International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (Śrīla Prabhupāda) in the West in 1966. ISKCON belongs to Gauḍīya (refers to Bengal) Vaishnavism, a devotional tradition based on the teachings of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
The Preceptors
The precepts and practices of ISKCON were taught and codified by the 15th century saint and religious reformer Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (1486–1532), his brother Nityānanda Prabhu and six of his principal associates, the Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana (Sanātana, Rūpa, Jīva, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa, Raghunātha Dāsa and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa).
The Bhagavad-gītā was first put into writing about 5000 years ago. The Gītā is the principal scripture of The Hare Krishna Movement™ Organization. Its origins are more than 5000-years-old.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Śrī Caitanya, whom devotees recognize as a direct incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, gave a powerful impetus for a massive bhakti (devotional) movement throughout India. Under his direction hundreds of volumes on the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness were compiled. Many devotees followed in the preceptorial line of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu including, in the 19th century an outstanding Vaishnava theologian, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura (1838–1914) who brought Kṛṣṇa consciousness to a modern audience.
Bhaktivinoda's son, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī (1874–1937), became the guru of Śrīla Prabhupāda (1896–1977) and instructed him to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the West.
Disciplic Succession
ISKCON's history includes a disciplic succession (sampradāya or guru paramparā). It draws its legitimacy from its place in a succession of spiritual teachers and disciples (paramparā). There are four major disciplic successions, and ISKCON belongs to the Brahmā-Gauḍīya-Madhva (referring to Madhvāchārya [A.D. 1239–1319]) sampradāya, founded by Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. The other three are called the Śrī (referring to the goddess Lakṣmī) Sampradāya, the Rudra (referring to the god Śiva) Sampradāya and the Kumāra (referring to the four Kumāras [celibate sages]) Sampradāya.
There are many branches to the Brahmā Sampradāya. ISKCON belongs to the Brahmā-Gauḍīya-Madhva lineage founded by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in the 16th century.