International Society for Krishna Consciousness facts for kids
Official emblem of ISKCON
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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), also known as the Hare Krishna Movement, is a Hindu religious group. It is part of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition, which focuses on devotion (bhakti) to Krishna as the most important form of God. ISKCON was started on July 13, 1966, in New York City by a teacher named A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The group's main center is in Mayapur, West Bengal, India. ISKCON has about one million members around the world. Its teachings come from Hindu holy books like the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. Members believe that Krishna is the one Supreme Being who can appear in many forms.
ISKCON teaches bhakti yoga, which is the path of serving Krishna with love. Members, called "bhaktas," often follow a vegetarian diet and chant the Hare Krishna mantra. These practices are seen as ways to grow spiritually.
Contents
History and Beliefs
ISKCON members are part of a long line of teachers from the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. This tradition began in the Gauda region of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It has been popular in India for over 500 years.
The founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He spread his form of joyful devotion (bhakti) across Bengal. He started the practice of Sankirtan, which is singing and dancing in public to show love for Krishna. This allowed everyone to worship together, no matter their background. Sri Chaitanya taught people to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. His followers believe he was an incarnation of Krishna himself.
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada brought these teachings to the West in 1965. He was 70 years old when he arrived in New York City with very little money. He shared his message by chanting in parks, and many young people in the 1960s were drawn to his movement.
The movement grew even more popular when it reached England. George Harrison of the Beatles helped them by recording songs with the Hare Krishnas. He even included the mantra in his famous song "My Sweet Lord." In 1968, Prabhupada started the first Hare Krishna community, called New Vrindavan, in West Virginia. Today, ISKCON has more than 800 centers worldwide.
Prabhupada also translated many important Hindu books into over 70 languages. These books, like the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, are the main scriptures for ISKCON members.
Worship and Practices
ISKCON members worship Krishna as the original source of all forms of God. They often call him "the Supreme Personality of Godhead." This name was used by Prabhupada in his books.
To followers, Radha is Krishna's divine partner. She represents pure love and devotion. They believe that each person's soul is eternal and has a unique relationship with God.
Chanting and Singing
The most well-known practice in ISKCON is kirtan. This is when groups of people gather to sing the Hare Krishna mantra. It is a way to show devotion and invite others to join. Devotees sing in public places like streets and parks, playing instruments like drums and harmoniums.
Another key practice is japa. This is a quiet, meditative form of chanting. Followers repeat the Hare Krishna mantra on a string of 108 prayer beads, called a Japamala.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Initiated members chant this mantra on their beads for 16 "rounds" every day. This is seen as the most important practice for spiritual progress in today's world.
Temple Worship
Arati (also called puja) is a ceremony of worship. Devotees offer things like water, incense, a lamp, and flowers to a murti, which is a sacred statue or picture of Krishna. This is done while singing devotional songs called bhajans.
Members often meet on Sundays for a program called the Sunday Feast. They worship, listen to talks from senior members, sing kirtan, and share a blessed meal called prasadam.
Four Main Principles
When members are officially initiated, they promise to follow four main rules:
- To eat only a lacto-vegetarian diet (no meat, fish, or eggs).
- To avoid intoxicants like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.
- To not take part in gambling.
- To only have relationships within marriage.
Festivals
ISKCON members celebrate many Hindu festivals. These include Janmashtami (Krishna's birthday), Diwali, Holi, and Gita Jayanti.
A major event is the Ratha Yatra, or Festival of Chariots. Devotees pull large, decorated chariots through the streets while singing and dancing. These parades are usually followed by cultural performances and free vegetarian food.
Organization and Leadership
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Prabhupada created the Governing Body Commission (GBC) in 1970 to manage ISKCON. The GBC is a group of senior members who make important decisions for the organization. It started with twelve members and has now grown to include 48 leaders from around the world.
After Prabhupada passed away, ISKCON faced some challenges with its leadership. Over time, the GBC made reforms to improve how the organization was run. They also worked to connect more with the wider Hindu community.
Women's Roles
The role of women in ISKCON has been a topic of discussion. In Vedic culture, women are highly respected. In ISKCON, women are often called "Mataji," which means "mother," as a sign of respect.
After many discussions, ISKCON decided to allow women to take on leadership roles. In 1998, Malati Devi Dasi became the first woman appointed to the GBC. In 2019, the GBC officially stated that women could also become initiating gurus (spiritual teachers) in the movement.
Child Protection
In the past, there were serious problems in some ISKCON boarding schools. To fix this, ISKCON created the Central Office of Child Protection in 1997. This office works to make sure that children in ISKCON communities and schools are safe and well-cared for. It provides training for adults and has clear guidelines to protect children.
ISKCON Around the World
ISKCON has a large global presence with over 800 centers. While it started in the West, it has many followers from the Indian diaspora. Today, a large number of members in North American temples are of Indian heritage.
India
India has the most ISKCON centers in the world. Some of the most important temples are located there.
Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, Mayapur
This huge temple in West Bengal is located where Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born. The temple is very large and tall. It includes a planetarium based on Vedic ideas about the universe. The project was supported by Alfred B. Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford.
Sri Krishna-Balaram Mandir, Vrindavan
This beautiful marble temple is in Vrindavan, the town where Krishna is said to have grown up. It is a major pilgrimage site for devotees. The temple complex includes a guesthouse, a museum, and a restaurant.
Other Major Temples in India
- Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, New Delhi: This temple in South Delhi has a cultural center with educational exhibits.
- Radha Krishna Mandir, Chennai: Opened in 2012, this is the largest Radha Krishna temple in the state of Tamil Nadu.
- Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, Vrindavan: This temple is currently being built and will be one of the tallest religious buildings in the world.
Europe
There are over 135 ISKCON centers in Europe. Some are farming communities, like Nueva Vrajamandala in Spain and La Nouvelle Mayapura in France.
- Radhadesh, Belgium: This temple is home to Bhaktivedanta College, which offers degrees in Vaishnava theology.
- Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK: This property was donated by George Harrison. It has beautiful gardens, a farm, a school, and a temple. It is a very popular center for the Hindu community in the UK.
The Americas
There are 56 ISKCON centers in the United States. Famous ones include the temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, and the community of New Vrindaban in West Virginia. Canada has 12 centers, and South America has 60, mostly in Brazil and Argentina.
Images for kids
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Prayer beads made of tulsi wood. Gurus give these to devotees during initiation.
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Hare Krishna devotees singing in a park in Helsinki, Finland, in 2014.
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An ISKCON leader meets with India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in 2016.
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Hare Krishna musicians in Mexico City.
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A Hare Krishna street performance in Donetsk, Ukraine, in 2011.
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Decorations at the Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari Mandir in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
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A sculpture of Krishna at the ISKCON temple in New Delhi.
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The ISKCON Temple in New Delhi during the Janmashtami festival.
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The ISKCON Temple in Chennai, which opened in 2012.
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The Sri Sri Radha Madhav Sundar Mandir in Siliguri, West Bengal.
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The temple at the "Nova Gokula" eco-village in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil.
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The ISKCON Temple in Mombasa, Kenya.
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A member of Food for Life in Russia giving out food.
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See also
In Spanish: Asociación Internacional para la Conciencia de Krishna para niños
- Hare Krsna TV
- Hare Krishna in popular culture
- Krishna valley, Hungary
- New religious movement
