On ISKON

ISKON, International Society for Krishna Conscious, Hare Krishnas. Whatever you call them, they have, for better or worse, become the face of Hinduism in the west.

The first question is "Who are they?" In a nutshell, they're a Hindu sect that focuses on activly converting people to their sect. They have a fixation upon Shree Krishna, elevating Him to (or above) Brahman. They believe that in this yuga, Shree Krishna is most potent in His verbal form, so they chant their simple, signature mantra:

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

Second question is "Where'd they come from?" They're originally from India, but didn't really gain publicity or steam until members started showing up in the US around the 70's. They found willing converts among the hippies, who were more than willing to experiment with new and exotic things, from drugs and sexual practices to religion and spirituality. Unfortunately, that's given them a bad stigma and undermined whatever little credibility they had. However, they're still alive and kicking. Despite the stigma attached to their original audience, the criticism they've faced, and various scandals, they're still going strong.

Unfortunately, the Hare Krishnas have, more or less, become the poster children of western Hinduism. While I have no personal grudge against it's members, it's philosophies and teachings are only tangentially related to Santana Dharma. It's been likened to Eastern Christianity, and it's not hard to see why. It focuses, almost exclusively, on a single entity, has a huge emphasis on converting non-believers, and focuses on attaining some Heavenly afterlife. Compared to Hinduism, which focuses on something beyond description, has standing orders AGAINST aggressive conversion, and has an ultimate goal of moksha, Hare Krishnas have done more than a little philosophical twisting. As such, the view on Hinduism, an already hard-to-grasp and intricate faith, is now tinged an off-blue color.

In addition to their inadvertent PR nightmare, the Hare Krishnas have a few philosophical problems. While they're well-meaning, they have a few logistical problems. The biggest flaw I see is how one's next life is determined. According to them, whatever you're thinking of when you die determines your next life. On the surface, that makes sense. If you're thinking about money, you'll be born a banker (or poor, depending on your karma.) Thinking of sex will turn you into an animal so you can have sex all the time. Thinking about Krishna will earn you eternal bliss, as your soul would go to join His. That sounds great and water-proof, but there's a problem. For that to work out, you'd have to be a spiritual sprinter. You had to make the leap from materialistic desires to Krishna in a single lifetime. So if you tried and failed, you had better have failed hard. Else, you'll end up being Shiva's little toe for the rest of eternity instead of having a second go at attaining Krishna Conscious. Obviously, there's some problems with their system.

However, for all their detriments, ISKON does provide a much-needed stepping stone for Westerners. It's message is easily grasped, and it makes a point of being open and inviting to non-Desis. Hinduism does the exact opposite. It's fairly hard to wrap your mind around it, the pre-requisite cultural reference points, lack of any definitive system or entrance point, and general inter-twining with lineage-/birth-based culture makes it extremely hostile to anyone who wasn't born "into the system." Honestly, that's a shame. Hinduism has so much to offer, and so many people are in total bliss of it because it's care-takers haven't done their job in maintaining it in all it's glory.

Well, I lied. I do hold a personal grudge against ISKON. Since Krishna is one of my favorite Avatars, if not my #1, I don't appreciate the huge number of "Hare Krishna" renditions clogging up soundcloud and youtube.

I would write more, but a stats test over yonder and calc homework calls to me.

Naa Varain!