I hope this is not a disrespectful question

[Andal]

Hare Krishna!

The sixteen rounds are only for those who are initiated and thus have taken vows, or desire to be initiated. Otherwise, even chanting one round of the Mahamantra a day will take Maya away!

In regards to women, it really depends on where you go and who you talk to. I have a wonderful devotee friend at the temple who has her beautiful Nila-Madhava deity at home; submission to her husband is definitely NOT in her vocabulary, lol.

We're strongly pro-Vaishnava... people in general are good, lol. We just strongly do not agree with atheism or Shankaracharya's version of Vedic siddhanta.

I'm also transsexual and going to change to become a woman physically. Now, I am sure I would be rejected in the other Hindu temples in my area, but for sure I feel somewhat safe at the ISKCON temple. We have other tritiya-prakriti (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual) devotees at my temple!

Hare Krishna!

Yes it definitely depends on where you are in terms of gender roles. I think my big problem is that women can't serve as pujaris in the temples. I know the thinking behind this is for a week each month we can not perform puja but regardless most temples I've been to have a number of pujaris. Also there is no brahmacarini option and there are some beliefs that women are less intellegent than men etc. Now I've never actually seen that attitude acted on but I have come across such sentiments in some of the ISKCON literature. With all of that said I think ISKCON does alot of good and I don't want to pick on the organization because I have had such good experiences. I have to say too that I love it's international appeal in that when I go to temple it's such a great mix of people. I don't get the same sense of diversity from other temples.

Best of luck in your transition, I hope it goes smoothly I think you're right too, you would probably be met with a lot more suspicion at other places. Once again one of the things that makes ISKCON great is the diversity I hope once the process is finished you'll put a pic of you in some nice devotee clothing

 

[Gaura Priya]

Hare Krishna!

Yes it definitely depends on where you are in terms of gender roles. I think my big problem is that women can't serve as pujaris in the temples. I know the thinking behind this is for a week each month we can not perform puja but regardless most temples I've been to have a number of pujaris. Also there is no brahmacarini option and there are some beliefs that women are less intellegent than men etc. Now I've never actually seen that attitude acted on but I have come across such sentiments in some of the ISKCON literature. With all of that said I think ISKCON does alot of good and I don't want to pick on the organization because I have had such good experiences. I have to say too that I love it's international appeal in that when I go to temple it's such a great mix of people. I don't get the same sense of diversity from other temples.

Best of luck in your transition, I hope it goes smoothly I think you're right too, you would probably be met with a lot more suspicion at other places. Once again one of the things that makes ISKCON great is the diversity I hope once the process is finished you'll put a pic of you in some nice devotee clothing

Really? At least half of the people on the temple altar at my temple are female pujaris, 'pujarinis' if you may say so.

And although being a 'brahmacarini' only is until marriage, which was strongly advised by Srila Prabhupada, some women do choose to be celibate for life and dedicate themselves for study and preaching.

The whole women being less intelligent is on debate on whether Srila Prabhupada meant on an intellectual, or rational platform (women are more emotional and tend to base decisions on emotions rather than their mind). In Srimad-Bhagavatam however, Srila Prabhupada did say that women are more powerful than men through subtle manipulation, lol. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands, so as long as their husbands are kind and merciful to their wives. But even then, every devotee is different.

I'd say that when Srila Prabhupada left the planet, his disciples did many bad things, such as violence against women and sexism crimes. That propped up the Vaishnavi organisation for the rights of women in ISKCON, and since then it's been better.

Although Hinduism, and as far as I know, Vedic culture long before, has been open to third-gendered people, many Indian people do have reservations. It is why I understand that even at my temple, I am sure that there will be people who will not accept my gender change.

But I am sure I can curse them, lol. :jiggy:

 

[Andal]

Really? At least half of the people on the temple altar at my temple are female pujaris, 'pujarinis' if you may say so.

And although being a 'brahmacarini' only is until marriage, which was strongly advised by Srila Prabhupada, some women do choose to be celibate for life and dedicate themselves for study and preaching.

The whole women being less intelligent is on debate on whether Srila Prabhupada meant on an intellectual, or rational platform (women are more emotional and tend to base decisions on emotions rather than their mind). In Srimad-Bhagavatam however, Srila Prabhupada did say that women are more powerful than men through subtle manipulation, lol. Wives are to be submissive to their husbands, so as long as their husbands are kind and merciful to their wives. But even then, every devotee is different.

