Am I a Hindu?

British Parliament

Mixed Message

There is a misconception that the Krishna consciousness movement represents the Hindu religion

We are spreading Hindu culture throughout the whole world

Institutional ConfusionWe are Confusing Others

Confusion leads to?

Internal ConflictOur own worst enemyOur own bad PRLoose credibility

Institutional Anartha: Indecisive= Disempowerment

Wasting Time & Energy

British PM Tony Blair

“The British public will forgive you for making a wrong decision, but they will not forgive you for not making a decision”

Decision

Resolve and resolute

determination

Meeting the Admiralty

ISKCON Educational Services

25,000 school children benefit from ISKCON Educational Services

Government funded schools

Gathering support at the highest levels

The Prime Minister

The Queen

380 Politicians and VIPs attend Janmashtami

Gathering support at the highest levels

Mixed messages…?

There is a misconception that the Krishna consciousness movement representsthe Hindu religion

- Srila Prabhupada

We are spreading Hindu culture throughout the whole world

- Srila Prabhupada

In referring to the absolute unchangeable nature of God, the soul and the process of devotion service

“Don't think that Krsna, as it is stated in your English dictionary, "Krsna is a Hindu God." He's not Hindu, He's not Muslim, or He's not Christian.He's God. God is neither Hindu nor Muslim nor Christian. It is bodily designations, "I am Hindu, you are Christian.”

We are not Hindus

When the term Hindu is used pertaining to those of Hindustani or Indian origin

“And actually, till now in our society there is not a single other Hindu than me. (laughter) Is that not? Is there any Hindu?”

We are not Hindus

We are not Hindus

When the term Hindu may limit the interest and participation in Krishna Consciousness to the Hindu community

" When you say we are not Hindu that we are not restricted with the Hindu community. That is the meaning”

We are not Hindus

When we define ourselves according to our own language, traditions and scriptures.

“Actually, "Hindu," there is no such word as "Hindu" religion. We don't find in the Vedic scripture. Hindu religion... This "Hindu" word is given by the Muhammadans”

We are not Hindus

When the word Hindu is used referring to a singular religion wherein there is a hodgepodge of beliefs, superstitions, multiple Supreme Gods, and which concludes in Impersonalism

These Aurobindos or Vivekanandas and Gandhis, they have spoiled Hindu culture. Vedic culture they have spoiled. Hodgepodge writing, hodgepodge speaking, dry speaking, speculation-choked up the progress of Vedic civilization”

We are Hindus

When the term is used in a general sense referring to those who follow the Vedas and the Varnasrama system, the cultured society of India

Therefore in our Hindu society there is garbhadhana-samskara, so that everyone knows that "This man is this man's father." That is garbhadhana-samskara. And especially in brahmin family, if there is no garbhadhana-samskara, immediately he becomes a sudra, because cannot give real identity of the father.

We are Hindus

When scholars and Government use the term Hindu in referring to bonafide Indian faith traditions

The personalist school, philosophers, they are divided into four: Ramanuja-sampradaya—that means followers of Äcarya Ramanuja; Madhvacarya-sampradaya, or the followers of Madhvacarya; Nimbarka-sampradaya, followers of Nimbarka acarya; and Visnu Svami-sampradaya. They, their conclusion is the same. Although they are four in number, their conclusion is the same. And another sect is Shankarite sampradäya. So all these four, I mean, five different sections of the Hindus, they accept Sri Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

We are Hindus

Presenting our case to governments, courts and out legal necessity:

“The government...That this is not a religion. The swami knows some mind-controlling power and he's brainwashing. In this way, there is charge. So because America has got freedom of religion, so if they accept my movement as Hindu religion, they cannot do anything.”

"Represent our case to the Queen that Hindus are being harassed."

We are not: We are:

Nature of the Absolute

Ethnic relevance Limits our audience

and membership In our own language Pluralism

(Hodgepodge)

Culturally Academically Officially- Legally

Letter to disciple Janamajaya:

"Regarding your questions: Hindu means the culture of the Indians……… But the culture of the Indians or the Hindus is Vedic and beginning with the four varnas and four asramas. So these four varnas and four asramas are meant for really civilized human race. *Therefore the conclusion is actually when a human being is civilized in the true sense of the term he follows the system of varna and asrama and then he can be called a "Hindu.'' Our Krsna Consciousness Movement is preaching these four varnas and four asramas*, *so naturally it has got some relationship with the Hindus. So Hindus can be understood from the cultural point of view, not religious point of view."

Reconciled…

Once again…

So Hindu can be understood:

cultural point of view

not religious (spiritual) point of view

ISKCON Communications statement

ISKCON belongs to the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya (denomination or tradition), a monotheistic tradition within Vedic or Hindu culture. Hindu culture is vast, and the term encompasses numerous theologies, philosophies, religious traditions and spiritual cultures. Thus, dialogue with Hindu traditions has been difficult for many seeking such dialogue. There are no official representatives of Hinduism, as the term Hinduism does not imply a single spiritual tradition. This statement therefore is representative of Hindu culture and religion as ISKCON, as a Vedantic, monotheistic Vaisnava tradition.

Follow Srila Prabhupada

When appropriated:

Emphasise the onenessArticulate the difference

Don’t just say “we are not Hindus”.