Hare Krishna Movement
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) also known as the Hare
Krishna movement, is a branch of the Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual tradition with the
origin Krishna Himself- the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Krishna appeared on
Earth and spoke the Bhagavad-gita over five thousand years ago. ISKCON follows Krishna's
teachings as revealed in the sacred Vedas, including Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
ISKCON today is a worldwide confederation of more than 550 centres.
Hare Krishna Mahamantra
The Hare Krishna mantra is a 16 word Vaishnava mantra which is mentioned in the Kali Santarana
Upanishad, and which from the 15th century rose to importance in the Bhakti movement
following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.This Mantra is composed of three Sanskrit
names of the Supreme Being, "Hare", "Krishna," and "Rama."
Mission
Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON in July of 1966. The incorporation document states Seven
Purposes of ISKCON:
- 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.
- To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and
Srimad Bhagavatam.
- To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and 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).
- To teach and encourage the Sankirtan movement of congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
- To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
- To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
- With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.