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ISKCON Communications

International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Founder Acarya His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Backgrounder

THE HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT IN AMERICA ORIGINATED FROM THE OLDEST RELIGION IN INDIA

When A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada) entered the ports of New York City on September 17,1965, few Americans took notice-but he was not merely another immigrant. He was on a mission to introduce an ancient religion, which originated in India, into main-stream America.

His mission succeeded, and before his passing on November 14,1977, he saw the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) grow into a worldwide confederation with over 300 temples and communities.

Srila Prabhupada's Hare Krishna movement js an authentic modern expression of the Bhagavad-gita, the spiritual teaching spoken by the Deity, Lord Krishna over 5,000 years ago. This ancient scripture docu-

ments the conversation Lord Krishna had with his intimate friend and dis-

ciple Arjuna, just before the battle of Kurukshetra.

The understanding of Lord Krishna's philosophy was revitalized in the latter part of the 15th century, when the long predicted birth of Sri Chai-tanya, the incarnation of Krishna, occurred in 1486.

Sri Chaitanya introduced an expansive spiritual movement, which

swept India and gained a following of millions. Through the work of his

closet disciples, hundreds of volumes on the philosophy of Krishna con
sciousness were complied. ISKCON is a continuation of the movement
Sri Chaitanya began.

In ancient times people discriminated against low caste persons and non-Hindus, not allowing them to participate in many religious activities. Sri Chaitanya ignored the social prejudices of that time, allowing all to become spiritually enlightened through the chanting of Hare Krishna.

He introduced the easiest means to attain self-realization in this age by
chanting God's holy names: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna,
Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. I

The Krishna movement waned in the years which followed. Then in the late 19th century Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a representative in the line of succession coming from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, established a religious society to revive interest in the teaching of Sri Chaitanya and Lord Krishna. His son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, continued

his work by establishing an institution, the Guadiya Math, to spread Krishna consciousness throughout India.

Bhaktisiddhanta met Srila Prabhupada in 1922. At their first meeting he asked Prabhupada to spread the teaching of Lord Krishna to the English speaking world. After Bhaktisiddhanta, who became Srila Prabhupada's spiritual master, gave him this mission, Prabhupada spent the next 43 years preparing for his travel to America.

When Srila Prabhupada finally arrived in New York in 1965, he was
69 years old. Most men his age retire and live leisurely - not Prabhupada

- this was the beginning of his mission in life. From that time forward, most of Prabhupada's greatest achievements in life occurred.

While in America he translated two of India's prominent ancient Vedic works of literature, the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Srila Prabhupada taught his followers that they must revive humanity's inherent natural spiritual principles. To do so, members follow four basic regulations: no eating meat, fish or eggs; no gambling; no illicit sex; and no intoxication of any kind, including tobacco, coffee and tea. ISKCON members believe indulgence in these activities disrupts physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and increases anxiety and conflict in society.

In the final 12 years of Srila Prabhupada's life, he expanded his Krishna consciousness movement throughout the world. He translated a wide array of Vedic literature and more than 70 books, which are distributed through the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT).

His books have been noted by many distinguished scholars and are often used in college and university Indian philosophy and religion courses. BBT has become the leading publisher and distributor of Indian literature in the West.

For more information, please contact ISKCON Communications at

(303) 333-684

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