questions about the Hare Krishna's from a different POV

[Guest guest]

hello, I’m currently doing an essay for my high school class and I’ve chosen to do a topic on the Hare Krishna movement being the only sect to break from the ideals of Hinduism and decide to solely worship Krishna instead of a multitude of unified gods? i've posted this at the Hare krishna site aswell and now i'm posting it here to get a better perspective of the situation instead of "Krishna is great listen to the Gita!"

 

the quoted sentences down below are from members fromthe ahre krishna site.

 

I’ve tried to gather books about the Krishna movement but have found only two and they raise many questions themselves which i hope you can make clear for me. did the movement start when it was brought to America or was the hare Krishna being practiced in India as well and as feverishly as they did in America. the books just start off when A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came to America. also, did A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada just decide to bring this whole idea b/c he was told to "Preach Krishna consciousness to the English speaking world" or was it more than this? Between Hinduism and ISKCON, what is the real difference between them? i know that there's no caste system with ISKCON and the story substitutes Krishna in Vishnu’s place but why? why was it decided that Krishna be the all supreme god? I’m pretty sure it's not in the Bhagavad-Gita, since this was an idea that started through interpretation. So can it be said that the Hare Krishna movement was made to gather the undecided Christians by presenting a Jesus-like Hindu figure which could appease both their need for to worship one supreme god, since their love cannot be divided, reincarnation and a less restricted life style?

 

Is this religion called Vaishnava, the one that was announced in the Gita? yes the Gita is Krishna's story, thus giving it the reason to focus on him, but don't you think since it focuses on him he would say these things? "In the Bhagavad-Gita , it is explicitly stated that KRISHNA is the Supreme God and is the rightful owner of the whole cosmic manifestation." can you please give the verse in the Gita where it says this and does this statement mean that there's no Brahma or is he also one in the same. also are the other demigods present in Hare Krishna or is Krishna running the whole show? also if Krishna is Vishnu then that means he is Buddha too but wouldn't that bring sacrilegious elements into the religion? also, do you think, since there are significant similarities between Krishna and Christ do you think this is a reason why many in America catch on to hare Krishna? Since the Bhagavad-Gita is Krishna’s story is this the only book you follow or do the others play into the religion? "First of all, I would like to say that Hare Krishna is no separate offshoot from Hinduism or something completely different from Hinduism." why do people say this then. the religion itself disregards the other gods and has them as Krishna, isn't that different from Hinduism? And isn't Hare Krishna the only sect that has broken away from Hinduism? Also since Krishna plays many tricks do you think this could be his trick on us by saying that he’s supreme just to throw off the religious Hindu?

[Guest guest]

did the movement start when it was brought to America or was the hare Krishna being practiced in India as well

--india from 1500

 

Between Hinduism and ISKCON, what is the real difference between them?

--hinduism is a grouping of different ideologies and religions who very often have in common the only fact ot be practiced in india. For most hindu, iskcon (or better.. gaudya vaishnava sampradaya belongs to hinduism)

 

the story substitutes Krishna in Vishnu’s place but why? why was it decided that Krishna be the all supreme god? I’m pretty sure it's not in the Bhagavad-Gita

--krsna and vishnu are exactly the same person... vishnu displays the qualities of a king, a ruler, the supreme.. and krsna is vishnu in his private life where he deals with others that very often they do not know that he's god so they have no particular reverence. The difference between krsna and vishnu is only technical, generally the krsna aspect is considered the more elevated because he shows more intimacy.

Bhagavad gita clearly states the "superiority" of krsna... he says "surrender to me.."

 

So can it be said that the Hare Krishna movement was made to gather the undecided Christians by presenting a Jesus-like Hindu figure ..

--no, as i have said , hare krsnas, or gaudya vaishnavas are present in india from 1496 with exactly the same philosophy

 

Is this religion called Vaishnava, the one that was announced in the Gita?

--many paths are announced in the gita, but the worship of krsna/vishnu is clearly stated as the most effective

 

also if Krishna is Vishnu then that means he is Buddha too but wouldn't that bring sacrilegious elements into the religion?

--a master teachs also according with the disceples he find... buddha was necessary for his historical period and he's necessary for some cathegory of people

 

since there are significant similarities between Krishna and Christ do you think this is a reason why many in America catch on to hare Krishna?

