What is Hare Krishna?

What is the Hare Krishna Movement?
Who started ISKCON?
What is the purpose of ISKCON?
Where do the teachings come from?
Hare Krishna and Hinduism
What are the teachings?
What is reincarnation?
Do you meditate?
What is the Hare Krishna chant?
What are the Practices?
Why are you vegetarian?
Why do some Hare Krishnas look like Buddhist monks?
What do you do all day?
Why do you chant in the streets?
What else do you do?
I'm Interested in finding out more. What should I do?

What is the Hare Krishna Movement?

The Hare Krishna movement is the popular name for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON carries on in the modern world a great ancient tradition rooted in the Bhagavad-Gita , the teachings Lord Krishna spoke five thousand years ago. The Gita and the other Vedic scriptures declare Krishna to be the original person, God Himself, who appears periodically in this world to liberate all living beings.

Only five hundred years ago, Krishna descended as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach the most sublime and effective means of meditation for the present day: the chanting of the names of God, especially as found in the Hare Krishna mantra.

Today, members of ISKCON continue Lord Caitanya's movement by distributing the teachings of Lord Krishna and the Hare Krishna mantra all over the world.

Who started ISKCON?

In 1965, an elderly monk, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), travelled alone from India to establish the culture of Krishna consciousness in the Western world. He single-handedly began a world-wide confederation of over one hundred temples, farm communities, and institutes.

What is the purpose of ISKCON?

When Srila Prabhupada began ISKCON, he defined seven purposes:

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.
   
   
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
   
   
3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
   
   
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.
   
   
5. To erect for the members and for society at large, a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
   
   
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
   
   
7. With a view toward achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, books and other writings.
   
   

ISKCON Belfast has published a very good commentry on these seven purposes by HH Satsvarupa dasa Goswami.

Where do the teachings come from?

Although the Hare Krishna movement has only been established in the West since 1966, its roots extend thousands of years into India's past. The lifestyle and philosophical beliefs are based on ancient scriptures known as the Vedas. Originally preserved in the spoken word, the Vedas were written down in the Sanskrit language 5000 years ago.

Their compiler, Srila Vyasadeva, divided the work into various departments of material and spiritual knowledge, entrusting his disciples with particular sections. In this way, the scriptures developed into four principal Vedas, including the Vedanta Sutra, 108 Upanishads, and 18 Puranas, collectively known as the "fifth Veda." The final Purana, the Bhagavat Purana or Srimad Bhagavatam, contains the essence of the Vedic wisdom in 18,000 verses. A further work was the Mahabharata, which includes the well-known Bhagavad gita. The process described in the Vedas is one of gradual elevation to the platform of God-realisation. Vedic wisdom was then carefully preserved and passed down for centuries through the tutorial vehicle of guru-parampara, a disciplic succession of self-realised teachers.

In the early 16th century, a remarkable spiritual renaissance took place within India. This was led by a brilliant philosopher, mystic and saint, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534). He challenged the religious leaders of his day whom he felt were stifling the teachings of Vedic knowledge. Caste-conscious priests alone had access to the Vedas and considered spiritual life the prerogative of an educated minority. Taking religion out of the temples and amongst the people, regardless of their caste, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu propagated devotion to Lord Krishna and pioneered a massive movement which swept the subcontinent, gaining a following of millions.

The ancient wisdom of the Puranas and Upanishads, through the practical teachings of Sri Chaitanya are now finding expression outside India in the Hare Krishna movement.

Hare Krishna and Hinduism

The terms Hare Krishna and Hinduism are intimately connected, yet not synonymous.

The word 'Hindu' was first used by Persians to denote 'those South of the Indus river'. It has come to include the many diverse strands of Indian and Vedic culture which make up Hinduism, the world's third largest religion, with over 600 million practitioners worldwide. As such, 'Hinduism' describes not a single, monolithic religion, but a vast spectrum of spiritual paths, many tracing their origins to particular branches of the Vedas.

The word 'Veda' literally means knowledge, and refers to the original Vedic shastras (scriptures) and civilisation, dating back many thousands of years. Several of these shastras, in particular the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, form the philosophical and theological basis of the the Hare Krishna Movement; the Bhagavad Gita is often referred to as 'The Bible of Hinduism'.

Hare Krishna is a major monotheistic tradition, known academically as vaishnavism or sanatana dharma, 'the eternal religion'. The core practice is bhakti (devotion) to Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, particularly through the chanting of His names. Although seen as a major strand of Hinduism, it is a transcendental and non-sectarian process of devotional yoga that can be harmonised with any theistic religious practice.

What are the teachings?

It is often assumed that the final goal of Indian spirituality is nirvana - the extinguishing of individual existence and the simultaneous absorption into an amorphous Absolute. Bhagavad-Gita reveals that this is only the preliminary stage of self-realisation. Beyond this is the awakening of the soul's eternal consciousness of Krishna, the personal form of the Absolute Truth.

In brief, the Gita explains as follows:

1. We are not our bodies, but eternal spirit souls (atma), parts and parcels of God (Krishna). Although we are essentially spiritual (brahman), we have temporarily forgotten our true identity.
   
