Ask a Hare Krishna anything

[Chaitanya]

There is no proselytizing allowed here so Im not going to force you to believe it.

However, to answer your question about that only John has Jesus saying he is God’s Only Son, there is also others like Matthew 11 : 27 “All things have been** committed to me by my Father**. **No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son **and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

MJ

Thank you for your reply!

Keep in mind that Hare Krishnas believe that you need the grace of a spiritual master in order to achieve salvation. So replace the word ‘son’ in Matthew 1:1 with the term ‘spiritual master’ and this interpretation still makes sense.

 

[MartinJordan]

Thank you for your reply!

Keep in mind that Hare Krishnas believe that you need the grace of a spiritual master in order to achieve salvation. So replace the word ‘son’ in Matthew 1:1 with the term ‘spiritual master’ and this interpretation still makes sense.

You’re welcome.

As Christians we are NOT allowed to replace words from Sacred Scripture from their intended meaning. Besides we (Christians) must also keep in mind how people spoke those days and which audience it is being spoken to.

MJ

 

[openmind77]

There is no proselytizing allowed here so Im not going to force you to believe it.

However, to answer your question about that only John has Jesus saying he is God’s Only Son, there is also others like Matthew 11 : 27 “All things have been** committed to me by my Father**. **No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son **and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

MJ

This is indeed true - Only the Son knows the Father and the only way to the Father is through the Son.

However, the Son here is the universal Son of which Jesus is a particular incarnation. And so is Krishna among several others…

 

[MartinJordan]

However, the Son here is the universal Son of which Jesus is a single incarnation. And so is Krishna among several others…

Obviously this is NOT consistent Christian teaching.

MJ

 

[Chaitanya]

This is a weird question, I don’t mean to sound flip by asking it. Just curious.

What’s the deal with Hare Krishna’s hanging around airports? Is there a reason for it being airports specifically, or is that just a convenient place?

Also, what do you believe happens to non-believers at death?

That is not a flippant question it is a valid one. Hare Krishnas do not really hang around airports very much anymore. They did in the '70s because back then airports were more of a public forum then they are today if that makes sense.

As far as after death- we believe that all people will reincarnate in a body (or lack thereof) which matches the consciousness that they have built up over their life. For example, one who has developed genuine consciousness of the teachings of Jesus Christ will be transported to live with Jesus at the time of death(what Christians call heaven). Krishna conscious individuals will be transported to the avid of Krishna. Similarly, if one lives the life of a dog they will reincarnate on earth as a dog. It is a type of ‘reap what you sow’ reincarnation. This is a very central teaching in our theology.

 

[Chaitanya]

You’re welcome.

As Christians we are NOT allowed to replace words from Sacred Scripture from their intended meaning. Besides we (Christians) must also keep in mind how people spoke those days and which audience it is being spoken to.

MJ

We have a difference of opinion on the intended meaning. I’m not asking you to literally replace the words of scripture just to look at the word ‘son’ in a different context than traditional Christian teachings so you can understand our interpretation of the verse. We are all ‘sons’ of God so in the Hare Krishna movement we don’t see this verse as apologetic proof of Jesus’ sole divinity

 

[Chaitanya]

Obviously this is NOT consistent Christian teaching.

MJ

We are not trying to explain the Christian teaching bu the Hare Krishna/Hindu teaching on the topic. We see Krishna as the father that the son Jesus Christ is says He knows in Matthew 1:1.

 

[Chaitanya]

Does Krishna love humanity?

Besides chanting his name, do you also pray to him by talking to him and listening for his reply?

Similarly, do you have a personal relationship with him?

I hope that doesn’t sound offensive, I’m just curious.

• yes, we do talk to Him but we don’t ask Him for material things (I.e. to be cured of sickness, to show favor upon a family member, to do well on tests, etc.). We believe that the Hindu demigods are agents of Krishna to satisfy the material needs of the masses. For example, one worships Sarasvati if they drsire intelligence, a woman worships Shiva if she wants a good husband, etc. However the devotees of Lord Krishna are purely satisfied in being his servant for the same of being His servant. Therefore our prayers are glorifications of his existence.
• Krishna loves humanity like a father loves his children and wishes them all to come back go Him.
• yes the relationship between Krishna and His devotee is very personal and He is called all-attractive because of the variety of relationships one may have with Him. Some. Devotees worship Him in the form of a father, some in the form of a child, some in the form of a master, and some in the form of a friend (this is my personal relationship with Krishna). We believe that relationships in the material world are a means of trying to fill a void that only The Lord can fill. Our friends, parents, children, etc. will all let us down at some point but this is not the case with God. So as you can see our relationship with Krishna is very very personal

 

[Jcc1960]

What is you understanding of the Kalki Avatar, and when do you think he will appear?

Thanks!

 

[MartinJordan]

We have a difference of opinion on the intended meaning. I’m not asking you to literally replace the words of scripture just to look at the word ‘son’ in a different context than traditional Christian teachings

Once again I will like to reiterate one has to be consistent. Not to pick and choose what appeals.

so you can understand our interpretation of the verse. We are all ‘sons’ of God so in the Hare Krishna movement we don’t see this verse as apologetic proof of Jesus’ sole divinity

Can you tell me when did the Hare Krishna movement originate? I could look it up but like to know your history of it. Thanks.

MJ

 

[MartinJordan]

We are not trying to explain the Christian teaching bu the Hare Krishna/Hindu teaching on the topic. We see Krishna as the father that the son Jesus Christ is says He knows in Matthew 1:1.

