I received a questionnaire/interview from a student doing a thesis on the Hare Krsna Movement. I thought my reply might be of some interest here. I quote the ten questions on the questionnaire as I go along.

Hi,

1. What is the basic belief structure of Hare Krishna?

"Hare Krsna" is a nickname based on the central mantra or prayer employed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas. The actual name of the movement is Gaudiya Vaisnavism (Bengali Vaisnavism or Caitanya Vaisnavism).

Gaudiya Vaisnavism is a Hindu sect based on the teachings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 - 1534), based on the teachings of Srila Madhvacharya (1238-1317) and reaching back thousands of years (or more). Gaudiya Vaisnavas believe Caitanya was a combined incarnation (avatar) of Sri Krsna and his consort Srimati Radharani.

There are several sects (mathas) and each has its own structure. In general, each structure is based on the guru-student relationship. The central pillar is bhakti yoga (devotional service to God.)

2. What drew you to be a follower of the Hare Krishna Movement?

I was seeking God back in 1974 and came across a devotee under a freeway overpass escaping a rain shower. As we waited out the storm and talked I became more interested in the teachings. I visited the local temple, where Srila Prabhupada was making his first and only visit to the area (I took/take this as a great boon). Seeing and hearing him I was deeply moved and pursued his teachings.

3. Who founded Krishna Consciousness?

Sri Krsna.

According to the Mahabharata scriptures, about 6000 years ago there was a war on the plains of Kuruksetra, India. Just before this war began Sri Krsna revealed the "Creme of Vedic religion" to a man named Arjuna. Those teachings are recorded in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita (literally "the Song of God")  is the heart of Vaisnavism and the most widely respected and accepted of all Indian/Hindu scriptures.

Over the centuries people debated and expanded on its teachings. Srila Madhvacharya (famous proponent of Dvaita Vedanta -- Dualism Teaching) carried on an unbroken lineage of guru-teacher (parampara) reaching back to Krsna. Finally Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu clarified these teachings (as acintya-bhedābheda-tattva -- the Inconceivable Oneness and Diversity of Form) and taught the Six Gosvamis of Vrndavana.

Through them the teachings passed to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. He passed the teachings on to his disciples.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja instructed his disciples to bring the teachings to America and Europa. The disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta did not believe deep spirituality was possible among the materialistic Westerners and so they did not come. Only one disciple obeyed the order, and he only when he was very old: His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta (September 1, 1896 – November 14, 1977) -- known fondly as Srila Prabhupada by his disciples. He came to the US in 1965 and planted the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Sadly the Gaudiya concerns proved to be well founded as Prabhupada was betrayed (and according to some murdered by arsenic poisoning) by certain of his primary disciples. Most of us left ISKCON shortly after this happened.

After Srila Prabhupada's passing a few of his Gaudiya matha god brothers began accepting Western disciples from among those who had left ISKCON and making new ones in the West. While I am no longer active in Gaudiya Vaisnavism I am a recognized brahman with the Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Matha established by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami's most senor disciple, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Goswami Maharaj. The Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Matha  is now led by his chosen and honorable disciple His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Maharaja.

ISKCON, in direct violation of Prabhupada's specific orders, is now ruled by a governing body counsel (GBC) that oversees a host of semi-independent gurus of questionable qualification. Most members of ISKCON today are the disciples of the new GBC appointed gurus.

4. As a branch of Hinduism, how is Krishna Consciousness different?

Aside from the preponderance of Western disciples, the main difference is how Sri Krsna is viewed. Traditional Hinduism typically believes the ultimate form of the divine is defined as a Trinity of co-equal Gods: Brahma (the Creator), Visnu (the Sustainer: with Krsna as an avatar or incarnation of Visnu) and Siva (the Transformer/Destroyer).
Gaudiya Vaisnavas believe that transcending this Trimurti (or Trinity: Three Beings in One God) Krsna exists as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that Visnu is his primal expansion or avatar.

Understand however that "Hinduism" is actually a misnomer. The closest thing to a accurate unifying name is Sanatana Dharma or Universal Truth. Popular Hinduism is made up of innumerable sects. Gaudiya Vaisnavism is but one of many and fits well into Hindu orthodoxy.