   
2. Having lost touch with our original, pure consciousness we are trying to achieve permanent happiness within a temporary world. Our attempts produce karmic reactions which cause us to remain within this world for repeated lifetimes (samsara).
   
   
3. By sincerely learning and following a genuine spiritual science (dharma) under the guidance of a self-realised teacher, we can be free from anxiety and come to a state of pure, blissful enlightenment in this lifetime.
   
   
4. Krishna is eternal, all-knowing, omni-present, all-powerful and all-attractive. He is the seed-giving father of all living beings and He is the sustaining energy of the entire cosmic creation.
   
   
5. Our dormant relationship with Krishna can he reawakened by the practice of bhakti-yoga, the science of spiritualising all human activities by dedicating them to the Supreme. This ancient yoga system gradually frees us from the entanglement of karma, and thereby the cycle of birth and death.
   
   

What is reincarnation?

The Bhagavad-Gita states that life does not begin at birth nor end with death. It is eternal. The soul is constantly transmigrating from one body to another according to its desires and quality of activities (karma). The Vedas further explain that the soul in the material world moves through a cycle of 8,400,000 forms of life. The human form, however, is the only birth which affords one the chance for self-realisation. Lower-than-human species are not endowed with sufficient intelligence to understand the self as different from the body.

Do you meditate?

Members of the Hare Krishna movement practise mantra meditation. In Sanskrit, manah means "mind" and tra means "freeing". So a mantra is a combination of words that is meant to relieve the mind of anxieties arising from wordly entanglement. Vedic literature compares the mind to a mirror, and our present state of spiritual forgetfulness to a mirror which has accumulated dust. Mantra meditation clears the dust from the mirror of the mind so that we can see our original self. When our spiritual nature is inwardly perceived, then the anxieties caused by illusion cease, and we experience spiritual happiness.

What is the Hare Krishna chant?

Devotees of Krishna chant the Hare Krishna mantra:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

- because the Vedas refer to it as the maha - mantra or "Great Mantra". This sixteen-word mantra is especially recommended as the easiest method for self-realization in the present age.

Krishna is a Sanskrit name of God meaning "all attractive", and Rama is another name meaning "reservoir of pleasure". The divine energy of God is addressed as Hare. Vedic knowledge teaches that since we are all constitutionally servants of God, the chanting of His names is not an artificial imposition on the mind but is as natural as a child calling for its mother. There are two ways to chant the maha mantra: group chanting (kirtan) and softly saying the mantra to oneself (japa). The latter is done by using a string of 108 wooden prayer beads to enhance concentration. In both methods there are no hard and fast rules, and anyone can chant with good results.

What are the Practices?

There are four simple practices in Krishna consciousness.

Reading (Shravanarn)

Reading provides the intellectual satisfaction that is essential to developing faith in any spiritual practise. Without a comprehensive body of philosophical knowledge, any religious tradition can easily become a system of unfounded beliefs and rituals. Vedic literature offers logical answers to profound questions, and when carefully studied, books like Bhagavad-Gita will allow the inquisitive reader an opportunity to explore many new ideas and concepts.

The books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada are translations and commentaries upon India's timeless spiritual classics, written over a period of twenty years. His writings comprise a complete course of study in bhakti-yoga, and are the basis of the spiritual lives of Hare Krishna members around the world.

Studies usually begin with Bhagavad-Gita, Isopanishad, Srimad Bhagavatam and The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya. Devotees study at least a few minutes daily, reserving a quiet period when they can read without disturbance.

Chanting (Kirtanam)

Recitation of the Hare Krishna mantra is the essential practise of Krishna consciousness. Devotees may spend from 10 minutes to 2 hours per day chanting japa. Once around the circle of 108 beads is called a "round" and devotees will chant anywhere between one and sixteen "rounds" per day as their time and inclination permits. Chanting is done either sitting or walking, usually in the morning. At first the language of the mantra may feel strange but as the profound nature of the sound vibration is experienced any feelings of awkwardness disappear.

Anyone who chants with sincerity, pronouncing the words distinctly and listening attentively, will become peaceful and experience a sense of happiness. One who continues the process becomes advanced in the techniques of mantra meditation and enjoys an awakening of the soul's natural, original qualities of eternity, knowledge, and bliss.

Friendship (Sat-sangam)

Our friendships have tremendous influence upon the way we think and act. We may enthusiastically take to a more spiritual way of life, but if our friendships with others are not similarly transformed, our personal development may become checked. Associating with others who are spiritually inclined is therefore one of the most important and rewarding aspects of the Hare Krishna way of life.

New members of ISKCON usually start off by linking up with others in the same town or county. Regular meetings now take place in many parts of the world, even where there is no proper temple, in hired rooms or devotee's homes. People are often surprised when they come to these meetings to find themselves developing very gratifying friendships.

