Guest guest Posted August 6, 1999 Report Share Posted August 6, 1999 Namaste, My friend asked me the other day if I considered Ramana Maharshi to be an Advaitin. I told him it might depend on how Advaitin was defined but as far as I was concerned the short answer was "yes". I have read some "official" opinion seems less certain about Ramana's status -- therefore the question: " is Ramana Maharshi a 100% bona fide source of genuine information regarding Advaita Vedanta ? If the answer is 'no' for any reason what did he get wrong? " While we are at it, how about Nisargadatta and Ramesh Balsekar? What exactly do they have wrong (if anything) according to official Advaita Vedanta? thanks sincerely, A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 1999 Report Share Posted August 6, 1999 Namaste: Whether Ramana Maharishi is an Advaitin depends on how we understood Ramana and/or Advaita. With billions of human souls in this universe, there will be more than one opinion. Hinduism unlike other major religions of the world does not certify or classify the sources of information. There is neither regulation nor regulators to judge what is genuine and what is not. For example, the head of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetem (organization established by Shankara to represent Advaita Vedanta), Swami Chandrasekarendra Saraswati had very good relationship with Ramana Maharishi. From what I hear from several sources that Kanchi Swamiji considered Ramana as a bonafide saint. It is a known fact that the traditions followed at Kanchi are very different from the traditions at Ramana Ashramam. If you read Ramana's biography, you will understand the personality of Ramana is very different from the personality of Kanchi Periyaval. But in India and elsewhere, both were highly respected. All appearances of diversity is not real and unity can be established with a determined mind. There is an underlined fundamental hidden message in Advaita - names and forms are not important because they are transient. That which is permanant has no name or form. If you contemplate, you may be able to find your self, the duality of 'yes' and 'no' is your own imagination! In mathematics, I always find "differentiation" is easier than "integration" and it is true in all other aspects of our life. Integration is divine and differentiation is human and we do want to get out of our human apperance. Aren't we? Note: I wish that Charles Wikener reads your postings, and I hope that he responds. Ram Chandran a c wrote: > a c <ac > > Namaste, > > My friend asked me the other day if I considered Ramana Maharshi to be an > Advaitin. I told him it might depend on how Advaitin was defined but as > far as I was concerned the short answer was "yes". I have read some > "official" opinion seems less certain about Ramana's status -- therefore > the question: " is Ramana Maharshi a 100% bona fide source of genuine > information regarding Advaita Vedanta ? If the answer is 'no' for any > reason what did he get wrong? " > > While we are at it, how about Nisargadatta and Ramesh Balsekar? What > exactly do they have wrong (if anything) according to official Advaita > Vedanta? > > thanks sincerely, > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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