The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was established in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada). Better known as the Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON is comprised of more than 350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness was established in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada). Better known as the Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON is comprised of more than 350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants worldwide.

STRUCTURE

Communities

Most ISKCON members practice Krishna consciousness in their homes and live and work in the general community. They also congregate in temples for worship.

Most temple-based members are in training, or serve as clergy engaged in ministerial and missionary work. Some members also help maintain ISKCON rural communities throughout the world.

Governing Body Commission (GBC)

In 1970 Srila Prabhupada formed a Governing Body Commission (GBC) to help manage an expanding ISKCON and have executive authority. The GBC decides ISKCON's major strategies and guidelines by democratic voting and in consultation with Temple Presidents and other leaders. All the centres are divided into several zones overseaed by one or two GBCs depending on the size of devotee population.

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT)

Working tirelessly over 12 years, Srila Prabhupada managed to write over 70 volumes of books - translations of Vedic scriptures into English with extensive commentaries on them. In 1972 Srila Prabhupada established The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) for publishing His works. BBT is now the world's largest publisher and distributor of books on Indian philosophy and religion.

To date, the BBT has published over 500 million books and magazines in more than 60 languages.