The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, was founded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
ISKCON Net Worth
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has a net worth of over $100 million. ISKCON is also referred to as the Hare Krishna movement and includes five hundred major temples, centers, and rural communities with nearly one hundred affiliated vegetarian restaurants, thousands of local meeting groups, various community projects, and millions of members all over the world.
You may wonder how a religious group is worth over a hundred million? It is because of the grants and donations from loyal patrons as well as private individuals and organizations.
ISKCON History
It was founded by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (also known as Srila Prabhupada,), an Indian spiritual leader. The organization was founded in July 1966 in New York City. The organization considers Krishna, a Hindu deity, its Supreme Lord. Iskcon is the largest branch of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Prabhupada came to New York in 1965 when he was 70 years old. He spoke at publicparks where he attracted people, mostly the youth and hippies. His movement, then known as the “Hare Krishna Movement”, grew larger when he relocated to San Francisco one year later. The Governing Body Commission (or GBC), which consists of 12 members, is the managing authority of ISKCON. It was formed in 1970 and meets every year..
When ISKCON spread to England, it gained publicity and financial backing from the Beatles member George Harrison. Harrison recorded many tracks with the Hare Krishnas and included the Mahamantra in his hit song “My Sweet Lord.”
Prabhupada established the first Hare Krishna commune in 1968. It was called New Vrindavan and was located in West Virginia. Since then, the religious organization has more than 800 centers worldwide and is composed of millions of members.
Every member of the ISKCON are required to follow their four regulative principles which are: to follow a lacto-vegetarian diet, to not consume any alcohol, cigarettes or other drugs, to not gamble, and to not engage in illlicit sex.
The organization is a huge advocate of preaching. The members spread Krishna principles by mainly singing the Hare Krishna mantra in public places and distributing the books by their founder.
India has the most number of ISKCON centers in the world. The country has more than 150 temples, 12 educational institutions, several vegetarian restaurants, and a couple of pilgrimage hotels.
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