I'd say that when Srila Prabhupada left the planet, his disciples did many bad things, such as violence against women and sexism crimes. That propped up the Vaishnavi organisation for the rights of women in ISKCON, and since then it's been better.

Although Hinduism, and as far as I know, Vedic culture long before, has been open to third-gendered people, many Indian people do have reservations. It is why I understand that even at my temple, I am sure that there will be people who will not accept my gender change.

But I am sure I can curse them, lol. :jiggy:

You have female pujaris?! that is so awesome! maybe just nobody wants to do it at my temple then. the temple president is very level headed and kind so i don't think he would say no, but i could be wrong.

The quotes from Srila Prabhupada have caused a lot of problems for me. Maybe it's just my ego but I have seen abuse in my own family so that makes me leary about being submissive to anyone (outside of Krishna and guru) I have often wondered what he meant and maybe some of the meaning has been lost or changed over the years since our english is obviously different then the english language Srila used.

When I was in Varanasi last summer I saw large groups of hijras hanging out on the ghats. The surrounding people didn't bother them from what I saw. Some of the people I talked to seemed curious about them but they weren't mean. Also one of the girls I was traveling with tonsured her hair as an offering to Mother Ganga and some of the locals thought she was a white hija lol and of course there is always the curse option. ya know you could make a lot of money crashing vedic weddings

Hare Krishna!

 

[rcscwc]

But Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma does not necessarily have to be a lifestyle or a part of Indian culture. Hinduism's a religion without official rules, doctrine, or, for that matter, officials. One famous definition of a Hindu is "anyone who doesn't object to being called a Hindu."

A Bhakti yogi practices worship, love and devotion to a Deity; Vedanta can be indistinguishable from theoretical physics. Both are considered orthodox schools of Hinduism.

{/quote]

Hinduism is a way of life, but not a particular way. A way which is good, just etc is Dharma. Not even deities are required to be extolled. No special code of dress even is specified. Dress suitable for environment, comfortable, sober is needed.

Mode of woraship too is according to your convictions. Language of prayer too can be any. Visit to temple is not a MUST. In fact, most Hindus visit the temples for a few minutes, say their prayer silently and resume their occupation.

 

[santdasji]

Agni purana XXXVII 1-50

Agni said : I will now describe the fruits of making temples for the
residence of Vasudeva and other deities.

He who attempts to erect temples for gods is freed from the sins of a
thousand births.

Those who think of building a temple in their minds are freed from the sins
of a hundred births.

Those who approve of a man's building a temple for Krishna go to the
region of Acyuta [ Vishnu ] freed from sins.

Having desired to build a temple for Hari, a man immediately takes millions
of his generations, past and future, to the region of Vishnu.

The departed manes of the person who builds a temple for Krishna live in the
region of Vishnu, well adorned and free from the sufferings of hell.

The construction of a temple for a deity dissipiates even the sin of
Brahminicide.

By building a temple one reaps the fruit which one does not even gain by
celebrating a sacrifice.

By building a temple one acquires the fruits of bathing at all the sacred
shrines.

The construction of a temple, which gives heaven, by a religious or an
irreligious man, yields the fruit reaped by persons slain in a battle
undertaken on behalf of the celestials.

By making one temple one goes to heaven; by making three one goes to the
region of Brahma; bu making five one goes to the region of Shambhu; by
making eight one goes to the region of Hari. By making sixteen one attains
all objects of enjoyment and emanicipation.

A poor man, by building the smallest temple, reaps the same benefit which a
rich man does by building the biggest temple for Vishnu.

Having acquired wealth and built a temple with a small portion of it, a
person acquires piety and gains favours from Hari.

By making a temple with a lakhs of rupees, or a thousand, or a hundred, or
fifty a man goes where the Garuda-emblemed deity resides.

He who in his childhood even sportively makes a temple of Vasudeva with
sand, goes to His region.

He who builds temples of Vishnu at sacred places, shrines, and hermitages,
reaps fruits.

Those who decorate the temple of Vishnu with scents, flowers, and sacred
mud, go to the city of the Lord.

Having erected a temple for Hari, a man, either fallen, about to fall, or
half-fallen, reaps twofold fruits.

