The philosophy of the Hare Krishna movement is based on the ancient Indian scriptures known as "The Vedas". This vast body of knowledge, originally written in Sanskrit, dates back to about 3000 BC yet before that it was passed on by word of mouth.
The religious tradition commonly known today as 'Hinduism' is broadly based on The Vedas. However, it is significant that the scriptures themselves do not use the word 'Hindu' because this word originated in the 12th Century. Rather, the religion of the Vedas is known as sanatan dharma, meaning the eternal and natural inclination of mankind towards religious/ spiritual activity.
There are many sections of The Vedas, but the best known are Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. These represent the cream of Vedic knowledge and form the foundation of the philosophy of the Hare Krishnas. In addition, the Caitanya Caritamrta, written in the 15th Century, is important to the devotees. It describes the pastimes and teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who represents the branch of thought to which the Hare Krishnas belong.
- We are not our bodies, but are eternal spirit souls (atma), part and parcel of God (Krishna). Although we are essentially spiritual (brahman), we have temporarily forgotten our true identity.
- Having lost touch with our original, pure consciousness we try to achieve permanent happiness within a temporary world. Our actions produce karmic reactions, which root us to this world for repeated lifetimes (samsara).
- By sincerely learning and following a genuine spiritual science (dharma) under the guidance of a self-realised teacher, we can be free from anxiety and come to a state of pure, blissful enlightenment in this lifetime.
- Krishna is eternal, all-knowing, omnipresent, all powerfull and all attractive. He is the seed-giving father of all living beings and He is the sustaining energy of the entire cosmic creation.
- Our dormant relationship with Krishna can be reawakened by the practice of bhakti-yoga, the science of spiritualising all human activities by dedicating them to the Supreme. This ancient yoga system gradually frees us from the entanglement of karma and thereby the cycle of birth and death.
- The process of bhakti-yoga begins with daily meditation on the Hare Krishna mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Vedic literature compares the mind to a mirror, which has accumulated dust, due to the state of spiritual forgetfulness. Mantra meditation clears dust form the mirror of the mind enabling us to perceive our original inner spiritual self, thus the anxieties caused by illusion cease, and we experience spiritual happiness
| Read and listen to Srila Prabhupada's lecture on 'What are the Vedas?' |
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© Bhaktivedanta Manor 2008
UK Headquarters of the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness
Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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