The role of enquiry

[Guest guest]

A continuing thread of contention in this forum has been the value of

"book learning" versus "elders" - I use this term in quotes to connote the

complete value of the gurupaarampareeya behind this word, and the full force

of tradition.

 

I will agree with many posters that it is an Indian and a Vedantic tradition to

learn at the Guru's feet, and to venerate him - or her.

 

I do not know if it is possible to say this without any judgement attached.

 

I am part of a generation of Sri Vaishnavas, who have grown up without

much exposure to the acharya parampara. Therefore, much of my exposure is

by necessity from "book learning". One thing that *does* emerge from

"book learning" is the value of terminology and words that are used very

precisely in hindu religious literature, so pardon us if we are "astute

readers".

 

Again, me and many others in my generation have grown up in what is here

termed a "Universalist/Secularist" approach. For us, "aachaara/anuSHTaana"

were something that we mainly saw people middle-aged and older adopting.

When we did find value in some aacharas, we adopted and kept them. But that

again was, for many of us, an individual decision.

 

Again, it was an individual decision for us to engage in furthering our

knowledge about our traditions. Especially for those of us who have

"transplanted" ourselves, it is a vry intellectual and emotional pursuit.

We have seen the value of some traditions - at least in my case - not all -

with our hearts. And we inquire about these with our minds.

 

Belittling such individual effort as innately wrong and book learning as

inherently flawed, in my opinion, cannot do much for us as a community.

I do think it is possible for us to come together and accomodate the

harshest of enquiries - or this would not be a tradition that has survived

this far. Pronouncements ex-cathedra ( this is so because an acharya has

said it is so ) by their nature , lay themselves open to inquiry. If

enquiry cannot be accomodated, then, the spirit of this forum is set at

naught.

 

As a representative of my generation, I will ask the 'elders' on this net :

"siriyOr seytha siru pizhai yellaam periyor aayin poruththidal veNdum". And

in turn, point out to them that dismissing "rational", "modernbookish"

and "historical" enquiry is not the way to be guides to a generation that

has HAD to rely on these for learning.

 

With my regards and hopes for understanding,

 

Sundar

[Guest guest]

On Apr 30, 2:36pm, V SUNDAR wrote:

> The role of enquiry

>

> A continuing thread of contention in this forum has been the value of

> "book learning" versus "elders" - I use this term in quotes to connote the

> complete value of the gurupaarampareeya behind this word, and the full force

> of tradition.

>

> I will agree with many posters that it is an Indian and a Vedantic tradition

to

> learn at the Guru's feet, and to venerate him - or her.

>

> I do not know if it is possible to say this without any judgement attached.

>

 

For any *Judgement* on whether the vedantic tradition is valid or not or

on posts from persons such as Sri Ramaswamy's

this 'learning' at guru's feet is a prerequisite. And since this

qualification is lacking, any other judgement based on one's

self acquired knowledge that is void of 'guru paarampariya

learning' is mere self defeating excercise in the *long run*.

 

>

>

> Belittling such individual effort as innately wrong and book learning as

> inherently flawed, in my opinion, cannot do much for us as a community.

 

If one's opinion or effort is to belittle our

srivishnavaa achaaryaas or what they said, or

their disciples in this forum or elsewhere,

it itself is a disservice to the community and sriman naaraayanaa

and then one is bound to get some tough replies back.

But no one has belittled one for asking

queries that are simply ignorant and that doesnot in any way

offend our achaaryaaLS or *what they said*.

 

> I do think it is possible for us to come together and accomodate the

> harshest of enquiries - or this would not be a tradition that has survived

> this far. Pronouncements ex-cathedra ( this is so because an acharya has

> said it is so ) by their nature , lay themselves open to inquiry. If

> enquiry cannot be accomodated, then, the spirit of this forum is set at

> naught.

>

 

If this enquiry is made without belittling

our achaaryaaLS or what they said

then there was no reason as

to why it cannot be accomadated. However even

when it is of somewhat belittling

nature this enquiry can be made through personal mails

and proper reasons and explanations for the differences.

 

Mainly when ahcaaryaaLS gurupaarampariyam is discussed,

one cannot claim that *I have not heard*

so, *Historians* said so etc. One has not

heard so beacuse they didnot hear it from the achaaryaaLS.

Attempting to justify one's ignorance on achaaryaaLS

avathaara rahasyam or the inner meanings of their preaching

is bound to get some tough replies, only to indicate the individuals

in someway that what they are upto.

This is not a threat but a mere

truth. ie bagwath apachaaram.

In case not known earlier I would like to note here that

Of the 12 bagwath apachaarams the inquiry (with wrong and

disrespectful notion and intent)

into achaaryaaLS avathaara rahasyam is top on the list.

 

If it hurts the achaaryaaLS it hurts their sishyaaLS too.

The better way to enquire in such

situation is by asking in personal mails with proper

explanation on one's ignorance or by asking the same

question without any disrespect for achaaryaaLs and their path.

> As a representative of my generation, I will ask the 'elders' on this net :

 

I am not even sure if one can claim this.

One is probably one of those several

1000 representatives. If we are in the

stage of making enquiry only, then let us not make

*advise* for others especially in a forum

of many learned members. (like the

"muththuk kuliyal"). It is similar to altering the

path of the achaaryaaLS.

We donot have to

tell one that there is something out

there (with achaaryaaLS that one need

to definetely learn). But on a compassionate

feeling for a fellow netter we do tell

the availablilty of some of these

paths. We do see the mode

of enquiry as a progressive learning and

that we feel one can benefit more

at the feet of achaaryaaLS prior to attempting to

engage in futile arguments that would belittle simply the

achaaryaaLS and *what they said*. If one can take it

positively it is good for one.

 

Finally, whether one is siriyavan or periyavan,

(eg. durvaasa munivar and ambarish)

once achaarya apachaaram is committed

the only way is to seek forgiveness from the achaaryaaLS

themselves, atleast by maanaseekam.

 

SR