Post 4 Field Trip
He came with the teachings of the absolute world- Srila Prabhupada. Also known as Bhaktivedanta Swami. Prabhupada came to America on August 13, 1965 when he was sixty-eight years old. His purpose was to spread Krishna consciousness across the western hemisphere. Between the time that he reached America and until the time he passed about twelve years later, Prabhupada managed to organize a world wide movement spreading Krishna consciousness. The group responsible for these achievements is known today as ISKCON or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON opened more than 300 temples, farms, schools and special projects across the world and is continuously growing. Srila Prabhupada is not only known for his preaching and determination but also most importantly for his translation of books. His books today are in more than 40 different languages and can be found all over the world. Srila Prabhupada is widely respected and responsible for the Hare Krishna movement.
I went to visit the Hare Krishna Temple in Culver City on the evening of Sunday June 3rd. As I drove by the Temple searching for parking I could not help but notice the extremely large sign facing the main road labeled ISKCON as if an advertisement to the town that we are here and everyone is welcome. I finally found parking about two blocks away (I arrived at 5:00pm) and walked past the housing complexes in order to reach the Temple. When I turned the corner to approach the building I was very surprised to see a table set up under an easy up (tent). The table was covered in books and had two gentlemen sitting behind it available to answer any questions that people might have. I also noticed that there were shoes spread around the front doors to the Temple. At first I simply wanted to observe the architecture of the building itself so I stood across the street and watched as more and more people began to enter the Temple. I found it interesting that everyone took off their shoes before they went inside; I have never seen this before. I glanced at my watch and determined that is was about time for the service to begin so I wandered across the street and was stopped by a gentleman that asked if I was a first time visitor. Apparently it was obviously that I did not attend services regularly! He introduced himself as Nirantara. I explained that I was visiting upon instruction of my World Religions class at Mt. SAC. The gentleman’s face instantly lit up and said, “Oh! Andrea Diem?” He told me to go inside and enjoy the service and if I had any questions I could ask him or speak to the gentleman at the book table because he was a well of knowledge. We parted ways and I proceeded inside.
I have been to multiple churches/temples across the United States but I have yet to see one such as the Hara Krishna Temple. I was very surprised to see the childlike décor against the back wall of the stage. The artwork appeared to be made by children, although I don’t believe that it was. There were many statues and bright vibrant colors on the stage. The walls themselves were a rather plain color in order to enhance the paintings on the walls. The first thing that I noticed was the absence of chairs or pews, everyone sat on the floor. There was a place on the wall for mats and other musical instruments to be placed, but no chairs. I then noticed that people were forming a line starting at the stage and lining the walls of the Temple. There were two gentlemen on the stag sitting cross legged facing each other. I was confused when I saw the first man, wearing a white robe, placing a tin colored vase upside down onto each person’s head. Later I was to learn that this is considered a blessing. The second man would hand each person cracker like food that they would eat. After each individual had traversed this course they would proceed to the back of the Temple, where I was sitting, to where another station was set up. Each person would ladle into the palm of their hand a milky colored substance out of a metal pitcher. After they drank from their hand they would run their hand over their head, then placing their hand into another picture that I observed contained what I believe to be water. This ritual I found to be rather odd. I inquired to what this was ritual was for and I received a basic answer of “it’s like Catholic’s holy water”. (I guess the difference is Catholic’s don’t drink the holy water!) As every one finished receiving their individual blessings I began to look around at all of the people. Every devotee would face the alter (or stage) and place their hands in a prayer form and place them at their minds, their lips and then their hearts then proceed to kneel and place their foreheads to the ground. I personally found this disgusting because everyone was barefoot. I realize that the Temple is a holy place, but still.
While my eyes wandered the Temple I noticed a statue that was placed a little off the far left wall. Some of the devotees would kneel before it and touch the body while others would just acknowledge it with a nod of the head with hands again in the form of a prayer. The statue is of Sirla Prabhupada. The statue is there so that the devotees can pay their respect to him for all of his work and for bringing the purest form of consciousness to the people in the Western Hemisphere. I then noticed another chair that was placed directly across from this one that was very similar except smaller. In this chair the gentleman sat that was leading the service. He also sat in a cross legged position with his back very straight, except for when he was bouncing against the chair midst a story. Also while all of this activity was going on, a small group of people were sitting in the middle of the temple playing music while the man in the chair sang songs, none of which were in English. I music itself was good, but the guy did not really say much, it sounded like the same syllables repeated again and again. I’m sure that they meant something but it just did not sound like anything that I could understand.
