I was wondering if you had an opinion about this article:
The Hare Krishna Movement
And this one mentions some alleged child molesters/abusers in the group:
child abuse
Do you think there is anything to these allegations?[/quote]
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Konrad, I saw the article. Not sure exactly who's behind it. I have passed it along to a friend of mine who used to belong to the Krishnas and was a functionary at the Zurich Temple, but left to go "independent", largely for reasons mentioned below. I'm waiting for his reply, and will get back if he has something to say about it.
In the meantiime, I can comment that I believe at least some of what is said in the article is correct, especially about the in-fighting over leadership. As for child molestation, this is new to me. There is no requirement of celibacy in the KC Movement. The other thing that annoys a lot of members and former members is the inability of the Movement to adapt to modern culture. Most of us have seen the monks wearing their orange garb and chanting on street corners. But there is a more modern group among the membership that wears ordinary Western clothing and looks (and acts) very "normal". Among them are scientists, academics, doctors and other "professional people".
Strictly speaking, The Krishna Consciousness Movement is not a cult. There is no central figure to pledge obedience to or follow - at least not since the death of Srila Prabhupada, and no one that I am aware of has ever been prevented from leaving the Movement. What we call the "Krishnas" is nothing more or less than the Western branch of a large and important Hindu sect. Incidentally, followers of that sect add the title "das" or "dasa" (servant) to their names in the case of men, or "dasi" in the case of women.
In a related topic, it's interesting that the Trancendental Meditation Movement has also gone through some changes since the death of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi a few years ago. He named his successor beforehand, so that was not a problem. In my opinion, what has gone off the rails there is the aggressive commercialization of TM and related enterprises.
TM is basically a form of mantra yoga. It is simple to do, and effective in reducing stress, and reaching a profound level of deep mental and physical rest and "silence". Autogenic Training is similar, but in my opinion (knowing both techniques), not as effective.
There is a lot of scientific research that has been done into the medical benefits of TM, and as a tool in psychotherapy. It is even recommended by the World Health Organization, which clasified it under "Traditional Medicine". The Harvard School of Medicine is among the institutions that have done work on TM. Ideally, TM should be practiced together with Hatha Yoga.
My main concern is what the TM organization now charges to learn the technique. They defend the ca. $2,500 fee for the brief course at a TM Center as being needed to maintain TM's worldwide infrastructure. I buy at least part of that, but not all.
Frankly, I have taught people mantra meditation for free, and you can even find fairly detailed instructions about learning it in books and online.
I can tell you first hand that while having its roots in Hinduism, TM is not a religion or even a philosophy. It requires no belief of any kind to work, and it is definitely not a cult. Ordinary practioners are not asked to pledge any money or other commitment.
TM is most definitely not Scientology or anything like it. TM is practiced by people of all religious backgrounds, including Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergy.
I've practiced TM, myself, for over 30 years, but am not a "member" of the TM Movement and have no obligations to it. Back then, my wife and I and two young daughters learned the technique for a combined fee of $600. Times have obviously changed, and this commercialization is what has put me off the TM Movement per se.
Be that as it may, beside meditation, the TM organization has established a worldwide network of Ayurvedic medical clinics. There's one not far from here in central Switzerland, and I'll be spending a week there for the annual "panchakarma" physical cleansing and regeneration procedure. Ayurveda is known here to be so healthy that my orthodox doctor recommends it, and my medical insurance pays for it.
Sorry to go off on this, but I thought it would be an interesting sidebar to the general discussion.
Bob
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I JUST GOT THIS FROM THE FORMER KRISHNA MEMBER I MENTIONED ABOVE: HERE IS HIS RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE:
"There have been some black sheep in the society, incl. those who misused children. This is certainly the darkest chapter in ISKCON, however, after it became known, ISKCON leaders made it public and involved the police. Certainly, there were heavy mistakes made that unqualified people were allowed to take care of children.
As far as i know, this happened back in the 70s and 80s and should not be the case anymore today".
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) et. all., etc... All we are able to do is take the available data, bounce it off our own experience; throw it against the wall and see what sticks. "Experience," and qualified analysis—in all its forms—should count for something, no? It sure does in my opinion. And let's not forget the added bonus of the motivation (and ability) to put it down for others to read, ponder and decide for themselves if there are kernels of truth contained within. Whatever that insight is, whether tangible or ephemeral, could very well aid our own process of discovery. Or you can choose to NOT get up2speed and decide its all just a bunch of bullpucky and join that baby outside blinking in the bathwater...