--i do not see many similarities... maybe the main similarity between the two doctrines is monotheism.. But monotheism is not a new thing for India, monotheism is absolutely prominent, but due bad propagand aor ignorance, india seems the land of polytheism and nihilism/impersonalism

 

Since the Bhagavad-Gita is Krishna’s story is this the only book you follow or do the others play into the religion?

--bhagavad gita is not krsna's story, or better, it is about an hour of krsna's story.. gaudya vaishnavas read all books belonging to vedic literature with special ettention to bhagavat purana, chaitayna charitamrita, gita, some upanishads, brahma samhita, maha bharata

(why don't your read bhagavad gita?)

 

Also since Krishna plays many tricks do you think this could be his trick on us by saying that he’s supreme just to throw off the religious Hindu?

--first study a little more, then you will formulate more acceptable hypotesis.. it is clear that you have a very little knowledge of the "phenomenon"

 

me too have a little knowledge of aerospatial phisics, but i do not formulate hypotesis

 

questions about the Hare Krishna's from a different POV

--study and you will have a point of view

[Guest guest]

thank you for responding but from what you says, hare Krishna is called gaudya vaishnava sampradaya? the similarities between Krishna and Christ that i was talking about were characteristic similarities and saying if since Krishna came before Jesus, do you think that the good qualities of Jesus was influenced by Hinduism’s Krishna? Yes i don't have a full understanding like most people but I’m trying and i formulate ideas b/c i want to see if this question has already been answered. i can't read the Bhagavad-Gita b/c i don't have a decent one but in the process of getting one. I was hoping to get answers from a different POV, ie. a person that is not a hare Krishna or a Hindu or is a hindu, i guess i phrased the topic in the wrong way. I’m trying to study hare Krishna but there are few books in my area about it, and i don't know what exactly what it's referred as.

[Guest guest]

Here is a link to further your research. It helped me out when I was new.

 

http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/bhaktiyoga/index.htm#4

 

The "Introduction" and "Background" section should address several of your questions.

 

[Guest guest]

thank you for responding but from what you says, hare Krishna is called gaudya vaishnava sampradaya?

--yes, this is the official name. Vaishnava means that "hare krishna" are monotheist, and vaishnavas are in india from thousand years.. gaudya means that they add the philosophy and stile of sri chaitanya mahaprabhu, born in bengal in 1496

 

do you think that the good qualities of Jesus was influenced by Hinduism’s Krishna?

--i don't know, i learned by krsna consciousness to be serious in considering religion and philosophy... so i should do some study before saying a thing like that

 

i can't read the Bhagavad-Gita b/c i don't have a decent one

-- http://www.asitis.com/

 

[Guest guest]

After going to this site

 

http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/bhaktiyoga/index.htm#4

 

I noticed that the very first two questions and answers were wrong.

 

Here they are.

 

"Q: What do you mean by Krishna, Supreme Personality Godhead?

 

A: Out of three aspects of Godhead - Brahman (impersonal 'Great Light'), Paramatma (localized form of Godhead in the hearts of all living beings) and Bhagavan (Krishna in the spiritual world) - Bhagavan is the highest. That is the verdict of the Srimad Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) 1.2.11.

 

Krishna is the avatari, the source of all forms of Godhead (avataras). He is defined as such in the scriptures, most notably in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28 (krsnas tu bhagavan svayam).

 

According to the great sage Parasara Muni Bhagavan is one who possesses in full these six perfections: strength, beauty, wealth, fame, knowledge, and renunciation. There is only one such person - Krishna who excels everyone.

 

Q: Why is Krishna blue?

 

A: We can only assume that Krishna likes blue color; similarly, He likes to play with His cowherd-boy friends, herd the cows, play the flute, etc. This is His lila (pastime), His sweet will."

 

Here are the correct answers.:

 

Q: What do you mean by Krishna, Supreme Personality Godhead?

 

A. In Krishna is found the full expression of God's male personality. All of the personal attributes i.e beauty, intelligence, wit, dancing and singing ability, etc, of God are fully expressed in Krishna. While there are many Avatars or incarnations of God, in Krishna alone, we find the total expression of all of God's personal qualities. Therefore Krishna is called Avatari, the Original personality of Godhead. All avatars are also Krishna, but they display varying amounts of God's full potential for personality, beauty etc.