As the gentleman began to speak everyone became quite and the doors were closed. There was pretty much silence expect for the children running back and forth between their parents and the back door and finally the monk said something about keeping the children quite for the benefit of the group and they left. The monk spoke about a man that was President that retired in order to find Krishna. He would meditate all of the time and had reached a very high level of consciousness. Then one day a deer and its faun were running from a lion when they had to jump over a river for safety. The deer made but the faun landed in the stream. The man found the faun a few feet down the river and decided to save the downing animal. As the faun recovered the man decided to keep it as a pet. The problem was that as the man would try to meditate, he would always have an eye on the faun. This made his advancing in meditation very stagnant because he was constantly worried about taking care of the faun. Even when the man was on his death bed he yelled out for the faun and then died worrying about its well being. The moral of the story is save the faun but then return it to its natural habitat. Do not spend one’s life worrying about the faun; let Krishna take care of the faun as Krishna will take care of you.
After the story there was a small session of chanting and its importance. The monk expressed that chanting needs to be done in a manner that is comparable to when an infant cries out for its mother, in desperation. That is how chanting should be done. At about this time there was ten minutes left of the service but I wanted to get some of my questions answered before the crowd rushed outside. I quietly excused myself and went to the gentleman that Nirantara had introduced me to and began to ask all the questions that I could think of. This gentleman never gave me his name although he was very helpful in answering my questions. He began to tell me the two things that every first time visitor should learn, that first, chanting is of the utmost importance. He then gave me a card with the verses that had been chanted inside and recommended that I try it myself. The verse is, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”. Then I learned what each term meant. Hare means that the Lord’s energy is inconceivable. Krishna means “He who is all attractive” and Rama means “He who is the reservoir of all pleasure”. The second thing that he felt was very important to express to me was that becoming a vegetarian is required. He even went to the extent to tell me that the reason for war is because of the karma of eating meat. I was rather offended by that statement because I then felt that he was becoming delusional and I politely thanked him for his time and knowledge and continued on my adventure.
The next stop was the free vegetarian feast that was being served across the street. I gladly made my way over to the hall in order to fulfill my appetite and check out what vegans eat. There were three kinds of rice, which were all very good and some mush looking stuff that once I attempted to eat it almost threw up right away. So I determined that I will continue to consume my pork and chicken. To each his own! As I finished my meal I again ran into Nirantara. He asked me what I thought and we chatted for a few moments. Then he went back to playing music in the hall and I left for my car.
It was an interesting, positive experience overall. I personally will never join there religion but at least they are working towards doing good things for man kind. I would probably go again just to learn some more and get some rice! But that is all. The art work and décor that illuminates the Temple was interesting and very different from the usual Christian/catholic décor that I am familiar with. But it was a very unique peaceful atmosphere that I am able to say I visited and know a small amount about the ISKCON mission and the devotees.
He came with the teachings of the absolute world- Srila Prabhupada. Also known as Bhaktivedanta Swami. Prabhupada came to America on August 13, 1965 when he was sixty-eight years old. His purpose was to spread Krishna consciousness across the western hemisphere. Between the time that he reached America and until the time he passed about twelve years later, Prabhupada managed to organize a world wide movement spreading Krishna consciousness. The group responsible for these achievements is known today as ISKCON or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. ISKCON opened more than 300 temples, farms, schools and special projects across the world and is continuously growing. Srila Prabhupada is not only known for his preaching and determination but also most importantly for his translation of books. His books today are in more than 40 different languages and can be found all over the world. Srila Prabhupada is widely respected and responsible for the Hare Krishna movement.
I went to visit the Hare Krishna Temple in Culver City on the evening of Sunday June 3rd. As I drove by the Temple searching for parking I could not help but notice the extremely large sign facing the main road labeled ISKCON as if an advertisement to the town that we are here and everyone is welcome. I finally found parking about two blocks away (I arrived at 5:00pm) and walked past the housing complexes in order to reach the Temple. When I turned the corner to approach the building I was very surprised to see a table set up under an easy up (tent). The table was covered in books and had two gentlemen sitting behind it available to answer any questions that people might have. I also noticed that there were shoes spread around the front doors to the Temple. At first I simply wanted to observe the architecture of the building itself so I stood across the street and watched as more and more people began to enter the Temple. I found it interesting that everyone took off their shoes before they went inside; I have never seen this before. I glanced at my watch and determined that is was about time for the service to begin so I wandered across the street and was stopped by a gentleman that asked if I was a first time visitor. Apparently it was obviously that I did not attend services regularly! He introduced himself as Nirantara. I explained that I was visiting upon instruction of my World Religions class at Mt. SAC. The gentleman’s face instantly lit up and said, “Oh! Andrea Diem?” He told me to go inside and enjoy the service and if I had any questions I could ask him or speak to the gentleman at the book table because he was a well of knowledge. We parted ways and I proceeded inside.
