The Hare Krishna's Go West

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu desired this chanting of Hare Krishna and dancing in ecstasy be spread all over the world, in fact he predicted that one day the whole world will dance in ecstasy to this chanting of Hare Krishna. Until His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada left India for the United States in 1965 no one in India could imagine how the prediction of Lord Caitanya could come true.

At the age of sixty nine, Srila Prabhupada travelled to the United States with nothing but a few dollars and a stock of Srimad Bhagavatam volumes he had translated and printed in India, along with his most valuable asset, unflinching faith in Krishna and the order of his spiritual master.

In the United States Srila Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness(ISKCON) in accordance with instructions of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, his spiritual master. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta instructed Srila Prabhupada to present the philosophy of Krishna consciousness in English and to preach in the Western countries.

Although Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, my beloved eternal spiritual master, guide and friend, according to material vision passed away from this material world on the last day of December, 1936, I still consider His Divine Grace to be present with me by his vani, his words. there are two ways of association - by vani and vapu. Vani means words and vapu means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore we must take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence. Bhagavad-gita, for example, is the vani of Lord Krishna. Although Krishna was personally present five thousand years ago and is no longer physically present from the materialistic point of view, Bhagavad-gita continues. (CC Ant p319)

Srila Prabhupada was so merciful that he brought Krishna from Vrndavana to the middle of the worlds largest, and most important cities. He said "Actually I am not happy here, I was happy in Vrndavana, but in pursuance of my spiritual masters order I have come here." And Srila Prabhupada's living conditions in America at that time were certainly very difficult. The Bowery and the Lower East Side were full of drug-crazed hippies and drunks, winter in New York was bitterly cold, very difficult for Srila Prabhupada who was used to the climate of India, and the people who were attending his classes were generally totally addicted to all sorts of intoxication and illicit sex life, and not very respectful or well behaved. On top of this many were full-on impersonalists - more interested in becoming guru's themselves than serving Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Prabhupada had come from Vrndavana, the spiritual world, into the darkest reigns of hell. Still, patiently and with great determination, he presented Krishna consciousness to everyone he met. He went out alone to perform sankirtana in the park. He just sat down and chanted Hare Krishna and preached to anyone who would listen. It is not that Srila Prabhupada had success very quickly or easily. He arrived in the United States towards the end of 1965 and for twelve months he had no fixed place of residence and apparently very little success in his missionary work. But still he was preaching. For some time he stayed in the Misra Yoga Society and there are tapes of his classes preaching to Dr. Misra's students. It's the same Srila Prabhupada, the same hard line uncompromising Krishna consciousness, the same plea to please surrender to Krishna, please give up sense gratification and serve Krishna, work for Krishna's pleasure and you'll be happy. Srila Prabhupada, and his preaching didn't change at all from these first recorded classes when he was alone (apparently) in the United States with no means of support and no disciples to the stage where he had ten thousand disciples and was being worshiped in such a grand way. He was still the same Prabhupada, still pleading that we should surrender to Krishna, that we should work for the pleasure of Krishna's senses and forget our personal sense gratification. There are also tapes of classes Prabhupada gave to a few students who would visit him in the very small narrow room he lived in on the Bowery. There's even classes given in somebody's garage at a time when Prabhupada had no where else to preach! Prabhupada was so determined to preach Krishna consciousness under the most difficult conditions.

So, by the grace of Lord Caitanya, this movement is already introduced in the Western countries beginning from New York. Our first movement, the sankirtana movement was introduced in New York. I came to New York first. I began to chant this Hare Krishna mantra in Tompkins Square park. So I was chanting there for three hours with a small mrdunga and these boys, American boys, they assembled and gradually they joined and it is increasing. First of all it was started in New York in a store front, 26 2nd. Avenue. Then we started our branch in San Fransisco, in Los Angeles, in Santa Fe, in Buffalo, then here. We now have 20 branches including one in London and one in Hamburg. In London the boys, they're all American boys and girls, they're preaching, they're not sannyasis, neither they are Vedantists, neither they're Hindus, neither they're Indian, but they have taken this movement very seriously. Here, at this meeting, one lady has come from London. She was very much praising our movement in London. In London Times there was an article, they said that "Krishna Chanting Startles London." So we have got many followers now. All my disciples till now, at least in this country, they're all Americans and Europeans. They're chanting, dancing and issuing our paper Back To Godhead. Now we have published so many books: Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Teachings of Lord Caitanya. So this movement is not a sentimental movement. We have background. The highest philosophical background.(SPL 69-006 Address to Columbas Indian Association 11/05/69)

In the preaching work of the Krishna conscious movement, we, as the servant of the servant of the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully believe in the words of Krishna and His servants, the disciplic succession. In this way we are presenting the words of Krishna throughout the world. Even though we are neither a rich man nor a very learned scholar, and even though we do not belong to any aristocracy this movement is still being welcomed and is very easily spreading all over the world. Although we are very poor and have no professional source of income, Krishna supplies money whenever we need it. Whenever we need some men Krishna supplies them. This is stated in Bhagavad-gita (6.22): yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah. Actually, if we can attain the favour of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, we do not need anything else. We certainly do not need those things which a mundane person considers to be material assets.