Why are the Hare Krishna’s using a Catholic book?

MJ

 

[Chaitanya]

Once again I will like to reiterate one has to be consistent. Not to pick and choose what appeals.

Can you tell me when did the Hare Krishna movement originate? I could look it up but like to know your history of it. Thanks.

MJ

• What? Where do you detect inconsistencies? This is a thread about what Hare Krishnas believe and im explaining to you the interpretation of Jesus which is consistent with the theology of the Hare Krishna movement…
• I refer you to post #8 in the thread. Are you referring to the movement specifically in the United States?

 

[Chaitanya]

Why are the Hare Krishna’s using a Catholic book?

MJ

We dont use the Bible. Originally, a question was raised about our opinion of Jesus. Then Matthew 1:1 was cited as evidence of his sole divinity. This is the Hare Krishna analysis of that verse in light of our beliefs about Lord Jesus…

 

[Zachary]

Missed post 32 - who are demigods among us today?

Who decides who is and who is not a demigod?

 

[Venite_Adoremus_1]

• yes, we do talk to Him but we don’t ask Him for material things (I.e. to be cured of sickness, to show favor upon a family member, to do well on tests, etc.). We believe that the Hindu demigods are agents of Krishna to satisfy the material needs of the masses. For example, one worships Sarasvati if they drsire intelligence, a woman worships Shiva if she wants a good husband, etc. However the devotees of Lord Krishna are purely satisfied in being his servant for the same of being His servant. Therefore our prayers are glorifications of his existence.
• Krishna loves humanity like a father loves his children and wishes them all to come back go Him.
• yes the relationship between Krishna and His devotee is very personal and He is called all-attractive because of the variety of relationships one may have with Him. Some. Devotees worship Him in the form of a father, some in the form of a child, some in the form of a master, and some in the form of a friend (this is my personal relationship with Krishna). We believe that relationships in the material world are a means of trying to fill a void that only The Lord can fill. Our friends, parents, children, etc. will all let us down at some point but this is not the case with God. So as you can see our relationship with Krishna is very very personal

Thanks! That’s very interesting!

Okay, two more questions and that’s it.

How much does Krishna love humanity? How do you know?

 

[Chaitanya]

Missed post 32 - who are demigods among us today?

Who decides who is and who is not a demigod?

Oops sorry. In one sense, a demigod are servitors of the Supreme Lord who handle the material affairs of the universe. So, in this sense there are many demigods among us as we speak (Shiva, Brahma, Laksmi, Sarasvati, Ganesha, etc.). However, there are no demigods physically present among us today.

The Indian sages over time have decided who is and who is not a demigod. A tangible measurement of whether one is or is not a demigod is the level in which they bring people to God-Consciousness.

Thanks!

 

[Chaitanya]

Thanks! That’s very interesting!

Okay, two more questions and that’s it.

How much does Krishna love humanity? How do you know?

Krishna loves humanity so much that the power of this love of His is absolutely inconceivable to our mundane human senses.

To explain how I know this I must first create an analogy based on a teaching that I mentioned earlier in the thread. As you recall, our contact with material nature is based on our desire to become the proprietor of what is really God’s; and to lord our minute independence over something. Therefore, the Lord has created the material universe in which we can try to lord this independence; although we will ultimately be unsuccessful because of the law of Karma. With this in mind, this miserable material world is sort of like a prisonhouse for those souls who have strayed from their original spiritual position as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. But in spite of this major transgression, the Lord is merciful enough to have created the human form of life; which is the only form of life on this earth in which one can know God.

So to answer your question of ‘How much does Krishna love humanity,’ He loves it so much that it is the only form of life out of many millions of species of life in which one can know Him and revive their original constitutional position which is completely spiritual and full of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. With this in mind, it makes one realize how special and rare the human form of life is and motivates one not to waste it with mundane sense gratification.

Thank you for your questions hope that makes sense!

 

[MartinJordan]

We dont use the Bible. Originally, a question was raised about our opinion of Jesus. Then Matthew 1:1 was cited as evidence of his sole divinity. This is the Hare Krishna analysis of that verse in light of our beliefs about Lord Jesus…

I searched for Matthew 1:1 in this thread. It was you who cited it in the first place. So, why are YOU using a Catholic book?

MJ

 

[patrick457]

Can you tell me when did the Hare Krishna movement originate? I could look it up but like to know your history of it. Thanks.

MJ

Sorry to butt in again. I would also like to see what Chaitanya has to say, but in brief: Gaudiya Vaishnavism (the school of Hinduism ISKCON - the International Society for Krishna Consciousness aka the ‘Hare Krishnas’ - belongs to) has its origins in the 16th century Bengali sage and social reformer Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who travelled throughout India promoting devotion to Krishna via the so-called maha mantra (the ‘great mantra’; i.e. the mantraHare Krishna). ISKCON meanwhile was founded in 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who introduced Gaudiya Vaishnavism to the West.

 

[MartinJordan]

Sorry to butt in again. I would also like to see what Chaitanya has to say, but in brief: Gaudiya Vaishnavism (the school of Hinduism ISKCON - the International Society for Krishna Consciousness aka the ‘Hare Krishnas’ - belongs to) has its origins in the 16th century Bengali sage and social reformer Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who travelled throughout India promoting devotion to Krishna via the so-called maha mantra (the ‘great mantra’; i.e. the Hare Krishna mantra). ISKCON meanwhile was founded in 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who introduced Gaudiya Vaishnavism to the West.

That’s good enough for me.

MJ