Hare Krishna offers spiritual focus for all ages

All are welcome, and there is no difference between man and woman, one nationality or another, sexual preference or human and animal. This is a principle that is not often heard these days, but it has been around since the 16th century in the teachings of Hare Krishna, known today as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
“Although many participants have lived in Minnesota since the early 1960s, we now have the first actual non-residential temple at 4000 Minnehaha in Minneapolis,” said Russ Lane, whose initiate name is Rama Kisora Dasa.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came to the United States in 1965 from India to spread the word of ISKCON, and the principles became very popular with college youth. A well-known follower of ISKCON was George Harrison of the Beatles, who followed the teachings until his death and incorporated some of the beliefs into his music.
“The temples in Minnesota were house temples in the 1960s through 1990s,” Rama Kisora Dasa recalled. “I first started participating in ISKCON in 1986, when I went to a house center in Uptown on Fremont.”
He said he was drawn to the group by God consciousness. “I can actually have a relationship with God, that is blissful and happy by chanting the Mantra.” The Mantra is Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare, Hare. Another principle of ISKCON is its focus on vegetarian food. “We are sometimes called the Kitchen Religion,” Rama Kisora Dasa said. “There are ISKCON restaurants around the world, with a famous one in Soho called Govindas.”
According to Rama Kisora Dasa, ISKCON is technically a spiritual science and not a religion. “There is no conversion,” he said. “I am Roman Catholic, and I still attend mass.“ But he has added the teachings of ISKCON to his life.
“All creeds and races are welcome,” Rama Kisora Dasa said. “God considers all eternal spiritual souls.” He reflected on his oldest dog that recently passed away. “I know her spiritual soul is not gone, but is moving on to the next life.”
He said people should not care about sex orientation or borders or races. “Thou shalt love God, yourself and your neighbor,” he said.
ISKCON Minnesota is a 501C3, which holds services on Sundays and Wednesdays at its storefront temple at 4000 Minnehaha. The space is brightly decorated with colorful artwork with a special place of honor reserved for Prabhupada, with fresh water and roses always present. The Sunday evening gathering is initiated by a call from a silver conch. The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is a major part of the event, with a chanter calling and the other chanters responding. One series of chants is led by a child. Sometimes recordings of the founder are played. There might be a guest speaker or a class may be offered, giving participants some tools on how to have peace in their lives.
Volunteers bring food every Sunday to share. “We chant, read, cook and offer it for anyone. We eat after the food has been spiritualized,” said Rama Kisora Dasa. He stated that the Sunday meetings and Wisdom Wednesday gatherings are meant to provide a deeper understanding of God or Krishna. Having a degree in scripture, he leads the Wednesday night meetings where people read, discuss, seek answers to questions and have realizations. “People are very enthusiastic,” he said.

DEVOTEE PRACTICES
Individuals who follow all the principles of ISKCON are called devotees, and they, as well as those who wish to become initiated as devotees, adhere to a certain moral lifestyle. They are vegetarian, do not take any intoxicants, have no sex outside of marriage, do not gamble and vow to recite 16 rounds of Hare Krishna daily.
“We have all ages attend, and people from all walks of life. Because ISKCON began in India, we may have more Indians, but we have Asian Americans, Black Americans, Bulgarians and Russians. We also have atheists who come to chant,” Rama Kisora Dasa said.
He added that ISKCON provides hospice care, even to non-devotees who may want spiritual support. He and others are trained in end-of-life care. ISKCON globally has the Food for Life program. It provides 250,000 meals per day for children in India. In Ukraine, the group cooks for soldiers and the homeless.
“ISKCON Minnesota and every temple is independent,” Rama Kisora Dasa said. “If we buy a building or build a temple, ISKCON Minnesota will own it. It’s set up that way so that we don’t fall into the usual traps of bureaucracy.”
He said ISKCON Minnesota follows Minnesota and federal laws that apply to nonprofits. It has a board of directors, with a president, secretary and treasurer. The organization is donation-based, with donations coming from devotees and board members.

A LIFELONG SEEKER
Jimmy Devine, who attends the temple in Minneapolis, said he is not an initiated devotee but considers himself a congregational member since the fall of 1971. Originally from St. Louis Park, he started attending a temple in Washington, DC, three blocks away from where he then lived.
“I had encountered them before chanting on street corners, which is what they did then, and I noticed how happy they all seemed,” Devine said. “So when I found out a temple was only a few blocks from me, I went.”
He said the devotees’ philosophy and demeanor really grabbed him. “I also appreciated their devotion,” Devine said.
He began studying all the literature he could find about the group, and in the ensuing years he has visited temples in India, Canada and throughout the United States. He said all the temples have their own distinct flavor, which he likes. “They all follow the same basic principles, but there are distinct differences between a temple in Hawaii and one up North.” During a visit to one of the temples Devine said he had the opportunity to see Prabhupada, and that was one of the most meaningful moments in his life.
“I grew up Catholic, and I feel fortunate to have had that upbringing,” Devine said. “I feel the same thing (with ISKCON), but in more detail. It gives me a deeper understanding of spiritual life in general.”
He said he was appreciative of the intelligence and sincerity of the followers of ISKCON. He cited their ability to lead a sacred life in the midst of mundane society.
Devine said he explored many forms of Eastern spiritualism when he was younger.
“I could have worn a T-shirt with the word Seeker printed on it,” he noted. “I tried many different groups, and I liked all of them, but something was missing. Then I found ISKCON. Bingo!”
Devine said this was the first group of people he met who had the answers to questions he had not even formed yet. “I may be somewhat whimsical, but these people were not, and I knew they were not going to waste their time. They were thriving, and they did not disappear.”