ISKCON and Diaspora Hindus in a Shared Cultural Atmosphere

Abstract

Abstract This chapter sketches interactional contours between Hindu diasporas and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) from the latter’s founding in 1966 to the present. It is argued that interactions between diaspora Hindu and Western participants in temple and missionizing functions can be fruitfully viewed through the metaphor of a ‘shared cultural atmosphere’. In addition to public interactions between ISKCON and Hindu organizations, a progression of Hindu diaspora private involvement in ISKCON is discernible, from casual curiosity to active involvement, including, for some, full commitment through formal initiation. But with increasing Hindu involvement, new initiatives intended to attract a more diverse patronage can be seen. A bi-directional cultural change can be viewed in ISKCON today with regard to diaspora Hindu presence: one is the ‘Hinduization of ISKCON’, and the other is the ‘ISKCONization of Hindus’. Both directions show potential drawbacks and benefits for non-Hindu and Hindu diaspora participants in ISKCON.