c h a n t a n d be happy E x ploring K ri shn a Consciousness
c at he r i ne a da m
introduc tion w h at d oe s i t me a n to b e a h a r e kr i sh n a? This photographic documentary aimed to explore the practice of Krishna Consciousness in Wellington, New Zealand. It seeks to better understand the individual and collective practices of the Krishna devotees. As the photographer I am neither endorsing the practice nor passing judgement one way or another. I was merely a neutral observer throughout this year-long project. The Hare Krishna movement – formally known as ISKCON (the International Society of Krishna Consciousness) is a semimonastic religious movement based on Hinduism. ISKCON was founded in 1966 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He moved to the United States from India with the intention of bringing Krishna Consciousness to the West. Today, ISKCON is an international society of thousands of Krishna devotees, with hundreds of temples, schools, restaurants and farm communities worldwide.
3
The individual soul is forever a servant of the Supersoul, and therefore, his relationship with the Supersoul is to offer service. That is called Bhakti-yoga. Srimad Bhagavatham, 4.9.5.
yoga A n a nc i e nt v edi c sci en ce E ar ly M a rc h
In Vedic Sanskrit, yoga (from the root yuj) means to link or to unite. This linking refers to the soul uniting with the Universal Spirit. Within this ancient Vedic science there is a broad variety of schools and practices. The yoga that is known to many Westerners is Hatha yoga—a system of physical postures (or asanas) whose higher purpose is to purify the body, giving one awareness and control over its internal states and rendering it fit for meditation. While some yogic schools of thought believe that the practice of asana is one of many paths by which we can reach the ultimate goal—uniting with the Universal Spirit—in the context of Krishna Consciousness, asanas appear to be simply a form of physical exercise. For them Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion (to Lord Krishna), is the ultimate path to enlightenment.
5
I saw a large group of people singing with drums and hand cymbals. I was so mesmerised by them that I didn’t even hear anything on the busy street, the people or the cars going by, it was as though time was suspended and I stood and stared at this group of beautiful colourful people, they looked like they didn’t belong there/here, they were from another world and there was a golden glow all around them and they looked so happy, like really happy! Bhakti Lounge devotee
Kirtan musi c you c a n f eel E ar ly M a rc h
Kirtan involves coming together as a group and chanting mantras in a call and response manner with harmonium and drums and other musical instruments. It is an ancient yoga practice that is said to help bypass the mind and cleanse the emotions. The mantras are typically sung in Sanskrit. Kirtan within the Hare Krishna movement can become very lively, with devotees chanting, dancing and clapping—males on one side of the room, females on the other.
11
If one does not discriminate in his eating—if he eats all kinds of nonsense, everything and anything – then material nature will give him a hog’s body, in which he will have to accept stool as his food. So much suffering is caused by the uncontrolled tongue. Srila Prabhupada
The fo od o ffe r i ng a nd r ecei v i n g o f pr a sa da m E ar ly M a rc h
Vegetarian food prepared for and offered to Krishna with love and devotion becomes spiritualized. Such food is called Krishna prasadam. Eating prasadam is a fundamental practice of Krishna Consciousness which is said to be helpful in achieving the ultimate goal of human life —reawakening the soul’s original relationship with God. In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna says that unless one eats only food that has been offered to Him in sacrifice, one will suffer the reactions of karma. Krishna devotees eat a lacto-vegetarian diet. They do not eat anything they believe has a soul.
19
One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction. And by thus encouraging one another they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering. Srimad Bhagavatham, 11.3.30.
The house part y A n e v e ni ng f or ma r r i ed co u ples S at ur day 19 A p r i l , 4 p m – 1 0 p m
I was invited to a married couples only, kirtan house party in Otaki. The evening began with everyone individually presenting a reading from the Bhagavad Gita or the study reservered for gradautes, Srimad Bhagvatham. This was followed with several hours of kirtan, next came dinner, games and more kirtan. I was made to feel very welcome, even when participating in a Krishna Consciousness-themed pictionary which was outside my knowledge base.
27
Being part of a lovely community who constantly go out tof their way to help others is something I never thought possible. No one is selfish and everyone is focussed on one thing— sharing this amazing knowledge with others. bhakti lounge devotee
New Gupta Vra ja GIr l s w eeke n d away S at urday 19 – S u n day 2 0 A p r i l
The night of the house party was spent at New Guptra Vraja—the Otaki retreat centre which is set deep within a beautiful nature reserve. One of the devotees lives here full-time to manage the grounds and gardens. This is where the majority of the Bhakti Lounge’s organic vegetables are grown. This weekend, all the single, female devotees were also staying at the retreat centre. The males stayed behind in Wellington. The male and female devotees socialise apart.
