs like "Living in the Material World".
In the 1980s, the New York City hardcore punk band the Cro-Mags had Hare Krishna members. They mentioned Krishna Consciousness in their music. By the early 1990s, a music style called Krishnacore was created. Other bands like Shelter and 108 were part of this.
In 2020, Willow Smith and Jahnavi Harrison made a song called "Surrender (Krishna Keshava)". They also released the album "RISE". It features old sacred songs from India with Sanskrit lyrics.
Vegetarianism and Food
Vegetarianism is one of ISKCON's four main principles. Prabhupada focused on distributing food. Because of this, many ISKCON followers have opened vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Not all restaurants opened by ISKCON members are officially linked to ISKCON. However, many Govindas' restaurants operate from the main temple.
ISKCON followers call their eating style 'Krishnatarian'. This means the meal is cooked by an ISKCON follower. It uses fresh, vegetarian ingredients. It does not include onion, garlic, red lentils, or mushrooms. It is offered to their main deities before being eaten.
Followers Around the World
ISKCON says it has about one million members worldwide. Most of them are in India. About 15,000 are in Great Britain.
In Western countries, there are fewer full-time followers, maybe a few thousand. But tens of thousands show interest in their activities.
After being very successful in the West in the 1960s, ISKCON slowed down from the early 1980s. Membership and money decreased in North America and Western Europe. In the late 1990s, the situation also became harder in Eastern Europe. In 2000, only 750–900 members lived in ISKCON centers in the United States. Since then, ISKCON has relied on the Indian diaspora to grow. In most North American groups, Indian members make up 80% of the followers.
Challenges Faced by ISKCON
ISKCON has faced challenges in different parts of the world.
- In 2006, a bomb exploded at the ISKCON temple in Imphal, Manipur, India.
- In 2007, the government in Kazakhstan tore down 25 homes of ISKCON members. They said the homes were built illegally.
- In 2009, an orphanage run by ISKCON Chittagong in Bangladesh was attacked.
- In 2015, the ISKCON Temple in Dinajpur, Bangladesh, was attacked by terrorists.
- In 2016, ISKCON Sylhet in Bangladesh was attacked.
- In 2018, the gate of the ISKCON Temple in Curitiba, Brazil, was damaged.
- In 2018, a Rath Yatra parade by ISKCON Dhaka in Bangladesh was attacked.
- In 2020, a group planned an attack on the ISKCON Temple Dhaka, but police stopped them.
- In 2021, during Navami, an attack happened at the ISKCON temple in Noakhali, Bangladesh.
ISKCON Centers Around the World
India
India has the most ISKCON centers globally. There are over 800 temples, 12 schools, 25 restaurants, and hotels for visitors. ISKCON followers in India are often more traditional than those in the West.
Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir of the Vedic Planetarium
The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in West Bengal is expected to be finished in 2024. It is being built where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of the Gaudiya-Vaishnava tradition, was born. The temple is very large, about 425,000 square feet (39,500 m2) and 340 feet (100 m) tall. It has lodges, shops, homes, schools, and gardens around it. The project cost about $75 million. Alfred B. Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford, was a major investor. The complex will have a planetarium based on ancient Vedic ideas. It will also have exhibits about Vedic arts, sciences, and culture.
Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir, Vrindavan
The Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir temple is in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is built in the village where Krishna and Balarama are believed to have lived. It is near other holy places like Gokul and Govardhana Hill. So, ISKCON Vrindavan is a common place for followers to visit. The complex has a guesthouse, museum, gift shops, restaurant, bakery, and a marble temple hall. It is also connected to the Vrindavan Institute of Higher Education.
Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir
The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir temple project started in March 2014. Its foundation stone was laid in November 2014. This temple is currently being built by ISKCON Bangalore.
Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, New Delhi
The Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir temple in New Delhi has the Glory of India Vedic Cultural center. This center has interactive exhibits. It also has the world's largest printed religious book, the "Astounding Bhagavad Gita". It is located in East of Kailash in South Delhi.
Radha Krishna Mandir, Chennai
The Chennai temple is on the East Coast Road in southern Chennai. It was built on 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) of land and opened in 2012. It is the largest Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu.
Sri Gaura Radha Gukulananda Temple, Salem
The ISKCON Salem temple is also called the Sri Gaura Radha Gukulananda Temple of Vedic Knowledge and Culture. It is on Hare Krishna Land, Karuppur, Salem. Built on 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) of land, it is one of the Radha Krishna temples in Tamil Nadu. It officially opened in October 2019.
