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For Krishna

Not sitting on the rug--what might be considered bad form at larger Krishna temples--is part of the everyday casual atmosphere that sets this young Portland temple apart from the rest. Even while stumbling over Sanskrit pronunciation or exclaiming "Hook 'em up phat!" during Bhagavad-Gita class, the Portland monks are completely and totally engaged in their spiritual life. Unlike average twenty-somethings, everything they do is for Krishna, or at least they're working on it.

(caption) Devotees of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness gather in their ashram, or living area, to watch a DVD documentary on Society founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. From left is Bhakta Joe, 20, Ananda Tirtha, 24, and Nityanandaram, 28.