Q. Hare Krishna and Hinduism A. The terms Hare Krishna and Hinduism are intimately connected, yet not synonymous. The word ‘Hindu’ was first used by Persians to denote ‘those South of the Indus River’. It has come to include the many diverse strands of Indian and Vedic culture which make up Hinduism, the world’s third …
Q. Where do the teachings come from? A. Although the Hare Krishna movement has only been established in the West since 1966, its roots extend thousands of years into India’s past. The lifestyle and philosophical beliefs are based on ancient scriptures known as the Vedas. Originally preserved in the spoken word, the Vedas were written …
Q. I thought that Sampradaya applies only to those initiated in disciplic succession (according to BG AS IT IS). For eg. I am not initiated in the ISKCON sampradaya at present. But I don’t think that it would be right if I claim to be part of the sampradaya. My question arises due to the …
Q. Are the Hare Krishnas buddhists? A. No. Practitioners of Bhakti accept the Vedas as authority, whereas Buddhists follow the teachings of Buddha. The philosophy of Bhakti is quite different from what Buddha taught. Simply put, Buddhism teaches that the ultimate truth is void or nothingness and the goal of meditation is to lose our …
Q. Where can I find a list of disciplic succession starting from Krishna moving down? A. The disciplic succession from the Brahma-Gaudiya sampradaya is listed in the beginning of Bhagavad-gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada. There are four bona fide disciplic successions which all originate from the Supreme Lord Krishna, then coming respectively through …
Q. In india there are so many ‘Sampradaya’. They all are Vaishnavas but they don’t follow the ‘Vaishnava principles’ strictly.But they have faith on GOD according to their knowledge and understanding. So how to behave with such devotees? Is GOD really pleased with their worship? In Maharashtra there is such a Sampraday ‘VARAKARI’ Sampradaya. Is …