The International Society for Krishna Consciousness was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. It belongs to the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition, a devotional tradition based on the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam . The precepts and practices of ISKCON were taught and codified by the 15th century saint and religious reformer Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his principle associates, the Six Goswamis of Vrindavana.

Sri Caitanya, whom devotees revere as a direct incarnation of Krishna, gave a powerful impetus for a massive bhakti (devotional) movement throughout India . Under his direction hundreds of volumes on the philosophy of Krishna consciousness were compiled. Many devotees have followed in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu including, in the 19th century, an outstanding Vaisnava theologian, Bhaktivinoda Thakura who brought Krishna consciousness to a modern audience.

Bhaktivinoda's son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami, became the guru of Srila Prabhupada and instructed him to spread Krishna consciousness in the West.

At age 69, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada left India on a steamship with a few dollars and a trunkful of scriptures. He landed in New York in September, 1965.

Here he began to chant Hare Krishna in public places. Gradually a following developed, and by 1973 he had opened temples in over a hundred cities worldwide. Today the movement spans six continents, claims over a million adherents worldwide and lists 400 temples in its bimonthly magazine, "Back to Godhead." Krishna volunteers also say they operate the largest vegetarian food relief program in the world, "Hare Krishna Food for Life." The project, they say, feeds a meal to one undernourished or hungry person every two seconds. Members of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, practice bhakti-yoga (devotional service to God) and mantra meditation. They have distributed over 500 million books compiled by Srila Prabhupada, containing the spiritual texts of ancient India such as Bhagavad-gita .

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