The Hare Krishna movement is a devotional current within which tradition?

• A. Buddhism
• B. Islam
• C. Hinduism
• D. Zoroastrianism

Answer: (C)

The Hare Krishna movement is a devotional current within Hinduism. It belongs to Vaishnavism, which centers on Vishnu and his avatars, with Krishna revered as the supreme deity. The practice focuses on bhakti, loving devotion to Krishna, expressed through chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, singing (kirtan), temple worship, and study of scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. Its ideas and rituals come from Hindu scriptures, and its historical roots trace to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who revitalized Krishna devotion in medieval India; it later spread globally through ISKCON. This combination of theology, scripture, and devotional practice sits clearly within Hinduism. Buddhism does not center Krishna; Islam and Zoroastrianism emphasize different understandings of God and scripture.