Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

(from my text at beliefnet)

It shouldnt be too hard to see the difference. In short, Prabhupada was against rajogunic and tamogunic aspects of current hinduism whose degeneration started with Adi Sankaras pancopasana based on advaita. He didnt want to see sanatana dharma (in its original meaning of the eternal bhakti-yoga, devotional relationship between jiva and Isvara, Bhagavan) mixed with those aspects.

We accept all traditions as various levels of understanding and worshiping of Isvara and offer an upgrade. Thus Prabhupada encouraged Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc. to become better Jews, etc. by focusing on bhakti aspects of their own traditions.

If we use the word hindu, its in cases when there is no place and time to explain differences like in press releases. ISKCON scholars speak about Vaisnava tradition within hinduism, while clarifying differences.

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Its not about banning hindus but preaching to all, not just hindus (which seems easier).

What about Srila Prabhupada saying we are not hindus? Is there a fear of being out of the "mainstream" current?
I heard some devotees say that otherwise we will be left out of the "experts" analysis in history.
When we became dependent "expert" adoring?
Afais, the term hindu in iskcon is causing more harm and confusion than anything else.
Why not stick to the simple, no we are not hindus? And, yes, take a little time to explain vaishnavism. No time? Chant Hare Krishna. No chanting? Give them some prasadam.

According to scholars, even Iskcon scholars like Satyaraja Prabhu, Krishna Kshetra Prabhu and Garuda Prabhu; Iskcon is a branch of Gaudya Vaisnavas or Chaitanya Vaisnavas. Vaisnavism is part of Sanatan Dharma, Hinduism is a degraded version of Sanatan Dharma. Hinduism is divided in 4 sects or branches: vaisnavas, shaivas, shaktas and smartas.

Rejects that we are part of India'b4s culture and religion is nonsense, our way to dress, eat, worship, names etc etc is part of "indian culture or hindu culture"

Prabhupada very enfatically never wanted that Iskcon will be part of other mayavadis groups like Maha Rishi, Rajneesth etc that were on vogue on the 60 and 70.

In my personal card its stated my name and then HINDU VAISNAVA PRIEST, so I identify myself as a vaisnava but also what everybody knows better hinduism.

At the same time, Prabhupada always encouraged devotees to help local people to join, unfortunately nowdays most of the temples in the west their congregation are indians, and the temple devotees are indians or from eastern Europe.

There are opinions for everybody, but Iskcon was severely criticised by HINDUISM TODAY MAGAZINE for not being clear about its hindu or non hindu affiliation.

We are not hindus but we say we are when it will benefit us.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used the word hindu:

uc0u346 ru299 Caitanya Caritu257 mru803 ta u256 di 17.159

prabhu kahe, '97 vede kahe go-vadha nisu803 edha
ataeva hindu-mu257 tra nu257 kare go-vadha

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe '97 the Lord replied; vede '97 in the Vedas; kahe '97 is enjoined; go-vadha '97 cow-killing; nisu803 edha '97 prohibition; ataeva '97 therefore; hindu '97 Hindu; mu257 tra '97 any; nu257 '97 does not; kare '97 execute; go-vadha '97 cow-killing.

TRANSLATION

Refuting the Kazis statement, the Lord immediately replied, "The Vedas clearly enjoin that cows should not be killed. Therefore every Hindu, whoever he may be, avoids indulging in cow-killing."

There was a really interesting class given at the 2006 ICELT (ISKCON Communications Europe Leadership Team) called: "Am I a Hindu? Yes, no or when it suits me?" by Rembert Lutjeharms

It was podcasted but I cant find the link. Its really worth a listen.

..no, krishna consciouness pre-dates " hinduism " by billions upon trillions of years,ie: vaisnavism is eternal.

[quote][cite] ekendra:[/cite]There was a really interesting class given at the 2006 ICELT (ISKCON Communications Europe Leadership Team) called: "Am I a Hindu? Yes, no or when it suits me?" by Rembert Lutjeharms[/quote]

http://www.iskcon.com/audio/hindu.mp3

[quote][cite] VEDA:[/cite][quote][cite] ekendra:[/cite]There was a really interesting class given at the 2006 ICELT (ISKCON Communications Europe Leadership Team) called: "Am I a Hindu? Yes, no or when it suits me?" by Rembert Lutjeharms[/quote]

http://www.iskcon.com/audio/hindu.mp3[/quote]

Something might be wring a the link it only plays for a few seconds (for me anyway)

abrennan: right click on the link and "save link as" to download the mp3.

good on you mate hearing it now very interesting

20 megabytes those who are intereted

Most hindus are confused about spiritual life,as they have been cheated by fake gurus[ex.sai Baba],impersonal philosophy,Buddhism etc and in recent history,were invaded by christian and islamic rogues,who forced them into such faiths.India is now influenced by such demoniac invaders,and when Indians saw that westerners are adopting vaisnavism,they gain back faith in Vedic literatures:Vedas means knowledge,not hindu...