Founder of ISKCON: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as 'the Hare Krishna' movement, was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. While some classified it as a new religious movement, its core philosophy is based on scriptures such as the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam^[1], both of which date back more than two millennia. The distinctive appearance of the movement and its culture come from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India ever since the late 1400s. Early converts to the movement were dated to early 1930s.^[2] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (498x694, 50 KB) Image courtesy of Nityananda dasa adhikari. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (498x694, 50 KB) Image courtesy of Nityananda dasa adhikari. ... Hare Krishna Mantra in Devanagari The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Maha Mantra (Great Mantra), is a sixteen-word Vaishnava mantra made well known outside of India by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as the Hare Krishnas).[1] It is believed by practitioners... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (September 1, 1896–November 14, 1977) was the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (popularly known as the Hare Krishnas). Born as Abhay Charan De, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. ... A new religious movement or NRM is a term used to refer to a religious faith, or an ethical, spiritual or philosophical movement of recent origin that isnt part of an established denomination, church, or religious body. ... Krishna reveals his Vishvarupa form to Arjuna during their discourse of the Bhagavad Gita. ... The Bhagavata Purana (sometimes rendered as Bhagavatha Purana), also known as the Srimad Bhagavatam, written c. ... Gaudiya Vaishnavism, (Bengal) Vaishnavism, is a sect of Hinduism founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ...

Non-sectarian in its ideals ^[3], ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of 'Bhakti yoga' (The Yoga of Devotion); wherein aspirant devotees (Bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing Supreme Lord, Krishna (seen as non-different from God). To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Bhakti yoga is the Hindu term for the spiritual practice of fostering of loving devotion to God, called bhakti. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

Philosophy and history

For further information see: Achintya Bheda Abheda and Gaudiya Vaishnavism

According to Hare Krishna devotees Krishna is the origin of Vishnu. They worship Krishna as the highest form of God, and often refer to him as "the Supreme Personality of Godhead" in writing, which was a phrase coined by Srila Prabhupada in his books on the subject. Devotees consider Radha to be Krishna's divine female counterpart, the embodiment of love. An important aspect of their philosophy is the belief that the individual soul is an eternal personal identity which does not ultimately merge into any formless light or void as suggested by the monistic (Advaita) schools of Hinduism. Achintya-Bheda-Abheda is the philosophy of inconceivable one-ness and difference, in relation to the individual soul (jiva) and God (Krishna) within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. ... Gaudiya Vaishnavism, (Bengal) Vaishnavism, is a sect of Hinduism founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... Vishnu (IAST , Devanagari ), (honorific: Sri Vishnu) also known as Narayana is the Supreme Being (i. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Monism is the metaphysical position that all is of one essential essence, substance or energy. ... Advaita Vedanta is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of Hinduism, the others being Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita. ... Hinduism is a religious tradition[1] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ...

Hare Krishna devotees specifically follow a disciplic line of Gaudiya, or Bengali, Bhagavata Vaishnavas which comes under the general description of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Vaishnavism means 'worship of Vishnu', and Gauḍa refers to the area where this particular branch of Vaishnavism is practiced and is widespread, among other places, such as Rajastan and Vrindavana. Gaudiya Vaishnavism has had a continuous following in India, especially West Bengal and Orissa for the past five hundred years. Srila Prabhupada disseminated Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology in the Western world through extensive writings and translations,^[4] including Bhagavad Gita[3], Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana)[4] and Chaitanya Charitamrita[5] and other scriptures. These works are now available in more than seventy languages and serve as the canon of ISKCON. Many of these books are now available online from a number of websites.^{[5] [6]} Vaishnavism is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism, and is distinguished from other schools by its primary worship of Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme God. ... refers to: sugar country, a historical country in eastern India, which included Gaur in Bengal, of its eponymous capital, and of its inhabitants (Gaudas). ... Rajasthan (राजस्थान) is the geographically largest state in northwestern India. ... Vrindavana is the name of a mythic forest or forested region in Northern India, in which the Hindu deity Krishna spent his childhood. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... , Orissa   (Oriya: ଓଡ଼ିଶା), is a state situated on the east coast of India. ... Srila Prabhupada under a painting of Krishna A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (September 1, 1896–November 14, 1977) was born Abhay Charan De, in Calcutta, West Bengal. ... Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology, is a type of Vaishnava Theology that began with Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534), a Bengali Vaishnava sadhu. ... The Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAIS) is the translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita (BG) by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ... The Bhagavata Purana (sometimes rendered as Bhagavatha Purana), also known as the Srimad Bhagavatam, written c. ... The Bhagavata Purana (sometimes rendered as Bhagavatha Purana), also known as the Srimad Bhagavatam, written c. ... The Chaitanya Charitamrita is the biography written by Sri Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a pivotal figure of the Hindu sect Gaudiya Vaishnavism. ... The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a new religious movement based on Bengali, or more specifically Gaudiya, Vaishnavism founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, referred to by followers as His Divine Grace, in New York in 1966. ...

