Throughout the years, many religions and cults have emerged, but Hare Krishna is definitely one of the most popular and fascinating cultures that people have come up with. This religious movement is based in Hinduism, and it has its roots in the Gaudiya movement. Another curious fact is that Hare Krishna is actually the popular name for ISKON, which is the acronym for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. Hare Krishna was founded in 1965. The United States was the place where the movement was born, first in New York and then in San Francisco.

The founder of Hare Krishna is ‘His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and the most important text of this movement is Bhagavad Gita, which as translated by the founder himself, means ‘The Song of the Lord’. Nowadays, Hare Krishna followers are spread all around the world, and they are renown for their dedication and devotion. With more than 250.000 devotees, Hare Krishna has began to spread rapidly. Rumor has it that there are actually 1 million followers in total. While we cannot know that for sure, we can know that Hare Krishna is a Monotheistic religion, based in Hindu Theism, as it only believes in one god, named Krishna. The Hare Krishna practices are asceticism, vegetarianism, celibacy, abstinence from drugs or alcohol, evangelism and chanting.

All these practices are the result of the lessons that Hare Krishna teaches its followers, that the world we live in is evil, and that they must purify themselves through Krishna-consciousness. Then, they must propagate the knowledge in the society, in order to educate people, to bring them together and to guide them into Hare Krishna. In order to be a proper Hare Krishna devotee, you must not eat fish, eggs or meat, you must not drink a zip of alcohol, you must not take drugs, you must not gamble and you must remain celibate, unless you are procreating. You have to chant all day long, especially the main mantra, Hare Krishna. As you can see, there are many interesting facts about the Hare Krishna culture, which makes it unique and fascinating in its own way.

Hare Krishna is the common name of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, also known as ISKCON, a religious movement which relies on Hinduism. The Hare Krishna Mantra is a song made out of three Sanskrit words which are repeating 16 times: “Hare”, “Krishna” and “Rama”. So here are the lyrics:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna/

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/

Hare Rama Hare Rama/

Rama Rama Hare Hare.

These words actually refer to one of the most popular gods of the Hindus religion: Vishnu, the supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, the essence of all beings, the master of all elements, the one who rules over the Universe.

Hare Krishna Mantra is, thus, some kind of a prayer, a invocation of Vishnu, who is known as the one who embodies himself on Earth to re-establish the truth and righteousness. The word “Hare”, a name of Vishnu which means “he who remotes illusion”, but it can also mean “to end”. “Krishna” and “Rama” are also names of Vishnu which represent different eras: “Krishna” is the name of Vishnu’s incarnation in the “Dwaper yug”, and “Rama” is the name of Vishnu’s incarnation in the “Treta yug”.

“Hare Krishna” has become one of the most powerful expressions of Hinduism and they are now very popular. Millions and millions of people are praying everyday to their god, Vishnu, by singing loud, for themselves, the Hare Krishna Mantra. They are asking Vishnu to remove their pain and sadness and to bless them with joy instead.

The Hare Krishna is a chant which is comprised mainly of sixteen different words which are repeated over and over. Although many people have heard the phrase before, few people actually know what it means. Hare Krishna first started being practiced in India in the 15th Century. The main purpose of the chant is to bring the person who repeats the words to a higher state of consciousness/being. One of the main reasons that the Hare Krishna is so widely recognized is because of the work that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has done all over the world, including in the United States which is why so many people have heard about it.

ISKON was originally founded by a man named Bhaktivedanata Swami Srila Prabhupada who originally came from New York City and was born in the early 1960s. Krishna is actually not that much different from other religions and focuses on the eternal soul as well as a divine and spiritual connection with God. Although many people have misconceptions about this religion, it is similar to that of Christianity, at least its basic premise is. For a short period of time this religion was closely associated with the hippie movement which took place in the 1960s and 70s, promoting free love and spiritual/sexual liberation. Krishna is also associated with vegetarianism as well as a number of other practices which are tied in with this belief system.

Hare Krishna is a mantra or a chant composed of sixteen repetitive words. It first appeared in 15th century India, where it was intended to bring the chanter to a higher consciousness in the form of the pure love of God. The Hare Krishna has also become widely known in the United States due to the work of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (confusingly, this group has also become known by the name Hare Krishna).

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) was founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanata Swami Srila Prabhupada on July 11, 1966 in New York City. It quickly gained popularity, spreading to other parts of the country. For a time the Hare Krishna was loosely associated with the hippie movement.

Like most other religions, Krishna focuses on the eternal soul and the eternal connection to God rather than on the outward body. Followers are no longer expected to shave their heads and wear robes, but they do chant the Hare Krishna daily. They also attend weekly worship services, study scriptures, and follow a strictly vegetarian lifestyle.

The Krishna religion has four basic principles: compassion, truthfulness, cleanliness, and austerity. Cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs are strictly forbidden, as is unsanctioned sex.

The ISKON struggled throughout the 1970′s and 1980′s. They were widely viewed as a cult that hung around airports trying to convert new followers. There were also some sexual abuse scandals that plagued Hare Krishna schools. But ISKON overcame these growing pains and today is considered fairly mainstream.

In fact, the Krishna boasts over one million followers worldwide and over 100,000 followers in the United States.

The Hare Krishna Mantra is a sixteen word mantra that rose to importance after the 15th century. Although it’s roots are deeply founded in middle eastern tradition, there have been popular movements ever since its beginning that link it to the culture of the people at a certain time or place. One such link of the Hare Mantra is it’s link with the Hippie culture and what they have associated the mantra with.

