It was a bit like a floating library of Vedantic literature – and now it’s shutting down, or is being grounded, if you want to take the airport analogy a bit further. For the last four decades, the Hare Krishnas, as the followers of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) are popularly known, were a fixture in American airports.
Heads shaved, clad in orange and white robes, they would cluster in busy terminals, waving Vedic literature at rushing passengers, sometimes singing and dancing in kirtan. Now their spiritual take-off has been canceled – a California Supreme Court ruling prohibits the Hare Krishnas from soliciting passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Distributing literature and requesting donations have long been regarded as free speech but the Court ruled that the LAX restriction is constitutional, and that the Hare Krishna activities were impeding traffic in a busy airport and also posed a security problem.
“Our reaction is disappointment because it limits our ability to contact people and share our faith and spiritual literature,” says Anuttama Dasa, who is a Governing Body Commissioner for ISKCON. “We believe these teachings offer valuable contributions in helping us to gain peace within ourselves and peace in the world.”
Indeed Hinduism has never had more zealous Bhagavad Gita salesmen than the Hare Krishnas, and the ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, devotees say, is the world’s largest publisher of books on Vedic teachings. With many more Indians from India living in the US now, the group seems to have acquired many new followers besides the Americans who were attracted to it.
The court decision bans the receipt of money in exchange for religious or spiritual literatures, but allows the materials to be given away for free. Anuttama Dasa points out that their books are hardcover books of several hundred pages with Sanskrit translations and full color artwork.
“To be prohibited from asking donations to offset the costs of these books is very restrictive and we believe unfair,” he says. “Also, historically, the First Amendment was always interpreted to include asking for financial support by non-profit or religious societies.”
What about the nuisance value? In the 1970’s and 80’s Hare Krishnas were often accused of being obnoxious or over-zealous in spreading their faith, and solicitations often make a crowded place more stressful.
“It was established in court that there have been few, if any complaints against the Hare Krishna devotees in the LA airport over the past many years,” says Anuttama Dasa. “I personally apologized on national TV, on the Larry King show, 15 years ago for our past mistakes in approaching people in an overzealous, aggressive manner. Those problems were solved long ago.”
Losing the airport arena hurts but he says there are other venues such as book fairs, cultural fairs and the Internet to spread the word about ancient teachings on vegetarianism, karma and meditation which make a positive contribution to people’s lives. Still the airport soirees will be missed by the Hare Krishnas where there was a large, swirling population to tell about the joys of Krishna. Anuttama Dasa waxes poetical about the symbolism of airports to free speech.
“Today’s airports are the Main Streets of our society,” he says. “They are full of stores, restaurants, bars, various kinds of entertainment, TV lounges, casinos, business offices, meeting rooms, massage parlors and spas, children’s playgrounds, sleeping lounges, chapels, and medical clinics. They are not just a place to catch a plane.
We are very disappointed with this ruling because it ignores the fact that airports have become the Main Streets where all ‘public’ activities should be facilitated, including First Amendment protected free speech and religious activities.”
Photos: ISKCON Communications; Vineet Chander
10 Comments
Niki, I think airports have had to change a lot due to a changed world where security is of prime concern and where people who aren’t flying shouldn’t be hanging around. I recall back in the old days in India people would go to the airport just to see the planes take off, to see off people, carrying garlands as a send-off. Nowadays in Indian airports you can only go in if you show your air ticket – all others have to wait in another section.
I was in the Portland airport returning from Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada}; I believe it was in 1964 or 65.I think it was Portland. Or maybe it was the Seattle airport. It doesn’t matter. Airports were different back then but what was great is you ran into a lot of friendly, sharing faces from all over. A group that I thoroughly enjoyed talking to were the Hare Krishnas. They were fresh and so free and spreading lots of flowers. I purchased the book: The BAGAVADGITTA. spelling probably wrong……It took me 10 more years before I really understood what was being written. I think they’re great.
Well, the Hare Krishnas have generated a lot of feedback – which shows a lot of people care about what they do. In the meantime there are two more treats for Krishna devotees – a story about Janmashthmi and another about the Gayatri Mantra, both in the Faith section of Lassi with Lavina. Some of the beautiful images are from ISKCON.
The Hare Krishnas are about love and the court decision may well be another lesson in love. We will continue to be challenged and tested to see if we truly are willing to walk the talk. I encourage Hare Krishnas to continue their work and find other opportunities to spread their word. Send love to the courts – the role they play so we can continue to learn our lessons is a difficult one. Much love and gratitude to the Hare Krishnas.
Not a very happy news that Hare Krishnas are not allowed to distribute their literature. They have the solution to fix all the problems America [and for that matter whole world] is facing today. They are non-violent, pure people, truly devoted to God. They should be allowed. If security is the issue, may be some of them can be screened and authorized by the local temple and government.
The fact the Hare Krishnas can still go to the airport and distribute books but not ask for donations is slightly confusing, especially if they are citing security issues as the reason for the ban. It just sounds like bureaucracy gone mad to me. I know they were over zealous and used dodgy selling tactics in the past but if they have cleaned up their act and there have been no complaints recently, what is the problem?
What is going on on this planet?
It is the worst of kali-yuga going on.
The Devotees of Krishna are the most wonderful people in earth.
My love and my gratitude to them is absolutely endless.
Just to see or hear them anywhere,(airports, streets, temples) my heart explodes with joy.
If it was not for their voluntary work and service, how would we have known about Shrimam Bhagavatan?
In the court case, how was the court not informed that these people weren’t doing it or their own profit?
May the blessings be!
I am sorry to hear that the Hare Krishna’s lost that court battle. It is all about the money. They let you go in but they don’t let you solicit for funds. The United States of America needs to take a look at India’s attitude towards panhandling. A monk should be allowed to solicit funds for his/her organization so long as it is a non-profit.
We, the United States of America, are a young country and India is an ancient country that has been around for a long, long time. It has survived the taking over of its country by Great Britain, a country that believes in the Protestant faith. Never changing its culture it ended up getting back its country and now it’s a member of the nuclear nations.
I believe one of the reasons that India has survived for so long is its treatment of the religious monks and nuns. Even feeding them and seeing that they got good food. Here in America we treat panhandlers like they are the Pariah of the world. The lowest of the low, not fit to live. Comments like, “Why don’t you get a real job” are brandied about. I wish them good luck in the future.
Well, it seems the Hare Krishna devotees are still allowed to give books away at LAX – just not charge money for them. So I don’t see how it helps the congestion or security issues.
Lavina,
I always enjoy your fresh and open style of writing. This is a great story – I admire the passion and enthusiasm (Greek word – entheos – God within) of these Hare Krishnas. Yes – they have mellowed down a lot from those “hard-selling” Hinduism days. “Security” as a reason for banning the Hare Krishnas from LAX seems too vague – I wonder if there are other reasons that drove this ban.