 

Brahman is the all pervading impersonal energy aspect of Krishna. Paramatma is the localized aspect of Krishna i.e God is fully present with full powers and full consciousness at every point throughout existence. Bhagavan is the Personality of God. Bhagavan is therefore called "Isvara Parama", or the Controller Supreme. The Personality of God is the controlling aspect of God. Just like your personality is the controlling aspect of your body. Your muscles and nervous system are like Brahman, your consciousness is like Paramatma, and your mind is like Bhagavan. Your mind controls the body. So God has an infinite all pervading body of energy or Brahman. That all pervading energy is also super conscious and has a multitude of potential powers. Controlling that energy and powers is the consciousness, who has a mind. That person is Bhagavan, the possesser and controller of everything. Krishna is that person when displaying the full amount of personality and personal attributes as a human male.

 

 

Q: Why is Krishna blue?

 

Krishna is not blue. Krishna is described as being the color of a new born monsoon cloud, or darkish. In Indian paintings Krishna was painted blue as a way of letting everyone know who he was in a painting, and there are other esoteric reasons for painting him as blue. But he is not actually blue.

 

"The term Krishna means black in Sanskrit; it is related to similar words in other Indo-European languages meaning black. The name is often translated as 'the black one'.

 

Many murtis [statues] of him are of a black or dark skinned figure. For instance, this can be seen in modern murtis/statues and other pictorial representations of Lord Jaganatha at Puri (Krishna as Lord of the World). In the same representations, his brother and sister are shown with a distinctly lighter complexion.

 

Early pictorial representations also generally show him as dark or black skinned. Rajasthani miniature paintings of the 16th century are often of a brown or black skinned figure. However, by the ninenteenth century, he is almost always shown as blue skinned."

 

[from nationmaster.com/encyclodpedia]

[Guest guest]

As for the students other questions:

 

1. There is no religion called "Hinduism".

 

The British invented the word "Hinduism". For thousands of years the people in India were called "Hindus" by people from outside of India. That word is a corruption of the word "Sindhu" which means river. The people in India had their civilization centered around the great river Sarasvati (now dried up) and also to a lesser extent the Indua and the Ganges and the Yamuna. So they were called by outsider the river people, or Sindhus. India was called by them Sind, from Sindhu. Gradually that became corrupted to Hindu and Hindustan, or land of the Hindus. To the Indians India was never a single nation or Kingdom, it was comprised of hundreds (at times) of Kingdoms. But at one point it became called "Bharata Varhsa". Bharata was a great and famous King, and Varsha means tract of land. so for a long time all of India was called Bharatavarsha.

 

Much later the British were confused by the the various religions of the "Hindus", so they coined the term "Hinduism". Although there is no religion called by that name.

 

There are many religions with a long history in India. The most prominent ones are based on the oldest writings in the world, called "The Vedas".

 

Just like in Christianity you have catholics, lutherans, baptists, jehovahs witnesses etc. They all accept the new testament as their holy book. Yet each religion has their own take and teachings based on the new testament. Each is different then the others.

 

So in "Hinduism", we have the same thing.

 

The Major religions in India are Vaishnavism [vishnu is god], Shaivites [shiva is god], Shaktas [god is a goddess], and the assorted Advaitavada groups [god is brahman or impersonal]

 

In the latest census in India, 85% of the people claimed to be Vaishnavas.

 

Among Vaishnavas there are 4 major sampradayas or religions/sects.

 

Each of these 4 also has offshoot sects.

 

They are all mono theistic, they all believe that there is one supreme all pervading God, called Vishnu. Some also believe that Vishnu has a female aspect called Lakshmi.

 

Of the 4 major Vaishnava religons, all teach that Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu.

 

Some teach that Krishna is the highest form of Vishnu, some teach that he is not the highest form of Vishnu. But they all teach that Krishna is Vishnu.

 

The Hare Krishna sect is an offshoot of the Brahma Madhva Sampradaya [one of the 4], called the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya. Gaudiya means from Gauda [bengal], because this is where the founder of the sect is from.

