Money, Power, and Death: The Dark Side of the Hare Krishna's

Summary

The speaker discusses their involvement in a documentary about the Krishna Consciousness movement, focusing on a dark chapter from the 1970s and 80s. They share insights about the movement's origins, misconceptions, and its growth, particularly through the leadership of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The conversation delves into the rise of power-hungry leaders, the abuse and corruption within the movement, and the tragic story of a murdered member, Charles St. Dennis. The speaker reflects on how cults often prey on vulnerable people, with the discussion touching on broader societal and psychological implications of such movements.

Takeaways

• 😀 The director of the show was hired by the production company after they had already sold the project to Peacock, marking the first time he worked on a show without being involved in its initial conception.
• 😀 The director had misconceptions about the Hare Krishna movement before getting involved, mistakenly associating it with the 1960s American counterculture, but learned it has ancient spiritual roots going back thousands of years.
• 😀 The show explores a dark period in the history of the Hare Krishna movement during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly focusing on corruption, abuse, and leadership failures within the movement.
• 😀 A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the movement in the West, was pivotal in spreading Krishna Consciousness, with figures like George Harrison helping the movement gain traction.
• 😀 After Prabhupada’s death in 1977, the movement struggled with leadership, as young, inexperienced followers were appointed as spiritual gurus, leading to power abuse and exploitation.
• 😀 Kirtanananda (Keith Ham), one of the appointed gurus, became a central figure in the corruption, involved in illegal activities like money scams, exploitation of devotees, and even orchestrating murders.
• 😀 Kirtanananda’s actions included manipulating young women to collect money at public events like rock concerts and stock car races, using emotional tactics to raise funds for fabricated charities.
• 😀 The conversation highlights the tragic murder of Charles St. Dennis (Chaka), a devotee who challenged Kirtanananda's hypocrisy and abuses, ultimately leading to his death.
• 😀 The movement was involved in systemic abuse of children, particularly in the New Vrindaban commune, leading to lifelong trauma for the victims, who now express resentment and anger in online communities.
• 😀 Despite the movement's positive teachings, including love, peace, and relinquishing material attachments, the abuse and hypocrisy within the leadership led to widespread harm and long-lasting consequences.
• 😀 The conversation expands on how cults, like the Hare Krishna movement, often attract people searching for meaning or an alternative to the chaos of the world, but can quickly turn harmful due to manipulation and power dynamics.

Q & A

How did the director get involved in the project discussed in the transcript?

The director was hired by the production company, Marware Junction, after they sold the show to Peacock. The director was brought on because the production company liked their previous work, even though the director was not involved in the initial conception of the story.

What were the director's initial misconceptions about the Hare Krishna movement?

The director initially believed that the Hare Krishna movement was invented in America during the 1960s and associated it with the hippie movement. However, they later learned that it is actually an ancient spiritual tradition with roots dating back over 3,500 years, predating Christianity.

How did George Harrison contribute to the spread of Krishna Consciousness?

George Harrison played a pivotal role by supporting the movement and helping to spread Krishna Consciousness. He arranged for devotees to camp outside Apple Records to meet The Beatles, and he himself became a follower. His song 'My Sweet Lord' is about Krishna Consciousness.

What was the risk associated with appointing multiple gurus after the death of Prabhupada?

After Prabhupada's death, he appointed 11 young devotees as gurus to continue leading the movement. These were men in their 20s, who were suddenly treated as divine authorities, which led to some of them becoming unprepared for such power, with some eventually abusing it.

Who was Kirtananda, and why is he significant in this context?

Kirtananda (born Keith Ham) was one of the appointed gurus and became a controversial figure. He abused his position of power, engaging in criminal activities, including orchestrating murders and other crimes to maintain control over the movement.

What role did Thomas Westfall play in uncovering Kirtananda's crimes?

Thomas Westfall, a retired homicide cop, kept a close watch on the Krishna community in West Virginia after they set up a commune. He became a key source for the documentary, believing that Kirtananda was responsible for several murders to maintain his authority within the movement.

What was the significance of the murder of Charles St. Dennis (Chaka)?

Charles St. Dennis, known as Chaka, was murdered after he publicly criticized Kirtananda for his hypocrisy, including his materialism and improper relationships. His murder highlighted the darker side of the Krishna movement under Kirtananda's leadership.

How did Kirtananda manipulate funds for the movement?

Kirtananda used creative schemes to raise money for the movement, including sending young female devotees to events like stock car races and rock concerts to collect donations. They would make up fake charities and deposit large sums of money, often in ways to avoid scrutiny by authorities.

What impact did Kirtananda's actions have on the followers of the movement?

Kirtananda's actions, including abuse and manipulation, had a lasting and traumatic impact on many followers, especially children. Survivors of the New Vrindavan commune, where he was based, have formed online communities expressing anger and resentment towards the movement's leadership.

How did the Hare Krishna movement address the issue of abuse within its community?

Unlike some other religious institutions, the Hare Krishna movement took action when evidence of abuse, including systemic child abuse, came to light. There were settlements and lawsuits, and they worked to address the issue by weeding out perpetrators from the community. However, many believe the movement has not fully atoned for the past.