How to Become a Hare Krishna
Becoming a Hare Krishna takes dedication. Before you become a Hare Krishna, try to visit prayer groups and gatherings. You can find out what Hare Krishnas are all about by contacting the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, and if you're ready to become a Hare Krishna, you can prepare for your first initiation.
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Instructions
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Understand the Hare Krishna Philosophy
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Know that the Hare Krishna chant is considered a mantra. This repeated phrase is intended to clear the mind and free it from other worries.
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Learn that Hare Krishnas are practitioners of bhakti yoga, which incorporates universal principles and concentration to focus on a higher power.
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Understand that true Hare Krishna followers abide by strict guidelines for diet and activity. Hare Krishna practitioners vow to abstain from intoxicants, stimulants, meat, fish, and eggs, as well as gambling and sexual relations.
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Discover that the Hare Krishna chant has found its way into popular culture through songs, television shows, and films.
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Keep in mind that Hare Krishnas may also be called "Guidiya Vaishnavas."
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Notice that full-time Hare Krishnas do wear traditional Indian robes and use traditional marks on the forehead, arms, abdomen, and chest from sacred mud.
Look for Hari Krishna Resources
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Find Hare Krishnas near you to further discuss the possibility of joining. You may be able to find Hari Krishnas during their public chanting processions or selling the Bhagavad Gita.
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Look for Hindu religious organizations in your area. You can look through the phone book or on a web directory (see Resources).
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Contact the International Society of Krishna Consciousness for more information on a Hare Krishna group near you (see Resources).
Join the Hari Krishnas
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Determine which of the disciples you will follow in your first six months as a Hare Krishna.
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Take the vows which mark your first initiation. You will be told the holy names of the Hare at this ceremony.
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Complete the Hari Krishna questionnaire. You'll need to answer 13 institutional and doctrinal questions to continue to the next level, which means that you will receive the blessings of the temple authorities.
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Begin the initiation ceremony with a fire sacrifice. You'll take your vows and change your name in the presence of a guru.
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Make your promises during the initiation process. You will vow to recite a certain number of mantras every day and follow certain ethical standards.
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Complete a second initiation process after one year, which will allow you to preside over liturgical activities.
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Resources
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Comments
View all 13 Comments-
go team
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so what must one before joining this group and what will he avoid.
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lol people get off on pointing out others mistakes, priceless.
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togosturn
Jul 30, 2010
Nice guide, except they may be called "Gaudiya Vaishnavas", not "Guidiya Vaishnavas." If you strictly go by the Oxford dictionary definition of Hare Krishna, being "a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness" then you'd have to keep in mind that all Hare Krishnas are Gaudiya Vaishnavas, but not all Gaudiya Vaishnavas are Hare Krishnas. -
alankara
Apr 11, 2010
The process is to ask for initiation. If you have been at this for 15yrs you really should get initiated. Somehow you aren't understanding the urgency of this move. At the time of initiation the Guru agrees to drag you back to Godhead regardless of how long it takes. Without this connection (initiation) the experiences you are having are under the external energy of Krishna. Sorry, but this is the reality. Initiation puts you under the protection of the Internal energy (Yogamaya) of Krishna. I know you like the Devotees etc, but 15 yrs is too long. At the time of death the Guru will protect you and move you along accordingly. Without this quarantee you can become lost again. I know you are sincere, but be smart. At first it may be a little inconveinent but this will pass and the initiation will happen nicely. At least ask one of the current Gurus who you like/trust to initiate you. ...
