Second Generation Drift From Hare Krishna Movement

Second Generation Drift From Hare Krishna Movement Many In The U.S.-born Second Generation Are Leaving The Cloistered Life For More Mainstream Pursuits.

By Kristin Holmes, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Posted: January 16, 1995

Gabe and Rupa Deadwyler, brothers born and raised in the Hare Krishna movement, recall their first unsteady steps outside the tightly prescribed lifestyle demanded by their faith.

Rupa, now 17, endured the taunts of his elementary school mates, who couldn’t understand a child who had never experienced television and did not know the words to “Jingle Bells.”

As a teenager, Gabe, now 24, hid his background from classmates and co- workers, retreating to the company of other Krishna children with whom he experienced a series of firsts – first cigarette, first beer, first “high.”

“A lot of people assumed that by us growing up in it, it would be such a great thing because we were exposed to it so young, and we would stay in it forever,” said Gabe, a Navy ensign whose parents live in Mount Airy. “But among the kids I know, a lot of them aren’t doing the temple thing.”

For the first time, the 29-year-old United States-based Hare Krishna movement is facing a dilemma confronted by many religions – how to keep its youngest members from losing faith.

It is likely to be one of the most sobering challenges of the movement’s short history in this country, a problem that is particularly acute because the Hare Krishna movement remains very much outside the mainstream of U.S. culture and religious beliefs.

“For all very marginal groups, it becomes very difficult when kids realize that there is a society out there and if they remain in the group, they remain outside of the society,” said Stephen N. Dunning, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Hare Krishna is a monotheistic branch of the Hindu religion that was brought to the United States from India in 1965 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Devotees believe that Krishna is God and seek to purify their bodies and minds to allow a spiritual relationship with God.

In the mid-1970s, there were between 5,000 and 10,000 devotees who lived a monastic life in U.S. and Canadian temples. Followers became known for their shaved heads, saffron-colored robes, drum- and cymbal-backed chanting on street corners, and solicitation in airports. Currently, there are about 50,000 devotees.

Most are congregational members who live and work outside the temple. They are less visible than in the past, choosing to forgo religious robes and shaved scalps. Many are immigrants from India.

The movement directs adherents to not eat meat; to avoid gambling and using intoxicants, including alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and caffeine; to engage in sex only within the confines of marriage, and then only on the day of the month when a woman is most fertile.

Strict devotees chant their mantras 1,728 times daily or 16 times on each of 108 japa beads, which are similar to rosary beads.

“As long as it’s expected that the stricter lifestyle is the only standard, it will be hard for the movement to keep a majority of its young people,” said Chaitanya Mangala dasa, former editor of a publication aimed at second-generation devotees.

There are approximately 500 to 1,000 second-generation Hare Krishnas ranging in age from 16 to 30 in the United States and Canada, Chaitanya said.

Most are in college, getting jobs, starting new families, and minimally involved in temple life.

Gabe and Rupa Deadwyler describe their participation as marginal.

Neither has taken the vows of the Hare Krishna movement, as their father, Ravindra Svarupa dasa, and mother, Saudamani, did 24 years ago as a young married couple living in Germantown. Yet both young men say that many of the faith’s teachings are deeply ingrained.

“I don’t think I believe that chanting ‘Hare Krishna,’ shaving your head and moving into a Krishna temple is the best and only way, but I also know that I’m not an average American. I’m definitely in the counterculture,” said Gabe, whose Sanskrit name is Yudhisthira, meaning “steady in battle.”

Gabe and Rupa’s parents, whose given names are William H. and Constance Jean Deadwyler, live in the Mount Airy temple that is the Philadelphia headquarters of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Ravindra, who joined the movement while studying for his Ph.D. in religion at Temple, is a member of the group’s international Governing Body Commission, and supervises temples in the east/central zone of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

The couple are strict devotees who wear traditional Krishna garb. Their sons are indistinguishable from most of their non-Krishna peers, right down to the holes in their jeans and socks.

“Like any parent, the idea is to raise a child, teach them slowly to be more and more independent, and that involves making their own choices,” said Saudamani. “When they are in our buildings, they have to follow the rules of ISKCON, but they are free citizens.”

Rupa, a student at Saul High School for Agricultural Science in Roxborough, lives in the temple with his parents. Gabe is stationed in Mayport, Fla.

His decision to join the armed forces was more practical than anything else – he wanted to get an ROTC scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. Besides, he had seen the movie Top Gun and wanted to fly jets. The fact that his grandfather was an Army colonel probably had something to do with his choice, but Gabe isn’t sure how much.

