Hare Krishna Transformed (The New and Alternative Religions Series)

296 Pages·2007·1.01 MB·English

by  E. Rochford

Hare Krishna Transformed
The New and Alternative Religions Series
General Editors: Timothy Miller and Susan J. Palmer
Hare Krishna Transformed
E. Burke Rochford Jr.
Hare Krishna
Transformed
E. Burke Rochford Jr.
a
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
new york university press
New York and London
www.nyupress.org
© 2007by New York University
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rochford, E. Burke, 1949–
Hare Krishna transformed / E. Burke Rochford, Jr.
p. cm. — (The new and alternative religions series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8147-7578-3(cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-8147-7578-0(cloth : alk. paper)
ISBN-13: 978-0-8147-7579-0(pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-8147-7579-9(pbk. : alk. paper)
1. International Society for Krishna Consciousness—History.
2. Krishna (Hindu deity)—Cult—United States. 3. Family—
Religious aspects—International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
4. Hinduism—United States. 5. Hindu converts—United States.
I. Title.
BL1285.835.U6R63 2007
294.5'512—dc22 2006038031
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper,
and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability.
Manufactured in the United States of America
c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To the followers of
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1 Growing Up 16
2 Family, Culture, and Change 52
3 Child Abuse 74
4 Public Schooling and Identity 97
5 Women’s Voices 115
6 Male Backlash 139
7 Moving On 161
8 Hindus and Hinduization 181
9 World Accommodation 201
Appendix 1: Commitment, Involvement, and
Leader Authority Measures 218
Appendix 2: Data Tables 226
Notes 229
Glossary 253
References 257
Index 275
About the Author 285
vii

Acknowledgments
Even though I have studied the Hare Krishna movement for
more than thirty years, I could not have written this book without the
contributions of many people. Most important, of course, were the
many Hare Krishna devotees who graciously gave their time to further
my research interests. It has been a wonderful, if sometimes bumpy,
journey for all of us. Although I would like to thank many of you here
by name, doing so would break my pledge of confidentiality. I have
been inspired by your determination, pained by your sorrow, and envi-
ous of your spiritual growth. I pray that this book brings understanding
to what has proved to be a difficult period in the lives of many.
From the world of academia, I first want to acknowledge my friend
and mentor, Bob Emerson, who taught me the skills as well as the love
for field research. I also want to thank a number of colleagues for their
help and support along the way: Eileen Barker, Jim Beckford, David
Bromley, Jean Burfoot, Bob Ferm, Kim Knott, Tim Miller, Peggy Nel-
son, Paula Nesbitt, Susan Palmer, Jim Richardson, Ted Sasson, Darren
Sherkat, David Snow, and Bill Waldron. Kendra Bailey, Ian Burfoot-
Rochford, Mateal Lovaas, Doug Rogers, and Marina Zaloznaya pro-
vided invaluable assistance in researching and writing this book. My
colleagues in sociology/anthropology and religion at Middlebury Col-
lege have supported me continuously over the past twenty years. I
couldn’t be more grateful. Special appreciation goes to my colleague
Peggy Nelson, whose friendship, encouragement, and considerable soci-
ological insight have been an inspiration. I am especially grateful to
Charlene Barrett, coordinator for sociology/anthropology and religion,
who has made my life easier in countless ways. I also want to thank
Middlebury College for providing funds to support my research.
Jennifer Hammer at New York University Press saw the possibilities
for this book before I did. She proved to be a capable editor who was
ix