Mission Statement
To advance the well-being of society by promoting the science of Krishna consciousness by fulfilling the seven purposes of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The Seven Purposes of ISKCON, and the activities undertaken by ISKCON Ottawa to achieve these purposes:
| Purpose | Present Activities | Planned Activities |
|---|---|---|
1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
|
Study groups, Sunday Feasts, community outreach (both with books and with chanting), guest speakers from out of town, festivals, drama presentations, electronic mailouts to the temple’s mailing list, book tables, helping support travelling preachers |
Continue the present activities, but more frequently and involving more participants |
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam. |
|
Continue the present study groups, feasts and classes and worship. Larger Festival Programs open to the public. |
3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus to develop the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna) |
Encourage home programs and participation in festival preparations, cooking together, sharing prasadam (sanctified food) together, attending festivals in other centres, inviting devotees from other centres to our festivals |
Encourage members to participate in courses/seminars that foster personal, interpersonal and spiritual growth. |
4. To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. |
Performing sankirtana (congregational chanting) at every gathering. Conducting festivals, centred on the chanting of the holy names of God. Provide discourses, elaborating upon the purpose of chanting the holy names. Teach and encourage the public at large to chant the holy names through various festivals, including our annual participation in the Canada Day festivities. Hold outdoor Harinama Sankirtana parties once a week. |
Continue to perform sankirtana and teach the techniques to others. |
5. To erect for the members, and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes, dedicated to the personality of Krishna. |
Property and building in central Ottawa, one block away from the University of Ottawa, facilitates members and the public to visit daily and for specific festivals. |
Continue to maintain the present facilities and make improvements as required. |
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life. |
Traditional cleanliness practices, rising early, offering Mangala Arati (early morning worship), japa, study authorised Vedic scriptures, taking only prasada (sanctified vegetarian foodstuff offered to Lord Krishna) |
Maintain present activities and increase as possible. |
7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings. |
Distributing scriptures and books of philosophy, asking only donations in return Library, consisting of scriptures and spiritual commentaries, at ISKCON Ottawa for the benefit of the public and members. |
Continue the present activities, with the aim of increasing as possible. |
ISKCON Ottawa’s Vision:
A community of devotees, enthusiastically and systematically propagating spiritual knowledge to society at large and educating all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
Key Result Areas:
- Distribution of books about the science of Krishna consciousness
- Distribution of sanctified, karma-free vegetarian food
- Distribution of the holy names of the Lord
- Community development
- Public Outreach
- Education
- Regular devotional Programs
- Temple worship activities
- Festival Programs
Values
Vaishnavas believe that the type of activities one performs affects one's state of mind, so one can elevate consciousness by elevating the nature of activity. An activity is thus considered spiritual if it helps to purify the consciousness and direct it towards God.
In this light the regulations of spiritual life are not restrictions but are ‘regulative principles of freedom’ – tools for advancing personal development and spiritual consciousness.
The four basic guiding values:
1. Cleanliness: Of body, mind and soul
2. Mercy: To help others (materially as well as spiritually)
3. Austerity: To take only what we really need, without greed or violence.
4. Truthfulness: An honest deed is the best gamble in the world and a sure winner.