An introduction to Vaishnavism, the personal aspect of the Absolute Truth, its lineages, and its global impact.
The Personal Conception of the Divine
A Vaishnava is one who worships the Supreme Lord Krishna or His immediate expansion, Vishnu. Unlike some Vedic traditions that view the ultimate reality as impersonal, Vaishnavas understand that God is the Supreme, all-attractive person (Krishna).
They acknowledge that all living beings are eternal persons, and that all life's problems are rooted in the individual soul's forgetfulness of his or her relationship with God. By chanting God's names, the soul reawakens this original relationship.
They acknowledge that all living beings are eternal persons, and that all life's problems are rooted in the individual soul's forgetfulness of his or her relationship with God. By chanting God's names, the soul reawakens this original relationship.
Scriptures and Lineages
There are four main sampradayas (Vaishnava lineages) based in India. They worship Vishnu, Rama, and Krishna as manifestations of the same Supreme Lord.
The key Vaishnava sastras are the Bhagavad-gita (included in the Mahabharata), the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Ramayana, and the 16th-century Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. The tradition has widely influenced South Asian culture through music, dance, theater, and art.
The key Vaishnava sastras are the Bhagavad-gita (included in the Mahabharata), the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the Ramayana, and the 16th-century Sri Caitanya-caritamrita. The tradition has widely influenced South Asian culture through music, dance, theater, and art.
Global Spread of Gaudiya Vaishnavism
ISKCON is part of the Gaudiya (Chaitanya) Vaishnava tradition, which hails from West Bengal and places special emphasis on the teachings of the 16th-century saint and avatar Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Gaudiya Vaishnavism gave rise to ISKCON, founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, which has spread these teachings worldwide, showing their relevance in addressing humanity's essential spiritual needs.
Gaudiya Vaishnavism gave rise to ISKCON, founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1966, which has spread these teachings worldwide, showing their relevance in addressing humanity's essential spiritual needs.