At least in the UK, and likely in other countries around the world also, there's a religious group commonly referred to as the "Hare Krishnas" (after the mantra they often chant), though these are commonly (but not always, as I will explain) from a group called ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. This is part of a branch of Hinduism called Gaudiya Vaishnavism (also known as the Bhakti movement) which emphasises devotional practice, known as Bhakti yoga. Even though my beliefs are mainly Buddhist, I find the teachings of these groups quite intriguing as well.

I quite often see the ISKCON guys in town, and I've had conversations with them in the past; I've been given two or three books in exchange for a small amount of loose change, which I've found pretty interesting. It seems their beliefs are not incompatible with Buddhism; however, I recently got a book on Hindu gods, which describes Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu, the 9th to be precise. To quote:

Seeing that many humans no longer regarded the ancient [Vedic] scriptures as valuable, Vishnu decided to preach a false religion and in this way seperate the true believers from the false.

The teachings of Buddhism, which grew out of Vishnu's incarnation as Buddha, have become one of the world's great religions, so from our perspective it is difficult to tell what is a false religion and what is true, and which believers have been saved. During his life and for several hundred years thereafter, Buddha was disavowed by Hindus, for in their eyes the religiousness he taught was false.

This (probably) explains why, a few years ago, when I went to an Indian restaurant in Amsterdam wearing a Buddhist japa mala, I was told that I shouldn't wear it and should instead go to an Indian astrologer. Still, it comes as a surprise, because I didn't know about this schism before; I know only a couple of Hindus personally, and I've never really talked to them about their beliefs.

When I was in town the other day, I met another person who I assumed was from ISKCON; he gave me some incense (Nag Champa, my favourite kind, and one that I know kitsunefury really likes too) and a CD with a booklet. The booklet was filled with beautiful photographs and quotes, with the CD having an introductory talk about the beliefs, with music in the background. The person who gave me these things wasn't one of the ISKCON guys, though I can't find out a description of this particular organisation on Wikipedia or anything, only that their site (as listed on the incense and CD packaging) is Pure Bhakti. I've sent a couple of emails looking for more information and maybe some introductory books, as I found the site a little confusing to someone like me who is unfamiliar with many of the terms used. (ISKCON have various books available also, but I'll finish the ones I already have before getting in touch. It's likely I can get more from the people seen on the street, anyway.)

The CD, on the other hand, is very clear and easy to understand. Much of it seems similar to the teachings of Buddhism, actually, even on some quite esoteric subjects, though the main points of difference seem to be on the existence/eternality of the soul (mostly denied in Buddhism) and that, unlike Buddhism, the chief goal is not personal liberation, but beyond that: mutually loving, devotional service to god (Krishna). This seems not entirely dissimilar to the Bodhisattva ideal in Buddhism; except in that case, one is serving not (just) god, but all beings. Again, not incompatible, and I'm considering incorporating their mantra -- hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare, hare rama, hare rama, rama rama, hare hare -- into my practice from time to time. We'll see what, if anything, the responses to the emails bring.

I got another book recently (mainly because it was very cheap, yay discount bookstores) about the lives of novice monks in Thailand; often young children escaping from poverty, illiteracy and abuse in rural areas, they go to Buddhism (or, more often, are sent to monasteries by families who can't manage their upkeep) as a refuge for both physical and spiritual reasons. The author, previously a businessman, has also written another book, which I plan to get, about his experiences of becoming ordained in a Thai monastery at the age of 45, and his life as a monk. I'm not sure I could become monastic myself, though the idea isn't without its appeal.