4 05-09-88 08:27 ped Krishnas to vote, and say prayer for Earth MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (UPI) _

     4  05-09-88 08:27 ped

Krishnas to vote, and say prayer for Earth
   MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (UPI) _ The devotees at the Hare Krishna commune
are taking a two-pronged approach to protecting their community: voting
and praying.
   While casting ballots in West Virginia's primary election today,
the residents of the New Vrindaban commune in Marshall County also are
to hold a "day of prayer for the Earth," Gadadhar Das, spokesman for
the commune, said Monday.
   Gadadhar said community has about 600 residents, half of which are
eligible voters.
   "We are voting in the local elections for the people we feel who
have been more fair to us than others," Gadadhar said. "It is hard to
say whether there are more Democrats or Republicans here. We are
interested in people who have a Godly idea of life."
   "All of our people are encouraged to vote," he said.
   Gadadhar said many of his sect's own teachings coincide with the
predictions of Dark Ages' seer Nostradamus, who told of massive
earthquakes and other natural disasters.
   Nostradamus, Gadadhar said, selected May 10, 1988, as a pivotal
date for the disasters. The Hare Krishna religion, an offshoot of
Hinduism, sets no such date, but shares many of the same signs that are
to pre-date the disasters: "a general trend of Godlessness," wholesale
sin and environmental changes.
   To mark the day _ Tuesday and West Virginia's primary election day
_ the Krishnas have scheduled a "day of prayer for the Earth" at the
New Vrindaban commune, Gadadhar said. The event is to begin at 11 a.m.
at the Temple of Understanding and is to include remarks by a Krishna
seer and a fire sacrifice of grains and butter.
   "We feel that something could happen," Gadadhar said.
"Scientists have noticed trends of radical changes in our environment.
   The Krishnas have planned a series of towns _ called "Cities of
God" _ that would be nuclear-war proof and would house the teachings of
all the major religions. The sect also has mapped out plans for disaster
relief and food distribution programs.
   While not directly connected to the disaster theories, Gadadhar
said the plans could play a role in the aftermath of such natural
disasters.