Before Prabhupada
Krishna Consciousness is not a new form of religion. It is based on 5000-year-old Vedic scriptures. The word Veda in Sanskrit means Knowledge. These are religious scriptures in which we find knowledge about sociology, natural way of life, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, music, military art and architecture.
Transmission of Vedic Tradition
The philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is not an invention of one or a few people. It is a teaching authorized by the entire Vedic tradition. History says that at the very beginning of creation God Himself transmitted this knowledge to the first living entity in the universe – Brahma. Brahma, in turn, transmitted the entire teaching to his son Narada, who is considered the spiritual master of the entire universe.
Mid-19th Century
Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a follower of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, began writing books in English about Krishna (God) Consciousness and sending them to libraries in Europe and America. His son Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, a prominent spiritual leader of India at that time, began sending his disciples to the West to propagate the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness.
Bhaktivedanta Swami
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, one of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's disciples, fulfilling the instruction of his spiritual master, arrived in the USA in 1965 and a year later established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in New York.
Biography
On September 1, Abhai Charan De was born in Calcutta. His father was Gour Mohan De, and his mother Rajani.
Met Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati for the first time
Received initiation
Starts publishing "Back to Godhead" magazine in India and distributes it himself
Founded the "League of Devotees", which quickly collapsed
Accepts sannyasa from his Godbrother Bhakti Prajnana Keshava Swami
Journey to America
Translates Srimad Bhagavatam. Managed to publish three volumes in India (Canto 1), which he took with him to America. He distributed these books himself, and used the money received to publish new books.
August 13, 1965
On the Jaladuta ship to USA
September 19, 1965
Ship reached New York
Initially he lived maintained by people who sheltered him, later in 1966 in New York he had to survive from his books.
Prabhupada's Books
Bhagavad Gita As It Is
Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
The Nectar of Devotion
Chaitanya Charitamrita 17 volumes
Srimad Bhagavatam – 30 volumes
History of ISKCON
In 1965 Srila Prabhupada arrived in New York, having with him the translated Srimad Bhagavatam Canto I. Initially he stayed in Boston, but when the opportunity arose, he arrived in New York, where he lived in the premises of his friend Dr. Mishra's yoga society.
Founding of ISKCON
Here he registered the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on July 12, 1966 and after some time found premises at 26 Second Avenue with the help of friends. Here he began holding regular lectures and kirtans.
Major Events
Arrived in San Francisco and founded the second temple in the USA
First Ratha Yatra in San Francisco
First farm founded in West Virginia, New Vrindavana
3 couples of devotees left for England and founded the first Hare Krishna center outside America. Meets members of "The Beatles"
Recorded "Radha Krishna Temple" album with George Harrison
Founded the Governing Body Commission – GBC
Visits Australia and founds a center in Sydney
Arrives in Moscow to meet with Prof. Kotovsky
First stone of Mayapur temple laid
Founded FFL – Food For Life program
Krishna Balaram Temple opened in Vrindavana
Final Years
In May 1977 Prabhupada, feeling that he would soon leave the world, gave his instructions on how initiations would be performed in ISKCON after his death. He authorized 11 of his disciples to be ritviks – officiating in his name until his death, and who after his death, would initiate disciples on their own behalf.
Incredible Achievements
Over a period of twelve years, he managed to circle the globe at least 14 times. Thousands of his lectures and conversations were recorded, and thousands of his letters to followers remain. All of this is a source of inspiration and instruction for all generations of ISKCON.
What Prabhupada Gave to the World
Holy Name
Hare Krishna maha-mantra reached every corner of the world
Transcendental Library
Translated and published more than 70 volumes of Vedic literature
Book Distribution
Created the largest network for distributing spiritual literature in the world
International Community
Built a house where the whole world can live
Standards of Cleanliness
Showed true standards of internal and external cleanliness
Temples
In 12 years established over 100 temples in 36 countries
Deity Worship
Showed that God can be worshipped in a personal form
Spiritual Food
Prasadam distribution - amazing vegetarian dishes offered to Krishna
Festivals
Ratha Yatras, Padayatras and other transcendental festivals
Preaching Mission
Spreading Krishna Consciousness door-to-door all over the world
Fight Against Materialism
Fought against materialistic mentality and established spiritual values
Simple Living
Taught to live naturally and establish agricultural communities
India's Prestige
Gave Hindus confidence in their culture and raised India's prestige
Spiritual Education Schools
Gurukulas - schools for children
His Personality
PRABHUPADA SHOWED HOW TO ACCEPT A SPIRITUAL MASTER.
ACCEPTING A GURU IS AN INTERNAL EXPERIENCE BASED ON FAITH.
THE SPIRITUAL MASTER'S INSTRUCTIONS ARE THE DISCIPLE'S LIFE AND SOUL.
PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION IN EXECUTING THE SPIRITUAL MASTER'S MISSION.
"Many people came to Krishna Consciousness not because they were attracted by Krishna Consciousness ideas or practice, but because they were attracted by Prabhupada's personality itself."
ISKCON Today
ISKCON today is a movement recognized by scholars and Hindu organizations, which is expanding more and more all over the world. Recently a breakthrough occurred in India and many Hindus are joining ISKCON.
Currently ISKCON unites over 400 centers worldwide and over a million followers. In Lithuania there are about 1000 followers and 2 centers: in Vilnius and Kaunas.