Science of Identity Foundation

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Science of Identity Foundation
AbbreviationSIF
EstablishedApril 12, 1977 (47 years ago) (1977-04-12)[1]
FounderChris Butler [1]
Founded atHawaii, United States
TypeReligious organization
PurposeEducational, Philanthropic, Religious studies, Spirituality
HeadquartersHonolulu, Hawaii, United States
Region served
Worldwide
ServicesYoga classes
Official language
English
AffiliationsGaudiya Vaishnavism
Websitescienceofidentity.org
Formerly called
Hari Nama Society
Holy Name Society

The Science of Identity Foundation (SIF) is a Bhakti Yoga spiritual and religious organization,[2] grounded in Hindu Vaishnava principles, founded by Chris Butler (also known by his Vaishnavite name Siddhaswarupananda Goswami) in 1977,[3] based in Hawaii, United States.[1] Its theology is broadly based on Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana.[4][5]

Early history[edit]

Part of a series on
Vaishnavism
Closeup of Vishnu, seated in the lotus position on a lotus. From depiction of the poet Jayadeva bowing to Vishnu, Gouache on paper Pahari, The very picture of devotion, bare-bodied, head bowed, legs crossed and hands folded, Jayadeva stands at left, with the implements of worship placed before the lotus-seat of Vishnu who sits there, blessing the poet.
Supreme deity
Vishnu / Krishna / Rama
Important deities
Dashavatara
Other forms
Consorts
Related
Holy scriptures
Puranas
Sampradayas
Others
Teachers—acharyas
Related traditions

Butler gained followers after founding the Haiku Meditation Center in 1969. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in 1970, and had received the name Siddhaswarupananda. After the death of ISKCON founder A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Butler broke away from ISKCON and founded SIF.[6][7]

SIF was initially known as the Hari Nama or Holy Name Society.[6] In 1977, Butler estimated the group had 1,000 devotees throughout the world.[8] Butler had a late-night television show called "Chris Butler Speaks" on Hawaii's Channel 13 in the 1980s.[2][9]

Theology[edit]

The organization combines the teaching of yoga and other aspects of Krishnaite Vaishnava Hinduism.[3][10] Although grounded in Hinduism, Butler has asserted that SIF philosophy of Bhakti yoga "does not conflict with Christianity, with Islam, with any bona fide religious system. We're trying to teach the essence of Bhakti yoga without having anybody say 'Oh that's Hindu' or 'Oh that's Christian'."[2] The teachings are similar to those of Prabhupada: that human beings are "sparks" of God whose sole purpose is to please the Lord.[11]

Followers must practice vegetarianism and are not allowed to drink alcohol, smoke, have illicit sex, or gamble.[2]

Activities & Evolution[edit]

SIF developed a close-knit community of disciples in Hawaii, whose activities include gathering on the beach for kirtan, the practice of singing or chanting sacred songs and learning the spiritual principles of Vaishnava Hinduism.[12]

In 2019, the New Yorker reported that Butler now presents himself less as a Hare Krishna dissident and more as a member of a loosely connected worldwide Hindu Vaishnava movement. [12]

Criticism & Defense[edit]

An article in The Independent, made unproven and libelous claims against SIF and Mr. Butler, citing assertions from a former member, who described SIF's teachings as "virulently homophobic, often anti-Islamic and misogynist...and that the group considered its leader, Mr Butler, akin to a God."[13] Another 2022 Insider article has also made unsubstantiated criticism of SIF, referring it as "an abusive 'cult'" and mentioning how Butler teaches that "homosexuality is evil".[14]

SIF's leader, Mr. Butler, denied these malicious allegations and maintained that he has never said anything hateful.[14] None of the libelous allegations have been proven in court, and SIF has continued to work as a legitimate spiritual and religious organization,[2] since 1977[3], having a small, close-knit community, primarily in Hawaii, United States.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Science of Identity Foundation business information on the website of Hawaii State Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs". Hawaii State Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division. Retrieved 2019-10-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e Christensen, John (November 23, 1982). "Chris Butler: About this guru business". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. p. B-1.
  3. ^ a b c Reflections on Hindu Demographics in America: An Initial Report on the First American Hindu Census. Archived 2019-10-20 at the Wayback Machine J. Gordon Melton & Constance A. Jones. A paper presented at the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics & Culture meeting in Washington, D.C., April 7–10, 2011. p. 14.
  4. ^ Bryant, Edwin (2017). Bhakti yoga: tales and teachings from the Bhāgavata Purāṇa. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9780865477759.
  5. ^ Holdrege, Barbaraga (2017). Bhakti and Embodient: fashioning divine bodies and devotional bodies in Kṛṣṇa Bhakti. Routledge. ISBN 9781138492455.
  6. ^ a b Jones, Constance A.; Ryan, James D. (2007). "Siddhaswarupananda, Jagad Guru". Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Encyclopedia of World Religions. J. Gordon Melton, Series Editor. New York: Facts On File. pp. 411–412. ISBN 978-0-8160-5458-9. [Butler] remained with ISKCON until after Prabhupada died in 1977. [...] He founded the Science of Identity Foundation as a vehicle to facilitate his teachings. [...] The Science of Identity Foundation (originally the Hari Nama or Holy Name Society) is located in Honolulu, Hawaii.
  7. ^ Swami B. A. Paramadvaiti (1999). Our Family — the Gaudiya Math. A study of the expansion of Gaudiya Vaisnavism and the many branches developing around the Gaudiya Math. VRINDA The Vrindavan Institute for Vaisnava Culture and Studies. p. 58. ISBN 3-927745-90-1. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019.
  8. ^ Wright, Walter (August 22, 1977). "Hawaii's 'other' Krishnas". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. p. A-1. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  9. ^ Ronck, Ronn (December 9, 1983). "Arts Scene". Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
  10. ^ "Science of Identity one of founders". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. July 1, 1991. p. A-4. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Farrar, Derek (August 12, 1992). "Rick Reed's Inner Self" (PDF). Honolulu Weekly. p. 4. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Sanneh, Kelefa (October 30, 2017). "What Does Tulsi Gabbard Believe?". New Yorker. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  13. ^ Hurley, Bevan (2022-10-16). "Tulsi Gabbard's ties to secretive cult may explain her perplexing political journey". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  14. ^ a b Han, Yoonji. "Tulsi Gabbard's ties to the Science of Identity Foundation, a controversial religious sect that some call an abusive 'cult'". Insider. Retrieved 2023-05-09.

External links[edit]


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