41
Birth name Julia Spiritual name Gaura-arati Dasi I’m never bored! I have a much better understanding of what on earth it is I’m doing on this planet! I have a super sublime and satisfying goal for my life. I’m never lonely as relationships formed in Bhakti fill the heart 100 times over.
If you become conscious of Me (Lord Krishna), you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness, but act through false ego, not listening to Me, you will be lost. Bhagavad Gita
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states, ‘If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I will accept it.’ Bhagavad Gita
Remembrance of Krishna is not possible for the impure soul who has not practised Krishna Consciousness in devotional service. If one wants to achieve success at the end of his life, the process of remembering Krishna is essential. Therefore, one should constantly and incessantly chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Bhagavad Gita
the maha mantra 1 6 rounds a day S unday 2 0 A p r i l
Krishna devotees are encouraged to chant sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna (Maha) Mantra on meditation beads each day. This typically takes up to two hours and is often performed during the very early hours of the morning before breakfast and work commitments. The beads are held in a small cotton bag and are rolled between the thumb and middle finger of the right hand. Each bead is rolled until a full mantra is chanted aloud before moving on to the next bead. A single round of ‘japa’ involves chanting on all 108 beads. During this form of meditation eyes can remain open and one is free to walk around. The Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
57
To cut a long story short. One of my friends, ordered a Buddhist book from Amazon.com and was surprised to find that the Bhagavad Gita As It Is had arrived in the post! bhakti lounge devotee
Bhagavad gita as it is A pr i l
The Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual text from ancient India. The word Gita means song and the word Bhagavad means God, and so the Bhagavad Gita is often referred to as the Song of God. Lord Krishna originally spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, a warrior who is overcome with self-doubt about the righteousness of the war against his own kin. Arjuna plays the role of the reader in the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna dispenses the advice, Arjuna asks the questions. There are many translations of this ancient Sanskrit scripture. The Hare Krishna follow the translation by His Divine Grace Swami Prabhupada, As It Is.
61
The tongue is the most important sense within the body. Therefore it is recommended that if we want to control our senses we should first control the tongue. If we cannot control the tongue, then the tongue will oblige us to take different types of bodies, one after another. Bhagavad Gita
krishna fo od V i c tor i a uni v e rsi t y f o o d ki o sk S unday 2 0 A p r i l
Each day between 11:30am and 2:30pm blessed prasadam is offered (for $5 a plate) to students and staff at Victoria University, Wellington. Information about the blessed food being provided is not advertised. It is believed that the cook acts upon the food not only physically but mentally as well. Food thus becomes an agent for subtle influences on your consciousness. All the food is prepared by the devotees, with love and devotion to Krishna.
65
Asafoetida Hing Powder is used as a garlic and onion replacement (neither of which Hare Krishna may eat). This bright yellow powder is derived from the root of a herb (ferula) which is cultivated mainly in India.
Lord Krsna’s favourite plant is Tulasi. Tulasi leaves (fresh or dried) are offered with the Prasadam (blessed food). The Supreme Lord Hari does not accept anyone’s worship without Tulasi. Bhagavad Gita
FOOD Krishna’s tray before offering
PRASADAM Krishna’s tray after offering
My first experiences were of feeling very supported by the devotees (one in particular who became a very good friend), and also by the community in general, as they were very nice to me. bhakti lounge devotee
the house-warming at G aur a-a r at i a n d Kr sh n a n a da’s friday 2 M ay
A Friday night gathering to welcome a married devotee couple into their new shared home. The evening began at 4pm and ran until 8.30pm. Kirtan was chanted and a vegetarian meal was prepared by the host to be shared with all devotees.
85
Spiritual life is different. The struggle isn’t there. It’s not that I do nothing, I have a fulfilling spiritual career learning the Vedic philosophy, teaching it to others, caring for others, cooking, managing people etc and it’s completely satisfying. bhakti lounge devotee
bo ok distribution sav i ng lo st so u ls s at ur day 1 0 m ay
An important aspect of Krishna Consciousness is ‘spreading the word’ of Krishna. One way this is achieved is through the selling of Krishna Consciousness books to passers-by in the street. The devotees try to go out each Saturday between 11am and 2:30pm to distribute books. They split up in order to cover all the main areas of Wellington. Some travel out to the suburbs, some even going as far as Palmerston North. They regroup around 2:30pm at the Bhakti Lounge for a meal followed by hours of kirtan.
91
The kirtans were so fiery that you couldn’t help but dance! And the philosophy really made sense and I’d often think about what the books said for days, discussing it with my friends. bhakti lounge devotee
Sandhya a t y pi c a l sat u r day n i gh t s at ur day 1 0 m ay
Saturday evenings at the Bhakti Lounge are closed to the public and reserved for the devotees. Sandhya means ‘early evening’. Between 6 and 7pm, the conch shell is sounded and the curtains of the altar are opened. Kirtan is chanted and dancing takes place before Prasadam is distributed to all the devotees. Between 8 and 8:30pm the altar curtains are closed and the Deities are prepared for bedtime. They are dressed in their pyjamas and their garlands and jewellery are removed. An offering is made, usually with hot milk and perhaps a sweet.