Early western conversions to monotheistic Krishna vaisnavism or Bhagavata Vaishnava line, that forms the basis of ISKCON philosophy, were recorded by the Greeks and survived as archeological monuments.^{[7] [8]} The Bhagavata Purana (sometimes rendered as Bhagavatha Purana), also known as the Srimad Bhagavatam, written by Sri Krsna Dvaipayana Vyasadeva c. ... Vaishnavism is the branch of Hinduism in which Vishnu or one of his avatars (i. ... The Heliodorus pillar was erected around 110 BCE in central India at the site of Vidisha, by Heliodorus, a Greek ambassador of the Indo-Greek king Antialcidas to the court of the Sunga king Bhagabhadra. ...

The 'Maha Mantra'

Main article: Hare Krishna Mantra

The popular nickname of "Hare Krishnas" for devotees of this movement comes from the mantra that devotees sing "tra-la-la" aloud or chant "hee hee" quietly on rosary-like beads, called Japa mala. This mantra, known also as the Maha Mantra, contains the names of God 'Hare', 'Krishna' and 'Rama'. Devotees believe that the sound vibration created by repeating these names of God gradually revives a state of pure God-consciousness, or "Krishna consciousness."^[9] Hare Krishna is the name given to a fuller Sanskrit mantra of ancient origin most popular within India. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... Our Lady of Lourdes - Mary appearing at Lourdes with Rosary beads. ... A japa mala or mala is a set of prayer beads popular in India and Tibet, often with 108 beads in number. ... Hare Krishna Mantra in Devanagari. ... The word Hara can refer to: A Japanese martial art term; see Hara (Martial Arts) and Tanden. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... Rama ( in IAST, in Devanāgarī) or Ramachandra is a legendary or historical king of ancient India. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

The Maha Mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare

The seven purposes of ISKCON

Public street festivals are a significant part of ISKCONs outreach programmes. Seen here is a Ratha Yatra festival in central London.

When Srila Prabhupada first incorporated ISKCON, in 1966, he gave it seven purposes:^[10]. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 800 pixel, file size: 196 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ratha Yatra festival cart, in London, 2007, organised by ISKCON. File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 800 pixel, file size: 196 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Ratha Yatra festival cart, in London, 2007, organised by ISKCON. File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that... Ratha Yatra is one of the major festivals associated with Lord Jagannath, Puri, Orissa state, India. ...

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples 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.
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
4. To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
5. To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

The four regulative principles

Srila Prabhupada prescribed four regulative principles as the basis of the spiritual life:

• No eating of meat, fish or eggs
• No illicit sex
• No gambling
• No intoxication (including alcohol, caffeine and tobacco).

A lacto vegetarian diet is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream, and kefir. ...

Preaching activities

ISKCON Temple in Tirupathi, India

ISKCON is actively evangelistic. Members try to spread Krishna consciousness, primarily by singing the Hare Krishna mantra in public places and by selling books written by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.^[11] Both of these activities are known within the movement as 'Sankirtan'. According to the doctrine of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, one does not need to be born in a Hindu family to take up the practice of Vaishnavism. This philosophy places ISKCON in strong contrast to many other branches of Hinduism, which may stress hereditary lineage and are non-missionary by nature. There are ISKCON communities around the world with schools, restaurants and farms. In general, funds collected by ISKCON are treated as communal property and used to support the community as a whole and to promote the preaching mission.^[12] Many temples also have programs (like Food for Life Global) to provide meals for the needy. Also, ISKCON has recently brought the academic study of Krishna into western academia as Krishnology. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 900 pixel, file size: 316 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) ISCKON Temple at Tirupathi I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 900 pixel, file size: 316 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) ISCKON Temple at Tirupathi I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Tirupathi is one of the most famous temple towns in India. ... Look up evangelist in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... Vaishnavism is one of the principal traditions of Hinduism, and is distinguished from other schools by its primary worship of Vishnu (and his associated avatars) as the Supreme God. ... Food for Life is the worlds largest vegan/vegetarian food relief organization with projects in over 50 countries. ... Krishnology (also spelled Krishnaology) is an academic neo-logism for Krishna Theology. ...

