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Earlier this year, with some patient perseverance on the part of my wife, I began reading some of the books published by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Being brought up with a Christian background, needless to say I was apprehensive.
It was comforting to see so many parallels between the teachings of the two faiths. That”s when I began to realize that both were the same faith inspired by God into different versions to better reach the understanding of all humanity.
I started seeing myself and my relationship with God much clearer. The first thing to go was meat-eating. I actually developed a sincere hunger for more knowledge—not only from scriptures like the Bhagavad-gita, but also from Bible passages that now seemed to make more sense. I must confess, though, that after doing this reading and visiting the Chicago temple for the Ratha-yatra festival, I still found some of the customs a trifle awkward to get accustomed to.
My question to you is this. From what I”ve read, there are no real contradictions between Christianity and Krsna consciousness in their message to us about our relationship with God. Not being an expert on the scriptures of either, am I on target with this way of thinking?
Jeff Schultz
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Our reply: From a scriptural point of view, your thinking is right on target. There is no real contradiction between the message of Christianity and that of Krsna consciousness. Lord Jesus Christ preached love of God, and in the Bhagavad-gita Lord Sri Krsna preached the same thing. Lord Jesus described himself as the son of God the Father, and Lord Krsna said, “I am the seed-giving father of all living entities.” We find no contradiction mobile gambling in this.
The Ten Commandments are laws for the Christians, and Krsna consciousness encompasses all those Commandments. And just as the Bible stresses glorifying the holy name of the Lord, the Krsna consciousness scriptures also put great stress on kirtana, or glorifying God”s divine names. In this way, you will find many parallels between Krsna consciousness and the Christian ideal.
But, as you have noted, there are differences in the customs, and like anything new, they will take some getting used to. Please note, however, that customs, rituals, and socio-religious mores are largely external. They give but slight indication of the love a person has in his heart for God. Even within the various schools of Krsna devotees in India, differences among customs, standards, and rituals abound. But any religious process must culminate in a purified heart, full surrender to God, and unmotivated devotional service. The Krsna consciousness movement is offering people the opportunity to come to that standard.
The Krsna consciousness scriptures, in addition to clarifying ambiguous passages in the Bible (as you have experienced), also deliver a wealth of knowledge about God. His abode and associates. His names and pastimes, as well as about spiritual life in general. And this knowledge is far more complete than Biblical accounts. This is a very significant difference, but not a real contradiction. It”s more like the difference between a multivolume encyclopedic dictionary” and a pocket dictionary. They don”t contradict each other, but one is more complete and therefore more authoritative. This distinction between Krsna consciousness and Christian thought is readily apparent to anyone who makes an unbiased comparison of the two. You seem to have no trouble doing this, and therefore you are becoming enlightened by coming in touch with Krsna consciousness.
Please continue to study this great movement. Take advantage of this knowledge, and help us give it to others. This will assure your rapid advancement in Krsna consciousness and make you very dear to Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and to Lord Jesus Christ.
What about reincarnation? Hare Krishna believe we take another body after this one. The bible makes it clear that we do not. “Heb. 9:27 And just as people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment,”
Hello Susan,
The Krishna Consciousness believes in reincarnation of the soul based on the fact that the soul descends from spiritual world, to fulfill personal sense enjoyment independent of Krishna. And Lord Krishna provides all facilities to the fallen soul to enjoy the senses, and Lord it over material nature, only to be frustrated and gradually recognize that the sense enjoyment is temporary and miserable.
However by developing love for Krishna and following His instructions in Gita, he leads a happy life in this world and strongly desiring to go back to Krishna kingdom, Lord takes him back.
However if he has still left desires for material enjoyment and want to continue fulfilling it, Krishna again gives him another birth depending on his overriding desire at time of death.
Its very logical.
Krishna never puts souls into eternal damnation, as being our eternal loving father he continues to give us chances until we desire to go back to Him.
So, you had past lives. I had past lives.
How?
If as per Bible, if this is your first and last birth, why people are so different?
One child is brilliant in music, and another child is not not able to learn.
We carry our conditioning and conceptions, called Sanskara into next life.