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How does ISKCON differ from Mainstream Hinduism?

ronki23

Well-Known Member
ISKCON is supposed to be Gaudiya Vaishnavism so how does it differ from other schools of Hinduism? To me they're like the embarrassing sibling in the Hindu family
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
They're more Abrahamic in nature. At least the Western converts usually are. They also are very fervent in prostelysizing, something Hindus don't really care for. Of course this is usually more prevelant in Western converts. They are more monotheistic in nature, viewing Krishna as the ultimate source but often without the "rest of the hierarchy." Therefore they stick to their own specific Kirshna only brand of temples.
But again I must stress this might vary from practitioner to practitioner.
I tend to get along better with "Eastern" Hare Krishnas than their Western counterparts, generally speaking of course.

I suppose like everything it has its positives and negatives, many reliant upon the individual, not necessarily reflective of the entire group.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
ISKCON is supposed to be Gaudiya Vaishnavism so how does it differ from other schools of Hinduism? To me they're like the embarrassing sibling in the Hindu family
When did diversity embarrass Hinduism? Even Gaudiya Vaishnavism has its own schisms.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
They're more Abrahamic in nature. At least the Western converts usually are. They also are very fervent in prostelysizing, something Hindus don't really care for. Of course this is usually more prevelant in Western converts. They are more monotheistic in nature, viewing Krishna as the ultimate source but often without the "rest of the hierarchy." Therefore they stick to their own specific Kirshna only brand of temples.
But again I must stress this might vary from practitioner to practitioner.
I tend to get along better with "Eastern" Hare Krishnas than their Western counterparts, generally speaking of course.

I suppose like everything it has its positives and negatives, many reliant upon the individual, not necessarily reflective of the entire group.

It may be a relevant factor that Prabhupada attended a Christian college he referred to as a "missionary college“ (Scottish Churches College) where there was an obligatory daily Bible class, led by a teacher he was friends with (Reverend Urquhard). Source: Krishna meets Jesus - A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada's Interpretations and Conclusions about Christianity by Peter Schmidt (p. 94) and Vedabase (please don’t ask me where :shrug:).

Also, I suppose ISKCON temples often are the only Hindu temples in parts of the world regions where there is no Hindu majority. In the temple I attend in Germany, most Indians come only for the prasadam.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Also, I suppose ISKCON temples often are the only Hindu temples in parts of the world regions where there is no Hindu majority. In the temple I attend in Germany, most Indians come only for the prasadam.
Well, they come, bow to the deity. That done, how can one ignore prasadam/blessings? It will be considered a slight to the deity. It is not they are looking for free food. They donate to the temple chest. Moreover, eating prasada with friends and family is double delight. Thankful that deity makes it happen. That is the take.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
Well, they come, bow to the deity. That done, how can one ignore prasadam/blessings? It will be considered a slight to the deity. It is not they are looking for free food. They donate to the temple chest. Moreover, eating prasada with friends and family is double delight. Thankful that deity makes it happen. That is the take.

Of course, you are right, dear @Aupmanyav . How could I forget the blessings of the deity? However, I can't help but noticing that there are relatively few Indians actually attending the kirtan and lecture, and if they attend, many bow down to the guru respectfully and then leave quietly after a couple of minutes. It may be my subjective interpretation but I always had the feeling they might think ISKCON preaching is not suitable for them. However, maybe it's just my "Christian" expectation that you don't leave the sanctuary in the middle of the "sermon".
 

Amani_Bhava

Member
ISKCON is supposed to be Gaudiya Vaishnavism so how does it differ from other schools of Hinduism? To me they're like the embarrassing sibling in the Hindu family
They are not embarrassing but they have a cultish fervour that strikes "mainstream" Hindus as rather strange.

This YouTube video exemplifies the behaviour I am speaking of


namaste

A_B
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Of course, you are right, dear @Aupmanyav . However, I can't help but noticing that there are relatively few Indians actually attending the kirtan and lecture, and if they attend, many bow down to the guru respectfully and then leave quietly after a couple of minutes. It may be my subjective interpretation but I always had the feeling they might think ISKCON preaching is not suitable for them. However, maybe it's just my "Christian" expectation that you don't leave the sanctuary in the middle of the "sermon".
That is not obligatory. It is between the deity and the worshiper. When the worshiper is before the deity, he/she talks to the deity and they have their equation. It is not like Namaz or Sunday sermons.

Your last line is true. ISKCON teaching is not for every one but the deity is for every one. Srimati Radharani and Nandagopala is for every Hindu. I would not be interested in ISKCON views, since I am an atheist advaitist. Though I know their teaching and respect it since it is a part of Hinduism.

Welcome to the forum, Amani-Bhava.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
That is not obligatory. It is between the deity and the worshiper. When the worshiper is before the deity, he/she talks to the deity and they have their equation. It is not like Namaz or Sunday sermons..

