05-13-2005, 10:56 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-rajesh_g+May 13 2005, 01:58 AM-->QUOTE(rajesh_g @ May 13 2005, 01:58 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->Wouldnt it make sense to expand the definition and coverage of hinduism rather then each sect (vaishnavism, shaivism, shaktism etc) coming out with its own defense of their coverage ? <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>rajesh_g</b>,
EXACTLY my point. That way, it preserves the 'social capital' that 'Hinduism' has as a cultural body, especially at a time of well-funded and manipulative external cultural aggression. And at the same time, it ensures that the spiritual and theological treasures of Hinduism are not trampled over by a purely ideological and chauvinistic class of men (which is what happened with most religious movements in history). "Pearls before swine...", etc.
<b>sunder </b>& <b>ganga</b>,
Come on folks, its a little amusing when you guys (lead by "gangajal") start the provocative name-calling, proceed with a bizzare cut-and-paste orgy that I hardly have the time to read (been thru it all before), and then try to act like the patronizing paterfamilias. Nice work. Unfortunately, even if you had a better attitude, I won't be able to respond at this point in time. Perhaps later this summer when I have more time on my hands.
But you can read the books. From a quick scan of your posts it is obvious that you are only acquainted with secondary or tertiary sources on Vedic literature. This is quite typical, and I myself have been through that. There is always that 'Putana' that comes in the guise of religion to murder the nascent spiritual cognizance of the neophyte. I myself have spent quite a number of years traversing the various grades of mayavad, and am actually only a very recent 'convert' to Vaishnavism. My room-mate here is an initiate of the Ramakrishna matha (Chennai), and we have some nice discussions. He's having a crisis of faith now. I met 2 devotees at the local ISKCON temple who are ex-Ramakrishna math initiates. And a couple who were staunch supporters of the Kanchi matha. There's an ex-RSS member (Hyderabad cadre) here also. And 3 people who were 'Art of Living' regulars. I myself have been closely associated with all mentioned orgs, done the courses, read the lit, etc..
My point is that the literature is available, and the only qualification is sincerity and effort. If you're going to 'take sides' too early on in life, then it is your loss. This material world is a world of "cheaters and the cheated". To the extent that you want to be cheated, you will be directed to the appropriate guru by the Supersoul. The Vaishnava caravan has moved a long way beyond debating mayavad, though from time to time it has to stop and chase away the barking dogs, as Mahaprabhu said. Hence the anti-atheist/mayavadi preliminaries! But there is so much more folks, so much more. Laters.
<b>rajesh_g</b>,
EXACTLY my point. That way, it preserves the 'social capital' that 'Hinduism' has as a cultural body, especially at a time of well-funded and manipulative external cultural aggression. And at the same time, it ensures that the spiritual and theological treasures of Hinduism are not trampled over by a purely ideological and chauvinistic class of men (which is what happened with most religious movements in history). "Pearls before swine...", etc.
<b>sunder </b>& <b>ganga</b>,
Come on folks, its a little amusing when you guys (lead by "gangajal") start the provocative name-calling, proceed with a bizzare cut-and-paste orgy that I hardly have the time to read (been thru it all before), and then try to act like the patronizing paterfamilias. Nice work. Unfortunately, even if you had a better attitude, I won't be able to respond at this point in time. Perhaps later this summer when I have more time on my hands.
But you can read the books. From a quick scan of your posts it is obvious that you are only acquainted with secondary or tertiary sources on Vedic literature. This is quite typical, and I myself have been through that. There is always that 'Putana' that comes in the guise of religion to murder the nascent spiritual cognizance of the neophyte. I myself have spent quite a number of years traversing the various grades of mayavad, and am actually only a very recent 'convert' to Vaishnavism. My room-mate here is an initiate of the Ramakrishna matha (Chennai), and we have some nice discussions. He's having a crisis of faith now. I met 2 devotees at the local ISKCON temple who are ex-Ramakrishna math initiates. And a couple who were staunch supporters of the Kanchi matha. There's an ex-RSS member (Hyderabad cadre) here also. And 3 people who were 'Art of Living' regulars. I myself have been closely associated with all mentioned orgs, done the courses, read the lit, etc..
My point is that the literature is available, and the only qualification is sincerity and effort. If you're going to 'take sides' too early on in life, then it is your loss. This material world is a world of "cheaters and the cheated". To the extent that you want to be cheated, you will be directed to the appropriate guru by the Supersoul. The Vaishnava caravan has moved a long way beyond debating mayavad, though from time to time it has to stop and chase away the barking dogs, as Mahaprabhu said. Hence the anti-atheist/mayavadi preliminaries! But there is so much more folks, so much more. Laters.