Hare Krishna Movement Essay, Research Paper

One Man?s Mission

It is to my understanding that A.C. Bhaktivedante Swami Prabhupada understood his mission in life to create a worldwide culture of devotees to Krishna. In his deeply rooted beliefs, he turned his life into an act rather than a time span. Prahupada?s father ultimately worshipped Krishna, and taught Prahupada to do the same. Bhaktivedate?s mission began in 1922 when he first met his spiritual leader, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami. His spiritual leader influenced Prabhupada to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge. He was influenced to teach the Vedas in English, and to spread knowledge beyond India.

In this, Prabhupada made a long term plan to travel to America. Until traveling to America was an achievable dream, he spread his religious knowledge in a magazine called, Back to Godhead among other writings. He finally made the trip to America in 1965. He brought nearly nothing with him, but after nearly a year he had already established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

In a period of little over a decade he helped build the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to become an institution of over 100 schools. Thus, A.C. Bhaktivedante Swami Prabhupada achieved his goal of spreading his knowledge. As Americans, we owe him much credit in the diversity of religion in our country.

I cannot help but make an individual and somewhat unrelated view after reading A Lifetime in Preparation. The fact that A.C. Bhaktivedante Swami Prabhupada was confident that he knew exactly what his mission in life was to be, makes me admire him. I often find myself questioning the meaning of things, and wondering what my purpose is in everyday life. Reading A Lifetime in Preparation makes me realize that Prabhupada knew exactly what to do with his life as far back as boyhood. I also admire him because what he was doing was a noble cause. He believed that spreading Krishna consciousness was ?the remedy for all suffering.?

Having been raised Catholic my entire life, I find myself more inclined to denounce my religion than to spread it. It is humbling that A.C. Bhaktivedante Swami Prabhupada never seemed to question his true identity or goal. I often find myself too caught up doubting, or trying to rationalize everything that is being taught to me rather than finding a deeper individual meaning.

In conclusion, I feel that reading A Lifetime in Preparation, has made me somehow take my spirituality more seriously. In knowing that there are people that have a spiritual mission, drives me to contemplate my own. It has also shown me some of the differences in religion and especially the characteristics of Indian religious custom.