What is the shared interest of the Hare Krishna Movement?

Answer 1

There are seven founding principles set down by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness's Founder, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, shared by the whole society.

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.
2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna).
4. To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna.
6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life.
7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

Answer 2

Some of the common activities shared by temples and organized congregational centers are :

1. Worship of the many Deity Forms of Krishna.

2. Congregational Chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, and other devotional songs.

3. Distribution of transcendental literature's related to Krishna consciousness.

4. Honoring of prasad, foodstuffs offered to Lord Sri Krishna.

5. Most have weekly Sunday "Love" Feasts, where the public is invited.

6. Varieties of outreach activities to minister Krishna consciousness within the congregations, schools, and universities.

7. Distribution of prasad, foodstuffs offered to Lord Krishna to those in need.

8. Morning and evening study of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, and related scriptures.

Answer 2: Hare Krishnas are members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a missionary form of devotional Hinduism. Its founder the late A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, brought his message to the United States in 1965. It retains certain elements of Hindu asceticism, centers around worship of the god Krishna and stresses the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Bhaktivedanta considered the mere reciting of God's name sufficient for salvation.