 

So to summarize:

 

There is no religion called Hinduism. There are 4 major religions in India. Three of them are mono theistic, one is monist [advaitavada].

 

We belong to the largest hindu religion called Vaishnavism, which 85% of "Hindus" also claim to belong to.

 

All Vaishnavas believe that there is one supreme being, who is all pervading, yet also has human forms, so as to interact with humans, both on earth, and in the Heavenly planets called Vaikuntha Lokas.

 

We belong to the Brahma Madhva Sampradaya. Specifically the Gaudiya branch.

 

Of all the Vaishnavas in India, easily, the majority worship Krishna as supreme. He is the most revered and esteemed figure in "Hinduism". The Bhagavad Gita, which He spoke is considered by most scholars to be the "Hindu Bible".

 

The Hare Krishna sect also teaches that Krishna's last incarnation was in Bengal some 500 years ago. He is called Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was a famous saint and teacher and was the most popular religious figure of his day. Our sect teaches that He was Krishna himself, come to teach about Himself, in the guise of the greatest devotee and teacher of Krishna.

 

This sect has millions upon millions of followers in India.

 

There are many sub sects within the Gaudiya or Chaitanya school.

 

One of the brought the sect and it's teachings to America in 1965. Since then it has become the largest hindu denomination in the world. With hundreds of temples all over the world. Since it was also the very first traditional Vaishnava sect to spread outside of India, it quickly became the center of Indian expatriate religious life. In other words if you were an Indian living outside of India, the Hare Krishna temples were the only traditional hindu temple that was available to go to. Not anymore. But for a long time this was the case. So because of this the Hare Krishna sect became a favorite of the Indian diaspora around the world. Many of whom were wealthy and very influential in India as well, coming from wealthy and prominent families in India. So this translated into the Hare Krishna sect having a special and very close relaitionship with the "Hindu" upper classes in India. In India today the most prominent and visible sect is the Hare Krishna sect, many of the top politicians and business leaders and wealthy families are connected to the Hare Krishna sect in one way or another.

[Guest guest]

thanks again for all that have replied and have shed light on this religion for me, but there are still some hazy areas. If Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu which means Krishna is Vishnu, then Vishnu is Krishna, then isn't it really Vishnu who is saying that he's supreme rather than Krishna since he is Vishnu but not his true form? also since i now know that hare Krishna didn't break away from Hinduism, this completely destroys my topic, "Hare Krishna movement being the only sect to break from the ideals of Hinduism and decide to solely worship Krishna instead of a multitude of unified gods?" so could you possibly throw some other suggestions out there. here are some that i have in mind I’m considering the hare Krishna’s effect on shaping the modern Hindu? the exponential growth of Indian culture acceptance through entertainment in America. why the hare Krishna’s caught on faster in America than Hinduism/Vaishnavism? if there are any others that you could possibly contribute it would be very appreciated. thank you very much.

[Guest guest]

Vishnu and Krishna are one and the same. Vishnu literally means all-pervading. Vishnu is a word used to denote the awesome power and omnipresence of God. Krishna alone is the form where Vishnu displays the full array of personality attributes of Vishnu. So in that sense Krishna is considered the original form and most complete form of Vishnu. It is all about the amount of personal attributes displayed. For instance other avatars of Vishnu like Ramachandra display slightly less of the full personality of Vishnu. Krishna displays the whole kit and kaboodle.

 

A different angle on your project could be on the factual history of the sect. How it started off with a bang with Chaitanya gaining widespread fame 500 years ago, and then how the religion gradually became less relevant as time went on. Then how Bhaktivedanta came to the west with no real financial support and practically overnight he had 10,000 hard core disciples, many from rich and influential families, and two of the biggest leaders of the counter culture as his close friends and supporters, Alan Ginsberg and George Harrison. And then how he went back to India and was greeted like a conquering hero come home, and became the darling of the hindu elites.

 

HERE is a speech by the Prime Minister of India at the opening of the Iskcon multi cultural temple and theatre complex in Indias capitol. It was paid for by India's richest family, the Hindujas.

