Mark_

Here's the reply I received from Websters Dictionary: Dear Mark, Thanks for your e-mail. I hope I can be helpful. You almost hit the mark in your question when you say that the first or second sense of "cult" would be fine in the definition of "Vaishnava" but not the third sense. The word "cult" is used here to mean either "worship" or "a system of religious beliefs," and as such has no negative connotations to it. However, I do understand your concern at seeing the word in the definition, since a good number of people read "cult" with a negative connotation. I will write a note to the entry to see if there is any way we can use a more neutral sounding term like "worship" or "religion" in the definition without sacrificing clarity and succinctness. Rest assured we will reevaluate the definition when we next revise the on-line dictionary and its print counterpart. Thanks for taking the time to write, and if you have any further questions or comments, please contact us again. Sincerely, Kory Stamper, Editorial Department Merriam-Webster, Inc.

I know it's trivial to question the usage of a word that has different meanings, but I think Websters should have used a different word, since 'cult' has as stigma attached to it. For example, a couple hundred years ago the word 'gay' was used to express happiness, today the accepted meaning is homosexual. Especially due to the troubles within ISKCON, such as the child abuse lawsuits, murders, corruption, small group of followers, etc., whenever someone asks me why I'm reading Srila Prabhupada's books and show an interest in Vaisnavism, they think I'm following a cult. Of course I disagree with them and I all can do is explain to them from the knowledge I have obtained so far that their opinions are prejudiced.

<font color="blue">Main Entry: Vaish·na·va Pronunciation: 'vIsh-n&-v& Function: noun Etymology: Sanskrit vaisnava of Vishnu, from Visnu Vishnu 1815 : a member of a major Hindu sect devoted to the cult of Vishnu - Vaishnava adjective - Vaish·na·vism /-"vi-z&m/ noun </font color> Is there an implied negative connotation to the word "cult" used above? <font color="blue"> Main Entry: cult Pronunciation: 'k&lt Function: noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL 1617 1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP 2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents 3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents 4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults> 5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion </font color> I can see how definitions 1 and 2 for cult could apply, but definition 3 cannot. I don't see why Websters doesn't define Muslims as members of the cult of Allah or Christians as members of the cult of Jesus Christ.

^ That's me, forgot to login. -Mark

Are there any near death experiences involving Krsna and the inhabitants of His Abode? It seems like most of the experiences at www.near-death.com have a Christian theme to them (i.e. meeting Christ and Angels).

<font color="blue"> 108. And that Ishwara is Lord Shree Krishna, who is Parabrahman Purushottam and our most cherished deity. He is worthy of worship by us all. He is the source of all incarnations. </font color> Shatanand then concludes the commentary of this Shloka by stating the fact that the same Shri Krishna, here mentioned as beyond Kshara-Akshara is none other than Lord Shri Swaminarayan. He uses "Shree Krishna" here but that Shree Krishna should be understood without question as Himself. Lord Swaminarayan is the fountainhead of all other incarnations and should be accepted as our Upasya Deva. Shree Swaminarayan, whose every action was divine stood out as Great through the various incidents of His lifetime and so suggest that he truly was God Supreme. His nature, attitude, teachings and kindness are all worthy of praise and paramount in supporting the fact that he is God Supreme. This truly was a great incarnation that brought peace of mind and tranquillity to the masses. He continues to shower his blessings upon us even today, such is the greatness of Lord Swaminarayan. http://www.swaminarayansatsang.com/scriptures/scriptureexplanation.asp?ScriptureID=1&ScriptureDetailsID=3

I like the techno songs (Bande Krishna and Gaura Nitai) from a group called Sri Hari. I was wondering if there are any more groups/DJs that fuse Krsna Consciousness songs with western beats.

>>By the way, how old is everyone here? << 20

I don't understand, why did you post this article since it already exists in another thread?

Lord Swaminarayan's Shikshapatri: http://www.lordswaminarayan.org/html/shikshapatri/ An excerpt of some of the verses that refer to Lord Krsna: <font color="blue"> </font color> <font color="blue"> </font color> 1. I (SAHAJANAND SWAMI) meditate in my heart upon Lord Krishna, on whose left stands Radha, on whose bosom resides Laxmiji and who plays (with his Bhaktas) in Vrindavan. 25. No one shall ever here sermons or religious discourses or philosophical talks from a person whose words are likely to lead one astray from the path of devotion to Lord Krishna and/or from the path of one's own Dharma. 29. None shall ever hear or believe in the Shastras which clearly refute (the name, glory, form and existence of) Lord Shri Krishna and his incarnations. 39. None shall ever practice Bhakti of Lord Shri Krishna devoid of Dharma or shall ever give up his Bhakti, for fear of criticism from ignorant people. 54. Thereafter, all shall have darshan of and shall bow respectfully to the image(drawn on paper or cloth) of Lord Shri Krishna with Radha, then shall chant His mantra (eight syllabled one) according to their ability and then shall attend to (their worldly affairs) jobs. 55. My Bhaktas, who like King Ambarish, have dedicated their lives completely to Lord Shri Krishna, shall also similarly go through all procedure of worship of lord Shri Krishna, (as explained above) upto mental worship. 56. These Bhaktas, shall worship the idol of Lord Shri Krishna, made either from stone or metal or Saligram with offering like flowers, sandal paste, fruit, etc. according to time place and their means and then shall repeat His eight syllabled mantra. 57. Thereafter, they shall chant according to their ability, the Stotras (verses in Sanskrit) in praise of Lord Shri Krishna and those who do not know Sanskrit, shall sing His name and glory. 58. Then they shall offer food to him and then shall partake of it as His prasad, they shall thus always remain in service of Lord Krishna with love. 59. Shastras proclaim these Bhaktas as Nirguna (i.e. completely free from mundane qualities like Satva, Rajas, and Tamas) since Lord Shri Krishna (Hari) is Nirguna. Because of their intimate relation with him, all their action also become Nirguna. 60. These Bhaktas shall never drink even water nor shall eat leaves, fruits, roots etc., without first offering it to Lord Krishna. 61. All Bhaktas, who are incapacitated by old age or by some great adverse circumstances and who are, therefore, unable to perform worship (puja) of Lord Shri Krishna themselves, shall give over the idol to some other Bhakta for worship, etc. and then shall offer puja according to their abilities. 63. All my followers shall daily go to the temple of Lord Shri Krishna, in the evening and shall sing loudly the name of Lord Shri Krishna. <font color="blue"> 108. This Isha is Lord Shri Krishna, is Supreme Brahman, is Bhagwan and is the source of all incarnations. </font color>

>>i am really pleased you posted this article and the source page which i like very much. i wish you pick a username and share good things like this.<< Just a suggestion to JNDas, is it possible for you to turn off the Guest feature? It would make discussion in this forum flow smoother.

Isn't there only one sampradaya in which Lord Swaminarayan appointed his two nephews? If so, aren't the BAPS and other splinter sampradayas un bona fide?

translation ? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

>>when an earth worm is cut in two pieces, both live normally. did one soul became twho soul? or, did another soul entered one peace?<< That is a myth. The worm wriggles for a few minutes but it eventually dies. >>god always keeps some mystery. man cannot figure everything.<< I can only pray that one day (or one life) He will share is His master plan with me. Hare Krsna !

>>If you ask jews if they occulied israle illegally, they would say no. the land was of jews' oroginally some 2000 years ago, and the jews were thrown out for that long.<< And before 2000 years it was someone elses land. Who knows how many different groups of people inhabited that particular tract of land? Maybe in a previous yuga it belonged to a Vedic civilization. Does that mean that Hindus today can claim it as their own? That's absurd. We have to realize that everything provided to us is by the grace of God and we should learn to peacefully coexist and serve Him. >>the issue is: manmade laws can contradict each other. e.g.: india is the land of the hindus. islam invade in there since 1000 years. now those who are born there in muslim families say it is their birth place, their land.<< Yes, Muslims born in India can claim it as their rightful birthplace and home. I don't see anything wrong with that. Just like I am an American born in America even though my ancestors were from Europe. >>what is the solution: A: aggresive perdatory religions should not be allowed on Hindu land (India).<< If according to Vedic injuctions Hindus could defend their homeland with violence, why did they allow themselves to be raped, pillaged, and plundered in the first place? It's unfortunate that we can't all just get along. Hare Krsna !