“It’s very difficult to say you’re joining the Navy,” Gabe said. “I know some kids who started doing stuff that wasn’t necessarily part of being a devotee and their parents flipped out, and their relationship just fell apart. My parents haven’t done anything like that.”

As for following Krishna tenets, Gabe says that although he is vegetarian, in general, he “doesn’t follow the rules or go to temple,” but adds that he is on a spiritual quest.

Both Gabe and Rupa attended gurukulas, Hare Krishna boarding schools.

Typically, Krishna children are sent to same sex-schools at age 5, and live there most of their adolescent and teen years, said Burke Rochford, a sociology professor at Middlebury College, and author of Hare Krishna in America. Students have little contact with their parents during their years at the gurukulas.

During the 1980s, when many of the second-generation Krishnas were attending school, the movement went through its darkest times in the United States. It was plagued by internal political disputes, a dogged anti-cult movement, scandals and allegations of abuse that focused on the schools themselves. The result was a short-term loss of faith for some and a more lingering disillusionment for others.

“We had a lot of problems that were the product of immaturity of people who joined the movement,” said Ravindra, who helped to lead a reform movement that took over the Governing Body Commission in the late 1980s.

Neither of the Deadwyler brothers says he is disillusioned. They describe their boarding-school experience as a lesson in austerity – students lived in bare rooms with little more than a clothes trunk and a straw floor mat for sleeping in summer and a quilt for winters.

Students rose at 3:30 a.m. for a program of chanting, meditation and lecture, followed by breakfast, chores, academic and religion classes, and vocational training.

“It gave me a real foundation,” Gabe said. “A simple life is the best life. Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need Nintendo to be happy.”

Gabe attended the school until he was 16.

Rupa left earlier, having grown tired of the rigor and constant fighting with his schoolmates. He rejoined his parents and began his secular school life in the third grade.

The transition from gurukula to life outside the faith was made with varying degrees of success, second-generation members say.

Gabe and Rupa’s adjustment was marked by periods of being ostracized, or feeling the need to hide their background. At 24, Gabe has never had a steady girlfriend. He isn’t sure if it is his upbringing or “dumb luck.”

But once introduced to pop culture, neither could get enough. Gabe says he overdosed on television and Madonna. A friend of Rupa’s gave him his first television, and his first movie, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, scared him to death.

The brothers are uncertain about their spiritual future. They value the Krishna consciousness with which they were raised, but neither is sure where they will end up.

Scholars, second-generation Krishnas and the movement’s leaders say the challenge is to provide alternatives and programs for young people.

“If you ban offer jobs and culture within the movement, they won’t want to go somewhere else. And right now, the choices are limited,” Ravindra said.

But many see hope in the evolution of the Krishna movement. Economic difficulties have forced followers out of the temple and into the workforce. The movement is based less on a communal, monastic temple life and more on a congregational one, where devotees live and work in a secular world and come to temple to worship. That could be, Chaitanya says, more attractive to young people.

“If there is a religion I choose, this will be it,” Rupa said. “I think it’s superior to others out there. But I don’t know if I’ll follow it the same way my mom and dad do.”

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Second Generation to Share and Inspire at German Kulimela

Second Generation to Share and Inspire at German Kulimela

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News on 3 May 2013

Between 300 and 500 gurukulis—members of ISKCON’s second generation—are expected to gather at this year’s Kuli Mela in Germany from August 7th to 11th.

New Zealand’s Kuli Mela Aims for Unity, Love and Devotion

New Zealand’s Kuli Mela Aims for Unity, Love and Devotion

An article written by Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News and originally posted on December 7th, 2012.

Kuli Mela New Zealand organizers Saraswati Howie and Vrinda Taylor

Kuli Mela has already hit the US, Europe, Russia and Australia. And now, the festival that aims to unite and inspire those who have grown up in the Hare Krishna movement is coming to New Zealand.

 

KulimeLA 2009: Bhima Karma Performs “Turned Around” at the Ford Theater in Hollywood

A 3 minute video of Bhima-Karma Saragrahi‘s dramatic, uplifting and introspective rendition of his poem “Turned Around.” He delivered it during the KM09 Gala Evening at the Ford Theatre in Hollywood.

In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”

The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.

Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”

CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.

For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.

