whats the difference between iskcon and gaudiya vaishnavism

[MochaRadha]

i was wondering. ive heard they r actually separate things. and why do hare krishna women cover their heads

 

[Jainarayan]

This is a pretty good article and should explain: Gaudiya Vaishnavism

 

[MochaRadha]

thanks

 

[Madhuri]

ISKON is a branch of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
In a nutshell, it is a personality cult centering around Prabhupada, it's founder. It is his commentaries on the scriptures that are followed, not the content of the original verses.

Other Gaudiya Vaishnava traditions have very similar beliefs and practices but it would be best to read the article provided above.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

ISKON is a branch of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
In a nutshell, it is a personality cult centering around Prabhupada, it's founder. It is his commentaries on the scriptures that are followed, not the content of the original verses.

Yes, I have always been surprised by this.

 

[Marble]

In which points does the Bhagavad Gita translation of Prabhupada differ from other translations done by Vaishnavas?
I don't read Sanskrit, so I cannot compare.

 

[apophenia]

ISKON is a branch of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
In a nutshell, it is a personality cult centering around Prabhupada, it's founder. It is his commentaries on the scriptures that are followed, not the content of the original verses.

Other Gaudiya Vaishnava traditions have very similar beliefs and practices but it would be best to read the article provided above.

Iskcon's problems were IMO related to the fact that the organisation was created in the west in the 60s, and there was no connection to the Gaudiya tradition in India. The old adage holds - power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The western converts were running the organisation which was in every respect a novelty to them culturally. From my (peripheral) perspective the whole show often looked like a role-play game, with western kids suddenly becoming for real initiating masters ! Wow ! What a trip ! And minds blew ... and no 'peer review' from people whose great great grandparents had grown in that tradition and environment.

This reminds me of something Alan Watts said about zen monasteries at the same period. He pointed out that zen was a headtrip for westerners in a way that was not zen at all. For a Japanese person, the experience was low-stimulus, the surroundings familiar and boring, and this was part of the process - nothing happening but a simple wooden building and cups of tea. But for the westerners it was all fascination and novelty - the architecture, the garden, the tea ceremony, the zafu, were all stimulating novelty. And as a result, a lot of zenjis were similarly off on a romance with ancient Japan ...

 

[zenzero]

Friend apophenia,

Problems are there with human nature but through evolution the old gives way to the new only when it evolves.
As you ahve pointed out that to the west things like ISKON or ZEN are having brand value still when one rubs shoulders something may rub off which may evolve at some point in some life.
Had a physics teacher who used to tell us to submit homework even if it is copied. The idea being when copying even if the mind is open for a split second, something may penetrate deeply to awaken the individual.
There is good in what is considered bad and bad in what is considered good. Its all consciousness except we perceive and judge unconsciously.
Someone somewhere said: The word came first; he forgot the deep silence that was there before anyone said anything. Consciousness/silence is eternal!

Love & rgds

 

[Cassandra]

Iskcon's problems were IMO related to the fact that the organisation was created in the west in the 60s, and there was no connection to the Gaudiya tradition in India. The old adage holds - power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The western converts were running the organisation which was in every respect a novelty to them culturally. From my (peripheral) perspective the whole show often looked like a role-play game, with western kids suddenly becoming for real initiating masters ! Wow ! What a trip ! And minds blew ... and no 'peer review' from people whose great great grandparents had grown in that tradition and environment.

This reminds me of something Alan Watts said about zen monasteries at the same period. He pointed out that zen was a headtrip for westerners in a way that was not zen at all. For a Japanese person, the experience was low-stimulus, the surroundings familiar and boring, and this was part of the process - nothing happening but a simple wooden building and cups of tea. But for the westerners it was all fascination and novelty - the architecture, the garden, the tea ceremony, the zafu, were all stimulating novelty. And as a result, a lot of zenjis were similarly off on a romance with ancient Japan ...