He who brings about the fall of a man is the protector of one fallen. By
making a temple for Vishnu one attains to his region.

As long as the collection of bricks of Hari's temple exists, the
founder of his family lives gloriously in the region of Vishnu. He becomes
pious and adorable in this world and in the next.

He who builds a temple for Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, is born as a man of
good deeds and his family is purified.

He who builds temples for Visnu, Rudra, the sun-god, and other deities
acquire fame. What is the use to him of wealth which is hoarded by ignorant
men ?

Useless is the acquisition of riches to one who does not have temple built
with hard earned money for Krishna, or whose wealth is not enjoyed by the
Pitris, Brahmanas, celestials, and friends. As death is certain for men, so
is his destruction.

The man who does not spend his money for his enjoyment or in charities and
keeps it hoarded is stupid and is fettered even when alive. What is the
merit of him who, obtaining riches either by an accident or manliness,does
not spend it for a glorious work or for religion ? [ What is the merit of
him ] who, having given away his wealth to the leading twice-born, makes his
gift circulated, speaks of more than he gives away in charities ?

Therefore a wise man should have the temples built for Vishnu and other
deities. Having entered the region of Hari, he acquires reverential faith
for Narottama [ Vishnu ]. He pervades all the three worlds containing the
mobile and the immobile, the past, future, and present, gross, subtle, and
all inferior objects. From Brahma to a pillar everything has originated from
Vishnu. Having obtained entrance into the region of the Great Soul, Vishnu,
the omnipresent god of gods, a man is not born again.

​

​

​

​

 

[Peggy Anne]

ISKON gave me some little booklets that changed my life for the better. I never became a devotee, but once we become aware of Krishnas energies, we never forget what it feels like. And we always want to feel connected to something perfect. I found that I never feel alone any more, and I have a new respect for food.

 

[Nayana]

I don't mind ISKON, I mean, i also follow radha krishna.

It is just a social organisation of people all striving for god, Sure there are plenty of crazy people, but what religion doesn't have people who are a bit whacky?

 

[Madhuri]

I don't mind ISKON, I mean, i also follow radha krishna.

It is just a social organisation of people all striving for god, Sure there are plenty of crazy people, but what religion doesn't have people who are a bit whacky?

Lol, very true, though I think that there a few mroe than usual in the Gaudia Vaishnava movement. The Hare Krishnas can be a bit overly dogmatic, quite like Evangelists. But they only -seem- strange externally because they are white people in Indian clothes chanting unknown words in public and dancing badly. If they were in India doing the same thing it would not seem so strange...except that they are mostly white people.

 

[Nayana]

I wonder how many of the vaishnava's know what they are actually chanting

 

[Madhuri]

I wonder how many of the vaishnava's know what they are actually chanting

And what they are actually thinking about while chanting. It's the perfect time for day dreaming it seems.

 

[bansal2008]

Well, if you consider Vaishnavas Hindus, ISKCON devotees are actually an organisation teaching Vaishnavism, specifically Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which explains our dwaita-istic beliefs. Actually, our philosophy is called achintya-bhedabheda tattva.

This is why we uphold Krishna as the Supreme Lord: this is the same conclusion as the followers of Vallabhacharya, Nimbarkacharya, and Madhvacharya, who are all Vaishnavas. And Narayana or Vishnu is the immediate expansion of Krishna.

Or Ramanujacharya who says that Vishnu/Narayana is the Supreme. But there is no difference, really between Krishna and Vishnu. We all follow Vaishnavism. We reach these conclusions from our scriptures, mainly Srimad-Bhagavatam and Gita, but also Gaudiya Scriptures like Brahma Samhita and Chaitanya Charitamrita.

Regarding other religions, we accept Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, Guru Nanak, and a few others as shaktyavesha-avataras of Krishna, or empowered messengers of Krishna, who taught God-consciousness. Therefore, the Qur'an, the Bible, and the Tanakh are considered Vedic literatures too.

There is no difference between Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Waheguru, YHWH, or Amitabha. They are all One God, who loves us and cares for us.

I agree with what you said except this that Muhammad is an avatar of Lord Krishna.

In prati Sarga part 3, of Bhavishya Purana, Muhammad has been profesized and has been called an avatar of Tripurasura, a demon. If you want more details, I can provide them.

 

[Madhuri]

I agree with what you said except this that Muhammad is an avatar of Lord Krishna.

