Download or read book ISKCON Studies Journal Vol One written by ISKCON Studies Institute and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Second Chance written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. This book was released on 1991-01-01 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the final hour . . . This amazing narrative is based on the story of Ajamila from the Sixth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. The law of karma states that we're all responsible for our actions, and death is the crucial moment when mysterious forces acting according to this law work behind the scenes to determine our destiny. As the sinful Ajamila lay on his deathbed, he was terrified to see three fierce, humanlike creatures coming to drag him out of his dying body and take him to the lord of death for punishment. Surprisingly, Ajamila escaped this terrible fate. How? A Second Chance: The Story of a Near-Death Experience teaches vital truths about the fundamental nature of the self and reality. At a time when reincarnation is quickly gaining acceptance, not only with the growing ranks of people reporting out-of-body and near-death experiences but with the public at large, A Second Chance can show one how to use meditation and yoga techniques to overcome the obstacles of materialism, meet the challenge of death, and ultimately attain spiritual perfection.

Download or read book Srila Prabhupada The Founder Acarya of ISKCON written by ISKCON Revival Movement and published by ISKCON Revival Movement. This book was released on 2023-01-05 with total page 44 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presenting the Conclusions of the GBC Foundational Document ISKCON’s GBC (Governing Body Commission) has issued a Foundational Document on the position of Srila Prabhupada, a document which it has declared to be “historic” and required reading by everyone in ISKCON. In the spirit of cooperation, this book published by the ISKCON Revival Movement (IRM) offers the conclusions of that GBC Foundational Document. These conclusions establish that Srila Prabhupada’s position as the Founder-Аcarya of ISKCON remains unchanged, which means that his position as ISKCON’s only diksa (initiating) guru also remains unchanged throughout ISKCON’s lifetime. The GBC’s Foundational Document is therefore in accordance with the IRM’s own foundational document, The Final Order, which was published and presented to the GBC in 1996, and thus such concordance is indeed “historic”. This book is not meant for casual reading but for implementation.

Download or read book Vaishnavism and ISKCON A Comprehensive Critique written by Samuel James and published by Dr. Samuel Inbaraja S . This book was released on 2024-05-22 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vaishnavism, one of the principal traditions within Hinduism, focuses on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars, especially Krishna and Rama. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, has played a pivotal role in propagating Vaishnavism globally. Founded in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON has established itself as a significant religious and cultural entity, claiming millions of adherents worldwide. Despite its popularity, Vaishnavism and ISKCON have not been immune to criticism. Scholars, former members, and critics have raised numerous concerns regarding the veracity and ethical implications of their doctrines and practices. This book aims to critically analyze Vaishnavism and ISKCON through various lenses, including factual and logical accuracy, epistemological soundness, internal and external consistency, methodological rigor, scientific validity, and ethical considerations. The foundation of Vaishnavism rests on a rich tapestry of scriptures, primarily the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. These texts are revered as divinely revealed and are considered the ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice. One of the critical areas of analysis in this book is the logical structure of Vaishnavite doctrine. Logical fallacies, such as circular reasoning and appeal to authority, are prevalent in the theological arguments presented by Vaishnavite scholars. For example, the claim that the Bhagavad Gita is infallible because it is divinely revealed is a classic case of circular reasoning. Such fallacies undermine the credibility of the doctrine and call into question its intellectual rigor. Epistemologically, Vaishnavism relies heavily on scriptural authority and personal revelation. While these sources may hold subjective value, they fall short of the standards of objective verification and falsifiability. The reliance on unverifiable assumptions, such as the existence of an eternal soul and the law of karma, further complicates the epistemological foundation of Vaishnavism. Internal contradictions within Vaishnavite scriptures pose another significant challenge. The Bhagavad Gita, for instance, simultaneously advocates for non-violence and justifies warfare, leading to a paradox that is difficult to reconcile. Such contradictions not only undermine the coherence of the doctrine but also create ethical ambiguities for practitioners. Externally, Vaishnavite claims often conflict with established historical and scientific facts. The dating of events described in the scriptures, the cosmological assertions, and the depiction of human evolution in these texts do not align with contemporary scientific understanding. This dissonance raises questions about the reliability of the scriptures as sources of factual knowledge. Methodologically, Vaishnavite theology exhibits several flaws, including selective interpretation of texts, confirmation bias, and resistance to critical inquiry. These methodological errors hinder a comprehensive and unbiased understanding of the doctrine. Scientific scrutiny further exposes the weaknesses in Vaishnavite claims. Assertions about the nature of the universe, the origin of life, and the mechanisms of karma do not withstand scientific examination. This lack of scientific credibility diminishes the doctrine's claim to universal truth. Ethically, Vaishnavism and ISKCON face significant criticism for their support of the caste system, social segregation, and controversial practices such as enforced vegetarianism. In conclusion, this book aims to provide a thorough and critical examination of Vaishnavism and ISKCON. By highlighting factual inaccuracies, logical inconsistencies, epistemological weaknesses, and ethical dilemmas, we seek to foster a more rational and humane understanding of this influential tradition. Through rigorous analysis and critical inquiry, we hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of religion in contemporary society.

