Hare Krishnas

Hare Krishnas , communalistic religious movement, officially known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Founded in New York City (1966) by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977), the movement was based upon the philosophy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533). He taught that the Hindu god Krishna is the supreme personal God. The movement practices an ascetic lifestyle, vegetarianism, and devotion to the Hindu god Krishna as a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment, particularly through the practice of chanting the mantra Hare Krishna [O Lord Krishna]. The movement has spread to other U.S. cities and to England, Australia, Latin America, and India.

Bibliography: See E. B. Rochford, Hare Krishna in America (1985); L. Shinn, The Dark Lord (1987); D. G. Bromley and L. D. Shinn, ed., Krishna Consciousness: The West (1989).

Hare Krishna a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a religious sect based mainly in the US and other Western countries. Its devotees typically wear saffron robes, favour celibacy, practise vegetarianism, and chant mantras based on the name of the Hindu god Krishna.

Hare Krishna (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Hindu sect, founded (1965) in New York by Swami Prabhupada ( A. C. Bhaktivedanta). The movement is based on the philosophy that Krishna is the supreme God and stresses the importance of asceticism. Public perception of the movement has been enhanced by the proselytizing of its shaven-headed, saffron-robed devotees, who practise self-denial, vegetarianism, meditation and chanting of mantras. See also Hinduism