BY: Drew Stull
Today I visited Radha Kalachandji Temple, and it was a new enlightening experience. This is a Hindu temple that believes in Krishna Consciousness is located in Dallas, Texas. Krishna Consciousness is a sect of Hinduism that believes in only one god, Krishna. These people identify their religion as Hare Krishna, or Vaishnavanism which means they consider Vishnu (Krishna) their one and only supreme god head. Krishna Consciousness seemed very interesting to me because learning about a sect of Hinduism that is monotheistic is so different than other polytheistic Hindu beliefs that worship gods like Ganesha for things like good fortune and what not. Vaishnavanism was something new, a new way of thinking that had to come to America and only one person was right to do so.
Learning about Krishna Consciousness made me wonder how this Western belief came to America. After some asking some questions and hearing the amazing story I learned about Swami Prabhupada and his amazing journey to America from India on a cargo ship with no money at the age of 69. I was told that he suffered 2 heart attacks on the ship and still survived because he had a big mission to complete in America. Prabhupada is known for bringing the Hare Krishna movement to America. His first temple was founded July 1966 in New York City. Today there are over 400 temples in America founded by Prabhupada. The head yogi in the temple said that Prabhupada circled the globe fourteen times within 12 years after traveling to New York City. Among his many accomplishments, Prabhupada translated over 60 volumes of classic Vedic scriptures within his lifetime. The Bhagavata-Gita As It Is is one of Prabhupada’s most popular literary works. His translation and commentary on the Gita are considered adherents to the Krishna Conscious movement. Prabhupada passed away in 1977 on November 14, but his legacy is still lives on in the many lives he touched and the amazing temples he left behind.
All in all, the Radha Kalachandji Temple was a great new cultural experience. The restaurant serves delicious vegetarian Indian inspired food that is good for the body and soul because it is prepared with pure love and devotion for Krishna. Every person I encountered in the temple had a great personality and a peaceful aura. Most of the devotees who regularly go to the temple live in the houses that surround the temple so it is a close-knit circle of people who all share the same love for Krishna. I actually got to sit down and eat with the head yogi there and he invited me to really cool meeting for people who want to know more about Krishna Consciousness called the Darshan Room and its meditation for the modern age. This coming Wednesday the topic will be “from punk to monk”. These meditation meetings usually involve spiritual discussion, vegetarian dinner and Kirtan music which is supposed to value an absolute truth in everyone’s heart. Which sounds lifting spiritual experience. Visiting the temple was a very relaxing experience leaving me wanting to come and visit again and again.