Food for Life

Main article: Food for Life

ISKCON has inspired, and sometimes sponsored, a project called Food for Life. The goal of the project is to "liberally distribute pure vegetarian meals (prasadam) throughout the world", as inspired by Prabhupada's instruction, given to his disciples in 1974, "No one within ten miles of a temple should go hungry . . . I want you to immediately begin serving food"^[13]. A global charity, directed by Paul Turner and Mukunda Goswami,^[14] coordinates the project. Food for Life is currently active in over sixty countries and purports to serve over 700,000 meals every day^[15]. Its welfare achievements have been noted by a number of journals worldwide.^{[16][17][18][19]} Food for Life is the worlds largest vegan/vegetarian food relief organization with projects in over 50 countries. ... For animals adapted to eat primarily plants, sometimes referred to as vegetarian animals, see Herbivore. ... Prasãd (Hindi) or prasãda (Sanskrit) is both a mental condition of generosity, as well as a material substance that is first offered to a deity and then consumed with the faith that the deitys blessing resides within it. ... H.H. Mukunda Goswami was born in the USA and was a close friend of Beatles legend George Harrison. ...

Management structure

ISKCON Temple in Delhi, India

Srila Prabhupada spent much of the last decade of his life setting up the institution of ISKCON. As a charismatic leader, Srila Prabhupada's personality and management had been responsible for much of the growth of ISKCON and the reach of his mission^[20]. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 593 pixelsFull resolution (1224 × 907 pixel, file size: 376 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Iskon Temple at Delhi, East of Kailash Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 593 pixelsFull resolution (1224 × 907 pixel, file size: 376 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Iskon Temple at Delhi, East of Kailash Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free... , For other uses, see Delhi (disambiguation). ...

The Governing Body Commission (or GBC) was created by Prabhupada in 1972 to gradually take on the responsibility of his management duties while still being under his care. Originally it was made up of 12 people and has since grown in size to include 48 senior members from the movement^[21] who make decisions based on consensus of opinion rather than any one person having ultimate authority. It has continued to manage affairs since Prabhupada's passing in 1977. Governing Body Commission (GBC) is the name for the managerial authority of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ...

Influential leaders since 1977

Upon Prabhupada's death on November 14, 1977, eleven of his disciples became initiating gurus for ISKCON: Satsvarupa dasa Goswami ^[22], Jayapataka Swami ^[23], Hridayananda dasa Goswami, Tamal Krishna Goswami ^[24], Bhavananda Goswami, Hansadutta Swami, Ramesvara Swami, Harikesa Swami, Bhagavan dasa Adhikari, Kirtanananda Swami, and Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari. From these eleven, the first three have remained as prominent leaders within the movement, as was Tamal Krishna Goswami until his death in a car accident in March 2002. Bhavananda no longer holds the post of an initiating guru but is still involved with preaching activities. is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... In Hinduism, diksha is the ritual of initiation into the worship of some deity by a guru (diksha guru) who bestows mantra(s) and takes the karma of the initiate - at least in case of Vaishnava diksha, as per Hari Bhakti Vilasa 1. ... Satsvarupa dasa Goswami is a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), better known in the west as the Hare Krishna movement. ... H.H. Jayapataka Swami Jayapataka Swami was born John Gordan Erdman on April 9, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, North America and was later given the name Jayapataka dasa upon receiving initiation into the Hare Krishna movement, by his guru, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ... Hridayananda dasa Goswami (b. ... Tamala Krishna Goswami singing at London Ratha-Yatra festival Tamala Krishna Goswami (1946–March 15, 2002), born as Thomas G. Herzig in the United States was a prominant figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ... Bhavananda das (formerly known as Bhavananda Goswami, birth name Charles Bacis) was one of the leading disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and formally a guru within the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as the Hare Krishnas or ISKCON). ... Hansadutta das (formerly known as Hans Kary, alias Jack London) was born in Brunswick, Germany on May 27, 1941. ... Ramesvara Swami (born Robert Grant) was one of the leading disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and formally a guru within the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. ... Robert Campagnola (formally known as Harikesa Swami, Vishnupada) was one of the leading disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and formally a guru within the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (commonly known as the Hare Krishnas or ISKCON). ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari (James Edward Immel, also known as Vijaya, Tirthapada) was born in Saipan, US Trust Territory of the Pacific in November 13th, 1948. ...

Of the others, Ramesvara and Harikesa resigned as spiritual leaders in 1987 and 1999 respectively and the remaining four were all expelled from the movement by the Governing Body Commission during turbulent times in the 1980s^[25]. Of Prabhupada's disciples, which number some 5,000 in total^[26] approximately 70 are now acting as diksha gurus within ISKCON.^[27] In Hinduism, diksha is the ritual of initiation into the worship of some deity by a guru (diksha guru) who bestows mantra(s) and takes the karma of the initiate - at least in case of Vaishnava diksha, as per Hari Bhakti Vilasa 1. ...

