International Society for Krishna Consciousness

International Society for Krishna Consciousness
	Official emblem of ISKCON
	ISKCON Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abbreviation	ISKCON
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
Location	800+ temples and centres;
Coordinates	23°25′29″N 88°23′20″E / 23.4248°N 88.3889°E
Area served	Worldwide
Main organ	Governing Body Commission
Affiliations	Gaudiya Vaishnavism (Hinduism)
Website	www.iskcon.org

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu religious organization. It was founded on 13 July 1966 in New York City by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.^[2] Its main headquarters is located today in West Bengal, India.

Its unique form of monotheistic core beliefs are based on Hindu scriptures, particularly Prabhupada's commentaries and translations of the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. ISKCON is "the largest and, arguably, most important branch" of Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition,^[3] which has had adherents in India since the early 16th century and its American and European devotees since the early 1900s.^[4] It has around 10 million followers worldwide.^[5]

The religious organization practices vegetarianism and was initially formed to spread the practice of Bhakti yoga. Its followers, called bhaktas, dedicate both their thoughts and actions towards pleasing Krishna, whom they consider the Supreme Lord Godhead. They regard the rest of Hindu deities as secondary "demigods".^[6] Its most rapid expansion in registered membership has been within India and (after the collapse of the Soviet Union) in Russia and other formerly Soviet-aligned states of Eastern Europe.^[7]

^ "What is ISKCON » Home - ISKCON - the Hare Krishna Movement".
^ Gibson 2002, p. 6
^ Bryant & Ekstrand 2004, p. 34
^ Bharati, Baba Premanand Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Hinduism.enacademic.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.
^ Spiritual Leader Gauranga Das Of ISKCON Hails Historic Ram Mandir Moment | Newshour Agenda, retrieved 21 January 2024
^ Beck 2005, p. 39, "According to Orthodox Gaudiya. Krishna's svarupa, or true form manifests in three ways. His svayam-rupa or transcendent form is self-existent, not dependent on anything. His tadekatma rupa is identical in essence to his true form, though it differs in appearance (and would include such forms of Krishna as Narayana and Vasudeva). His avesa form has Krishna appearing though in varying degrees of possession"
^ Cole & Dwyer 2007, p. 38

[1] "What is ISKCON » Home - ISKCON - the Hare Krishna Movement".

[2] Gibson 2002, p. 6

[Bryant_2004_34-3] Bryant & Ekstrand 2004, p. 34

[4] Bharati, Baba Premanand Archived 1 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Hinduism.enacademic.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-26.

[5] Spiritual Leader Gauranga Das Of ISKCON Hails Historic Ram Mandir Moment | Newshour Agenda, retrieved 21 January 2024

[Guy-6] Beck 2005, p. 39, "According to Orthodox Gaudiya. Krishna's svarupa, or true form manifests in three ways. His svayam-rupa or transcendent form is self-existent, not dependent on anything. His tadekatma rupa is identical in essence to his true form, though it differs in appearance (and would include such forms of Krishna as Narayana and Vasudeva). His avesa form has Krishna appearing though in varying degrees of possession"

[7] Cole & Dwyer 2007, p. 38

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