ISKCON Of DC
your krishna community
Our Story
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a world-wide movement dedicated to the philosophy and practice of Krishna Consciousness also known as Bhakti Yoga.
ISKCON of DC, located in Potomac, sits on 12 acres of beautiful forested land. The main temple building is home to ISKCON’s first Krishna Deity in America and is the center of the community here.
Srila Prabhupada is the Founder-Acharya (spiritual master) of ISKCON. He set out from India in 1965 and from a small storefront temple in New York City a movement blossomed all over the world. Temples, schools, farms, and restaurants developed under his guidance and direction. In eleven years he circled the globe fourteen times, met scholars and statesmen, and inspired men and women from all walks of life to take to Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada left this world in 1977.
Our Practice
Krishna Consciousness, also known as Bhakti Yoga, is one of the great spiritual traditions of the Vedas. In this monotheistic practice, the Absolute Truth, the source of all life, is understood to be a person. His name is Krishna, a Sanskrit word which means “all attractive”.
The foundational teaching of bhakti yoga is that we are not our bodies. Rather we are the soul, the consciousness that animates the body. Anything alive, then, signals the presence of the soul.
The teachings of Krishna Consciousness enable us to awaken our true self and to develop our personal spiritual relationship with Krishna. The practices include mantra meditation, the study of philosophy and active service.
The following values from the Bhagavad-gita guide our life:
Equal Vision (Sama Darshana)
Without Cruelty (Ahimsa)
Humility (Amanitva)
Choice (Iccha)
Nurturing Right Action (Dharma)
Affection (Prithi)