Apart from local meetings, members cultivate friendships with others through correspondence, or by hosting visits, from travelling teachers. large events like the yearly London Chariot Festival (Rathayatra) are social and spiritual gatherings where thousands of members meet up both to celebrate and enjoy each others company. The network of Krishna centres, meetings, shops and temples, is steadily growing. As it does, many more people are discovering the personal benefits of being part of a spiritual community.

Remembering (Smaranam)

The aim of Krishna consciousness is to cultivate a constant flow of awakened states of consciousness wherein we remember our spiritual identity and our relationship with Krishna. Vaishnavas therefore begin the day with a combination of practices, which help to focus the mind spiritually. Rising early, bathing, japa meditation and study, all purify the mind from its sleepiness and create a mental state suitable for an entire day of spiritual progress.

The Vedic literature teaches that our daily actions should lead us to develop valuable personal qualities such as peacefulness, tolerance, honesty and compassion. To this end, members also adopt regulative principles like vegetarianism as part of their personal lifestyle. In this way, even our most basic daily function of eating, can be an integral part of our spiritual path.

Why are you vegetarian?

The Vedic scriptures establish non-violence (ahimsa), as the ethical foundation of vegetarianism. According to the Vedas, God is the Supreme Father of all creatures, not just humans. Therefore, the slaughter of innocent animals is considered equivalent to killing one's brother or sister.

Hare Krishna devotees follow a wholesome diet, which excludes meat, Fish and eggs. Although it may be argued that vegetarians are guilty of killing vegetables, vegetarian foods such as fruits, nuts, milk, and grains do not require killing. But even when a plant's life is taken, the pain it experiences is dramatically less than that of a highly sensitive animal such as a cow or lamb.

According to the law of karma, nature's law of action and reaction, human beings must suffer for any kind of killing that is against God's laws. For this reason, as well as to show recognition and appreciation for the Supreme Proprietor and supplier of all foodstuffs, devotees prepare vegetarian meals as devotional offerings to Krishna. Such spiritualised food is then called prasadam ("the mercy of Krishna"), which can be fully enjoyed.

Why do some Hare Krishnas look like Buddhist monks?

Shaven heads and orange robes actually pre-date Buddhism by many centuries. In Vedic culture a person dressed according to his or her social and spiritual position. Simple robes, although external, have traditionally been worn to help cultivate humility and freedom from vanity.

In keeping with this reasoning, the Hare Krishna Movement has retained certain elements of Vedic tradition wherever practical. Following this principle, women in Hare Krishna communities wear the traditional saree, while men wear robes known as dhotis.

Young men who have gone forward to observe a celibate student life and train as monks wear saffron coloured robes; married men wear white. Most choose to shave their heads leaving a single lock of hair in the back called a sikha. This is done as a sign of renunciation and surrender to Krishna, as well as for cleanliness and simplicity. The U-shaped marking of clay on the forehead is known as tilak, and is made with a yellow clay from the banks of sacred rivers in India. Together with these traditional ascetic practices, fully committed devotees of Krishna, whether residing in a temple community or not, also abstain from all types of intoxication, and do not gamble or have sexual relationships outside of marriage.

What do you do all day?

The activities of the members of ISKCON are as varied as their strikingly diverse lifestyles. For instance, although most members are naturally vegetarian, all other practices are a matter of their personal choice and commitment. Thus one member of ISKCON lives in a religious community, rises at 4 o'clock in the morning, and leads a strict monastic life, while another cares for a young family or works in a busy office. The circumstances may vary greatly but the basic aim is the same.

Why do you chant in the streets?

Most scriptures of the world, and particularly the Vedas, extol the chanting of God's names as a powerful means of spiritual realisation. Someone who enjoys their spiritual life naturally feels inclined to share it with others. This enthusiasm caused the founder of ISKCON to not only teach Krishna consciousness, but to organise his early students as a formal society for the purpose of teaching others. Devotees of Krishna, therefore will often be found in public places performing sankirtana, by chanting with musical instruments, as introduced by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 500 years ago.

What else do you do?

Too much to mention in this brief space!

However, to summarise some of ISKCON's activities in the UK and Ireland:

Apart from twenty-two communities, projects include: -

• Residential training courses in the theology, philosophy, history and practices of Vaishnavism
  
  
• Two small primary schools
  
  
• "Hare Krishna Festival" teams who introduce large audiences to Vaishnava culture through music, art, dance, theatre, film and food
  
  
• Food distribution schemes for the homeless (Hare Krishna Food for Life) in London, Manchester and Glasgow
  
  
• A book publishing department and warehouse
  
  
• Mail-order service supplying literature, videos, audio-tapes, posters, incense and health products
  
  
• Vegetarian restaurants and television programmes on vegetarian cooking
  
  
• Speaking engagements and demonstrations at schools and universities
  
  
• Numerous local meetings, centres, shops and the associated activities
  
  

I'm Interested in finding out more. What should I do?

Get in touch with your local centre or devotees.

You can find a full index of UK Hare Krishna centres on the ISKCON UK home page.

We hope that some of your questions have been answered here and that this has gone some way to introduce you to the Hare Krishna movement.

Please stay in touch. We look forward to hearing from you. Hare Krishna!