THE ENDURING SELF: EXPLORING THE IDENTITY OF THE HARE KRISHNA DEVOTEES BEYOND RACE, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE by S.M. Ramson Student number: 205519769 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree (Religion and Social Transformation) In the School of Religion and Theology Faculty of Humanities University of Kwazulu Natal JOINT PROMOTERS: Professor P. Kumar Professor R. Sookrajh January 2006 i DECLARATION I, do hereby declare that this dissertation, which is submitted to the university for the degree of Master of Arts (Religion and Social Transformation), has not been previously submitted by me for a degree at any other university, and all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of a complete reference. S.M. Ramson Researcher Professor P. Kumar Professor R. Sookrajh ii DEDICATION This research is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (The Hare Krishna Movement) who in the face of extreme difficulty presented the Gaudiya Vaisnava science of Self Realization and devotion to the Western world, whose courage, insights, perspicacity, purity and love forms the example that I wish to pursue. iii ACKNO WLEDGEMENTS It does not take the stance of a social scientist to understand that one of the enduring features of social dynamics amongst humans is the ability to extend themselves selflessly, and sometimes, even with great effort make sacrifices simply for the progress of others. There is no scale on which I can rate such benefaction, except to understand that I am overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude to several individuals to whom I wish to sincerely express my heartfelt appreciation. Within the ISKCON fraternity several individuals have provided me with an impetus to engage in these studies. I wish to thank my own spiritual master, Bhakti Charu Swami, whose permission, comprehensive vision and ambitious undertakings motivate my own undertakings albeit trivial by comparison; The Head of ISKCON South Africa, Bhakti Caitanya Swami for his kind permission to conduct the study on ISKCON Durban premises with the devotees, and who upon hearing that I wanted to pursue my academic studies, said: "Do it well and do not waste time!" I wish to thank Hridyananda das Gosvami (Dr H J Resnick), whose writings I have always admired, but whom I have never had the honour of meeting yet, for his encouragement and astute comments that directed my research. My gratitude to all the spiritual masters, Jayadvaita Swami, Devamrita Swami and Kadamba Kanana Swami who kindly consented to my interviews, and my appreciation to the Temple President, Swamp Damodar das, and the resident devotees for their kind permission, co-operation, and tolerance of my endless impositions. Several friends that played a significant role in my pursuit that need mention are: Navin Krishna das, an astute computer scientist who spurred me on to continue my studies, and Cheron Baboolal, a Phd student herself, by whose friendly coercion I made a commitment to this degree; Kelvin who assisted me with the photographs and other computing advice, and his wife, Veni, who made sure I was well fed, on whom I continuously imposed taking seriously their words that their "home is mine!" I express my gratitude to Sobie, Nishaanie, Salona, Reshmi, Sheena, and Renita, who saved me enormous time by transcribing the recorded interviews. To my parents, who always held education and morality in high esteem, whose dreams were to see their iv four children "well educated", who made untold sacrifices to see that through, and whose love and support cannot be repaid, I thank you endlessly. To my joint promoters, Professor P Kumar of the School of Religion and Theology, and Professor R Sookrajh of the School of Educational Studies, the manner in which you received, encouraged and assisted me was beyond the normal call of your duties. I express my appreciation to Professor Kumar for his gentle manner, insightful vision and succinct comments and for facilitating my studies. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to Professor Sookrajh whose phenomenal offers of assistance, I felt, extended to me more than just as a student. Her incessant energy, her drive to maintain high standards, her concerns about my sustenance, her positive warmth and friendship, accommodation of my requests for clarification about research, and my own difficulties which intruded into her personal space, left me feeling that my efforts were appreciated, but more than that, I was appreciated as a person. v GLOSSARY Reseacher's note: The Sanskrit or Bengali words used in the study and listed in this glossary are written phonetically, without the diacritics that normally accompany Roman transliteration of Sanskrit or Bengali. Acharya: ideal spiritual master who lives and teaches by the injunctions of scripture; also refers to the founder of a spiritual institution. Aratik: worship in which lamps and other items are offered to deities or the guru Asana: seat or yogic postures Ashram: a stage in life in the traditional Indian social classes: brahmacari, grihastha, vanaprastha and sannyasi Atma: self or soul Bhagavan: God Bhajan: song; usually more meditative type of singing (compared to kirtan) Bhakti: devotion to God, characterized by intense love Bhakti-yoga: linking oneself to God through devotional service. Brahma: In ISKCON theology, he is the creator of the universe commissioned by Krishna to do so. Brahma Gayatri: mantra given to the devotees receiving Brahmin (second) inititaion Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya: the Vaisnava tradition to from which ISKCON derives, beginning with Caitanya Mahaprabhu Brahmacari: celibate student Brahman: impersonal absolute. Brahmana/ brahmin: member of the priestly class in traditional Hindu society. Darshan: to have the audience of God (murti) or a saint. Dasa or dasi: used as suffix in devotee names to indicate position of "servant" of God Deity: see murti. Dharma: one's essential duty. Also refers to religion and spiritual laws vi Dhoti: traditional Indian clothing worn by men, a simple cloth wrapped around the lower body. Diksha: formal initiation. Diksha-guru: initiating guru. Gaudiya Vaisnavism: form of Vaisnavism prominent in Bengal deriving from 'Gauda', which is another name for Bengal. Grihastha: householder/married life Guru: a teacher, especially a spritual teacher and instructor. In ISKCON this is used to refer to the spiritual master. Guru-puja: offer of worship to the murti of Bhaktivedanta Swami or guru. Hare: vocative form of Hara, which refers to Radha according to ISKCON theology. Hare Krishna mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Harinam sankirtan: congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. ISKCON: acronym for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Janmastami: celebration of Krishna's birthday. Japa: personal recitation of mantra on a rosary Jiva: the soul or living entity. Jnana: knowledge or spiritual wisdom. Kanistha-adhikari: devotee at the intermediate stage of devotion. Karatalas: hand cymbals. Karma: material activity and its reactions. Kirtan: chanting the holy names of God with musical instruments; usually more boisterous than bhajan Krishna: the "Supreme Lord" in ISKCON theology. Madhyama-adhikari: devotee at the beginning stage of devotion. Mangala-aratik: daily worship before dawn in all ISKCON Temples. Mantra: spiritually powerful chant Maya: illusiory, external energy of Krishna that governs the material world, according to ISKCON theology. vii Mayavadi: follower of an impersonalist doctrine of God. Moksa: liberation from the repeated cycle of birth and death. Mirdanga: a two headed drum, originally made from clay Murti: deity, an authorized figure worshipped in Temples Nama hatta: gathering of devotees for of worship, and discussion of scripture Nitya-baddha: an eternally conditioned soul Parampara: disciplic succession, Paramarthika: relating to the supreme, essential truth Puja: worship Pujari: temple priest. Radha: Krishna's consort. Ratha-yatra: cart festival in which the Deity of Krishna in an incarnation known as Jagannath is carried in festive procession. Sampradaya: a tradition, school, sect or lineage Sankirtana: congregational chanting of God's holy names Sannyasi: member of the renounced order of life. Swami: term of addressing a member of the renounced order of life. Tilak: clay markings drawn on the forehead and other parts of the body by devotees Tulasi: sacred basil plant considered dear to Krishna by devotees Uttama-adhikari: devotee at the most advanced stage of devotion. Vaisnava: devotee of Krishna or Vishnu. Vyasa: a Vedic sage, regarded as the compiler of the four Vedas Puranas: Vedanta-sutra and the Mahabharata. Vyavaharika: common or ordinary affairs Vyasasana: seat of honour given to the lecturer in ISKCON temples. Yoga: "linking with God", types of ascetic or religious practice viii LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1 Methodological Approaches Used in the Study P 42 Table 2.2 Biographical Description of Resident Devotee Sample P 45 Table 2.3 Biographical Description of Elite Sample P46 ix TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page i Declaration ii Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv Glossary vi List of Tables ix Abstract xiv Chapter One: Introduction: Context, Objectives and Overview 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 The Rationale for the Study 3 1.3 Objectives of the Research 6 1.4. Outline of the Research