What is Hare Krishnah?

Answer 1

Hare Krishnah is another name for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

It is one of the Hindu Vaishnava religious organizations. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Its core philosophy is based on traditional Hindu scriptures, both of which, according to traditional Hindu view, date back more than 5,000 years. Non-sectarian in its ideals, ISKCON was formed to spread the practice of bhakti yoga (devotion to God), in which aspirant devotees (bhaktas) dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing the Supreme Lord, Krishna (seen as non-different from God).

ISKCON today is a worldwide confederation of more than 400 centres, including 60 farm communities, some aiming for self-sufficiency, 50 schools and 90 restaurants. In recent decades the movement's most rapid expansions in terms of numbers of membership have been within Eastern Europe (especially since the collapse of the USSR) and India. In the recent years organisational and management structure of ISKCON is becoming less relevant to its members.