ISKCON

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna Movement, is a Hindu religious organization. It follows the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which emphasizes devotion (bhakti) to Krishna as the supreme deity. The ISKCON was founded on 13 July 1966 in New York City by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The organization’s spiritual and administrative headquarters is located in Mayapur, West Bengal, India, and it claims a global membership of around one million people.

ISKCON teaches a form of panentheistic Hinduism rooted in the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata Purana, and other scriptures, interpreted through the commentaries of its founder. Although commonly regarded as monotheistic by the general public, ISKCON theology emphasizes that the Supreme Being, Krishna, manifests in multiple forms while remaining the singular, ultimate reality. The movement is described as the largest and most influential branch of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which originated in India in the early 16th century and expanded internationally during the late 20th century.

ISKCON promotes bhakti yoga—the path of devotional service to Krishna—as the central spiritual practice of its members, who are often referred to as “bhaktas.” The movement also encourages lacto vegetarianism, regular chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, and strict ethical and devotional disciplines as part of its teachings on spiritual progress.

wikipedia/en/International%20Society%20for%20Krishna%20Consciousness

The Hare Krishna Movement is also known as [ISKCON], which stands for the [International Society for Krishna Consciousness]. It is a Western branch of the [Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition], a Hindu denomination focused on devotion to Krishna. The movement is also sometimes referred to as the Bhakti Movement due to its emphasis on bhakti-yoga, or devotional service to Krishna.

“Hare Krishna”(Mahamantra) is a mantra used in Hinduism, specifically within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, and is the central practice of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It’s a devotional practice where the mantra “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare” is chanted, sung, or meditated upon. The mantra is believed to help purify consciousness and bring one closer to God. 

• The Mantra: The mantra consists of the names of God, “Hare,” “Krishna,” and “Rama”. “Hare” is a vocative form addressing Krishna’s divine energy, while Krishna and Rama are names for God. 
• Purpose: The chanting is intended to awaken love for God and bring about a higher state of consciousness. It is believed to be the most effective means of self-purification and liberation from the cycle of birth and death. 
• ISKCON: The [International Society for Krishna Consciousness] (ISKCON) is a global religious organization that promotes the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra as its central practice. 
• Practices: Devotees typically chant the mantra for a set number of rounds (often 16 rounds of a rosary of 108 beads, totaling 1,728 times) each day. They also engage in other devotional activities like singing, dancing, and studying scriptures. 
• Lifestyle: ISKCON members adhere to a strict lifestyle that includes vegetarianism, abstinence from alcohol and other intoxicants, and regulated sexual activity.

The Hare Krishna mantra, also referred to reverentially as the Mahā-mantra, is a 16-word Vaishnava mantra mentioned in the Kali-Saṇṭāraṇa Upaniṣad. In the 15th century, it rose to importance in the Bhakti movement following the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.