On September 18-26th, ISKCON’s Ministry of Education organized the annual Books Are the Basics Week 2024, a week-long program dedicated to enhancing the culture of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books around the world. This program was approved by the Governing Body Commission (GBC) in 2020. This event unites devotees from around the world with a shared vision of how Srila Prabhupada’s books must be the most-read literature in the world, thus enhancing the foundation of Krishna Consciousness worldwide. Through these books, Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental vision of guiding all sincere seekers to absolute truth remains alive and well.

Books Are the Basis Week, which aimed to inspire temples and congregations to prioritize reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, aligned with ISKCON’s mission to see these texts become widely read worldwide. It highlighted the aspiration to see Srila Prabhupada’s books recognized as the most widely read spiritual texts worldwide.

Each day of Books Are the Basis Week focused on specific groups of devotees, including children, youth, Vaishnavis, congregational preachers, and community leaders. Speakers discussed how Srila Prabhupada’s books address each group’s unique spiritual needs and roles.

On the first day, the focus was on Children’s Education and Srila Prabhupada’s Books, with discussions on inspiring young minds to love Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, creating a solid foundation for their spiritual growth. On the second day, they addressed Youth and Srila Prabhupada’s Books, exploring how these books provide invaluable guidance for young people in the challenges of modern life while deepening their connection to Krishna Consciousness.

Vaishnavi Life and Srila Prabhupada’s Books was the theme of the third day. Female devotees discussed balancing spiritual commitments with daily responsibilities, inspired by Prabhupada’s teachings. The fourth day was dedicated to Srila Prabhupada’s Book Reading Retreats, emphasizing the growth of reading retreats as spaces where devotees immerse themselves in the wisdom of Prabhupada’s writings.

On the fifth day, they featured Congregational Preachers and Srila Prabhupada’s Books, with leaders sharing their experiences of inspiring congregations and instilling Prabhupada’s wisdom in their lives. On the sixth day, devotees focused on Educational Institutions and Srila Prabhupada’s Books, emphasizing the incorporation of Prabhupada’s teachings into academic settings. Finally, on the seventh day, participants centered on Community Leaders and Srila Prabhupada’s Books. Leaders reflected on how these teachings enable them to better serve and guide their communities.

During the week, they also featured seminars in multiple languages on the essential role of Prabhupada’s books in shaping devotee life. Topics included The Role of Prabhupada’s Books in Spiritual Development, Reading Srila Prabhupada’s Books as an Act of Service and Guru-Bhakti, and Srila Prabhupada’s Books as a Compass for Seekers of Absolute Truth. Each presentation showed how Prabhupada’s teachings offer not only philosophical insights but also practical guidance for a fulfilling life in devotional service.

This year’s Books Are the Basis Week drew an even larger international audience through live video sessions held in English, Russian, and Portuguese. The Ministry of Education ensured that devotees worldwide could benefit from these spiritually enriching sessions by making recordings available for free on ISKCON’s YouTube channel. The diversity of speakers and range of topics emphasized Srila Prabhupada’s message of universal unity in Krishna Consciousness.

As part of the Srimad Bhagavatam morning classes in Mayapur, devotees participated in the theme by offering a week-long series on the importance of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books every day and their critical role in the spiritual life of devotees. This topic was also discussed at all nama-hatas and home programs in the Dham. Mayapur set an example to the world of how this annual event could be celebrated. In addition to Mayapur, many other temples and yatras on all continents of the world also participated.   

To watch the inspiring sessions from Books Are the Basis Week, visit the ISKCON Ministry of Education’s playlist on YouTube. For more information, visit their website here. To receive regular updates or volunteer to help this effort, please follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, and X.