103
Take whatever you are doing in life (work, family, study, social activities etc.) and add Krishna. Everything else pans out from there. bhakti lounge devotee
altar introduc tions r a d ha a nd kr i sh n a M ay – J u n e
The altar is kept closed behind a box-like structure in the yoga room. It is only opened for devotees and only when the Bhakti Lounge is closed to the public. The Deities at this altar, Radha and Krishna, are together known within Hinduism as the combination of both the feminine as well as the masculine aspects of God. Radha is Krishna’s supreme beloved. Srila Prabhupada, deliberately dresssed by the devotees for a cold day, looks on from the right.
111
New week
New outfits
Don’t get me wrong, I love my birth father. Devamrita is a different kind of father, the most loving of fathers. bhakti lounge devotee
swami devamrita i ha d ne v e r b e f o r e met a swa mi m onday 1 9 m ay
The word swami means master—striving for mastery over one’s smaller self and habitual patterns, so that the eternal Self within may come shining through. Devamrita Swami, the spiritual father to the Bhakti Lounge devotees, travels around the world presenting workshops for the public and leads discussions and kirtans for his devotees. It is Devamrita Swami who bestows on each of the devotees their spiritual name and offers advice and arranges marriages between the devotees.
117
I also recall the first time I met my spiritual master. A devotee who I had met at my friend’s house gave me a cassette tape and said ‘you might want to listen to this, it’s a lecture by a swami’. I asked ‘what’s a swami?’ ‘A spiritual master’, he replied. I put on the tape. I was startled to hear Devamrita Swami chant the invocation to Srilmad-Bhagatam for the first time. ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!’ Instantly I recall thinking ‘this is my spiritual master’. bhakti lounge devotee
Everyone engaged in the practice of chanting the Hare Krishna Maha mantra will be completely cleansed, from the core of his heart, and be saved from the cycle of birth and death. Srimad Bhagavatam 7.6.1
Hare Krishna to you M ay you ne v e r ta ke b i rth a ga i n J uly – s e p te m b e r
The Hare Krishna have their own version of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song—with an atypical chorus line; ‘May you never take birth again’. The two birthdays I attended at the Bhakti Lounge were celebrated with the devotees coming together, singing kirtan, eating a birthday feast, offering small gifts and then eating cake.
125
My life before Krishna Consciousness, I always felt as though I was like some weirdly shaped puzzle piece that didn’t fit into any thing, sick of dealing with the world and my own problems I numbed myself out by skate boarding fuelled with intoxication and music ranging from psychedelic to heavy metal. Krishna Consciousness completely flipped it over, I can’t put it in words how indebted I am. Bhakti lounge devotee
Harinama Ta k i ng Ki rta n to th e str eets s at ur day af t e r n o o n s J u n e – J u ly
Harinama is the group-chanting of the holy names of the Lord. From the beginning of the Krishna Consciousness movement in the West, Srila Prabhupada directed the devotees to chant congregationally in the temple as well as in the parks and streets of the towns and cities.
133
My daughter found a self-realisation book by Shrila Prabhupada at Cuba Mall Wellington City in February 1988 and from the book we found the address of the nearest Hare Krishna temple which we started visiting. newlands temple devotee
The ISKCON* Temple T he ot he r w e l l i ngto n co mmu n i t y S unday 2 5 M ay
Outside central Wellington, in Newlands, there is another Krishna Consciousness temple. In comparison with the Bhakti Lounge, where most devotees are western in origin, this temple was mainly attended by immigrants from India and their children. *International Society for Krishna Consciousness
145
I have understood that I need to link back to Lord Krishna who is our original father. There is a process to this path and that is called Krishna Consciousness. There are different ways to attain the Lord, but the short cut or quickest way is the process of Bhakti Yoga or devotional service. newlands temple devotee
Krishna is compared to sunshine, and Maya is compared to darkness. Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one takes to Krishna Consciousness, the darkness of illusion (the influence of the external energy) will immediately vanish. Sri Chaitanya Charithaamrutha, Madhya Leela, Chapter 22, Text 31
The Recharge Festival a b sor b e d i n spi r i tua l b li ss s at urday 3 1 j u n e
Twice a year Krishna devotees from New Zealand and Australia gather at New Gupta Vraja (the Otaki retreat centre) to ‘absorb themselves in spiritual bliss’ with their spiritual father, Devamrita Swami. This mid-year festival started on Friday night and ended on the Monday morning. In comparison, the end-of-year festival lasts for two weeks during the Christmas, New Year period. This festival was associated more with the Bhakti Lounge devotees than with those from the Newlands Temple.