KulimeLA 2009: Ananta Vrindavan Performing A Capella at the Ford Theater in Hollywood

Video of Ananta Vrindavan singing an a capella combo of “Je Anilo Prema Dhana” & “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” during the KulimeLA 2009 Gala Evening at the Ford Theater in Hollywood. He dedicated his performance to “the memory of loved ones we’ve lost as a way to invoke their presence in our hearts.”

In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”

The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.

Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”

CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.

For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.

KulimeLA 2009: Mela Video Montage Shown at the Ford Theater

A video montage featuring highlights of KM06 – New Vrindaban, KM07 – Alachua, KM07 – Moscow & KM08 – Radhadesh, shown during the KulimeLA 2009 Gala Evening at the Ford Theater in Hollywood. 

In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”

The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.

Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”

CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.

For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.

KulimeLA 2009: Goura Riggan Performs at the Ford Theater in Hollywood

Goura Riggan performs a Kathak dance during the KulimeLA 2009 Gala Evening at the Ford Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”

The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.

Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”

CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.

For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.

KulimeLA 2009: A Brief Review of “ISKCON’s Gurukula Experiment”

Bhima Karma & Tyaga Hebel share a 10 minute overview of “ISKCON’s Gurukula Experiment” during the KM09 Gala Evening at the Ford Theater. This presentation touches on many of the high (and low) lights of the past 40 years. 

In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”

The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.

Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”

CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.

For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.

KulimeLA 2009: Chaitanya-Nitai Performing at the Ford Theater in Hollywood

A newly released video of Chaitanya-Nitai performing her original song during the KulimeLA 2009 Gala Evening at the Ford Theater in Hollywood, CA. She dedicated her song to the Pioneer Kulis “who paved the way.” 

In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli Mela” is “A Celebration of Community.”

The main theme for KulimeLA 2009 was to “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present & Envision the Future.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles Gurukuli Reunion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheater, nestled in the Hollywood Hills, was chosen as an ideal location for Kulis to come together to acknowledge their collective history and appreciate the many accomplishments of the pioneer Gurukulis throughout the past two decades.

Dressed in formal and elegant attire, approximately one thousand Vaishnavas gathered to walk the red carpet and participate in an amazing evening that beautifully showcased “A Mosaic of Our Generations.”

CLICK HERE to check out the growing Kuli Mela video and audio selections on Krishna.com.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect our diverse and dynamic global community. We believe that by encouraging each other along our individual paths and by serving together in our shared goals we can make a positive difference in the world.

For more information please visit our KMA Facebook Page.

Kulimela Australia: Kuli Fest!

Kulimela Australia 2011

KULI FEST: Saturday, January 8th at the Murwillumbah Civic Center

CLICK HERE to view tonight’s evening performances webcast LIVE on Ustream.

Tentative Schedule: 5:00 to 10:00+ pm, Brisbane time.

Invocation (H.H. Mukunda Goswami + Gurukula kids)

Radha devi (NZ – Bharat Natyam)

Natya shakti (AU – Bharat Natyam)

Mayapuris (US – Drumming)

Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits (US)

Hari Bhakti (AU)

Madhurastakam (Kuli Mela Supergroup)

Intermission

Fashion Show

Chaitanya

Sudi + Lalita

Chay and Stuntmen

Dovetails (AU – Vedic Rap)

Uncle Crazy (AU)

Ghost Brothers (CA)

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Times are local to Brisbane, Australia.

Some examples of the start time around the world:

Los Angeles: Friday, January 7, 2011 at 11:00 pm.

New York: Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2:00 am.

London: Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 7:00 am.

Mumbai: Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 12:30 pm.

To convert the time difference to your location, CLICK HERE.

Schedule is subject to change.

Please send prayers to Krishna that He instruct the internet gods to provide a good internet connection. 😉

Thanks to Sitapati and his crew for doing their best to make the live video feed happen.

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In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli” refers to a member of a “Community” and “Mela” means “Festive Gathering.” Combined, “Kuli Mela” transforms into “A Celebration of Community.”

Kulimela Australia: First Glimpse At Recorded Video Footage

Kulimela Australia 2011

CLICK HERE to view recorded video footage of Gaura Vani, As Kindred Spirits & the Mayapuris deeply engrossed in a “hip shaking” kirtan.

The video quality is a little grainy, but the sound is awesome.

Catch a 20 minute glimpse into one performance from the wonderful festival evening entertainment.

More to come!

Thanks to Sitapati prabhu for the recording.

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In the ancient Sanskrit language, “Kuli” refers to a member of a “Community” and “Mela” means “Festive Gathering.” Combined, “Kuli Mela” transforms into “A Celebration of Community.”