Download or read book Betrayal of the Spirit written by Nori J. Muster and published by University of Illinois Press. This book was released on 2013-03-15 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Combining behind-the-scenes coverage of an often besieged religious group with a personal account of one woman's struggle to find meaning in it, Betrayal of the Spirit takes readers to the center of life in the Hare Krishna movement. Nori J. Muster joined the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)--the Hare Krishnas--in 1978, shortly after the death of the movement's spiritual master, and worked for ten years as a public relations secretary and editor of the organization's newspaper, the ISKCON World Review. In this candid and critical account, Muster follows the inner workings of the movement and the Hare Krishnas' progressive decline. Combining personal reminiscences, published articles, and internal documents, Betrayal of the Spirit details the scandals that beset the Krishnas--drug dealing, weapons stockpiling, deceptive fundraising, child abuse, and murder within ISKCON–as well as the dynamics of schisms that forced some 95 percent of the group's original members to leave. In the midst of this institutional disarray, Muster continued her personal search for truth and religious meaning as an ISKCON member until, disillusioned at last with the movement's internal divisions, she quit her job and left the organization. In a new preface to the paperback edition, Muster discusses the personal circumstances that led her to ISKCON and kept her there as the movement's image worsened. She also talks about "the darkest secret"–child abuse in the ISKCON parochial schools--that was covered up by the public relations office where she worked.

Download or read book Elevation to Krsna Consciousness written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.. This book was released on 2017-02-07 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The quality of our consciousness can go up or down based on how we see the world and act in it. When we act like the eternal spiritual beings that we are – small parts of a supreme whole – makes us happy. But if we focus our attempts at happiness on the temporary body and mind – on matter – and make those our life's priority, our consciousness will shrink and we’ll be miserable. Spiritual elevation – raising our consciousness to higher levels – happens quickly when we revive our God consciousness. In this compact book, Srila Prabhupada recommends seeing the world as it is – a temporary place full of anxiety – and then taking the road to higher consciousness by rediscovering our relationship with the Supreme Person, Krishna. Anyone can become elevated; the journey begins with a single step up.

Download or read book Teachings of Lord Caitanya written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. This book was released on with total page 415 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Summary Study of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita Taking the role of His own devotee, Lord Sri Krishna appeared as Sri Krishna Chaitanya about five centuries ago in Bengal, India, and began a great social and spiritual revolution that has profoundly affected the lives of millions worldwide. His conversations with the great scholars, kings, and mystics of the day form the basis of Teachings of Lord Chaitanya.

Download or read book Bhakti written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. This book was released on with total page 66 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What we call love in the material world is all too temporary, but in the kingdom of God the profound loving exchanges Lord Krishna enjoys with His dearest devotees are eternal. Bhakti-yoga teaches us how to enter into that realm of eternal love.

Download or read book Dharma the Way of Transcendence written by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.. This book was released on 2022-02-08 with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The word dharma, originally from the Sanskrit, refers to the inherent, unchanging nature of something – sugar’s dharma is to be sweet, water’s dharma is to be wet, and fire’s dharma is to emit heat and light. Dharma also refers to our natural duty. We humans have ordinary dharma and an ultimate dharma that relates to who we are at soul level. That dharma requires that we ask existential questions and then seek ultimate answers – questions such as Who am I? Why am I here? and What is my ultimate purpose? Dharma, the Way of Transcendence is a compilation of lectures on human dharma given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1972 as he toured India. Here he teaches that the dharma of all humans and every other living embodied soul – is service. No one can exist for a moment without serving someone or something else, even if it’s only the mind and senses. So the question is, whom or what can we serve if we want to be truest to ourselves?

Download or read book Hare Krishna Transformed written by E. Burke Rochford and published by NYU Press. This book was released on 2007-05 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most widely known for its adherents chanting “Hare Krishna” and distributing religious literature on the streets of American cities, the Hare Krishna movement was founded in New York City in 1965 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Formally known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, it is based on the Hindu Vedic scriptures and is a Western outgrowth of a popular yoga tradition which began in the 16th century. In its first generation ISKCON actively deterred marriage and the nuclear family, denigrated women, and viewed the raising of children as a distraction from devotees' spiritual responsibilities. Yet since the death of its founder in 1977, there has been a growing women’s rights movement and also a highly publicized child abuse scandal. Most strikingly, this movement has transformed into one that now embraces the nuclear family and is more accepting of both women and children, steps taken out of necessity to sustain itself as a religious movement into the next generation. At the same time, it is now struggling to contend with the consequences of its recent outreach into the India-born American Hindu community. Based on three decades of in-depth research and participant observation, Hare Krishna Transformed explores dramatic changes in this new religious movement over the course of two generations from its founding.

