Fwd: Frank Morales on Hinduism.

[Guest guest]

advaitajnana, "Tony OClery" <aoclery>

wrote:

 

advaitin, Frank Morales <drfmrls> wrote:

>

> Greetings & Namaste, Everyone,

>

> I've just completed a major paper on the question of whether or

not Hinduism actually teaches that all religions are the same, an

idea that I call Radical Universalism. This issue has become the

most paralyzing and crucial philosophical issue that Hinduism has

faced in the last 200 years.

>

> The on-line version of the paper is located here:

>

> http://www.dharmacentral.com/universalism.htm

>

>

>

> The paper takes an in-depth philosophical approach to the issue,

delving into the historical origins of the idea, as well as the

immediate impact that it has had on Hinduism for the last two

centuries. While the paper is certainly meant to be read by each

and every concerned Hindu, it has been especially created with Hindu

leaders, Hindu intellectuals and Hindu activists as its main

audience. The hope is that this paper will quickly become the

definitive statement on this important issue.

 

Namaste,

 

It is really a Western paper by a Westerner that really doesn't seem

to grasp the essences of Hinduism. He is very much an outsider

looking in. His first mistep is considering Hinduism as a Religion

in the Western sense, when in fact it is an umbrella. He talks about

not persecuting Jews or Parsees without understanding that Hinduism

or Sanathana Dharma predates Religion.

 

It is only in the last few thousand years of human history that

organised religion became a fact. More particularly in the last two

thousand years with especially Judaism, Islam and Christianity. One

cannot measure this as a template against Hinduism for Hinduism is a

spiritual more than a religious base.

 

He obviously doesn't understand what Hindus mean when they say all

religions are equal. He has no idea of who and what Ramakrishna was

or even Vivekananda. He even misreads the idea of Jesus who became

the Christ.

 

He misunderstands the attitude of the British Colonialists during

this time as well. Some of the more evangelical types no doubt

considered any non Christian religion, or their version anyway, as

idolatry. However many of the Colonialists understood well the

situation, learned the languages and Sanskrit, and even participated

in the establishment of pre-independence movements.

 

I haven't finished going over it but so far it seems more suitable

to the academic rather than the practitioner. Not that this is wrong

but it is just apples and oranges. From an academic point of view it

is no doubt a good paper. However if one wants to understand

Hinduism one has to do it from the inside and live it for a while

then comment.......ONS...........Credentials it seems don't equal enlightenment.

 

..

--- End forwarded message ---

[Guest guest]

, Harsha wrote:

> saktidasa wrote:>

> > Frank seems to be much in the Hindutva camp and as such IMO

> > is missing the essence of Sanathana Dharma. As you know this type of

> > thinking, Bal Thackery etc, has brought nothing but sectarian riots

> > and killings in India, particularly in the last ten years or so,

> > beginning with the Mosque at Ayodhya. I found it rather non

> > representative of Hinduism. In fact anything that creates

> > fundamentalism and exclusiveness where there was none before is

> > unhealthy.......I really don'nt think he has penetrated the Dharma for

> > meaning notwithstanding the fact he does pujas.............ONS..Tony.

> >

> >

> Dear Tony,

>

> Perhaps you should share your insights with this gentleman directly.

> That would appear to be the logical thing to do. But until he posts

here

> on the list, where is the need to respond.

>

> Love,

> Harsha

 

Harsha,

 

You are right as usual. I am a pillar of inappropriatness, worse at

parties-----ask my wife.

It is my ingrained military style thinking----secure the perimeter

first then engage. I think it would be a waste of effort talking to

Frank about his business. However I apologise if I have confused

anybody other than myself. Which is a perpetual state for

me......ONS..Tony.