Krishna Prasadam

The Transformative Power of Sanctified Food in the Krishna Consciousness Movement

Authors

  • Graham Dwyer University of Winchester Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.v4i1.89

Keywords:

Hare Krishna movement, Krishna Consciousness, prasadam, mission, ritual

Abstract

In the Hare Krishna movement ritually sanctified food (known as prasadam) lies at the heart of key religious and ceremonial activity, and has progressively become the main rallying point for the movement’s preaching strategy or mission in the West. This article examines the experiential and doctrinal import of prasadam in the lives of adherents of the Krishna Consciousness movement and discusses its role as a preaching or proselytizing tool. As a means by which the movement today seeks to recruit new followers into its fold, the article looks at the movement’s programme of taking sanctified food to the public, with a particular focus on Hare Krishna Food for All missionary activity in London.

Author Biography

  • Graham Dwyer, University of Winchester

    Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, University of Winchester, Winchester, SO22 4NR Main Research Interests Indian religions, especially Hinduism; new religious movements; spirit possession; anthropology of religion; pilgrimage; religious reformers and charismatic saints. Recent Publications Books Dwyer, Graham and Richard J. Cole (eds.) 2007. The Hare Krishna Movement: Forty Years of Chant and Change. London and New York: I B Tauris. Dwyer, Graham 2003. The Divine and the Demonic: Supernatural Affliction and its Treatment in North India. London & New York: RoutledgeCurzon. Articles Dwyer, Graham 2005. 'Living and Dying Exhibition at the British Museum: The Presentation of Traditional Objects, Beliefs and Practices'. Material Religion: The Journal of Objects, Art, and Belief 1 (2): 295-298. Dwyer, Graham 2004. ‘The Consciousness of Surrender and the Surrendered Consciousness: Ecstatic Dreams of Lord Krishna'. Journal of Beliefs and Values 25 (3): 325-337. Dwyer, Graham 2003. ‘Beyond the Grave: Dreams of Prabhupada and Devotional Life in the Hare Krishna Movement’. Journal of Beliefs and Values 24 (3): 305-320. Contact Addresses Postal: 37 Merriman Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 8RT Email: [email protected]

References

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Published

2011-02-22

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Dwyer, G. (2011). Krishna Prasadam: The Transformative Power of Sanctified Food in the Krishna Consciousness Movement. Religions of South Asia, 4(1), 89-104. https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.v4i1.89