[Guest guest]

Here are the Hinduja brothers, big supporters of the Hare Krishna sect.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1134707.stm

[Guest guest]

thanks to you all, but i decided to take the project in the route of "Did the hare Krishna break away from Hinduism" basically b/c i remember someone saying that it's just a modern Hindu misconception so i can just prove that it is in fact just as good but maybe since it became so mainstream people didn't take it seriously and thought of it as a commercial gain rather than the true nature of the hare Krishna’s does this sound better? also, quite possibly is there a site or people that i can e-mail that aren't supporters of the hare Krishna’s and have reasons for this b/c it would really help out a lot?

[Guest guest]

I am not sure of what you just wrote, but you are starting from a misconception. Almost everyone who has knowledge of the Hare Krishna sect beyond simple speculation, knows exactly what we are. So anyone who says different, is just ignorant, they have not done their homework, they rely on hearsay. So the fact is that anyone who has done research, and who is not trying to propagandize against the sect for some personal reason, understands the truth.

 

Here is what the worlds leading scholars have to say:

 

 

"[The biography] of Srila Prabhupada is pointed proof that one can be a transmitter of truth and still be a vital and singular person. ... At what almost anyone would consider a very advanced age, when most people would be resting on their laurels, he harkened to the mandate of his own spiritual teacher and set out on the difficult voyage to America. Srila Prabhupada is, of course, only one of thousands of teachers. But in another sense, he is one in a thousand, maybe one in a million."

 

—Dr. Harvey Cox

 

Harvard University

 

"Besides being a man of deep moral strength, humility, and holiness, he was genuinely renounced. Unlike many modern gurus, he was content to live as his disciples did. Even when his health failed and he returned to the blazing heat of Delhi for his recovery, he sought nothing better than a poorly furnished room, without air-conditioning, in a Hindu temple where he had resided before coming to America. Srila Prabhupada's life ... is the epitome of his ideal, an ideal that he set forth for others to follow. In an age of pervasive hypocrisy and cynicism, it is this kind of rare model that we need."

 

—Dr. J. Stillson Judah

 

Professor Emeritus, History of Religions

and Director of Libraries,

Graduate Theological Union

Berkeley, California

 

"His books are significant contributions to the salvation of mankind."

 

—Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri

 

Former Prime Minister of India

 

"The great contribution of Srila Prabhupada was not just that he taught spiritual values, not just that he provided the answers to life's inevitable and ultimate questions, but that he inspired people to live those values and realize the truth for themselves. Prabhupada's stature is awe-inspiring, and a consciousness radiated from him, steering many minds from material concerns to spiritual ones, helping them develop the inner strength to see that the 'self' could become a far more potent force than the body. In many parts of the world today men and women are seeking the consciousness Srila Prabhupada inspired, and his followers believe that happiness and world peace can be achieved by the way of life that Srila Prabhupada taught. For these Krishna conscious people, a new (though ancient) age is in the making. For them, a life of bliss, purity, responsibility, and civic service is no longer a dream belonging to a remote future, but is a vision almost within grasp. ... Srila Prabhupada was here in this world to show us how to live. His words and deeds ... have the ability to make us joyous and to set our souls free."

 

—Dr. Shaligram Shukla

 

Professor of Linguistics

Georgetown University

 

 

"The book Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, should prove to be an important addition to materials for college courses in religion. It is one of the best sources in English for gaining insight into the bhakti [devotional] religious tradition."

 

—Louis Roberts

 

Executive Chairman

Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures

Syracuse University

 

"Krishna is an important book both for the new student of the history of religions and for the professional scholar. It is a helpful and significant contribution to the growing phenomenon of interest in the religions of Asia."

 

–William A. Johnson

 

Professor of Philosophy

Brandeis University

 

"The Teachings of Lord Chaitanya is an authentic and lucid account, in English, of the life and philosophy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The spiritual movement initiated by 'the Great Master' five hundred years ago has profoundly influenced millions of men and women in India ever since, and is presently making its mark throughout the world. ... Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has done a great service to the English-speaking world by making this spiritual treasure available in English."

 

–Dr. K.L. Seshagiri Rao

 

Professor of Religious Studies

University of Virginia

 

"The Perfection of Yoga is most useful for anyone wishing to understand the meaning of yoga. It also introduces the student to the study of Bhagavad-gita and shows how direct and simple yet, in another sense, how profoundly complex is the path of spiritual growth through yoga practice. It is a scholarly book, yet has a direct personal meaning for all–a powerful combination."

