What is ISKON? (An eagerness to investigate and learn more)

[brahman]

Greetings to all at ISKON…
‘The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, is one of the Hindu Vaishnava religious organizations.
It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Its core beliefs are based on traditional Hindu scriptures such as the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā, both of which, according to traditional Hindu view, date back more than 5,000 years.
The distinctive appearance of the movement and its culture come from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which has had adherents in India since the late 1400s and Western converts since the early 1930s.
Non-sectarian in its ideals, ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of bhakti yoga (devotion to God), in which aspirant devotees (bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing the Supreme Lord, Krishna (seen as non-different from God).
ISKCON today is a worldwide confederation of more than 400 centres, including 60 farm communities, some aiming for self-sufficiency, 50 schools and 90 restaurants.
In recent decades the movement's most rapid expansions in terms of numbers of membership have been within Eastern Europe (especially since the collapse of the USSR) and India.’

Wiki says thus!
But the spiritual benefits can be shared only by the members; so I wish to hear from you all.


How do you brief me as a new member @ISKON (initial three years)?

How life @ISKON has been beneficial (spiritual) to you?


Hope to hear from you, Thanks very much.

[Krsna Das]

Dandavat Pranamas, Brahman Ji !

All glories to SriSri Radha Krsna alone !

Let me give my answers in brief:


How do you brief me as a new member @ISKON (initial three years)?


Initially, before going to ISKCON I was a very staunch follower of Advaita-philosophy. Everything is Brahm, I am Brahma, world is just our own illuion etc etc etc.

And I just could not digest any philosophy of ISKCON. I used to think that they have misinterpreted all the scriptures of Hindues. I just used to like Kirtan very much though.

But then I read SriMad Bhagwadgeeta as it is - By Srila Prabhupada (all glories to him) - And there I was !

I felt very sorry for me that I had actually ruined so many years of life without knowing what actually the real goal of life is.



How life @ISKON has been beneficial (spiritual) to you?


I spent 8-9 years in ISKCON and reading the literature. By this time, I became totally averse to mayavad philosophy.

I realized what actually sidhhanta is, what is philosophy and not based on my own whims and facies, but actual pramana from literature.

I got answers to ALL OF MY QUESTIONS in this sampradaya, and just last year I was initiated. I am feeling satisfaction, like I have never felt before. I owe so much to this sampradaya.

I think that's all for now.

Hare Krsna !

[brahman]

Dear Krishna Das,
Great Initiative! Thanks.
This answers a ‘mayavadi’ new to ISKON.
How about others (ones new to sandhana dharma), how does ISKON brief/teach them?

[Swami Iconoclast]

The Kṛṣṇa Consciousness movement was born from Srila Prabhupada's desire to save this fallen civilization through the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

[brahman]

The Kṛṣṇa Consciousness movement was born from Srila Prabhupada's desire to save this fallen civilization through the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Dear Swami Iconoclast,
Please find a quote from your Blog

Prabhupada Said... "So either by force or by willingly, if there is itching, everyone feels relieved itching it. That’s a psychology. It is not that the woman do not like rape. They like sometimes. They willingly. That is the psychology. Outwardly they show some displeasure, but inwardly they do not. This is the psychology." - Morning Walk — May 11, 1975, Perth


Thanks for the teaching.




.

[Mohini Shakti Devi]

The Consciousness of Krishna movement was born from Srila Prabhupada's desire to teach men what the real standard of being a Human is.

Bhaktivedanta Swami was referring to the experience of being penetrated for sex life as an imposition and unplatable experience and it is none-the-less sought after by ALL women.

Bhaktivedanta Swami was describing the modern culture as it is.

Maybe you have not noticed that it takes two to tangle. The context of the "Morning Walk — May 11, 1975, Perth" is not meantioned by you, but I would guess you have a special Agenda.

Your request in the OP is truely subsversive.

The internet is not only filled with homosexual Porn, brahman.

Please don't hoard the water.

[brahman]

The Consciousness of Krishna movement was born from Srila Prabhupada's desire to teach men what the real standard of being a Human is.

Bhaktivedanta Swami was referring to the experience of being penetrated for sex life as an imposition and unplatable experience and it is none-the-less sought after by ALL women.

Bhaktivedanta Swami was describing the modern culture as it is.

Maybe you have not noticed that it takes two to tangle. The context of the "Morning Walk — May 11, 1975, Perth" is not meantioned by you, but I would guess you have a special Agenda.

Your request in the OP is truely subsversive.

The internet is not only filled with homosexual Porn, brahman.

Please don't hoard the water.





Dear Mohini Shakti Devi,

I understand it’s critical not to raise questions or argue without proper comprehension of topics or themes discussed.

Arguments or debates from ignorance can be painful, and can simultaneously insult or hurt the knower.

It’s perfectly reasonable to perceive things, and stay informed and then demonstrate one’s knowledge. I apologize.

But my eagerness doesn't stop me, I still ready to willfully accept the knower’s discipleship and grow deeper into knowledge of ISKON, with and within in his Grace of H. H. Bhaktivedanta Prabhuada Swamy….

Kindly offer your knowledge of ISKON verbally.

Thanks to all at ISKON.




.

[rainycity]

a cult

[brahman]

a cult
no, zeal.

[kd gupta]

Dandavat Pranamas, Brahman Ji !

All glories to SriSri Radha Krsna alone !

Let me give my answers in brief:



Initially, before going to ISKCON I was a very staunch follower of Advaita-philosophy. Everything is Brahm, I am Brahma, world is just our own illuion etc etc etc.

And I just could not digest any philosophy of ISKCON. I used to think that they have misinterpreted all the scriptures of Hindues. I just used to like Kirtan very much though.