For further information see: Disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. The following is a list of members or people closely associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (also known as the Hare Krishnas or ISKCON). ...

Internal problems and controversy

In the years following Prabhupada's death (in November 1977) a number of theological controversies arose within the movement which were unable to be fully resolved largely due to the fact that Prabhupada was no longer physically present to pass a final judgement:^[28]

The origin of the soul

Srila Prabhupada explains that the soul falls from the spiritual world to this material world and that the supreme objective of the human life is to become Krishna conscious to be able to return "Back to Godhead" (also the title of the official ISKCON magazine). However, some Sarasvata Gaudiya Vaisnavas also teach that the soul has never been in the spiritual world. Discussions about these apparently contradictory views are available in the book Our Original Position published by GBC Press and the article "Where Do the Fallen Souls Fall From?" ^[29]

The Guru and the Parampara

ISKCON adheres to the traditional system of paramparā, or disciplic succession, in which teachings upheld by scriptures are handed down from master to disciple, generation after generation.^[30] A minority of people who express faith in Srila Prabhupada's teachings say that Srila Prabhupada, in contrast to the tradition, intended that after his physical demise he would continue to initiate disciples through ceremonial priests, called ritviks. One version of this idea is espoused by a group calling itself the ISKCON Revival Movement.^[31] ISKCON's Governing Body Commission has rejected all such ideas.^[32] Parampara (Sanskrit: परम्परा) denotes a long succession of teachers and disciples in traditional Indian culture. ...

Issues within the society

ISKCON also experienced a number of significant internal problems, the majority of which occurred from the late seventies onwards, and especially within the decade following Prabhupada's death.^[33]

In 1976 a case involving allegations of "brainwashing" involving a minor named Robin George and her parents, went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. The conclusion of the trial was that in 1983, a California jury awarded the family more than $32 million in damages for false imprisonment and other charges, which was later reduced to $485,000 in 1993.^[34][35] Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Brainwashing (also known as thought reform or as re-education) consists of any effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person — sometimes unwelcome beliefs in conflict with the persons prior beliefs and knowledge. ... The Supreme Court of the United States (sometimes colloquially referred to by the acronym SCOTUS[1]) is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

Stories of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children at the society's boarding schools in India and America began to emerge in the 1980s, with cases dating back from the mid-1970's onwards^[36]. Some of these cases later appeared in print, such as in John Hubner and Lindsay Gruson's 1988 book Monkey on a Stick. In 1998 an official publication produced by ISKCON detailed the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of children at the society's boarding schools in both India and the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s^[37]. The group received praise for its candor but later was sued by 95 people who had attended the schools. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

Facing the fiscal drain likely to ensue from this legal action, the ISKCON centers involved declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This allowed them to work out a settlement of US$9.5 million, meant to compensate not only the former students who had brought the suit but also any others who had undergone abuse but had not sued.^[38] About 430 such people responded to newspaper advertisements seeking to identify them. Individual victims are expected to receive between $6,000 and $50,000, depending on the nature and duration of their abuse. Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code governs the process of reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. ...

To guard against further abuses, ISKCON has established a child protection office with teams worldwide, meant to screen out actual or potential abusers, educate children and adults on child abuse, and encourage due vigilance.^[39] A petition circulating (as of July 2006) among ISKCON members calls for "zero tolerance" for past offenders.^[40]

In 1990, US Courts pronounced Kirtanananda Swami, the leader of the 'New Vrindavan' religious community (which was expelled from ISKCON for ten years between 1988-1998) ^[41] guilty on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to murder for his role in the death of two devotees (Steven Bryant and Charles Saint Denis) who had threatened his control of the community. Kirtanananda was sentenced to 20 years in prison on the racketeering charge, but was released in June 2004 for health reasons. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... New Vrindaban is a ISKCON (Hare Krishna) intentional community located in Moundsville, West Virginia[1]. Its main functions are as a spiritual pilgrimage center which attracts pious-minded people from all over the world, and also as a community striving to enact a model of self-sufficiency based on spiritual...

In response to the need to establish transparency and accountability among its members, ISKCON encouraged the establishment of an ombudsman organization, "ISKCON Resolve."^[42] This Integrated Conflict Management System (ICMS) also provides facilitators, arbitrators, and conflict analysis experts to help ISKCON members deal with internal disputes and concerns. The Resolve organisation states that its aims are to give all members of ISKCON a voice and to bring the ISKCON leadership to higher levels of transparency and accountability. For the Canadian television series, see Ombudsman (TV series). ...

