Many of the followers of Sanatan Dharma do not know enough about the ISKCON movement. Personally, it took me quite a bit of time in understanding what ISKCON stands for. Would it be a good idea for one of our esteemed devotees to prepare an introductory sticky on ISKCON practices. It will be so helpful to the people unfamiliar with the Gaudiya Vaishanva Sampradaye. I have compiled a list of basics, as I understand, which can be modified/enlarged/corrected to create the sticky.
- In the vast array of different beliefs under the Vedic tradition, ISKCON follows the Gaudiya Vaishanava tradition, but is not classified as Hinduism.
- Our most holy book is the Bhagwad Gita.
- Per the Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna is the supreme personality of Godhead and others in the Vedic pantheon are the demigods.
- Lord Krishna appeared on this earth about five hundred years ago as Lord Chaitanaya. The purpose of this incarnation was to teach the devotees the benefits of congregational chanting.
- There is an unbroken chain of gurus from Lord Chaitanaya to our last Guru Srila Prabhupada, who brought the message of Krishna Consciousness to the West.
- We chant exclusively the bhajans written by our spiritual masters.
- We consider all those who do not follow the path of Bhakti (devotional service), but try to achieve spirituality through mental speculation to be mayawadis.
- Our biggest temple in India is at the birthplace of Lord Chaitanaya in Mayapur, West Bengal.
- We chant the mahamantra every day and follow four regulative principles: no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit sex.
- Our Sunday service consists of chanting bhajans (devotional songs), class on Bhagwad Gita, Aarti, followed by prasadam (sanctified vegetarian feast).
My apologies if I have erred on understanding the basics and not listed them correctly.
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