I have been to multiple churches/temples across the United States but I have yet to see one such as the Hara Krishna Temple. I was very surprised to see the childlike décor against the back wall of the stage. The artwork appeared to be made by children, although I don’t believe that it was. There were many statues and bright vibrant colors on the stage. The walls themselves were a rather plain color in order to enhance the paintings on the walls. The first thing that I noticed was the absence of chairs or pews, everyone sat on the floor. There was a place on the wall for mats and other musical instruments to be placed, but no chairs. I then noticed that people were forming a line starting at the stage and lining the walls of the Temple. There were two gentlemen on the stag sitting cross legged facing each other. I was confused when I saw the first man, wearing a white robe, placing a tin colored vase upside down onto each person’s head. Later I was to learn that this is considered a blessing. The second man would hand each person cracker like food that they would eat. After each individual had traversed this course they would proceed to the back of the Temple, where I was sitting, to where another station was set up. Each person would ladle into the palm of their hand a milky colored substance out of a metal pitcher. After they drank from their hand they would run their hand over their head, then placing their hand into another picture that I observed contained what I believe to be water. This ritual I found to be rather odd. I inquired to what this was ritual was for and I received a basic answer of “it’s like Catholic’s holy water”. (I guess the difference is Catholic’s don’t drink the holy water!) As every one finished receiving their individual blessings I began to look around at all of the people. Every devotee would face the alter (or stage) and place their hands in a prayer form and place them at their minds, their lips and then their hearts then proceed to kneel and place their foreheads to the ground. I personally found this disgusting because everyone was barefoot. I realize that the Temple is a holy place, but still.
While my eyes wandered the Temple I noticed a statue that was placed a little off the far left wall. Some of the devotees would kneel before it and touch the body while others would just acknowledge it with a nod of the head with hands again in the form of a prayer. The statue is of Sirla Prabhupada. The statue is there so that the devotees can pay their respect to him for all of his work and for bringing the purest form of consciousness to the people in the Western Hemisphere. I then noticed another chair that was placed directly across from this one that was very similar except smaller. In this chair the gentleman sat that was leading the service. He also sat in a cross legged position with his back very straight, except for when he was bouncing against the chair midst a story. Also while all of this activity was going on, a small group of people were sitting in the middle of the temple playing music while the man in the chair sang songs, none of which were in English. I music itself was good, but the guy did not really say much, it sounded like the same syllables repeated again and again. I’m sure that they meant something but it just did not sound like anything that I could understand.
As the gentleman began to speak everyone became quite and the doors were closed. There was pretty much silence expect for the children running back and forth between their parents and the back door and finally the monk said something about keeping the children quite for the benefit of the group and they left. The monk spoke about a man that was President that retired in order to find Krishna. He would meditate all of the time and had reached a very high level of consciousness. Then one day a deer and its faun were running from a lion when they had to jump over a river for safety. The deer made but the faun landed in the stream. The man found the faun a few feet down the river and decided to save the downing animal. As the faun recovered the man decided to keep it as a pet. The problem was that as the man would try to meditate, he would always have an eye on the faun. This made his advancing in meditation very stagnant because he was constantly worried about taking care of the faun. Even when the man was on his death bed he yelled out for the faun and then died worrying about its well being. The moral of the story is save the faun but then return it to its natural habitat. Do not spend one’s life worrying about the faun; let Krishna take care of the faun as Krishna will take care of you.
After the story there was a small session of chanting and its importance. The monk expressed that chanting needs to be done in a manner that is comparable to when an infant cries out for its mother, in desperation. That is how chanting should be done. At about this time there was ten minutes left of the service but I wanted to get some of my questions answered before the crowd rushed outside. I quietly excused myself and went to the gentleman that Nirantara had introduced me to and began to ask all the questions that I could think of. This gentleman never gave me his name although he was very helpful in answering my questions. He began to tell me the two things that every first time visitor should learn, that first, chanting is of the utmost importance. He then gave me a card with the verses that had been chanted inside and recommended that I try it myself. The verse is, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”. Then I learned what each term meant. Hare means that the Lord’s energy is inconceivable. Krishna means “He who is all attractive” and Rama means “He who is the reservoir of all pleasure”. The second thing that he felt was very important to express to me was that becoming a vegetarian is required. He even went to the extent to tell me that the reason for war is because of the karma of eating meat. I was rather offended by that statement because I then felt that he was becoming delusional and I politely thanked him for his time and knowledge and continued on my adventure.
The next stop was the free vegetarian feast that was being served across the street. I gladly made my way over to the hall in order to fulfill my appetite and check out what vegans eat. There were three kinds of rice, which were all very good and some mush looking stuff that once I attempted to eat it almost threw up right away. So I determined that I will continue to consume my pork and chicken. To each his own! As I finished my meal I again ran into Nirantara. He asked me what I thought and we chatted for a few moments. Then he went back to playing music in the hall and I left for my car.
It was an interesting, positive experience overall. I personally will never join there religion but at least they are working towards doing good things for man kind. I would probably go again just to learn some more and get some rice! But that is all. The art work and décor that illuminates the Temple was interesting and very different from the usual Christian/catholic décor that I am familiar with. But it was a very unique peaceful atmosphere that I am able to say I visited and know a small amount about the ISKCON mission and the devotees.
posted by Renee Kangas at 3:44 PM
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