Radha Madhav Sundar Mandir, Siliguri
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Sri Sri Radha Madhav Sundar Mandir is in Siliguri, West Bengal. It is known as Gupta Nabadweep Dham.
Nepal
ISKCON Temple Nepal is in Kathmandu. It is near the Shivapuri Mountain, where the holy Bishnumati River flows.
In this temple, the Deities of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Hari (Radha and Krishna), Jagannath, Baladeva, Subhadra, Gaur Nitai, and Narasimha are worshiped. ISKCON Nepal celebrates Jagannath Rath Yatra every year. In 2018, over 5000 devotees from around the world joined the parade.
Europe
Europe has over 135 ISKCON temples and cultural centers. The ISKCON movement in Europe also has rural farming communities. These include Nueva Vrajamandala in Spain and La Nouvelle Mayapura in France.
There are also 31 centers in Russia. Vaishnava Hinduism is one of the largest faiths there.
Radhadesh, Belgium
The Radhadesh temple in Durbuy, Belgium, is home to Bhaktivedanta College. This college opened in 2002. It offers religious education for students. They can get degrees and certificates in Vaishnava theology. These are recognized by the University of Chester.
The Radhadesh temple also hosts Radhadesh Mellows, an annual kirtan event.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, Watford
Bhaktivedanta Manor is a beautiful property with gardens, lakes, a school, a farm, and temple buildings. George Harrison of the Beatles donated the property. It is on the National Heritage List for England. The buildings, including the temple, are in the mock-Tudor mansion style from the 1800s.
Bhaktivedanta Manor also has the London College of Vedic Studies. It is where the Avanti Schools Trust started. This trust supports state-funded primary and secondary schools in the UK. These schools offer both general and Hindu-faith education.
Most followers in Europe are ethnic Europeans. However, in the United Kingdom, many followers are from the Indian immigrant population. This is similar to most North American centers.
North and South America
There are 56 official ISKCON centers in the United States. Important centers include Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple (Spanish Fork), Utah, and The Radha Kalachandji Temple in Dallas, TX. Full-time Hare Krishna communities include New Vrindaban in West Virginia. There are also other centers that promote Krishna Conscious culture. The ISKCON Dallas temple is connected to the TKG Academy. This private school offers academic education with Vedic-based courses.
There are 12 ISKCON centers in Canada. This includes the self-sustaining Saranagati Eco Village in BC. Mexico has 5 official ISKCON centers.
South America has 60 official ISKCON temples. Most are in Argentina and Brazil. There are also many farming communities run by followers in Latin America. The eco-village "Nova Gokula" in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil, is very notable. It was founded in 1978 and has two temples planned in traditional Hindu style.
Asia, Africa, and Australasia
Asia has over 80 ISKCON centers. Most are in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Africa has 69 official ISKCON centers. Four are rural farming communities, and three are educational centers. ISKCON Durban hosts the world's largest Ratha Yatra Chariot Festival outside of India.
Australia has six ISKCON centers, including one farming village. New Zealand has four temple centers. The Hare Krishna Temple in Christchurch, New Zealand, gave free meals to people after a mosque shooting in March 2019.
ISKCON's Other Activities
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) is a nonprofit organization of ISKCON. It publishes books about Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings. BBT was started in 1972 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta. It publishes his books and others. It also publishes the magazine Back to Godhead in many languages. Besides publishing, BBT helps fund the building and repair of Krishna temples.
Cow Protection and ISCOWP
ISCOWP (International Society for Cow Protection) aims to offer ways of farming and eating that do not harm cows. They want to avoid industries that involve killing cows for meat and dairy.
ISKCON Tribal Care Trust
The ISKCON Tribal Care Trust (ITCT) helps tribal people. The trust has built schools and provided clean water sources for them.
Pandava Sena
Pandava Sena is a youth group based at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford, UK. It started in 1994. It is made up of young professionals and university students. They host yearly international mentorship and reunion events. They also have weekly social gatherings.
Pandava Sena has also created "KCSocs" or "Krishna Conscious Societies" at over 30 universities in the UK. Many universities have similar student groups from local ISKCON temples.
Well-Known People Connected to ISKCON
- Alfred Ford
- George Harrison
- Poly Styrene
- Russell Brand
- Robert Downey Jr.