Well, ISKCON is an extremely group-oriented faith. Prabhupada says that somebody who worships the deity in the temple but doesn't obey the devotees is a "third-class devotee". And Gaudiya Vaishnavas make polemical statements about people who leave the group to chant solitarily.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
That is Prabhupada's and ISKCON's view. When I am in a group the deities leave me. They do not want to share my company with others. So, what is important? Deities or congregation? :)
 
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sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
ISKCON is supposed to be Gaudiya Vaishnavism so how does it differ from other schools of Hinduism? To me they're like the embarrassing sibling in the Hindu family
An ordinary Indian Hindu Vaishnav will be a family man/woman, with an idol of Krishna and Radha in the house altar room. He/She will offer a daily puja in the morning and in the evening, nothing extravagant, just a simple and sincere ritual. Once a month/quarter the family may arrange a sat-sand with gita recitation in the house or go to one big event of that kind in the neighborhood. At the big events (birth-day of krishna etc.) they will go to a big temple or arrange a big puja at the house. In all other aspects they will lead an ordinary mainstream life, be an average Joe and Jane of society. They will probably be vegetarian in diet , though that is not much of a stand out thing in India.

Now you can compare this to how devotees in ISKCON live their lives.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
If they have young children, they would dress them as Krishna and Radha on Janmashtami. Of course, that will also involve preparations of sweets and hailing the birth of Lord Krishna right and 12 o'clock in the night (unless they go by the exact astrological time - Muhurta).

Children dressed as Radha and Krishna - Google Search:
Muslims_celebrate_Hindu_festivals_dress_up_Hinduism_culture_Fancy_dress.jpg

thequint%2F2016-08%2Feb402e82-cc71-43ee-8b90-d4c229d63952%2F6c054066-8b8f-4578-9253-9631405f18c1.jpg

Radhas and Krishnas in the school
janmashtami-cps.jpg
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
ISKCON is supposed to be Gaudiya Vaishnavism so how does it differ from other schools of Hinduism? To me they're like the embarrassing sibling in the Hindu family
ISKCON is for the masses who do not have the need to genuinely understand Reality. The Mainstream Hinduism lies in Advaita Vedanta but God exists.
 
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Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
ISKCON is for the masses who do not have the need to genuinely understand Reality. The Mainstream Hinduism lies in Advaita Vedanta but God exists.
Advaita Vedanta is pretty common, and traditional, but I wouldn't call it mainstream. To me, there is no such thing as mainstream Hinduism. I don't think it's accurate to have one school in 10 000 schools considered the mainstream one.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
ISKCON is supposed to be Gaudiya Vaishnavism so how does it differ from other schools of Hinduism? To me they're like the embarrassing sibling in the Hindu family

If I had to put it in one sentence, I'd say that ISKCON devotees preach and proselytize and want to turn you into an ISKCON devotee, whereas most traditions in Hinduism don't seek to make converts. However, being a "convert" myself in a non-Hindu land, I obviously cannot speak for the majority in Hinduism, so please correct me if I am wrong.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
If I had to put it in one sentence, I'd say that ISKCON devotees preach and proselytize and want to turn you into an ISKCON devotee, whereas most traditions in Hinduism don't seek to make converts. However, being a "convert" myself in a non-Hindu land, I obviously cannot speak for the majority in Hinduism, so please correct me if I am wrong.

In my experience, (which admittedly is also quite limited) the only people I've encountered that might rival the proselytizing zeal ISKCON is known for are followers of certain Gurus more or less within Hinduism. I've met Sai Baba people like that, but more recently Sadhguru people like that. It seems every single comment or conversation is just a quote from the Guru and not much else. It reminds me of the proselytizers on here who do the same. It's annoying to be sure, but mostly you have to look past that (because it's often just an immature attitude of an individual) and deeper into the actual philosophy.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Yeah, immature and annoying. Hindus in general do not appreciate it though they may visit Hare-Krishna temples and donate money too.
 
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Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
It seems every single comment or conversation is just a quote from the Guru and not much else. It reminds me of the proselytizers on here who do the same. It's annoying to be sure, but mostly you have to look past that (because it's often just an immature attitude of an individual) and deeper into the actual philosophy.

I am no specialist in Hindu philosophy but I'm not impressed with the philosophy taught by ISKCON. Yes, Achintya Bheda Abheda is a Hindu philosophy but in practice, Krishna is the Only Big God and you're the small soul and effectively, the emphasis on that not so far away from an Abrahamitic concept of God and soul.

I attend ISKCON Sunday feasts because I think "flawed" krishna-katha is still better than no krishna-katha. However, most of the time they don't speak about philosophy but get tangled in the stories of Hinduism, considering them as factual events that actually happened. In my eyes, this is also not so far away from the Christian concepts I'm familiar with. Christians in general have to believe in and confess (at least) the core stories of the Bible as actual events.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
I attend ISKCON Sunday feasts because I think "flawed" krishna-katha is still better than no krishna-katha.
That is sure a winner. The same goes for the temples. Any temple is better than no temple. :D
Hare-Krishnas out do the creationists in their own game.
 
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