USA, May 13, 2007: (HPI note: Readers interested in the “Hinduness” of the ISKCON organization will find this extensive internal 1998 report useful. See also Hinduism Today’s article published the same year, “Can it be, the Hare Krishnas are not Hindus?” at here)
The introduction to this paper by Jon Brzezinski which appeared in the 1998 ISKCON Communications Journal reads: “Is ISKCON a Hindu religious movement? This very question has caused a great deal of discussion both between members of the ISKCON and those commenting on the Society from outside. Since ISKCON is a unique product of the vision of one individual, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, its founder, we must examine his position on this issue. Central to the difficulties that commentators have had in coming to any sort of decision are the seemingly ambiguous comments and decisions that the founder made with regards to Hinduism and his Society. There are times when he clearly stated that ISKCON was not Hindu and that his followers should endeavor to keep themselves apart from Hindu influences, and there were other times when be clearly linked ISKCON to Hinduism. Jan K. Br explores the references that Srila Prabhupada made to Hinduism, and more importantly he discusses these comments within the context in which they were made, thus enabling us to gain a clearer understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s position on Hinduism.”