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace within the world.

2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna, as it is revealed in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.

3. To bring the members of the society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead(Krishna).

4. To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy names of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.

6. To bring members together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.

7. With a view to achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, books and other writings.

You begin chanting and hear for a few seconds or a few minutes. You immediately come to the spiritual platform of ecstasy. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended this process not only for India, but for all the people of the world. He said that prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama.... Prthivite means the face of the world, ache and there is, naga means town and grama means village or county. So He said that as many villages, towns or counties there are in human society on the surface of the globe My name, meaning Lord Caitanya's name, because He introduced this simple method of chanting Hare Krishna, will be celebrated. That is His prediction. So we can see practically also that somehow or other in your country this chanting of Hare Krishna was introduced practically only for one year but it is being popularized. People are taking it very seriously. Even some places where I never visited, they're organizing centres. I have received information from Buffalo, from Atlantic City, one little boy, Terry, he's organizing, he has invited some of our brahmacaris to go there. And I've received letters from Germany, from Holland, they have also begun chanting Hare Krishna. In England, the Beetles, they are also chanting, so this is getting popular in the Western countries, and it will get, I am sure. So this chanting process introduced by Lord Caitanya should be seriously taken up so that our aim of human life will be successful. (SPL68-066 Mar, 1968)

In the early days of the Hare Krishna movement the devotees took very seriously Prabhupada's desire that sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the names of God, should be performed as much as possible. So the devotees were out on the streets chanting Hare Krishna and distributing Back To Godhead magazines practically all day, every day. In most cases the temples were supported financially primarily by this sankirtana collection, the proceeds of the Back To Godhead sales. If the devotees went out and chanted for 6-8 hours each day they were bound to collect at least $80 - $150 which was quite sufficient for paying for the Back To Godhead magazines, the temple rent and food. And that's the way Prabhupada liked it. He wanted his students to live very simply and advance in Krishna consciousness, simply depending on Krishna for their maintenance.

Just like you are going to sell our magazine [Back To Godhead]. So this magazine selling or taking some contribution is not our business. Our business is that we are spreading Krishna consciousness. People are hearing something about Krishna and because we are helping we are also hearing. We are also benefiting. When we speak to someone about Krishna then I hear also. Sravana kirtana. The first, preliminary step is going on, hearing and chanting. So in this way we shall take all opportunity so that 24 hours, whether awakening or sleeping, we shall always think of Krishna. That is perfection.

After a rather slow start the spread of the Hare Krishna movement was dramatic. From a small store front in New York and a few hippy followers in 1966 to a world-wide confederation of over 108 temples, farm communities and schools all over the world by the mid '70's.

Srila Prabhupada travelled constantly to nurture the tender devotional lives of his thousands of disciples. Wherever he was Srila Prabhupada would rise very early in the morning and write his books. Between 1966 and 1977 Srila Prabhupada wrote an amazing number of books. He published almost eighty 400 page books. Srila Prabhupada also left thousands of hours of instruction in the form of his morning and evening classes, morning walks, room conversations and letters to his disciples.

Srila Prabhupada constantly stressed that the most important aspect of the Krishna consciousness movement was the distribution of his books. His constant stress on book distribution inspired his disciples to distribute books in unbelievable quantities...the world has never before seen such a huge quantity of religious books distributed so enthusiastically and widely.

There is no doubt about it, to distribute books is our most important activity. The temple is a place not for eating and sleeping, but as a base from which we send out our soldiers to fight with maya. Fight with maya means to drop thousands and millions of books into the lap of the conditioned souls. Just like during war time the bombs are raining from the sky like anything...

Prabhupada's books contain the timeless science of Krishna consciousness as it has been handed down through the disciple succession from Krishna Himself. They are not interpretations or one man's idea. They contain absolute, authorized knowledge. Because they contain the words of Krishna and narrations about Krishna's activities and the activities of His devotees they are nondifferent from Krishna. Krishna, Krishna's names, His pastimes, and everything connected with Him are completely spiritual and transcendental to the mundane material world. Therefore, reading Srila Prabhupada's books is direct association with Krishna. Simply by reading one can be transported to the spiritual world. These books are so potent that even if someone touches them his life will be changed. So devotees distributing Srila Prabhupada's books don't just sell religious books. They are giving people Krishna.