 

–Dr. Frank Ledwith

 

Professor of Psychology

University of St. Andrews

Fife, Scotland

 

"I think the best feature of the Hare Krishna movement is that it is providing scholars with excellent translations of the rarest books on Krishna-bhakti [love of Krishna]."

 

–Dr. Larry D. Shinn

 

Danforth Professor of Religion

Oberlin College

 

"I have read Sri Bhaktivedanta Swami's books with great care, attention and profound interest, and have found them to be of incalculable value to anyone who is curious about India's spiritual and cultural heritage. The author of these books displays on every page an astounding scholarship in the subjects treated, and also an understanding and ease of exposition of abstruse ideas, which are rarest gifts."

 

–Dr. H.B. Kulkarni

 

Professor of English and Philosophy

Utah State University

 

"The publications of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust are very valuable documents and will no doubt become classics for the English reader of Indian religious literature."

 

–Dr. Jerry M. Chance

 

Chairman, Department of Philosophy and Religion

Florida A & M University

 

"These books are not only beautiful but also relevant to our times, as we as a nation search for new cultural patterns for our way of life."

 

–Dr. C.L. Spreadbury

 

Professor of Sociology

Stephen F. Austin State University

 

 

"This is a work to be treasured. No one of whatever faith or philosophical persuasion who reads these books with an open mind can fail to be both moved and impressed."

 

—Dr. Gary Gelade

 

Professor of Psychology

Oxford University

 

"It has been my great pleasure recently to have read the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the superb edition authored by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. ... I am sure this monumental work will go far to bring the sublime message of the Bhagavatam to numerous Westerners who would otherwise miss this opportunity."

 

—Dr. Alex Wayman

 

Professor of Sanskrit

Columbia University

 

"The Srimad-Bhagavatam is extremely useful for all those interested in ancient India, whether their interest be that of the philosopher, the student of religion, the historian, the linguist, the sociologist or the political scientist. ... Undoubtedly, this work is a great contribution to the troubled human society of today's world."

 

—Dr. Sooda L. Bhatt

 

Professor of Indian Languages

Boston University

 

"The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust editions of famous religious classics of India, with new translations and commentaries, are an important addition to our expanding knowledge of spiritual India The new edition of Srimad-Bhagavatam is particularly welcome."

 

—Dr. John L. Mish

 

formerly Chief, Oriental Division

New York Public Library

 

"For those who have no access to the Sanskrit language, these books convey, in a superb manner, the message of the Bhagavatam. In addition to being a scholarly work, it directly reflects the spiritual aspirations of a religious community which has gained considerable popularity in America."

 

—Dr. Alaka Hejib

 

Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies

Harvard University

 

"It is axiomatic that no book can be expected entirely to satisfy all its potential readers. Here is one, however, which can be said to come remarkably close to that ideal. ... We have here the ideal of what an edition of a Sanskrit text for a Western audience should be."

 

—Dr. R.E. Asher

 

Professor of Linguistics

University of Edinburgh

 

"In the diversity of religious approaches offered by the yogis of India, the most significant, of course, is the way of Krishna consciousness. It is amazing to see how Sri Bhaktivedanta Swami has in less than ten years succeeded, by his personal devotion, untiring energy and efficient direction, in organizing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Now, he has undertaken the stupendous project of rendering the entire Bhagavata, the great devotional classic of India, into English. His edition is learning blended with devotional feeling and inspired by a definite purpose of communicating the intense lyrical and devotional quality of the Bhagavata. Srila Prabhupada has done an excellent service by his able rendition of 'the abode of joy' that the Bhagavata is."

 

—Dr. Mahesh Mehta

 

Professor of Asian Studies

University of Windsor

Ontario, Canada

 

 

"It is a remarkable document of great historical and sociological importance, giving a picturesque presentation of the socio-religious climate in the India of Sri Caitanya's times and the far-reaching social and religious changes wrought by him. As a literary piece, it is regarded as a work of great merit, having no parallel in the whole of Bengali literature. As a religious text, its sanctity is comparable to that of the Bhagavad-gita. ... This English edition translated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is superb. It contains the original Sanskrit and Bengali verses with their English transliteration, synonyms and elaborate purports, easily bearing testimony to the author's profound knowledge of the subject."