I agree, I think this is a normal process when people come in contact with other cultures. People create a romanticized notion that is detached from the cultural background, and interpret and experience things in a way is culturally biased.

For instance talking about Hinduism in the west is discussing about all kind of lofty philosophical concepts that an average Hindu does not care about. That is a very Western way to approach religion. In the West people are vilifying each other over ideas and religion is very much the marketing of ideas by religious organizations, but rather separated from daily life.

 

[MochaRadha]

the site doesnt tell everything do all gudiya vaishnavas go out and preach

 

[ratikala]

dear freind zenzero ,

Friend apophenia,

Problems are there with human nature but through evolution the old gives way to the new only when it evolves.
As you ahve pointed out that to the west things like ISKON or ZEN are having brand value still when one rubs shoulders something may rub off which may evolve at some point in some life.
Had a physics teacher who used to tell us to submit homework even if it is copied. The idea being when copying even if the mind is open for a split second, something may penetrate deeply to awaken the individual.
There is good in what is considered bad and bad in what is considered good. Its all consciousness except we perceive and judge unconsciously.
Someone somewhere said: The word came first; he forgot the deep silence that was there before anyone said anything. Consciousness/silence is eternal!

Love & rgds

one hundred thousand frubals , :bow:

 

[ratikala]

dear mocharadha,

i was wondering. ive heard they r actually separate things.

not originaly sepperate as they originate from the same sampradaya ,
time place and circumstance is bringing about some small differences .

and why do hare krishna women cover their heads

out of respect to the lord , humility , and to remind us to remain humble

 

[Astravalon]

In a nutshell, it is a personality cult centering around Prabhupada, it's founder. It is his commentaries on the scriptures that are followed, not the content of the original verses.

In my research on it I've come across some troubling things, coupled
with a falling-out I had very recently with an ISKCON member on
another social network. Long story short, my unorthodox beliefs --
and the reasons I gave for my lack of admiration for ISKCON
(especially the controversial views of its founder, my criticism of which
was deemed "unforgivable") -- got me chewed out and unfriended.


.

 

[MochaRadha]

what does headcovering symbolize that makes it humble. why dont men do this

 

[Jainarayan]

Not all Gaudiyas proselytize, but ISKCONs do. Remember, Gaudiya is a sect founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He came centuries before ISKCON.

 

[apophenia]

Friend apophenia,

Problems are there with human nature but through evolution the old gives way to the new only when it evolves.
As you ahve pointed out that to the west things like ISKON or ZEN are having brand value still when one rubs shoulders something may rub off which may evolve at some point in some life.
Had a physics teacher who used to tell us to submit homework even if it is copied. The idea being when copying even if the mind is open for a split second, something may penetrate deeply to awaken the individual.
There is good in what is considered bad and bad in what is considered good. Its all consciousness except we perceive and judge unconsciously.
Someone somewhere said: The word came first; he forgot the deep silence that was there before anyone said anything. Consciousness/silence is eternal!

Love & rgds

Agreed. My remarks were primarily about the transition period when the cultural transplanting first takes place.

Culturally, it will never be exactly the same of course, though that doesn't matter because the gist of zen or bhakti is noetic not cultural.

 

[zenzero]

Friend apophenia,

gist of zen or bhakti is noetic not cultural.

Personal understanding that it is both; everything adds.
Everyone is a born buddha but realization is not there. Then through the intellect one realizes then many then a buddha field gets created[which is there from the beginning but not understood] then the dharma wheel keeps moving; it was always moving eternally.
Love & rgds

 

[zenzero]

Friend ratikala,

one hundred thousand frubals ,:bow:

Who ate them?? did not get even one

Thanks for the understanding!:bow:
Love & rgds

 

[Marble]

what does headcovering symbolize that makes it humble. why dont men do this

I think head covering has to do with modesty.
Most religions believe women should be modest.

 

[Vinayaka]

Head overing for woman is a primarily North Indian cultural thing as a result of Islamic influence.