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Hare Krishna
Facts for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting facts and information on the Hare Krishna
cult of the 1960's Counterculture era
Hare Krishna
Facts for kids
Hare Krishna
Facts - 1: The 1960'S
Hippie Counterculture
rejected conventional lifestyles in preference for a
freer, independent and simpler way of life, that was
closer to nature.
Hare Krishna
Facts -
2: The young people
of the era rejected the consumer-driven, materialistic
lifestyles of the older generation and despised the
politicians that had brought the world to the brink of
Nuclear War,
Hare Krishna
Facts - 3: The hippies embraced the
concept of peace and love and as people began to question society
they also began to question their religious beliefs, embracing
spirituality and exploring different religious ideas and beliefs.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 4: Other new religious movements
and cults, besides Hare Krishna, emerged during the period that
included the Unification Church (the Moonies). Others embraced
unconventional, foreign beliefs such as Hinduism, Buddhism and
Native American mysticism.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 5: The Hare Krishna cult was
based on an Indian Hindu sect that dated back to the 1400's and
worshipped the Hindu god Krishna as the one Supreme God.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 6: The Hare Krishnas emulated the
style of worship, diet, dress and lifestyle of its original Indian
devotees, including the practice of meditation and yoga.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 7: The diet of the followers was
strict. Meat, fish and eggs were not allowed, alcohol and
drugs, including caffeine, were forbidden.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 8: The lifestyle was also strict.
Gambling was forbidden and devotees were expected to remain celibate
except for purposes of procreation within marriage.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 9: The reason for the strict
rules concerning the diet and lifestyle of the devotees was because
they "disrupted physical, mental and spiritual well-being and
increased anxiety and conflict in society."
Hare Krishna
Facts - 10: The goal of the
devotees is to attain "Krishna consciousness" by the
guidance of the scriptures and the spiritual master, or
guru.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 11: Their central
practice is chanting the Hare Krishna mantra from which
the movement derived its nickname. The purpose of the
Hare Krishna mantra or chant is to enhance consciousness
and obtain peace, happiness and total self-fulfillment.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 12: The mantra
consists of 16 words and includes three Sanskrit names
of the Supreme Being; "Hare," "Krishna," and "Rama. The
words of the mantra are as follows:
Hare Krishna, Hare
Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
The most common
translattion of the mantra is "O Lord, O Energy of the
Lord, please engage me in Your service." Continued...
Hare Krishna
Facts for kids
Facts
about the Hare Krishna for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with facts about the religious cult of the
1960's Hippie Counterculture era.
Hare Krishna
Facts for kids
Hare Krishna
Facts -
13: The movement
spread world wide mainly due to the establishment of the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
that was founded by Srila Prabhupada (1896-1977).
Hare Krishna
Facts -
14: The teacher, or
guru, Srila Prabhupada arrived in New York in 1965 and
spread his devotional wisdom that started the spiritual
revolution based on the virtues of simplicity, devotion
and compassion.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 15: The International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) advocated street preaching (Sankirtan)
in which members tried to spread Krishna consciousness, by chanting
the Hare Krishna mantra in public places.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 16: The devotional dress consisted
of dhotis for men and saris for women. Wearing dhotis and saris
geared the wearer towards spirituality and not sexuality as devotees
adhered to principles such as modesty, cleanliness and chastity.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 17: Colors: A student would wear a
white dhotis and an ordained monk would wear an orange or saffron
dhotis. The saffron robe represented humility and freedom of vanity.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 18: The men shaved
their heads because they believe that cleanliness is
next to Godliness. They left a small piece of hair,
known as the sikha, was left at the back of the head,
unlike the similar shaved head and attire of a Buddhist
monk.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 19: The movement
spread quickly, and gained considerable publicity, and
financial support, through the interest of George
Harrison, one of the
Beatles.
George Harrison was a spiritual person who had an
affinity with India. He studied Indian philosophy, its
culture, and its music.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 20: In 1966, George
Harrison traveled to India to study the sitar with Ravi
Shankar. He also met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, which
prompted him to take up Transcendental Meditation (TM)
and give up LSD. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi inspired George
Harrison to write many new songs but their association
was relatively short lived.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 21: In 1969, George
Harrison and John Lennon met Swami Prabhupada, the
founder of the global Hare Krishna Movement in England.
Soon after, George Harrison embraced the Hare Krishna
movement and was a devotee until his death on November
29, 2001.
Hare Krishna
Facts - 22: In 1970, George
Harrison produced the Radha Krishna Temple album and
wrote many songs, which included devotional references
to the religion. His famous song, “My Sweet Lord”,
included the Hare Krishna mantra in the chorus.
Hare Krishna
Facts -
23: The 1970's
witnessed the decline of the movement when the Hare
Krishnas came under criticism during the anti-cult
movement with allegations by former members of
brainwashing and isolation from families. International
Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) still
remains under the watchful eye of anti-cult
organizations to this day.
Hare Krishna
Facts for kids
President Lyndon Johnson Video
The article on the Hare Krishna
cult provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following
Lyndon Johnson video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 36th American President whose presidency spanned from November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969.
Hare Krishna
●
Interesting Facts about the cult for kids and schools
●
Summary of the movement in US history - diet, clothes
and lifestyle
●
The Hare Krishna movement and the Hippie Counterculture
●
Lyndon Johnson from November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969
●
Fast, fun facts about the religious movement
●
George Harrison and the Beatles, mantra
● Lyndon Johnson Presidency and
Hare Krishna for schools,
homework, kids and children |