5. Do Krishna Consciousness devotees try to convert others as is done in Christianity?

This is another uniqueness of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Most Hindus do not seek converts, Gaudiya Vaisnavas do. Unlike Christianity (and Islam) however they do not believe they are the only way to God, merely a good way. Seeing the rampant hypocrisy and lack of spirituality in Western religion Gaudiya Vaisnavas believe they offer a way back to spirituality that, they perceive, is lacking in Christianity today. There are innumerable paths to the One. In the Vedic literature we read:

Ekam Sat: Vipra Bahudha Vadante:
"Truth is one; sages call It by various names."

And again as we read in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 3.9.1:

"Then Vidaghdha, son of Shakala, asked him, "How many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

Yajnavalkya, ascertaining the number through a group of mantras known as the Nivid, replied, "As many as are mentioned in the Nivid of the gods: three hundred and three, and three thousand and three."

"Very good," said the son of Shakala, "and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

"Thirty-three."

"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

"Six."

"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

"Three."

"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

"Two."

"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

"One and a half."

"Very good, and how many gods are there, Yajnavalkya?"

"Ek [one]."

6. How does one reach enlightenment through Krishna Consciousness?

The best way to enlightenment according to Gaudiya Vaisnavism is Bhakti Yoga or devotional service to God.
All actions ("karma") produce reactions ("karma"). These actions and reactions cause illusion ("maya") and ignorance ("avidya"). The soul forgets his/her true nature as a servant of God and becomes enslaved to material nature.
Actions performed as sacrifices to God however produce neutral reactions, allowing the soul ("jiva or "atman") to attain spiritual consciousness. Both positive and negative actions result in rebirth ("samsara"), but neutral actions, acts of devotional service, free the soul.

The central method of practicing Bhakti Yoga is mantra jap or chanting the names of God. There are many mantras however the main one Caitanya advocated is the Hare Krsna Maha mantra ("the Great Chant of Hare and Krsna"):

HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

It is taught that through the grace of ones guru this mantra gradually purifies the consciousness and leads to Krsna consciousness (God consciousness). The mantra is repeated on a set of 108 beads a minimum of 1728 times daily (but ideally 6912 times each day).

Also needed is regular deity ("murti") worship and the observe of four main regulations:

No eating of meat, fish, or eggs.
No gambling
No use of intoxicants
No illicit sex.

Beyond this, one is to fully serve Krsna at all times and to maintain God's worship as the focus of all ones activities.

7. In Christianity, most people go to church on Sundays. Is this true with Hare Krishna as well, are there particular days set aside to go to Temple to worship?

Practically every day is a holy day in Hinduism. There are specific days for fasting (ekadasi) etc. Sundays are generally viewed as good days for community worship, not because Sunday is sacred but because people usually have it off from work anyway. There is not a specific weekly holy day. Throughout the West temples usually hold week public worship and feasts on Sundays but devout Gaudiya Vaisnavas hold every days a sacred. The deities receive offerings, baths, changes of clothing, worship, etc. several times a day whether people are there or not.

8. Does Hare Krishna go by the caste system like Hinduism?

No. Vaisnavas have a long history of opposing what the caste system became. Originally known as the Varnashrama Dharma the system was good for society, however in time it was abused and began enslaving people instead of liberating them. There are dreams of one day restoring the original system but the Caste System as practiced is roundly rejected.

9. Do you feel Krishna Consciousness is gaining in popularity?

No.
Like all Hindu sects, I believe Gaudiya Vaisnavism in all its sects is dying. Christian and Muslim missionaries coupled with the introduction of Western greed-based culture is killing India, its people and its ancient way of life.

You may find the information contained here of interest:
Threat to Hinduism
 
Had Srila Prabhupada's teachings been observed as he envisioned I believe things may have gone very differently. As it is, everything is falling away now.

10. What advice could you offer to someone who is thinking about becoming a Hare Krishna Devotee?

Read Prabhupada's books carefully and accept them as your guide.

Associate with Gaudiya Vaisnavas of whatever sect, but practice only what Prabhupada directly taught in his books. Everything needed is there.

It is essential to accept an initiating spiritual master (a diksha guru) under this system but use caution in selecting one and do not accept one from ISKCON. I recommend His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Maharaja.

Prabhupada promised he would live on his books. Understand them.
Before even considering initiation carefully read and study at least Prabhupada's Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, his two volume Krsna Book, his translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam (all cantos he translated), his entire translation of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, and his Nectar of Devotion. Read all of his books, but these should be the minimum understood before considering first initiation in my opinion.

These can be read online for free or purchased: http://prabhupadabooks.com/

Hope this helps,
~ Jagannatha dasa (Jagannatha Prakasa)
~ John of AllFaith 

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