I am very keen on the distribution of my books and I am very indebted to all of you for your untiring efforts to see that every man and woman in America gets one of my books. If they simply read one page, even if they do nothing else, they can become perfect. (to Haribasara 20 Apr, 1974)

Again I am feeling overjoyed at hearing of your increased distribution program and I request you to increase more and more. There can be no limit to our distribution because Krishna is unlimited, so you may instruct the devotees there about this. (to Nityananda Feb 18, 1973)

I am especially happy to hear from you about the huge distribution of books in the Canada zone. That is the most auspicious sign. You are making good progress, that I can understand. As soon as I see that there is such increased book distribution figures, I take that to mean that all other programs are successful as well. I am especially encouraged to note that you have sold 268 of our Bhagavad-gita As It Is in only three weeks time. That is very, very satisfying to me. (to Jagadisa Jan 5, 1973)

Regarding book sales figures, please endeavour in this way. This is the only solace of my life. When I hear that my books are selling so nicely, I become energetic like a young man. (to Ramesvara, 1974)

I have read the plans of Ramesvara and Triparari to attend the fair and to distribute books to the thousands of people who will be coming; whatever transcendental tactics you leaders think best for distributing the books you can employ. Please keep me informed as the fair develops. (to Haribasara 20 Apr, 1974)

Your sankirtana reports are very encouraging, especially that one girl, Gauri dasi, who has set an all ISKCON women's record of 108 big books. This is very wonderful. Formerly this would have been considered impossible, but now, by Krishna's grace everything is becoming possible. Encourage them all to increase more and more. (to Rupanuga)

I blindly follow my Guru Maharaja. I do not know what is the result. So I am stressing on this point of book distribution. He told me this personally. Book distribution is bhagavata-marga and temple worship is pancharatriki-viddhi. Both are important for cultivating Vaishnavism, but comparatively speaking bhagavata-marga is more important than pancharatriki-viddhi. As far as possible, both should go on in parallel lines, but still bhagavata-marga is more important than the other. (to Sri Govinda 12 Dec, 1974)

Regarding sankirtana [street chanting] and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting. Anyone who reads the books, that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtana. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected. If things deteriorate that is another thing, but it is not the fault of book distribution. (to Rupanuga Oct 19, 1974)

Prabhupada stressed that his students should do everything for Krishna and nothing for their own sense gratification. He clearly instructed that if they sincerely tried to preach Krishna consciousness, Krishna would send everything required including money and men.

The area of our activities is expanding. Under the circumstances, if our management goes on nicely to maintain our prestige and good name, that will be our success. Such status quo can be maintained only on our being freed from any kind of sense gratifying attitude, because pure devotional service means: anyabhilasita-sunyam, or without any other desire than to satisfy Krishna (to Bhagavan Feb 16, 1971)

I think that His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is always seeing my activities and guiding me within my heart by his words. As it is said in the Srimad Bhagavatam, tene brahma hrda ya adi-kavaye. Spiritual inspiration comes from within the heart, wherein the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His Paramatma feature, is always sitting with all his devotees and associates. It is to be admitted that whatever translation work I have done is through the inspiration of my spiritual master because personally I am most insignificant and incompetent to do this materially impossible work. I do not think myself a very learned scholar, but I have full faith in the service of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. If there is any credit to my activities of translating, it is all due to His Divine Grace.(CC Ant p320)

What Happened to the Hare Krishnas?
This booklet is dedicated to the Founder and Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Preface
I offer my respectful obeisances to my eternal spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He has saved me from the repeated cycle of birth and death in this material world and enabled me to have a slight glimpse of the beautiful cowherd boy, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Introduction
Even a person with no knowledge can immediately acquire all knowledge simply by the benediction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore I am praying to the Lord for His causeless mercy upon me.

The Hare Krishna's go West
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu desired this chanting of Hare Krishna and dancing in ecstasy be spread all over the world, in fact he predicted that one day the whole world will dance in ecstasy to this chanting.

What Is a Hare Krishna Anyhow?
The purpose of this movement is to keep our minds constantly on Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada--A Transcendental Manager
ISKCON succeeded because Prabhupada was totally dedicated to the order of his spiritual master and Krishna.

The Hare Krishna Movement in the 70's
This is an account of the activities of the Chicago ISKCON temple adapted from Morris Yanoff's book "Where is Joey"

Problems from India
The success of Srila Prabhupada's preaching all over the world caused some of his godbrothers in India to become envious....

Growing Pains
As the movement grew Srila Prabhupada handed over much of the management to a body of devotees he had formed called the Governing Body Commission (GBC).

The Zonal Acarya System
Before Prabhupada left his body he named some disciples who could give ritvik initiation (accepting Srila Prabhupada's disciples on his behalf)..

Born Again Krishna's
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada disappeared from our mundane vision in 1977. This event caused dramatic changes within the movement.

The New ISKCON Guru System
With the "zonal acarya" system in tatters due to the fall of many of the so-called acaryas the GBC established a new system allowing any disciple initiated by Srila Prabhupada to apply to become a guru.

Purity is the Force!
Srila Prabhupada was convinced the problems within ISKCON could not be solved until every devotee was chanting sixteen rounds of the maha-mantra daily, rising early to attend the 4:30am Mangal Arati ceremony, following strictly the four regulative principles and being fully engaged 24 hours a day in serving Krishna.

Books are the Basis
"My first concern is that my books shall be published and distributed profusely all over the world. Practically, books are the basis of our movement. Without our books our preaching will have no effect."

Srila Prabhupada's Concluding Words
"A mundane person in the dress of a Vaisnava should not be respected, but rejected... One should neglect an envious person... There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaisnavas in this Krishna Consciousness movement, and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve an envious person in the dress of a Vaisnava".