Author: Charles R Brooks
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 1992
Language: English
Pages: 275
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120809394
Description
This entertaining and sensitive book deepens our knowledge by paths of those Western Hare Krishnas who eventually travelled to or lived in India. The charismatic leader of the sect, the Indian monk Swami Bhaktivedanta, aimed to save Westerners from what he saw as materialism and atheism and atheism by converting them to worship the Hindu god Krishna. In addition, he hoped that Western disciples would inspire Indians to rediscover their own religious heritage. Charles Brooks describes in full detail the work of the reverse missionaries in the town of Vrindaban-which, since it is traditionally considered to be identical with Krishna’s spiritual world, is one of the holiest places in India and the site of some of its most engaging rituals.
Have the Western Hare Krishnas really become part of Indian culture? Can it be that Indian accept these foreigners as essentially Hindu and even Brahman? Brooks answers in a way that radically challenges our accepted images of Indian social dynamics. Analyzing the remarkable success of the International Society for Krishna consciousness and their temple complex in Vrindaban (where Bhakti-vadanta was buried in 1977), Brooks describes the intricate social, economic and religious relationships between westerners and Indians. He demonstrates that social rank in the town is based not only on caste but also on religious competence-many Indians of Vrindaban believe, in Bhakti-vedanta’s words, that Krishna is for all.
Contents
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
TRANSLITERATION OF INDIAN WORDS
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2
The Meaning of Vrindaban :
Textual and Historical Developments
CHAPTER 3
The Sacred Pilgrimage Complex
CHAPTER 4
ISKCON and Vrindaban
CHAPTER 5
Pilgrimage Processes:
Aspects of Pilgrim- ISKCON Interactions
CHAPTER 6
Symbolic Interactions in Vrindaban town:
Making Sense of a New Reality
CHAPTER 7
Cross-Cultural Dynamics of Mystical Emotions in Vrindaban
CHAPTER 8
Conclusion
APPENDIXES
Map of Vrindaban
Vrindaban Pilgrimage Clusters
The situation
Loi Bazaar Questionnaire
Methodology
GLOSSARY OF INDIAN WORDS
REFERENCES
INDEX