In prati Sarga part 3, of Bhavishya Purana, Muhammad has been profesized and has been called an avatar of Tripurasura, a demon. If you want more details, I can provide them.

As was Jesus.

 

[bansal2008]

Hare Krishna!

Yes it definitely depends on where you are in terms of gender roles. I think my big problem is that women can't serve as pujaris in the temples. I know the thinking behind this is for a week each month we can not perform puja but regardless most temples I've been to have a number of pujaris. Also there is no brahmacarini option and there are some beliefs that women are less intellegent than men etc. Now I've never actually seen that attitude acted on but I have come across such sentiments in some of the ISKCON literature. With all of that said I think ISKCON does alot of good and I don't want to pick on the organization because I have had such good experiences. I have to say too that I love it's international appeal in that when I go to temple it's such a great mix of people. I don't get the same sense of diversity from other temples.

Best of luck in your transition, I hope it goes smoothly I think you're right too, you would probably be met with a lot more suspicion at other places. Once again one of the things that makes ISKCON great is the diversity I hope once the process is finished you'll put a pic of you in some nice devotee clothing

Hinduism does not bar women from becoming priests. It is only the mindset of people that stops them from accepting women in certain roles

In Vedas, women and men were equal as far as education and religion was concerned. Women also participated in the public sacrifices alongside men. Nowhere is it written that women cannot recite the Vedas. In fact, there were female scholars like Ghosha, Lopamudra, Romasha and Indrani in the Vedic period and women philosophers like Sulabha, Maitreyi and Gargi in the Upanishadic period.

The idea that women cannot worship one week of every month should not just bann the women from becoming priest. The female pandits should keep that in mind and they should not conduct any rituals during those days.

 

[bansal2008]

Lol, very true, though I think that there a few mroe than usual in the Gaudia Vaishnava movement. The Hare Krishnas can be a bit overly dogmatic, quite like Evangelists. But they only -seem- strange externally because they are white people in Indian clothes chanting unknown words in public and dancing badly. If they were in India doing the same thing it would not seem so strange...except that they are mostly white people.

How can you say that these white people from ISKON do not know what they are chanting?? I was watching this white devotee on TV, saying Saskrit shlokas from Bhagvatam and explaining them nicely.

 

[Madhuri]

How can you say that these white people from ISKON do not know what they are chanting?? I was watching this white devotee on TV, saying Saskrit shlokas from Bhagvatam and explaining them nicely.

I'm not saying that. I mean that from the perspective of most people in western countries, the Hare Krishnas seem to be strange and seem to be chanting words that they (the public) don't understand.

 

[J Bryson]

*shrug* They're chanting the name of God, at least according to them. As a white Westerner, I'm good with that.

 

[Madhuri]

*shrug* They're chanting the name of God, at least according to them. As a white Westerner, I'm good with that.

I'm glad, nd I'm sure there are a number of people who are like you. But generlaly speaking people think they are weird- BUT only because they do not understand them.

 

[J Bryson]

I'm glad, nd I'm sure there are a number of people who are like you. But generlaly speaking people think they are weird- BUT only because they do not understand them.

The Los Angeles devotees manage to feed hundreds of people once a week on a donation basis. That made things much easier for me and my girlfriend when we were on the streets. At least once a week, we knew that we could be assured of a meal whether we could afford to pay for it or not, and that we could go back for seconds without getting resentful looks. The food itself was amazing.

Did they try to convert? Sure, one guy was working on us pretty hard. But we politely informed him that we were already happy with our spiritual paths, and he accepted this in good grace.

You will not ever hear me say a single word against ISKCON.

 

[Madhuri]

The Los Angeles devotees manage to feed hundreds of people once a week on a donation basis. That made things much easier for me and my girlfriend when we were on the streets. At least once a week, we knew that we could be assured of a meal whether we could afford to pay for it or not, and that we could go back for seconds without getting resentful looks. The food itself was amazing.

Did they try to convert? Sure, one guy was working on us pretty hard. But we politely informed him that we were already happy with our spiritual paths, and he accepted this in good grace.

You will not ever hear me say a single word against ISKCON.

That is good. I've been meaning to visit a temple in LA on a trip there.

 

[santdasji]

The ISKON movement are worshipping God. This is great. They are Vedic. And followers if they follow it right will attain Moksh.