devotees are everywhere

In addition to chanting the holy names, one should study the scriptures thoroughly. The basic scripture of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is the Bhagavad-gita, which was spoken by Krsna to the great devotee Arjuna. Because itr was spoken to a great devotee, the Bhagavad-gita contains information which is not found scriptures. This is not to imply that the other scriptures are false but in the Bible Lord Jesus Christ says, "I have more to tell, but ye cannot bear it now." The Bhagavad-gita and the Bible are in complete agreement because the knowledge revealed in both is that the only valid life is a life of loving service to the Lord. It may appear contradictory that in the Bible it is recommended that one worship Lord Jesus Christ and in the Bhagavad-gita it is recommended that one worship Lord Krsna. Actually there is only one God, but He can appear in different forms at different times and places. The form of Krsna is the original form from whom the other forms emanate. So Lord Jesus is actually an incarnation of God, as the son of God. It is not the purpose of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to dissuade sincere devotees of Lord Jesus from worshiping Him. The purpose of Krsna consciousness is to spread love of God to all people. Anyone can practice Krsna consciousness by the process of chanting the holy names, but in order to teach and spread this knowledge it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the scriptures. Bhagavad-gita is not the only scriptural text of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Other texts include Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Brahma-samhita, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu and many others. The texts that are studied are originally written in Sanskrit and Bengali and are presentry being translated by the spiritual master and founder of the Society, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. To learn and understand all these texts requires an intense effort and much time. The scriptures must be thoroughly learned and understood without any personally motivated interpretation. In order to teach Krsna consciousness one must live in exact accordance with the scriptural injunctions without the slightest deviation. Teachers of Krsna consciousness are badly needed in the world today, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is engaged in training qualified teachers. One who wishes to study Krsna consciousness and teach others must be completely dedicated without any outside interest whatsoever.    (More...)