Hare Krishna Movement

[groovyable]

Ok ive seen a few website here and there yet it just explains about, Mantras -chanting and vegetarianism. Yet who was Krishna? What was his teachings? What are the links between it and Hinduism.

It would be nice to hear from a Hare Krishna's' point of view

xx

[themadhair]

Originally Posted by groovyable

It would be nice to hear from a Hare Krishna's' point of view

You might find this interesting:
YouTube - WYB Hare Krishnas part 1 of 3

The Hare Krishna's own an island temple a few miles up the road from where I live.

[krishnakanta]

Originally Posted by groovyable

Ok ive seen a few website here and there yet it just explains about, Mantras -chanting and vegetarianism. Yet who was Krishna? What was his teachings? What are the links between it and Hinduism.

It would be nice to hear from a Hare Krishna's' point of view

xx

Namaste

Mantra, chanting, and vegetarianism are important elements of the practice so it's no surprise that is what you found. There are a couple of members here who are members of ISKCON specifically so they may correct some points I make but here is my understanding.

Who is Krishna?

Simply put, Krishna is God. God has millions of names but Krishna, Rama, and Hare are the preferred ones of Hare Krishna movement. Krishna means the All Attractive One. Rama means Source of Pleasure and Hare is invocating the Energy of God.

Krishna is the Supreme Personality of God. He and Vishnu are one and the same. Krishna actively participates in the material world by taking birth during the different ages to help suols. He last incarnation was that of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 1500's. In that birth he brought to us the Mahamantra (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) This is the Dharma of this age.

Krishna also took birth as the Buddha, although this is a hotly debated topic within Vaishnav communities.

Before that Krishna took birth as Krishna about 5000 years ago. During that time he rescued people from demons, freed the kingdom of Mathura from the tyrant, Kansa. He had a role in the Mahabharata war. He gave the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. He showed humans how to have an appropriate relationship with God. Through his activities on earth we learn what being truly in love with God means through the Rasa Lila.

The teachings of Krishna include how we should act, how we should worship, what is moral conduct, etc Most importantly, Krishna teaches us how to be in relationship with him thus fullfilling the goal of every soul.

The relationship with Hinduism gets a little complicated. The worship and tradition of Krishna consciousness is a part of Vaishnavism (in particular Gaudiya Vaishnavism) which is branch of what is refered to as Hinduism. Within the Gaudiya tradition there are a number of different teachers and organizations, all of which could be termed Hare Krishnas. The most visible in the west is ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) According to ISKCON founder, A.C. Bhaktivadanta Srila Prabhupada, this movement is not Hindu but beyond that. There are also some Hindus who do not accept ISKCON as Hindu although there seems to be many more who accept is as very orthodox Hinduism. Even within ISKCON there are some who will identify with Hinduism and others who won't.

I my self am a Hare Krishna, I do attend an ISKCON temple but also consider myself as a Gaudiya Vaishnav Hindu.

All of these names though are merely names and ultimately don't serve a purpose. The true purpose to developing a loving relationship with Krishna.

Hari Om

[Seyorni]

I don't know if you're aware, groovyable, but the "Hare Krishna's" take on Krishna isn't quite that of most Hindus. I've never understood the ISKCONi's claim that they aren't Hindu, though. Their theology is a bit eccentric, perhaps, but hardly outside the range of Vaishnavite Bhakti Yoga.

[krishnakanta]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

I don't know if you're aware, groovyable, but the "Hare Krishna's" take on Krishna isn't quite that of most Hindus. I've never understood the ISKCONi's claim that they aren't Hindu, though. Their theology is a bit eccentric, perhaps, but hardly outside the range of Vaishnavite Bhakti Yoga.

I agree that the theology fits within the parameters of Vaishnavism. Gaudiya Vaishnavism does appear a bit different compared to some other sects but my point of view is, bhakti is bhakti.

Not all Gaudiya Vaishnavas though affiliate with ISKCON or it's teachings. There are groups functioning under the auspicies of other Gaudiya teachers.

Hari Om!

[bhuvana-mohan dasa]

Originally Posted by Seyorni

I don't know if you're aware, groovyable, but the "Hare Krishna's" take on Krishna isn't quite that of most Hindus. I've never understood the ISKCONi's claim that they aren't Hindu, though. Their theology is a bit eccentric, perhaps, but hardly outside the range of Vaishnavite Bhakti Yoga.

Yes, in a world where compromise with claims of western materialistic "science" has become the order of the day among groups deriving from the Vedic heritage, i can understand how ISKCON's literalistic interpretation of shastra might appear "eccentric" to some.....(thank heavens we have the much more modern Europeanized jnanis to psychoanalyze us....).....

ys,
bmd.

[krishnakanta]

Originally Posted by bhuvana-mohan dasa

Yes, in a world where compromise with claims of western materialistic "science" has become the order of the day among groups deriving from the Vedic heritage, i can understand how ISKCON's literalistic interpretation of shastra might appear "eccentric" to some.....(thank heavens we have the much more modern Europeanized jnanis to psychoanalyze us....).....

ys,
bmd.

Cheers Prabhu!

Hari Bol!

[bhuvana-mohan dasa]

Originally Posted by krishnakanta

Cheers Prabhu!

Hari Bol!

Hare Krsna, didi.......

Don't ya just love the all-knowing condescenscion of the impersonalists (who represent barely 10% of all Hindus)?

ys,
bmd.

[krishnakanta]

Originally Posted by bhuvana-mohan dasa

Hare Krsna, didi.......

Don't ya just love the all-knowing condescenscion of the impersonalists (who represent barely 10% of all Hindus)?

ys,
bmd.

Hare Krishna Prabhu!

I don't know what's worse, that or when I see my colleagues teaching college students this impersonalist point of view as being the core of Sanatana Dharma.

Hari Bol!

[rcscwc]

ISKON is a Hindu mobement in the West.

They are missionary face of Hinduism.

They are rooted in Sanatana Dharma, with Krishna as the main deity.

They, in fact, are using the tactics the xian missionaries adopt elsewhere.

Xian churches, across the board, hate ISKON as the rapacious wolves, no matter they too are that.

There take on Krishna maybe a bit different, but not so radically different Krisghna looks like Christ, nor to make them non Hindus.

Of course they don't hesitate to call Krishna as Krista, but that is for mollifying the xians.