The Hare Krishna Arrival
Paramahamsa Yogananda established the Self Realization Foundation and was one of the first people who came from India to make a very big impression on the hearts and minds of the people in the West. Not too long after that Guru Mahesh Yogi introduced Transcendental Meditation and it quickly became a huge industry. Since then there have been several others like Yogi Bhajan who founded the 3HO organization and Muktananda who introduced Siddha Yoga. They all brought bits and pieces of the great Vedic teachings and left profound impression on the many who took the time to listen to what they had to say.
Yet if we look closely at all of the other ambassadors from India over the last 100 years, nobody comes close to matching the impact, contribution, philosophy and accomplishments achieved by Bhaktivedanta Swami. In 12 years he started, nurtured, and firmly establish a huge international religious revival that is now commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement. (Legally known as the “International Society for Krishna Consciousness.” ISKCON.) Although he left departed our presence in November of 1977, what he gave the world continues to grow exponentially.
In 1965, at the age of 69, Srila Prabhupada traveled to New York City aboard a cargo ship. The journey was treacherous, and the elderly spiritual teacher suffered 2 heart attacks aboard ship. Arriving in the United States with just 7 dollars in Indian rupees and his translations of sacred Sanskrit texts, he began to spread the teachings of Krishna consciousness. His spiritual message resonated with many young people, some of whom came forward to become serious students of the Krishna tradition. With the help of these students, Srila Prabhupada rented a small storefront on New York’s Lower East Side to use as a temple. On July 11, 1966, he officially registered his organization in the state of New York, formally founding the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
In the 11 years that followed, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe 14 times on lecture tours, bringing the teachings of Lord Krishna to thousands of people on 6 continents. Men and women from all backgrounds and walks of life came forward to accept his message, and with their help, Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON centers and projects throughout the world. Under his inspiration, Krishna devotees established temples, rural communities, and educational institutions and started what would become the world’s largest vegetarian food relief program. With the desire to nourish the roots of Krishna consciousness in its home, Srila Prabhupada returned to India several times, where he sparked a revival in the Vaishnava tradition. In India, he opened dozens of temples, including large centers in the holy towns of Vrindavana and Mayapur.
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Srila Prabhupada’s most significant contributions, perhaps, are his books. He authored over 70 volumes on the Krishna tradition, which are highly respected by scholars for their authority, depth, fidelity to the tradition and clarity. Several of his works are used as textbooks in university courses. His writings have been translated into 76 languages. His most prominent work include: Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the multi-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam and the set of Sri Caitanya-caritamrita books.
Today the Hare Krishna movement continues to grow at an astonishing rate, particularly in Eastern Europe as well as India. Unfortunately many people are not clear about what the devotees of Krishna are offering the world. Barbara Bradley Hagerty is a contributor to National Public Radio and provides some clear answers to basic foundation questions about this extraordinary movement that continues to capture the hearts of those seeking profound answers to their own profound questions: Link from National Public Radio:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90643796
Don’t miss your opportunity to have your own questions answered from some the few surviving disciples of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami at the next AVA meeting! You will be glad you came!