Представления о душе в вероучении Международного общества сознания Кришны

Abstract

The study aims to identify the features peculiar to soul understanding in teachings of a new religious movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The article provides an insight into the notion of “soul” in religious doctrines, as well as into peculiarities of understanding this term in the philosophical and religious system of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Scientific novelty of the study lies in analysing the religious texts written by the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, concerning soul understanding. As a result of the analysis, it has been confirmed that there are certain ideas of soul in teachings of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness; a comprehensive description of these ideas, their connection with ideas of afterlife existence has been made. The author concludes that religious activity of the followers of the said movement is dictated by the goal of ensuring blissful afterlife existence of soul.