HOME TEACHINGS HISTORY VISITING NEWS COURSES DEPARTMENTS SHOP CONTACT Spiritual Heritage The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was incorporated in New York in 1966. However, it is not a new religion. Its founder, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, represents a tradition tracing back to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. And Chaitanya Himself appeared in a succession of teachers dating back thousands of years in India. This lineage, called the Brahma-Madhva Gaudiya sampradaya, is one of the four principle traditions of Vaishnavas, those who worship Lord Krishna or Lord Vishnu as supreme. Vaishnavism is one of the main theological schools within the tradition broadly defined by the word Hinduism. However, the terms “Hindu” and “Hinduism” are not found in any of the scriptures. They were coined by the Persian invaders to refer to the religion and culture of the people beyond the River Sindhu (now called the Indus in modern Pakistan). Hinduism has been used to refer to the totality of India’s religious culture, apart from those faiths originating outside of India (such as Christianity); it includes those which arose within this context but have since defined themselves as distinctive traditions (such as Buddhism and Sikhism). Many adherents to the tradition prefer the term sanatan-dharma. This term refers to the eternal function of the living being, understood as service to God. It implies that genuine religion is above temporary designations of faith, gender, colour, nationality, and species. The principles of sanatan-dharma are enunciated in the sacred texts called the Vedas. Key figures in the tradition Caitanya Mahaprabhu is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna and his consort Radharani Themselves. He was born in Bengal in 1486. He taught the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra while travelling for six years throughout India and He spent His final eighteen years in Jagannatha-puri. There He displayed the sublime emotions of one absorbed in love of God. Chaitanya’s immediate followers, the Six Goswamis (Rupa, Sanatan, Jiva, Gopal Bhatta, Raghunath Bhatta and Raghunath das) drew on Vedic evidence to consolidate and document His teachings. One of His most significant teachings of Caitanya include the belief that individual souls are simultaneously the same and different from a personal God. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur (1838-1914) was an highly influential figure, and he re-established the moral and philosophical integrity of the tradition. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarawati was the son of Bhaktivinode and the disciple of Gaura Kishor Babaji. He was a life-long celibate and a brilliant scholar. He established sixty-four centres throughout India and requested his disciples to spread the message of Chaitanya worldwide in the English language. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada took initiation from Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in 1926. As a married man he tried to execute the desire of his spiritual teacher to preach the message of Chaitanya through the world. He took sannyasa (vows of renunciation) in 1957. In 1965 he sailed for New York and established ISKCON the following year. In eleven years, he spread Krishna consciousness worldwide. Donate Online Upcoming events A Christmas Kirtan - Panto Mantra Rock & Winter Market Prabhupada Book Marathon 2021 Bhagavad Gita - Competition Gita Jayanti Sunday Evening Kirtan New Year's Eve Celebration News & Events George Harrison Evening- 20th Anniversary Bhaktivedanta Players supporting ISKCON Birmingham University Students flock to Manor Live to Give Pandava Sena and PS Alumni showcase Interfaith Week 2021 Mantras for Labour Friends of India Vacancy: School of Bhakti - Operations Administrator Vacancy: School of Bhakti - Social Media Team Lead Home Secretary visits for Diwali Teachings Karma Reincarnation Mantra Meditation Principles Spiritual Heritage Vegetarianism Yoga Cow Protection Upcoming Courses Gita Life Gita Life Taster Japa Marathon The Bhagavad Gita’s Secret Message of Love The Playground of God. Kartik in Vrindavan Residential courses Talk show with HH Sivarama Swami The Stolen River Harmonium for Beginners Mahabharata Audio Services Bhaktivedanta Manor School Daily Darshan Eulogies Krishna Club / Sunday School Manor Pre-School Manor Volunteering Mentorship New Gokul Farm Sacred Boutique – Temple Gift Shop School Visits Weddings Youth Activities Blog: Insight – Looking at the world from within ISKCON International ISKCON London ISKCON UK Manor on Instagram Manor on Twitter Manor on Youtube Manor on Youtube Live Stream Remembering Departed Devotees Spirituality for beginners Youth Accomodation – Bhakti Centre Other sites of interest HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE, HARE RAMA HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA HARE HARE Bhaktivedanta Manor is the largest UK centre of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Bhaktivedanta Manor propagates the teachings of the authentic Vedic scriptures. These were finally brought to the West by Srila Prabhupada, Bhaktivedanta Manor´s founder. George Harrison of The Beatles kindly donated Bhaktivedanta Manor to ISKCON in 1973 to cater for the growing congregation. Today Bhaktivedanta Manor has developed into an important theological college, and has become renowned as a place of pilgrimage. It is a holy place dedicated to the upliftment of human society through spiritual education, culture and lifestyle. This rural retreat serves as a window to Vrindavan, Lord Krishna´s eternal home. It is a God-centred community which gives refuge to people from all walks of life. Copyright © Bhaktivedanta Manor 2021 International Society for Krishna Consciousness Bhaktivedanta Manor-Registered Charity No:1157877 Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Bhaktivedanta Manor, Dharam Marg, Hilfield lane, Aldenham, Near Watford, for Sat-Nav use WD25 8HE | Telephone 01923 851000 PRIVACY NOTICE