Guest guest Posted October 1, 1996 Report Share Posted October 1, 1996 Mr. Srinivasan writes: "it is painful to see a statement with the words "Srivaishnavism distinguished from Hinduism". Srivaishnava Sampradaya is inseparable from Sanatana Dharma / Vaidika Dharma." For ease in discussion, I would like to respond to this from the view that a cultural anthropoligist would have of the subject. SriVaishnavism does fall under the large umbrella of Hinduism in that it does include some Vedic rituals and injunctions. However, it has several unique aspects that can allow one to clearly identify it as a unique religion among the plethora of belief systems that make up Hinduism. Some of these aspects are: the recognition of a personal Divinity as the ultimate Reality (this is not unique, per se, though, as there are other Schools of thought in India that maintain this view), the exclusive worship of this Divinity as the means to salvation, the role of Divine Grace and the Maternal Aspect of the Divinity in such a salvation, the use of the vernacular in ritualistic worship, and Prapatti, a validated path to Divine by complete reliance upon Him as the Way and the Goal. Christianity has a similar structure which could serve as a a good equivalent. Catholicism shares many common views with its umbrella religion, Christianity. However, it has many unique traits that allows one to clearly identify it from other Christian religions. Daasanu Daasan, Mohan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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