Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna (International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON), religious sect derived from Vaishnavism, or devotion to the Hindu god Vishnu. The focus of devotion is the Hindu god Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. The Krishna movement was founded in the United States in 1966 by Indian religious teacher A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and it quickly spread throughout many major Western cities. Prabhupada claimed to be the latest in a line of spiritual masters dating from 15th-century Indian mystic Chaitanya.

ISKCON adherents, called Hare Krishnas, devote themselves to Krishna and his mortal representatives in order to achieve personal peace and happiness. Their central text is the Bhagavad-Gita, an episode in the ancient Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata. Members live communally and rise at 3 am for worship. They lead an ascetic, monastic life, abstaining from meat, drugs, and gambling. They also vow to refrain from sexual activity, except for the purpose of having children. They chant mantras such as “Hare Krishna, Hare Rama” both in private for personal purification and in public street processions. Men who are members of ISKCON often have shaven heads and wear orange robes. Women members also wear robes and must cover their heads. Nonreligious activities include community work, recruitment, and occasionally various jobs. Hare Krishnas have been criticized for directing their aggressive recruiting methods specifically toward young people. However, many Western and Indian Hindu communities accept Hare Krishnas as authentic Hindus.