The confusion began when popular films began using hippies in them and showed scenes where the hippies were reciting, or were involved in some way or another, with the hare Krishna mantra. This was a common confusion because the hippie culture was typically associated with a happy and joyous lifestyle, and that was the basic premise of the mantra. It was said that by repeating the god’s names in a certain order and with a particular frame of mind, one could elevate themselves to a state of elation and joy. For this reason, it was typical for hippies to be confused with those avid belivers in the power of the Hare Krishna Mantra.

The mantra also appears in popular culture references throughout history. Some examples of this include songs performed by John Lennon and the Beatles, where listeners can hear the mantra being recited, possibly invoking that desired state of elation. Other popular culture references include episodes of both Seinfeld and Scrubs, and even awards ceremonies that were televised.

The Hare Krishna Mantra is supposed to create a desired effect of elation in those who say it, and whether it is found in typical or peculiar places, the result should always be the same: joyous elation and peace.

The Hare Krishna is the commonly used name for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness or ISKCON, for short. This is a religious movement that came out of Hinduism. The movement was founded in New York in 1965 when Swami Prabhupada moved there from India. He and his followers moved to the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco in 1967. The movement spread rapidly. When the Beatle George Harrison expressed interest in the Hare Krishna movement it became even more popular. The movement came under criticism in the 1970′s and 1980′s from the anti-cult groups organizing at the time. Because of their unusual dress and practices such as chanting in public, they were mistrusted.

Hare Krishnas use the same scriptures and follow teachings and practices that are common in Hinduism. People are free to join ISKCON and then leave if they find it is not right for them. Most mainstream Hindus consider the Hare Krishnas to be an authentic sect within Hinduism.

There are approximately 250,000 devotees. Some are “congregational members” which means they live and work in a normal fashion, just attending temple for worship purposes. “Temple-based members” live in the temple and tend to lead a more ascetic lifestyle. Male members dress in saffron or white robes and shave their heads, while women wear bright saris.

Their main practices include avoiding drugs or alcohol, eating a vegetarian diet, practicing celibacy except for procreation within marriage, evangelism, and chanting. The chanting of mantras is the primary religious ritual.

The first Hare Krishna regulative principle is Daya (which means “mercy”), which implores the followers of Krishna to live in peace and harmony with their surroundings and their fellow creatures. An obvious result of this principal is that members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness do not eat meat, fish, or eggs. Their diets are strictly vegetarian, but that does not mean that they are boring and lacking in nutritions, or that Hare Krishna followers walk around feeling hungry all the time! Foods prepared in alignment with the principle of Daya are eye-catching, tasty, and nutritious.

The Hare Krishna menu is built around foods that are non-violent, nutritious, flavorful, and inexpensive. The basic ingredients of their dishes include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and milk products. These basic ingredients cooked into dishes with traditional Indian spices (remember what Columbus was hoping to find by sailing west to get to the east?) provide a diet that is nutritious, filling, and anything but monotonous and boring. It is a diet that respects the earth and all sentient beings on the earth, similar to the diet that has sustained many people for thousands of generations. Hare Krishna cooking is performed primarily as a gift to Lord Krishna, and secondarily to feed the people. Hare Krishna devotees believe that if everyone on earth ate with the principle of Daya in mind, the world would be a much more peaceful and prosperous place for people and all living creatures.

While strolling through a quiet neighborhood in my home town one day I came across some Hare Krishna followers. They were wearing robes and repeating some phrases. I was very interested in what they were doing and what they believed. The weather was very nice but I couldn’t tell what exactly they were doing. I continued my walk and came back around a little while later.

I saw they were no longer chanting, but talking with each other so I finally walked up to them. I greeted one lady and started asking her what their beliefs were. I told her how beautiful her sari was and that I was just curious as to what holiday it was or what they were celebrating. She told me it was not a holiday celebration but they were only meeting in the park to worship. I felt like I was being nosey, but I told her I heard them chanting and I was just curious what it was about. She was very open and explained her beliefs to me. She told me the types of foods they could eat and the rules they were supposed to follow. I think the Hare Krishna rules and beliefs are a way to live a healthy life. They are not supposed to use drugs, they believe you should keep yourself pure. I do enjoy eating meat, but only certain kinds. Having control, patience, and discipline is important. One thing I found out from my stroll through the park is that these people were not much different from me.

There are hundreds of thousands of believers in the teachings of the Hare Krishna belief system and they believe that success in enlightenment comes through self control. This self control takes a great deal of patience as well as the will to do so even with the temptation of foods such as meats, fish or eggs and other bad habits such as sexual deviation, intoxication of any type and gambling. These teachings of self control are said to help the soul become more successful and fulfill a much better life through the teachings. The mantra that the practitioners of Hare Krishna chant to themselves or while others hear is a 16 word Vaishnava that is simply the holy god’s names in a repeated sequence.

The words to the mantra emanate a special transcending vibration which hits every part of the soul including the sensual, mental and intellectual portions as well. It provides a consciousness to feel and love god in all of the forms that it could exist in. The mantra can be said by anyone because it hits these special conditions directly from the spiritual platform. The teachings are available to anyone that wishes to fall into the ideals of Hare Krishna way of life and can be followed by anyone, no matter what their previous background was. The only requirements for those who wish to join the Hare Krishna’s is to follow the teachings and stray away from the temptations that make themselves present each and every day.