163
Whoever sees Lord Krishna sees a festival. His face and body are fully satisfying for everyone to see. Srimad Bhagavatam 9.24.65
The ISKCON altar O pe n on su n days s unday 2 2 J u n e
The Newlands altar is open every Sunday for the midday feast programme. Each week the decorations, flowers and outfits are changed. Adjacent to the altar is a shrine that features a very life-like Srila Prabhupada.
187
Krishna will be very pleased, if you follow your vows for Him. We hope that people will take it very seriously, when they make this marriage vow, ‘That’s what I am doing for Krishna’. JAYAPATAKA SWAMI
The ISKCON wedding I t ’ s t he g ro o m’s day s unday 2 2 j u n e
A typical Hindu wedding held at the Newlands Temple. The wedding is solemnized before the holy fire (yagya) with chanting of special mantras. The couple exchange vows to help each other in serving Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and to always stay together. Partners are found based on how well they will help each other grow spiritually. Swami Devamrita assists his Bhakti Lounge devotees in finding the right partner when the time is right for them to be married.
193
When one is fully engaged in devotional service, one realizes that all one’s desires are satisfied. Thus one does not have any material desire anymore. One only desires to serve guru and Krsna. Srila Prabhupada
the l adies’ a shram b a si c mat er i a l n eeds M onday 1 4 J u ly
The Bhakti Lounge houses female and male devotees in separate buildings. As a means of learning that one requires very few material possessions, the rooms are very simple. An inflatable bed is rolled out each night in either a private cubicle or in the kirtan room.
205
My life is very different now. I now have much more spiritual knowledge, a daily spiritual practice, and much more peace of mind. I’m much happier, have better health, nice relationships, and a life with purpose. bhakti lounge devotee
home altars i n e v e ry d e votee h o u se M onday 1 4 J u ly
Each of the devotees who live outside the ashram have an altar at home where they welcome Krishna into their homes as their most honoured guest. Home altars are placed in an area of the house that is well lit, and free from drafts and household disturbances. Devotees should be able to sit in front of it, just as you would sit in front of an honoured guest. This particular home altar has a Shaligram (a painted fossilized stone) as a representation of God. Shaligrams are usually collected from sacred river beds in India. Each morning the devotee wipes off and repaints the stone decorations, cleans the altar and replaces any wilting flowers.
211
If by the tongue you chant Hare Krishna mantra and by the tongue you taste prasadam, you will be perfect, simply by executing these two things. Srila Prabhupada
temple pra sadam S unday Fea st pr epa r ati o n s unday 2 9 J u n e
‘Prasad’ literally means a gracious gift. It denotes anything, typically an edible food, that is first offered to a deity, saint, Perfect Master or an avatar, and then distributed in His or Her name to their followers or others. The prasad is then considered to have the deity’s blessing residing within it. Typically ISKCON devotees will eat only prasada, i.e., everything they eat is first offered to Krishna. In addition, the cooking of prasada is done without tasting, because it is not for the believer’s own consumption, but is to be offered to Krishna—they will receive the remnants of Krishna’s food, which they consider to be of no value to Krishna. ISKCON temples are known for providing free prasada meals to all who come, as they believe that this is not only feeding the poor but providing them with Krishna’s mercy as well.
219
Krishna appears in this material world in His original eternal form, with two hands, holding a ute. He appears exactly in His eternal body, uncontaminated by this material world. Bhagavad Gita
Celebrating Janma shtami Lor d Kr i s hna’s b i rth day M onday 1 8 Au g u st
Janmashtami is an annual celebration of the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called Abhisheka.
227
Even though we may not have the fortune to contact the Supreme Lord personally, the Lord’s representative is as good as the Lord Himself because such a representative does not say anything unless it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.24.48, purport
V ya sa-puja A n n ua l H oma g e to Sr i l a Pr a b h u pa da T ue s day 1 9 Au g u st
Every year, on the day after the Janmastami celebration of Lord Krishna’s appearance, ISKCON devotees honour the birthday of their spiritual father Srila Prabhupada by chanting, feasting, and reading him their personal and heartfelt homages. Srila Prabhupada represents Krishna Himself. Krishna recommends everyone seeking God to first seek out God’s representative and respectfully accept his guidance. Srila Prabhupada lives through his books.
237
i would like to thank This project would not have been possible were it not for the welcoming Bhakti communities in Wellington: Bhakti Lounge and the Newlands ISKCON Temple. I would like to thank all of the devotees for allowing me to always be present with my camera, for including me in so much and for sharing their stories with me. A special thank you to Gaura-arati at the Bhakti Lounge who dedicated so much time to me and my project and Kala, Sudha, Prema and Jagdish at the Newlands Temple for making me feel so welcome and ensuring that I always had prime positions in order to get the best shots.
245