The Hare Krishna Movement...

[LeoViridis]

chanting just about anything does something

 

Yep.

Chanting works irrespective of what is chanted.

It's a pretty good cultivation for quieting a 'monkey mind' is repetition.

Doesn't have to be out loud but that's said to be more effective than silent repetition.

The HK mantra is quite a long one.

I prefer something shorter but each to their own.

Nembutsu does it for me.

 

I am aware of that, however, I still think that simply chanting will not achieve the end goal of liberation from karma and reincarnation. Even if you chant for 12 hours a day, you may still end up making certain decisions, which will affect your karma, and nothing will change.

 

 

 

Well, many of the things you list are typical of a cult, and I'm not advocating joining the Krsna movement, but just to mention a few good parts from my pt of view...

 

There's a major Krsna temple in Culver City and their restaraunt, "Govinda's", serves *excellent* food; I often go there when I'm in that part of town. I've also read some sections of the Baghavad Gita and it seems to me a spiritual classic. The scene where Arjuna drives his chariot out to the middle of the battlefield, sees friends and relatives on both sides, and throws down his weapons ... and then dialogs with his charioteer (Krsna)... is a very moving metaphor for life. Also the central of "live life while keeping your consciousness focused on God (or an enlightened intermediary)" is central to many religions. I've been to a few chants at the Krsna temple and the vibe is a lot more pleasant and refined than around town generally. So, all that

 

Would I join the community, follow all their rules, lock stock & barrel, the whole schmeer? No.

Is approaching people at airports with the Gita in hand silly? Yup.

 

- Trunk

 

Well, honestly speaking, it's hard for me not to think of the Hare Krishna Movement as not being a cult. Seems like most of what they practice/teach is standard for cults... that in itself raises certain concerns.

 

 

I would be very grateful if someone could relate to me, in their own words, the advice given by Krisna to Arjuna.

 

Thank you in advance.

...

 

He basically told Arjuna, that he should perform his duties. Krishna is evidently most devoted to those, who are devoted to their duties...

 

 

...

I always rather enjoyed Prabhupada's writings, as a matter of fact.

 

I never thought of joining the cult.

 

I'm not a joiner.

 

Or should that be I'm not a follower?

 

I'm really not sure.

 

But that's a magnificent contribution Nungali!

 

Keep it up!

 

God bless ya man!

 

Salute the flute!

 

...

 

I've read a few book Prabhupada wrote, but somehow ended up disliking them. Perhaps because he dissed any other spiritual movement and cultivation, or because his work is ridden with his opinion and the reader has no chance to create their own opinion. I've read some of the Bhagavad-Gita, without Prabhupad's commentaries, and I must say, I enjoyed it more that way. Still not my thing though.

 

 

...

 

He might have had a point.

 

Do we have room for a Krishnaism or similar sub forum?

 

I dig a pony?

 

Across The Universe?

 

Dear old John and George, dearly departed, very much missed.

 

Love 'em all.

 

Not sure quite what happened to Paul...

 

 

Oh yeah.

 

Toynbee Tiles.

 

All roads lead to Esalen.

...

 

Prabhupad's end goal for ISKCON was for it to dominate the world in political, economical, cultural and religious areas, from what I've read. They would have a police and court force, enforcing the 4 regulative principles, and would guide the world according to "God's law". I wouldn't enjoy a world like that though.

[Captain Mar-Vell]

...

He basically told Arjuna, that he should perform his duties. Krishna is evidently most devoted to those, who are devoted to their duties.

 

Yes.

 

You just summed up the Bhagavad Gita quite nicely.

 

Thank you sir.

 

Prabhupad's end goal for ISKCON was for it to dominate the world in political, economical, cultural and religious areas, from what I've read. They would have a police and court force, enforcing the 4 regulative principles, and would guide the world according to "God's law". I wouldn't enjoy a world like that though.

 

Quite so.

 

Not at all what I have in mind.

 

I was thinking more in terms of a Federation of Free Sovereign Individuals.

...

[GrandmasterP]

@LeoViridis.

"I still think that simply chanting will not achieve the end goal of liberation from karma and reincarnation. Even if you chant for 12 hours a day, you may still end up making certain decisions, which will affect your karma, and nothing will change. "

 

That's a fair comment and perhaps you are correct.

There are however those who might claim contrary to our own viewpoint...Positing chanting as a 'convenient method' towards attainment.

For example......

 

http://www.buddhist-elibrary.org/library/view.php?adpath=134

Edited April 6, 2014 by GrandmasterP

[LeoViridis]

@LeoViridis.

"I still think that simply chanting will not achieve the end goal of liberation from karma and reincarnation. Even if you chant for 12 hours a day, you may still end up making certain decisions, which will affect your karma, and nothing will change. "

 

That's a fair comment and perhaps you are correct.

There are however those who might claim contrary to our own viewpoint...Positing chanting as a 'convenient method' towards attainment.

For example......

 

http://www.buddhist-elibrary.org/library/view.php?adpath=134

 

Fair enough, however, I personally wouldn't entrust all my time to chanting, in hopes of gaining liberation. I would pursue other methods.

[Nungali]

[mYTHmAKER]

[Nungali]

A parrot will only reflect who he hangs out with

 

 

 

 

 

[LeoViridis]

Never saw a parrot singing Hare Krishna before, haha.

[Dainin]

It's usually an elementary penguin that's singing Hare Krishna, not a parrot.