Examine how the 'structures and organisation' prevalent in the new religious movement ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) contrast from those of traditional Hinduism?

The religion of India and its related customs and traditions have existed for over four thousand years. The oldest of any organised religious movements has over 943 million followers, making it the third largest world religion. It has no founder, rather as Bhaskarananda (2002) discusses, ancient Indian sages founded the religion through realization of the eternal truths and philosophies. Flood (2001) discusses the religion and states that Hindu identity as recognised today developed during the 19th century (Flood 2001: 3). Hinduism’s structure can be likened to a tree in that its central trunk of philosophy has existed for thousands of years and new factions or movements within Hinduism have branched off and developed from the essential philosophy, all searching for a path to a shared goal. Conversely Flood discusses Faure’s river theory in which the different streams of Hinduism have combined to form a core which is used to define Hinduism as it is today (Flood 2001: 9, Faure 13-14). The essential goal for Hindus is escape or moksha from the cycle of reincarnation, samsara. What differs from one Hindu to another is the means or ways to get to moksha.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness organization (ISKCON movement as it will be referred to from hereon in), also referred to as the Hare Krishna movement was brought to western attention by the Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who promoted his philosophy and proselytized his faith in America during the 1960s. The ISKCON movement is an example of a transfer of foreign religious ideology from one country to another. Its substance as a devotional religion emulates that of existing monotheistic religions in the west and became popular with the counter culture during the 1960s. Since its inception ISKCON has gained over 250,000 members Prabhupada became the founding figure of the movement and his revered by the followers of the movement today.
ISKCON is classed as a new religious movement although its roots lie in sixteenth century Vaishnava Hinduism (Barker 1989: 184) and can be defined as monotheistic in nature but nonsectarian with its aim to create and maintain societal and personal well-being by promoting the Krishna consciousness, the philosophies of Krishna as found in religious scriptures. The ultimate goal for members of ISKCON is to become harmonized with one another but most importantly closer to Krishna through worship, education and to proselytize the faith to other cultures and nations. However the philosophical content of this movement has existed in India and Hinduism for hundreds of years as shall be discussed now.
In general, Hinduism is henotheistic, which means that particular people or groups of people may believe in and worship one god without disbelieving or denouncing another. For instance a rural village may place supreme importance on a local god, or a localized manifestation of a major god figure such as Vishnu, Krishna or Rama. Within Hinduism there are many different offshoots or denominations that follow different philosophical ideas. For example there are ascetic, popular, Vedic and devotional traditions. The last of which can be likened to monotheistic religion similar to Christianity and include Shaiva cults (followers of Shiva), the Sakta cults (followers of the Devi, the supreme goddess) and the follow Vaishnava cults of Hinduism. These all follow the bhakti strain of philosophy which places precedence on the devotion and love for god. This god has many faces but all are faces of Vishnu. Vishnu’s most popular incarnations are Krishna and Rama. The philosophies came later on in the stages of Hinduism before them.
Followers of the ISKCON movement worship at home and are active participants in the community. Many choose to live a more ascetic lifestyle – abstaining from alcohol and meat and in simple means. Hare Krishna’s also attend temples and those more involved with the movement may live in communal homes with other members. The religious scriptures ISKCON members refer to are the Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), found in one of Hinduism’ great epics, the Mahabharata. The Gita is a poetic discussion in which Krishna reveals himself as a manifestation of Vishnu and introduces the innovative philosophy of bhaktiyoga – the path of devotional Hinduism.
Alongside this ISKCON members read the Bhagavata Purana, a developmental discussion of bhaktiyoga. These scriptures aid the structure and development of ISKON’s core philosophical beliefs but they have also played and continue to play an important role in Hinduism. ISKCON’s philosophies are taken from Hinduism but the movement is somewhat detached from the Hindu faith. Most Hindus and Hare Krishna accept the similarities and connections but there is some controversy among authoritative figures. The Hare Krishna mantra or the Maha Mantra (Great Mantra) often heard chanted originates from Kali Santarana Upanishad, a Vaishnava scripture. So from this we can see the philosophical structure of ISKCON borrows from the Hindu traditions of Vaishnava Hinduism.
Just as the Hindu Brahman and gurus who descend from spiritual lines of succession, followers believe ISKON’s leader Prabhupada also follows a line of succession, spiritually connected directly to Krishna (as noted in volume 10 of Back to Godhead the official magazine of Hare Krishna, p29). Both religions have temples of worship, and most Hindu temples welcome ISKON followers. ISKON and Hindus read from the same texts (although placing differing importance on particular texts) and share many philosophies. Many Hare Krishna members take to the streets in order to promote their religion and fundraise for the development of the religion and support of its members, something not performed by Hindus.
From this brief examination of Hinduism and International Society for Krishna Consciousness there are clear similarities between the philosophical and structure of bhakti Vaishnava Hinduism with ISKON followers, not so much with Hinduism as a whole. The defined separation of Hinduism and ISKCON is strange as historically Hinduism has been a generous, inclusive movement incorporating different traditions which use and venerate Hindu scripture and Hindu figures. On the face of it ISKCON is clearly a Hindu based religious movement but as Gavin and others have discussed, many of Hinduism’s authority figures denounce the apparent connection; doubting ISKCON’s authenticity as an Indian religion because of its seemingly western ideas and high population of western, non-Indian members. However in both spiritual and leadership structure the two religions have much in common.