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Asceticism vs. Activism |
Federico Squarcini:
Is it time for ISKCON to take part in the shaping of contemporary European society? Federico Squarcini argues that in order to articulate effectively its
participation in the shaping of European future ISKCON needs to seriously consider its capacity to deal with two internal impediments (a) the paralyzing ideology of premature renunciation to social contribution and (b) an unwillingness to accept the complexity and difficulty of social representation. |
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Europe, ISKCON and the Future |
In this session Saunaka Rsi Dasa looks at issues of freedom, democracy, individualism, science, and
secularism. What does Europe expect of its citizens, including ISKCON and its members? How can ISKCON respond to these expectations? Is there a definite strategy? What has our response been to date? Should we integrate? assimilate? or maybe isolate? What options are
open to ISKCON? How European are we or how European do we want to be? |
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Europe, ISKCON and the Future
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Canon Law and Europe |
Prof. Rick Torfs of the Catholic University of Louvain discusses the role of Canon law in shaping European culture. |
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Am I a Hindu Yes, no, when it suits me |
Most outsiders have no difficulty placing ISKCON on a religious map. To them we are clearly a Hindu movement, and represent an orthodox devotional Hindu school. We follow Hindu principles, practice Hindu rituals, have Hindu beliefs, and study Hindu scriptures. Hence, we are Hindus.
Nevertheless many ISKCON devotees often claim the opposite. Statements such as “ISKCON has nothing to do with Hinduism” are often heard. At the same time, in some circumstances ISKCON devotees claim to represent Hinduism and be genuine Hindus. This attitude has confused many congregational members (as well as fully committed devotees), has angered Hindus worldwide and caused many to perceive ISKCON devotees as opportunists.
In this session I do not aim to look at the managerial side of the issue, but rather to take a step back and ask what the consequences of either position are.
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Am I a Hindu Yes, no, when it suits me
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Case Study: GaudiyaMath in Europe 1933–7 |
Bhrgupada Dasa
Although traditional Bengali society and religion met with Christianity and European modernism and secularism in the 19th century, it was not until Gaudiya Vaishnavas started travelling to the West for preaching in the beginning of the 20th century that questions on the mutual compability of the two came to the foreground. What is essential Gaudiya Vaishnavism, and what is external, cultural baggage that may be disregarded? How should a preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism relate to European values if they contradict those of traditional Vaishnavism? To begin to find a contemporary answer to such questions, it is important to first see how others have dealt with them.
In this case-study, Bhrgupada gives a short history of the Western preaching mission of the Gaudiya Math. Looking at pictures, selected letters between the preachers and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati and excerpts from books, articles and lectures, we will try to find out what these preachers considered essential Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which European values they appreciated and how they considered that the interaction between the two worlds best would be served. |
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Case Study: GaudiyaMath in Europe 1933–7
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test |
test |
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