By Nashvin Gangaram
ISKCON was once considered a cult accused of brainwashing the youth of America. However, today it is widely respected in society. In fifty years, we have stood the test of time. Anniversary celebrations have been hosted by most of the 665 ISKCON establishments across the world. They will continue for the rest of the year. At Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, we have hosted a Gala Dinner, a special display at the Durban Festival of Chariots, our Bhakti Theatre staged an ISKCON50-themed drama, and the temple has an informative display allowing visitors to view ISKCON’s 50year history. But, what is all the fuss about?
Although ISKCON may be just fifty years old, the teachings propagated are eternal and therefore relevant. Genuine spiritual practice is beyond any kind of sectarian idea, and applicable to all traditions. The first idea ISKCON propagates is to understand that you are not the body but a spirit soul. This can be easily perceived at death. Consider the difference between a living body and a dead body. When a loved one passes away, their body remains but the “person” is gone. Also, observe how our own bodies change during our lifetime. Our bodies in the infant stage are different from the ones we have now. This truth cuts through discrimination, be it gender, racial, sexual, intellectual, or social. Therefore ISKCON promotes true equality.
ISKCON is also a facility for people who have similar spiritual interests. Desires and ambitions develop according to the company we keep. In the association of like-minded transcendentalists, our spiritual progress becomes easier and almost automatic.
ISKCON is the ultimate welfare organisation. This is a bold claim but I’ll explain. Suppose you came across a lost child, crying for her parents. It would certainly be noble to feed the child, and take care of her. However, a higher consideration would be to reunite the child with her parents. Similarly, all our altruistic and humanitarian endeavours are wonderful, but they find perfection when they are accompanied by reuniting the soul with the Supreme Lord.
ISKCON is led by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is the Founder and Acharya of ISKCON and is predicted in scripture. “Lord Krishna: ‘After 5,000 years of this age have passed, the great sage and worshipper of my holy names will appear and spread the chanting of my names throughout the world.’” (Brahma-vaivarta Purana) Srila Prabhupada did not seem to perform superhuman feats. However, his miracle was that he gave people a higher taste and a chance at real happiness, which can allow us to overcome our struggles. The happiness experienced in bhakti, or devotional service to the Supreme Lord, is of a different kind altogether. It far surpasses anything else, which includes temporary pleasures and the state of nirvana or the bliss of merging into the effulgence of the Supreme Lord. Therefore the affluent, the simple, the serious seeker, and the party animal, are all attracted to this path. They experience joy that is not found elsewhere.
Something of a subtler nature is that ISKCON exposes us to rare information like the names, nature, qualities, activities, and form of God, and about His residence in the topmost part of the spiritual world. Here, His devotees do not worship Him in a mood of awe and reverence. They do not even consider His Godly status because they are so overwhelmed with loving feelings for Him.
This is a just a partial listing of the uniqueness of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada felt fully confident that ISKCON will solve all the problems of the world. From the inception of ISKCON in 1966, we see that vegetarianism, meditation, karma and reincarnation, and chanting are commonly accepted thoughts. ISKCON has certainly contributed to this.
September/ October 2016 Hare Krishna News – Published by ISKCON Durban. Used with permission
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