 

—Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor

 

Emeritus Chairman and Professor

Department of Philosophy

Government Postgraduate College

Gyanpur, India

 

"I am most happy to have these handsomely printed volumes which embody the work of so learned and sincere a believer in the message of the Caritamrita."

 

—Dr. Daniel H.H. Ingalls

 

Chairman, Department of Sanskrit

and Indian Studies

Harvard University

 

"I can recommend Sri Caitanya-caritamrita as a source of rich insights for every serious student of consciousness."

 

—Dr. Rory O'Day

 

Department of Human Relations

University of Waterloo

Ontario, Canada

 

"It is a genuine joy to have this momentous biographical work on the life of Bengal's great saint Caitanya, prepared by his best-known modern interpreter, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada."

 

—Dr. Mark Juergensmeyer

 

Associate Professor of Ethics

and the Phenomenology of Religions

Graduate Theological Union

Berkeley, California

 

"Year by year, interest in Eastern religious thought and philosophy grows in America. The editing and translating of the important Sri Caitanya-caritamrita will make a substantial contribution to those who seek information about Indian concepts."

 

—Dr. Gerald A. Larue

 

Professor of Religion

University of Southern California

 

"The appearance of an English translation of Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami's Sri Caitanya-caritamrita by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami is a cause for celebration among both scholars in Indian studies and lay-people seeking to enrich their knowledge of Indian spirituality. ... It will fill a most serious lacuna in our libraries and in our courses on the religious traditions of India. ...

 

"For the first time we possess a readily accessible edition for this great religious classic that will provide an opportunity for scholars in Indian literature and followers of the Krishna consciousness tradition alike to compare the original text with a modern English translation and become acquainted with the deeper spiritual meaning of this work through the learned commentary of Sri Bhaktivedanta. ...

 

"Anyone who gives a close reading to the commentary will sense that here, as in his other works, Sri Bhaktivedanta has combined a healthy mixture of the fervent devotion and aesthetic sensitivity of the devotee and the intellectual rigor of a textual scholar. At no point does the author allow the intended meaning of the text to be eclipsed by the promotion of a particular doctrinal persuasion. ...

 

"These exquisitely wrought volumes will be a welcome addition to the libraries of all persons who are committed to the study of Indian spirituality and religious literature, whether their interests are sparked by the motivations of the scholar, the devotee, or the general reader."

 

—Dr. J. Bruce Long

 

Department of Asian Studies

Cornell University

 

[Guest guest]

well i guess what i'm asking now is Does the Hare Krishna movement forsake the religious beliefs of Hinduism? b/c i know this is a major topic between the two, but i think, from what you tell me, i'll be able to prove that the hare Krishna movement doesn't but it will then contradict the religion of Hinduism.

[Guest guest]

You need to read what I wrote more carefully. There is no single Hindu religion. There are many Hindu religions with different beliefs. Ours is one of them. Hinduism is a word used like Christianity, there are many different Christian religions, there are also many different Hindu religions, all are at odds with each other.

 

Exactly like the Christian religions are at odds with each other. Or the Muslim Shi'as are at odds with the Sunnis, and they are both at odds with the Sufis, and they are all at odds with the Wahhabis. Judaism has different religions at odds with each other as well, you have Reform Judaism, Rabbinical Judaism, Noahide Judaism, Hassidic Judaism, Kabbalah etc.

 

In every Major Religious group, Islam, Christian, Judaism, Hindu, Buddhist, There are numerous religions all claiming to be the best true voice of the Religion as a whole. So to say that the Hare Krishna sect is different then other Hindu sects is correct, there are literally thousands of Hindu sects, each is unique and each claims to be the best. We find the exact same phenomena in all religions. Catholics say they are the only way and every other Christian is a heretic, Baptists say Catholics are in league with Satan, Conservative Jews say Kabbalists are totally bogus, Hassidic Jews say other Jews are not even really Jewish, Wahhabi muslims say all other muslims are not muslim and can be killed...the beat goes on.