About ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a
branch of the monotheistic Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition within Hinduism dating back 5000 years to Lord Krishna
Himself. ISKCON was established in the West in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(Srila Prabhupada) and has since developed into a worldwide confederation of over 500 temples, centers,
communities, schools, and restaurants with some 250,000 devotees.
The mission of this nonsectarian, monotheistic movement is to
promote the well-being of society by teaching the science of Krishna consciousness according to Bhagavad-gita
and other ancient scriptures.
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada incorporated
the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in 1966 with seven explicit purposes. This list of
purposes (below) was one of the official documents incorporating ISKCON as a charitable
organization
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To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to
society at large and to educate all people 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.
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To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it
is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and
Srimad-Bhagavatam.
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To bring the members of the Society together with each
other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and
humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead
(Krishna).
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To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement,
congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
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To erect for the members and for society at large a
holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of
Krishna.
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To bring the members closer together for the purpose
of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
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With a view towards achieving the aforementioned
purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other
writings.
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