Kulimela Australia: Friday Night Entertainment Schedule

Kulimela Australia 2011

Friday, January 7th (6:45 pm to 12:00+ am, Brisbane time).

CLICK HERE To view tonight’s evening performances webcast LIVE on Ustream.

Tentative Schedule for Evening Entertainment:

6:45 pm – Junior Natya Shakti – dance performance

7:00 pm: Gitanjali Carmella – bhajans

7:30 pm: Chaytanya Nitai Dasi – bhajans

8:00 pm: Vaiyasaki Dasa – kirtan and bhajans

8:45 pm: Gaura Vani, As Kindred Spirits & the Mayapuris – kirtan and bhajans

9:45 pm: AZitiZ – Hip Hop

10:00 pm till late… – DJ Nimai (UK)

—————————————————————————

Times are local to Brisbane, Australia.

To convert the time difference to your location, CLICK HERE.

Schedule is subject to change.

Please send prayers to Krishna that He instruct the internet gods to provide a good internet connection. 😉

Thanks to Sitapati and his crew for doing their best to make the live video feed happen.

Kulimela Australia: Live Webcast from the Evening Entertainment!

Kulimela Australia 2010/2011:

CLICK HERE To view tonight’s LIVE EVENING CONCERT January 6th (9 pm to 1 am, Brisbane time).

Featuring: Chaytanya Nitai, Cupid’s Bullet, The Ghost Brothers, Dovetail, AZitiZ, Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits, Mayapuris Kirtan and more…

Kulimela Australia: Live Webcast from the Bhajan Kutir!

The time for Kulimela Australia is finally here!

The latest report from Nitai Durr, one of the main organizers:

“The weather is perfect, no issues with floods, forecast is great and the schedule is JAM-PACKED with Entertainment, Activities, Sports, PRASADAM & KIRTAN!”

Festival Dates: Monday, January 3rd thru Sunday January 9th 2011.

If weather and internet connection permits, there will be daily LIVE webcasts from the Bhajan Kutir and evening entertainment throughout the course of the week long festival! CLICK HERE for a connection to the broadcast via Ustream.

Kirtan is scheduled to start 9 am and go to 7 pm, local time in Brisbane, Australia. This converts, for example, to 6 pm through 4 am EST USA. In London this will be 11 pm to 9 am. To convert the time difference to your location, CLICK HERE.

Stay tuned for more details and schedules.

Thanks to Sitapati prabhu and crew for working to make this happen.

KulimeLA 2009: Bhajan Kutir – Listen & Download Digital Recordings

In anticipation of the upcoming Kulimela Australia festival, the KM09: Bhajan Kutir CDs – Volumes 1, 2 & 3 are now available for complimentary listening and downloading.

CLICK HERE to listen and download free MP3 digital copies. Add them to your playlist today!

This selection of heartfelt kirtans was recorded live in the KM09 Bhajan Kutir at the ISKCON New Dwarka Temple in Los Angeles CA, USA.

These volumes are lovingly presented by the following kirtaniyas:

Volume 1: Kishori Mohan, Sudevi Dasi, Gaura Mani, Ananta Vrindavan, Vijay Krsna, Rasika Dasi & more…

Volume 2: Kalindi Dasi, Arjuna Dasa, Abhay Dasa, Visvambhar Dasa (Mayapuris), Gaura Vani (As Kindred Spirits) & more…

Volume 3: Krishna Kishora (Mayapuris), Radhanath Swami, Bada Haridas, Aniruddha Dasa, Gopal Krishna Dasa & more…

In ancient Sanskrit, “Kirtan” is “The sacred, joyful, and spontaneous congregational singing and dancing for the glorification of God.”

A “Bhajan Kutir” is a special place dedicated to Kirtans.

“Kuli” refers to a member of a “Community” and “Mela” means “Festive Gathering.” Combined, “Kuli Mela” tranforms into “A Celebration of Community.”

Additional thanks and credits to: Vrindavan Favors as Bhajan Kutir organizer * Los Angeles ISKCON New Dwarka Community as gracious hosts * Szymon Potynski & Rasikananda Fitch for graphic designs * Jaya Balarama dasa as sound engineer * Rupa Schomaker for recording, editing and mastering the tracks * Kamal Vyas & Chaits Walker as producers.

The Kuli Mela Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving an international community by supporting and encouraging its members to come together in service, association and empowerment, with a strong emphasis on spirituality.

C + P 2009 Kuli Mela Association. All rights reserved.