The Hare Krishna movement is a Hindu Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York City. The basic principles of Hare Krishna are centered around traditional Hindu scriptures, which are believed by followers to be over five thousand year. One important feature of Hare Krishna is that its ideals are non-sectarian.

Followers of Hare Krishna use four regulative principles as the basis for their spiritual life. These four regulative principles are: no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex, no gambling and no intoxication. The fourth regulative principle (no intoxication) includes alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and other recreational drugs. The four regulative principles are based in relation the four legs of dharma. Those four legs are as follows: Daya (which symbolizes Mercy), Tapas (which symbolizes Self-Control or Austerity), Satyam (which symbolizes Truthfulness) and Saucam (which symbolizes Cleanliness of the Body and Mind).

Another important aspect of Hare Krishna is the Maha Mantra. In fact, because the movement is officially known as “International Society for Krishna Consciousness,” the nickname of Hare Krishna actually came from the Maha Mantra. The Maha Mantra is sung by followers, or can also be chanted quietly while they hold Japa mala, which are similar to the rosary beads that are well known within the Catholic faith. The Maha Mantra goes as follow:

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama Hare Hare”

According to recent statistics, there are several hundred thousand people around the world who regularly worship at the more than two hundred and twenty-five Hare Krishna centres that can be found all over the globe.