Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada initiated the scheme know as life membership programs in the West in 1965. After his return to India in 1972 he introduced this scheme in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahemmedabad, Kolkata, New Delhi and lastly in Bhubaneswar. The purpose of inviting people to join as life members is to encourage the majority of people in household life and who cannot serve full time in the temple, though they would like to serve the Lord while in the society, through investing their money in developing spiritual projects. In this way they are valuable assets, assisting the spread the Krishna consciousness. Secondly, life membership has been introduced to fund the printing of transcendental literatures in different languages. Ultimately the purpose for which people join ISKCON life membership program is to develop spiritually and to assist in giving everyone an opportunity of reviving their innate Krishna consciousness and establishing a loving relationship with the Supreme Lord Krishna, as his eternal servant.
After joining as a life member, you or your family will be invited to different spiritual programs held throughout the year. In the Krishna Balaram temple there are twenty-six festivals, big and small, that a member can participate in and get a deeper kind of peace in their lives. Through different festivities, life members have a chance of coming in closer touch with a spiritually healthy place like the temple. By regular interaction with the devotees life members invite devotees to attend organized home programs with Srimad Bhagavatam and Srimad Bhagavad Gita classes, kirtan to associate with them. Thus they are able to develop spiritually. In this way members can serve the Supreme Lord and at the same time fulfill their worldly duties and at the same time utilize their time in such a way they can experience transcendental joyfulness by rendering service to Sri Krishna and all His devotees.
Wherever you travel throughout the world, wherever there is an ISKCON temple, you can stay in guesthouse accommodation, free of cost for three days. Other benefits include a calender, audio (mp3) and video (DVD) bhajans and lectures on the philosophy and sweet pastimes of Krishna and his devotees. Those who want to be free from yearly tax burden may utilize 80(G) certificate, supplied by the ISKCON society. In Orissa, members also receive the monthly journal, Bhagavat Darshan.
Whether married or single, anyone can become a life member. Not only members of your family, but friends and colleagues will gradually hear about Krishna consciousness.
Five devotees are serving in the life membership department.