But then I read SriMad Bhagwadgeeta as it is - By Srila Prabhupada (all glories to him) - And there I was !

I felt very sorry for me that I had actually ruined so many years of life without knowing what actually the real goal of life is.



I spent 8-9 years in ISKCON and reading the literature. By this time, I became totally averse to mayavad philosophy.

I realized what actually sidhhanta is, what is philosophy and not based on my own whims and facies, but actual pramana from literature.

I got answers to ALL OF MY QUESTIONS in this sampradaya, and just last year I was initiated. I am feeling satisfaction, like I have never felt before. I owe so much to this sampradaya.

I think that's all for now.

Hare Krsna !
Jai jai sri Krsn
Pl. listen to the beautiful bhajan..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbp6oujbmWs

[ScottMalaysia]

Prabhupada also said that women have half the intelligence that men have.

[amith vikram]

deleted.

[brahman]

These are(all above replies) information new to me on ISKON and its Acharya, but it’s not my purpose (or I am not interested).

I am eager you narrate the philosophy he derived in the spiritual quest rather than trying to divert my eagerness to certain specific thoughts alone.

Certainly Shri. B V Prabhu Padar accomplished greater heights than I (you) could. I respect, value and admire his saying.

I prefer you attempt Shri. Prabhu Pada Swami’s entire realm of spiritual philosophy (than the psychology of his followers).
That’s evident in initial post itself.

Thanks to all at ISKON.

[smaranam]

I am eager you narrate the philosophy he derived in the spiritual quest
I prefer you attempt Shri. Prabhu Pada Swami’s entire realm of spiritual philosophy (than the psychology of his followers).
That’s evident in initial post itself.

Thanks to all at ISKON.


Namaste

Of Course, it was evident in your first post. I too was surprised at the diversions.

The best place to learn about AC BV Swami PrabhupAd's teachings which are first and foremost a succession of Gaudiya Vaishnav parampara ,
is

Krishna.com/
http://www.krishna.com/

according to me.

The site is well set up for introductory details, philosophy, teachings, books etc.
They have live help and chat too, where you may meet nice devotees dedicated to help.

The flute on top of the home page - the pull down menu, has read--->teachings
here - http://www.krishna.com/en/taxonomy/term/6

It may not be for everyone. Its for whoever its for.

praNAm

[Mohini Shakti Devi]

Here is official propaganda published within ISKCON. This excerpt describes the background & misson of the vaishnava sadhu who founded the HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT ASHRAMS [found on the Folio]:


A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada appeared in this world in 1896 in Calcutta, India. He first met his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent religious scholar and the founder of sixty-four Gaudiya Maöhas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad he became his formally initiated disciple.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Öhakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, assisted the Gaudiya Maöha in its work and, in 1944, started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine. Maintaining the publication was a struggle. Single-handedly, Srila Prabhupada edited it, typed the manuscripts, checked the galley proofs, and even distributed the individual copies. Once begun, the magazine never stopped; it is now being continued by his disciples in the West and is published in over thirty languages.


Recognizing Srila Prabhupada's philosophical learning and devotion, the Gaudiya Vaiñëava Society honored him in 1947 with the title "Bhaktivedanta." In 1950, at the age of fifty-four, Srila Prabhupada retired from married life adopting the vanaprastha (retired) order to devote more time to his studies and writing. Srila Prabhupada traveled to the holy city of Våndavana, where he lived in very humble circumstances in the historic medieval temple of Radha-Damodara. There he engaged for several years in deep study and writing. He accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa) in 1159, and t`us began preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled wiph impersonalism and voidiwm.

[brahman]

Namaste

Of Course, it was evident in your first post. I too was surprised at the diversions.

The best place to learn about AC BV Swami PrabhupAd's teachings which are first and foremost a succession of Gaudiya Vaishnav parampara ,
is

Krishna.com/
http://www.krishna.com/

according to me.

The site is well set up for introductory details, philosophy, teachings, books etc.
They have live help and chat too, where you may meet nice devotees dedicated to help.

The flute on top of the home page - the pull down menu, has read--->teachings
here - http://www.krishna.com/en/taxonomy/term/6

It may not be for everyone. Its for whoever its for.

praNAm

Dear Smaranam,
Thanks for your contribution. I should be able to enjoy and get some learning from it.

[brahman]

Here is official propaganda published within ISKCON. This excerpt describes the background & misson of the vaishnava sadhu who founded the HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT ASHRAMS [found on the Folio]:


A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada appeared in this world in 1896 in Calcutta, India. He first met his spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent religious scholar and the founder of sixty-four Gaudiya Maöhas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad he became his formally initiated disciple.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Öhakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita, assisted the Gaudiya Maöha in its work and, in 1944, started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine. Maintaining the publication was a struggle. Single-handedly, Srila Prabhupada edited it, typed the manuscripts, checked the galley proofs, and even distributed the individual copies. Once begun, the magazine never stopped; it is now being continued by his disciples in the West and is published in over thirty languages.


Recognizing Srila Prabhupada's philosophical learning and devotion, the Gaudiya Vaiñëava Society honored him in 1947 with the title "Bhaktivedanta." In 1950, at the age of fifty-four, Srila Prabhupada retired from married life adopting the vanaprastha (retired) order to devote more time to his studies and writing. Srila Prabhupada traveled to the holy city of Våndavana, where he lived in very humble circumstances in the historic medieval temple of Radha-Damodara. There he engaged for several years in deep study and writing. He accepted the renounced order of life (sannyasa) in 1159, and t`us began preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled wiph impersonalism and voidiwm.


Dear Mohini Shakti Devi,
For a beginner, the above link looks fine. I should certainly require your help further too.