Download or read book Revisionism and Diversification in New Religious Movements written by Professor Eileen Barker and published by Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. This book was released on 2014-01-28 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New Religious Movements tend to start their lives with a number of unequivocal statements, not only of a theological nature but also about the world and appropriate behaviours for the believer. Yet these apparently inalienable Truths and their interpretations frequently become revised, ‘adjusted’ or selectively adopted by different believers. This book explores different ways in which, as NRMs develop, stagnate, fade away, or abruptly cease to exist, certain orthodoxies and practices have, for one reason or another, been dropped or radically altered. Sometimes such changes are adapted by only a section of the movement, resulting in schism. Of particular concern are processes that might lead to violent and/or anti-social behaviour. As part of the Ashgate/Inform series, and in the spirit of the Inform Seminars, this book approaches its topic from a wide range of perspectives. Contributors include academics, current and former members of NRMs, and members of ‘cult-watching’ movements. All the contributions are of a scholarly rather than a polemic nature, and brought together by Eileen Barker, the founder of Inform.

Download or read book Becoming Vaishnava in an Ideal Vedic City written by John Fahy and published by Berghahn Books. This book was released on 2019-11-04 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Becoming Vaishnava in an Ideal Vedic City centers on a growing multinational community of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) devotees in Mayapur, West Bengal. While ISKCON’s history is often presented in terms of an Indian guru ‘transplanting’ Indian spirituality to the West, this book focusses on the efforts to bring ISKCON back to India. Paying particular attention to devotees’ failure to consistently live up to ISKCON’s ideals and the ongoing struggle to realize the utopian vision of an ‘ideal Vedic city’, this book argues that the anthropology of ethics must account for how moral systems accommodate the problem of moral failure.

Download or read book America s Alternative Religions written by Timothy Miller and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 1995-07-01 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a single-volume source of reliable information on the most important alternative religions, covering for each such essentials as history, theology, impact on the culture, and current status. The chapters of the book were written by experts who study the movements they have written about.

Download or read book Branding Bhakti written by Nicole Karapanagiotis and published by Indiana University Press. This book was released on 2021-04-06 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How do religious groups reinvent themselves in order to attract new audiences? How do they rebrand their messages and recast their rituals in order to make their followers more diverse? In Branding Bhakti, Nicole Karapanagiotis considers the new branding of the Hare Krishna Movement, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Known primarily for their orange robes, shaved heads, ecstatic dancing on the streets, and exuberant Hindu-style temple worship, many contemporary ISKCON groups are radically reinventing their public presentation and their style of worship in order to attract a global audience to their movement. Karapanagiotis explores their innovative and complex approaches in both the United States and India by following three new ISKCON brands aimed at gathering new followers. Each is led by a world-renowned ISKCON guru and his global disciples, and each is promoted through a mix of digital and social media and the construction of an innovative "worship-scape." These new spaces trade ISKCON's traditional temples for corporate work-life balance programs, posh yoga studios, urban spiritual lounges, edgy mantra clubs/lofts, and rural meditative retreat facilities. Branding Bhakti not only investigates the methods the ISKCON movement uses to position itself for growth but also highlights devotees' painful and complicated struggles as they work to transform their shrinking, sectarian movement into one with global religious appeal.

Download or read book From Yoga to Kabbalah written by Véronique Altglas and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2014 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book aims to provide an understanding of "religious exoticism", and of the ways in which certain foreign religious practices and beliefs are disseminated and appropriated through contemporary practices of bricolage.

Download or read book Proselytizing and the Limits of Religious Pluralism in Contemporary Asia written by Juliana Finucane and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-10-21 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume brings together a range of critical studies that explore diverse ways in which processes of globalization pose new challenges and offer new opportunities for religious groups to propagate their beliefs in contemporary Asian contexts. Proselytizing tests the limits of religious pluralism, as it is a practice that exists on the border of tolerance and intolerance. The practice of proselytizing presupposes not only that people are freely-choosing agents and that religion itself is an issue of individual preference. At the same time, however, it also raises fraught questions about belonging to particular communities and heightens the moral stakes in involved in such choices. In many contemporary Asian societies, questions about the limits of acceptable proselytic behavior have taken on added urgency in the current era of globalization. Recognizing this, the studies brought together here serve to develop our understandings of current developments as it critically explores the complex ways in which contemporary contexts of religious pluralism in Asia both enable, and are threatened by, projects of proselytization.

Download or read book California Court of Appeal 4th Appellate District Division 2 Records and Briefs written by California (State). and published by . This book was released on with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: