The Vedas and Christianity. Alexander Khakimov
Why did Vedic philosophy appeal to you? After all, Christianity is more traditional in Russia. How is it that Russians are becoming Hare Krishnas?
It's because Veda, or knowledge, unites our society into one family, with God at its center. People want to live in peace with themselves, with others, and with God. And we need a spiritual ideology that would unite our nation, our community. Christianity could fulfill this ideology if Christians were more attentive to the needs of those who do not adhere to their faith, if they followed the spirit of Christ. We accept Vedic teaching because it embodies precisely this spirit of love, the spirit of unity for all, regardless of religion. We recognize the oneness of God, we acknowledge the indivisibility of life, and we recognize the interests and needs of all living beings. We do not divide this world, we do not dismember the living whole—the family of God. This is what makes Vedic teaching so appealing.
Do you think Christianity lacks love?
Christ's message itself is full of love, but followers are changing the original message. This is precisely the reason for the alienation of our society. Because people are in a state of latent confrontation with one another. This is a sign of a lack of spirituality. Therefore, we are not against Christianity, but we want spiritual culture to be brought to society. And where will we get it—from the Vedas or from Christianity? Let everyone prove their ability to serve their country by bringing a spiritual worldview to it.
So, the purpose of spiritual tradition is to serve the country and society?
Yes, of course, to serve the country and society, to unite people, to free them from suffering, to impart knowledge on how to live in harmony.
So, it turns out that we can find more in the Vedas than in the Bible?
A person receives knowledge from God, from the heart. But to receive this knowledge, they must engage in pure, selfless service. And this must be taught, because when people act for selfish reasons, as is now the case, society ultimately collapses, meaning people ultimately destroy themselves. But when we teach people how to serve one another, everyone receives everything they need, and even more—they receive love. Who will teach this—Christians or Hare Krishnas—that's already known to God. We must not have a monopoly on souls, because that would be destructive to our country.
— So you don't deny that Christianity is also the right path for certain people?
— Certainly. Christianity could be as universal a worldview as the Vedic worldview, if Christians didn't display antagonism and aloofness toward those who don't accept their views. They claim a monopoly. This contradicts spiritual ideology as such. Because the desire for a monopoly indicates fear, weakness, and a lack of faith in one's own understanding of God. Because if a person has faith, what does he have to fear? He will communicate openly with others. At least we don't claim a monopoly on this. I don't mean to say we're better than Christians, but we don't claim a monopoly. We simply communicate with people and preach a spiritual worldview. If someone says they're Muslim or Christian, we don't tell them they have to become a Hare Krishna. We say, "Repeat the Jesus Prayer, serve more, purify your heart..." We inspire them to follow their own tradition.
"Then why do you repeat the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and not the Jesus Prayer? Is there any difference between these prayers?"
It's because I found a connection with divinity through prayer in this tradition, not in the Christian tradition. I didn't find this connection in Christianity. In Krishna Consciousness, I found people who truly understand what they're doing and experience this spiritual connection, and it manifests in their actions, in their deeds. That's why I embraced this tradition.
— Was it more of an intellectual decision or something more sensory?
It happens on the level of spiritual experience. Of course, it's also supported intellectually. But that's not the main thing. The main thing is spiritual experience, a sense of the reality of what you're dealing with, a sense of authenticity.
— How long have you had this experience?
I've been practicing bhakti yoga for about 20 years. And with each passing year, my understanding deepens; I feel fulfilled and happy in this understanding. This is one of the signs of truth.
The Vedas and Christianity. Alexander Khakimov
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