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IskonISKON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is better known as the Hare Krishna movement. Founded in July of 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the purpose of the organization is to systematically spread awareness of one's nature as a spiritual being throughout the world. Members of the movement believe that wholeness and balance can be achieved only through spiritual practice in accordance with the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam, two of the many revealed scriptures of the Hindu faith. They generally accept the idea that the Krsna (or Krishna)of the Gita is one with the Godhead, and the figure around whom all existence revolves. A personal relationship with Krsna and the Godhead is one of the aims of individual ISKON practice. The practice of chanting the names of God (supposedly revealed in the teachings Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) is common among Hare Krsnas, and there are reports of devotees reaching a state of transcendent ecstasy during such ceremonies. The movement has published many books regarding Krsna Conciousness, including Back to Godhead and others. - end of editing. I encourage anyone with more knowledge to augment the info I've provided. 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. edit Monastic / Non-monastic Monastic and house-holders edit General philosophical outlook Hare Krishna devotees understand Krishna to be non-different from Vishnu, and the highest form of God, or "the Supreme Personality of Godhead", and Radha to be his female counterpart, the embodiment of love. They follow a disciplic line of Gaudiya Vaisnavas. edit Spiritual disciplines generally advocated Hare Krishnas conduct includes strict following of vegetarianism, abstinence from gambling and alcohol, sex outside marriage, and intoxication. They spend their time in chanting the name of Krishna "Hare Rāma Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma Hare Hare | Hare Kṛśna Hare Kṛśna, Kṛśna Kṛśna Hare Hare || " edit Administrative set-up The branches are autonomous administrative bodies. The Governing Body Commission (GBC) acts as the final authority. edit Provision for joining The monastic members and full time devotees - also known as temple devotees - reside in the temple and actively participate in all the programmes of the centre. Thereupon they will be given initiation depending on the conduct. The GBC maintains a list of such people. The congregational devotees live outside the temple and take active participation in temple programmes. edit Activities Unlike other sects of Hinduism, ISKON is a evangelical institution. The devotees actively spread the message of Krishna Consciousness. edit Religion & Spirituality ISKCON Prison Ministry - for the counselling of prisoners edit Social Field Akshaya Pātra - free mid-day meal scheme for school children in Karnataka, India conducted by the Bangalore centre is the most famous scheme. Currently it feeds 59,000 rural children in 258 schools everyday. ISKON runs around 50 schools edit Cultural Field The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (http://www.krishna.com), publishes vedic texts as interpreted in ISKON in several languages including non-Indian. Vrindavana Institute for Higher Education, Vrindavan edit Relief activities edit Province of its influence Has world wide presence with 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congregational devotees. Apart from these thousands of Hindus visit the Radha-Krishna temples. edit Present chief of the movement Srila Prabhupada is considered the chief of movement. GBC acts as the central body. The branch centre heads are the chiefs of respective temples and they control the activities. edit Major publications Bhagavad-gītā As It Is Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Śrī Caitanya Caritāmṛta Back to Godhead edit Related Links ISKON, Bangalore (http://www.iskconbangalore.org/2.asp) edit Arsha Vidya Gurukulam edit Founder Swami Dayananda Saraswati edit Year & Place of Founding 1986 edit Aims & Ideals edit Monastic / Non-monastic monastic and lay devotees; a non-sectarian body edit General philosophical outlook Advaitic Vedanta Philosophy edit Spiritual disciplines generally advocated edit Administrative set-up SEVA organisation is run by the board of trustees, which has representation from all the sects of Hinduism. edit Provision for joining One can become a Sevak, a volunteer at AIM for SEVA. By forming a group, local centres can be started. edit Activities edit Religion & Spirituality Centre for Spiritual Teachings of Ancient India (http://www.arshabodha.org/) Temples in US of A, kids classes, Bhagavad Gita classes etc. Gurukulam branches are present at Coimbatore, Rishikesh etc. edit Social Field Through All India Movement for Seva (http://www.aimforseva.org/index.html), headed by former President of India R. Venkataraman, service is being rendered to the people. Education Stundent Homes - 15; Adopted Govt. Schools - 10; over 100 pre-schools; 2 schools for mentally challenged kids; Yoga institution and funding for high schools Health Care 3 hospitals with total 100 bed facility; 4 mobile health centres & several health checkup camps Programmes for Women Handicrafts project; Self-help groups and suhrat micro-finance programmes edit Cultural Field Through Sevya (http://www.aimforseva.org/handicrafts.html) handicrafts are being preserved and the artisans are supported by providing market to their products. edit Relief activities Environment projects such as Construction of Roads to remote villages; Planting campaigns; Water projects; cleaning and sanitation etc. edit Province of its influence Active in several states of India (http://www.aimforseva.org/projects_by_state.html) such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Union territory of Chandighar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttaranchal, West Bengal etc. Also active in USA, Canada and some european countries. edit Present chief of the movement Swami Dayananda Saraswati edit Major publications Arsha Vidya, the vision of Rishis - Swami Dayananda Conversion is violence - Swami Dayananda Crisis Management - Swami Dayananda Hinduism - Swami Dayananda In the vision of Vedanta - Swami Dayananda edit Related Links Arsha Vidya Gurukulam Official site (http://www.arshavidya.org/) All India Movement for Seva (http://www.aimforseva.org/index.html) Arshabodha Kendra (http://www.arshabodha.org/) Raji Krishna Adoption Seva (http://www.rkas.org/) Hindu Dharmacharya Sabha (http://www.sastraprakasika.org/home.asp)
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