Rath Yatra controversy

An ISKCON Rath Yatra festival in New York City, USA

ISKCON organises Rath Yatra festivals in different countries around the world, including India. Although held once annually in each location, these festivals occur on different dates throughout the summertime, which is marked difference from the Rath Yatra as held at the Jagannatha temple in Puri (where the festival originates). At this temple, the Rath Yatra festival is held once each year on a specific date in July, and complaints have recently been made regarding ISKCON's having their international festivals at significantly different times to this.^[43] On 20 December, 2007, the Puri priests held a demonstration demanding a ban on entry of ISKCON monks and alleging "a number of foreigners under the cover of ISKCON where trying to enter the temple", which is not allowed as per temple tradition (only Hindus of Indian racial origin are allowed into the temple).^[44]. The validity of this temple policy has been questioned in the media on a number of occasions^[45][46], with one case in November 2007 notably involving members of ISKCON.^[47] New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Ratha Yatra Festival in Puri, India. ... Jagannath Temple is a marvellous piece of Orissan Architecture. ...

See also

• Bhakti
• Vrindavan
• Radha Krsna Temple
• Bhagavad Gita As It Is
• List of ISKCON members and patrons
• Hare Krishna in popular culture
• Gangotri

Bhakti (DevanāgarÄ«: भक्ति) is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning devotion and also the path of devotion itself, as in Bhakti-Yoga. ... , Vrindavan   (alternate spellings Vrindaban or Brindavan), or Vraj in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, India is a town on the site of an ancient forest which is believed to have been the region where the famous cowherd boy, Krishna, from Hindu scriptures spent his childhood days. ... The Radha Krsna Temple was the headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in London from the late 1960s. ... The Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAIS) is the translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita (BG) by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ... The following is a list of members or people closely associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (also known as the Hare Krishnas or ISKCON). ... Contributions to popular culture involving direct reference to the Hare Krishna mantra, or the Hare Krishna movement include the following: // After coming in contact with the Hare Krishnas in 1969,[1], several of the Beatles took interest in the movement. ...

References and footnotes

The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford in England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, founder-acharya of the Gaudiya Math Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupada (1874-1937), the well-known preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, was born Bimal Prasad Dutta in the seaside pilgrimage town of Jagannath Puri, Orissa, India. ... Satsvarupa dasa Goswami is a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), better known in the west as the Hare Krishna movement. ... Tamala Krishna Goswami singing at London Ratha-Yatra festival Tamala Krishna Goswami (1946–March 15, 2002), born as Thomas G. Herzig in the United States was a prominant figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). ...

External links

Official sites

• ISKCON Worldwide (includes address list)
• ISKCON News
• Krishna.com - The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (includes address list)
• ISKCON UK website
• Srila Prabhupada Archives
• ISKCON Communications Journal
• VEDA - Vedas and Vedic Knowledge Online

Unofficial websites

Academic

• HARE KRISHNA & ISKCON (religioustolerance.org)
• The Hare Krishna movement comes of age (2005)
• Comprehensive bibliography

News

• Dandavats : ISKCON and GBC-friendly news site
• CHAKRA: Site with ISKCON News

Books

• Alleged unauthorized changes of the founder's books
• Editing the Unchangeable Truth - Jayadvaita Swami
• Gita Revisions Explained

Spiritual Practises

• Online Japa Group discussing all aspects of Chanting
• The Japa Room - Improve your Japa in a friendly online audiovisual chatroom environment

Theology

• Madhva followers criticizing ISKCON.
• Defense of ISKCON's theological beliefs against attacks by Madhva followers.

Child Abuse Problems

• Personal account of child abuse in ISKCON
• A Timeline of the child abuse lawsuit case
• The original plaintiffs' court papers (PDF file)

Women in ISKCON

• Women in ISKCON in Prabhupada's time
• Women in a Patriarchal religion
• Haan, Wim Krishna's Women: Old Wine in New Bottles

Succession Issues

• Iskcon Revival Movement The 'ritvik' argument from IRM
• Srila Prabhupada: The Prominent Link
• 'About Unusual Doctrines' In support of the traditional approach to succession

Miscellaneous Links

• Global photo gallery
• Gouranga.tv - The Hare Krishna Video collection
• Hare Krishna's Feed the World (1996)
• Is ISKCON a Cult or part of the "Hindu Culture" or Something Else?
• A collection of critical articles
• The Hare Krishna Movement and Hinduism
• Can it Be That the Hare Krishnas Are Not Hindu? Article from Hinduism Today - October 1998
• Monkey on a Stick Critical article from 1989 that appeared in 'the Cult Observer'.