05-20-2005, 02:17 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Anand K+May 20 2005, 12:47 PM-->QUOTE(Anand K @ May 20 2005, 12:47 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> I dunno anything about Iskcon ..... but is this attempt at syncretism something like the Tablighi Jamaat strategy? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I am not so sure it is syncretism, for I can only speculate.. I would love to know the official stance from Iskcon representatives.
On the one hand Christ (or Krista), and Allah are mentioned as Godhead. On the other hand, Shiva is pushed as a demi-god whose worship is shocking to Devotees of Iskcon.
The Hinduization of ISKCON?
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I was somewhat surprised to see the February 1 posting of an article publicizing a forthcoming Shiva Ratri festival at ISKCON's temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. The article advertises "a sacred bathing ceremony of Lord Shiva, a power point presentation projected onto a huge screen, the chanting of Lord Shiva's 108 names, music, dance, and feasting."
Any Vaisnava is certainly always pleased to see Lord Shiva glorified as the greatest <b>devotee of Lord Krsna,</b> but this celebration seems to be coming from a different perspective. In fact the only mention of Krsna's name is that the celebration is to take place in a Krsna temple. In some places the article comes very close to pronouncing Lord Siva to be the Supreme Lord: "The Puranas also narrate another incident. <b>The gods argued between themselves as to 'who is the greatest.' Lord Shiva appeared before them as an unlimited pillar of fire,</b> of which no one could find the beginning or the end. They realized the greatness of Shiva and worshipped the Shiva lingam which is the form of the flame."
Numerous instructions from Bhagavad-gita and <b>Srila Prabhupada stress the folly of worshipping the demigods</b>, (E.g. "Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet." Bg 7.23) One cannot help but wonder what Srila Prabhupada would have thought of an ISKCON festival that glorifies the worship of the Shiva lingam. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The above article supresses the Key element in the Puranic event. It was Vishnu and Brahma who was arguing about who is the greatest among themselves, and the Pillar of Fire appeared. Vishnu, in the form of a boar, tried to find the feet of the Unknown Being, while Brahma - in the form of a Swan - flew towards the head. (Beautiful story, where the feet and head are to be taken as Microcosm, and Macrocosm.)
Finally, Shiva grants Vishnu some boons. As the Meenakshi-Sundareswara Stotram of Appayya deekshithar shows, Shiva was worshipped by Vishnu many a time. According to another Puranic incident, it was Shiva who gave Vishnu His Sudharshana Chakra (in the episode of Jalandara Vadham).
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Srila Prabhupada himself stressed many times that <b>ISKCON was not a Hindu movement.</b> Consider the following statement:
  "...That Mataji, she has taken land. I don't like that idea. Some Hindus are supporting. <b>I don't want a Hindu temple. Our constitution is different.</b> We want everyone. Krsna consciousness is for everyone. It is not a Hindu propaganda. People may not misunderstand. And actually, till now in our society there is not a single other Hindu than me. (laughter) Is that not?" Meeting with Devotees - June 9, 1969, New Vrindaban <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I am not so sure it is syncretism, for I can only speculate.. I would love to know the official stance from Iskcon representatives.
On the one hand Christ (or Krista), and Allah are mentioned as Godhead. On the other hand, Shiva is pushed as a demi-god whose worship is shocking to Devotees of Iskcon.
The Hinduization of ISKCON?
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I was somewhat surprised to see the February 1 posting of an article publicizing a forthcoming Shiva Ratri festival at ISKCON's temple in Spanish Fork, Utah. The article advertises "a sacred bathing ceremony of Lord Shiva, a power point presentation projected onto a huge screen, the chanting of Lord Shiva's 108 names, music, dance, and feasting."
Any Vaisnava is certainly always pleased to see Lord Shiva glorified as the greatest <b>devotee of Lord Krsna,</b> but this celebration seems to be coming from a different perspective. In fact the only mention of Krsna's name is that the celebration is to take place in a Krsna temple. In some places the article comes very close to pronouncing Lord Siva to be the Supreme Lord: "The Puranas also narrate another incident. <b>The gods argued between themselves as to 'who is the greatest.' Lord Shiva appeared before them as an unlimited pillar of fire,</b> of which no one could find the beginning or the end. They realized the greatness of Shiva and worshipped the Shiva lingam which is the form of the flame."
Numerous instructions from Bhagavad-gita and <b>Srila Prabhupada stress the folly of worshipping the demigods</b>, (E.g. "Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet." Bg 7.23) One cannot help but wonder what Srila Prabhupada would have thought of an ISKCON festival that glorifies the worship of the Shiva lingam. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The above article supresses the Key element in the Puranic event. It was Vishnu and Brahma who was arguing about who is the greatest among themselves, and the Pillar of Fire appeared. Vishnu, in the form of a boar, tried to find the feet of the Unknown Being, while Brahma - in the form of a Swan - flew towards the head. (Beautiful story, where the feet and head are to be taken as Microcosm, and Macrocosm.)
Finally, Shiva grants Vishnu some boons. As the Meenakshi-Sundareswara Stotram of Appayya deekshithar shows, Shiva was worshipped by Vishnu many a time. According to another Puranic incident, it was Shiva who gave Vishnu His Sudharshana Chakra (in the episode of Jalandara Vadham).
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Srila Prabhupada himself stressed many times that <b>ISKCON was not a Hindu movement.</b> Consider the following statement:
  "...That Mataji, she has taken land. I don't like that idea. Some Hindus are supporting. <b>I don't want a Hindu temple. Our constitution is different.</b> We want everyone. Krsna consciousness is for everyone. It is not a Hindu propaganda. People may not misunderstand. And actually, till now in our society there is not a single other Hindu than me. (laughter) Is that not?" Meeting with Devotees - June 9, 1969, New Vrindaban <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->