ISKCON Cedar Park · Cedar Park, Texas
About Hare Krishna Temple of Austin
A spiritual home for the Austin community — rooted in the ancient Vaishnava tradition, guided by Srila Prabhupada's teachings.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder Acharya — International Society For Krishna Consciousness
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896–1977) is widely regarded as the world's pre-eminent exponent of the teachings and tradition of Bhakti-yoga — the practice of loving devotion to God — to the Western world.
Born Abhay Charan De on September 1, 1896 in Calcutta, India, he was raised in a family devoted to Krishna. In July 1966, he established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for the purpose of working for real unity and peace and reinstating proper values in the world.
Srila Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times, bringing the teachings of Bhakti-yoga to thousands across all six continents. He authored over seventy volumes on Bhakti-yoga, translated into seventy-six languages and used as standard textbooks in colleges worldwide.
Basic Philosophy of ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), otherwise known as the Hare Krishna movement, includes five hundred major centers, temples and rural communities, nearly one hundred affiliated vegetarian restaurants, thousands of local meeting groups, and millions of congregational members worldwide.
ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya, a monotheistic tradition within the Vedic or Hindu culture. Philosophically it is based on the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam — the historic texts of the devotional bhakti yoga tradition, which teaches that the ultimate goal for all living beings is to reawaken their love for God, or Lord Krishna, the 'all-attractive one.'
ISKCON devotees chant God's names in the form of the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Our Mission
ISKCON was officially established in 1966 in America by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. The philosophy of ISKCON is nothing but the philosophy of Sanatan Dharma — the world's most ancient religion. The main scriptures are The Bhagavad-gita (The Song of God) and the Shrimad Bhagavatam.
Hare Krishna Temple of Austin is affiliated to ISKCON and is a Hindu temple which follows Vedic culture guided by ISKCON's philosophy.
7 Purposes of ISKCON
- 1.To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
- 2.To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- 3.To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
- 4.To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- 5.To erect for the members and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
- 6.To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.
- 7.With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.
What is the GBC?
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, established the Governing Body Commission (GBC) to be the ultimate managing authority for the society. For the latest information on the GBC please visit . gbc.iskcon.org.
Hare Krishna Temple of Austin
ISKCON Cedar Park
The Hare Krishna Temple of Austin (ISKCON Cedar Park) serves the greater Austin and Cedar Park community as a center for spiritual practice, devotional service, and Vedic culture. We welcome all sincere seekers regardless of background.
Our programs include weekly Sunday Feast, Bhagavad Gita study, kirtan, children's classes, youth programs, and festivals throughout the year. We are currently building a permanent temple at 1003 Adventure Ln, Cedar Park, TX.