Truth and Traditions

[Guest guest]

----Original Message-----

Jaishankar Narayanan [jaishankar_n]

Tuesday, November 30, 1999 10:46 AM

advaitin

Is Shankara a Mayavadin?

 

"Jaishankar Narayanan" <jaishankar_n

 

I think the problem with people like Aurobindo is that they did not have a

traditional Guru. Aurobindo might have been a great Yogi and a great person

but I think his understanding of the shastras were flawed because he did not

have a proper Guru. The teaching tradition (Sampradaya) is very important

because only a traditional teacher has the methodology to unfold the words

of the Vedas so that it becomes a valid means of knowledge. Others who don't

know the methodology to teach Vedanta cannot be effective teachers. I think

the fact that an Aurobindo or JK could'nt produce another Aurobindo or JK is

proof enough. That the tradition has survived for thousands of years with

Jnani's in every generation shows the effectiveness of the traditional way

of teaching and learning Vedanta. I think the words of Mundaka Upanishad 'Sa

Gurum Eva Abhigacchet Shrotriyam Brahmanishtam' - 'Approach a teacher who is

a Shrotriya (one who has studied shastras and knows the traditional way of

teaching) and Brahmanishta (one who is committed to the vision of the Vedas)

and the words of Shankara 'Asampradayavit Moorkhavat Apekshaniyaha' - 'The

one who is not a Sampradayavit( one who knows the tradition) is to be kept

away like a fool' , is very relevant here.

 

with love and prayers,

 

Jaishankar.

 

 

Hello Jaishankarji! I agree with you that the Vedantic teaching traditions

are important and critical for producing other teachers in the Vedic

tradition. Similar arguments can be made about the Buddhist and Jaina

traditions and others as well.

 

I am glad there are such traditions that go back thousands of years. We are

the direct beneficiaries of such teachings in some way. However, there are

transmissions of Truth (I am That!) which are outside of all known or

accepted means. Sri Ramana is one example. Ramana Maharshi did not limit the

possibility of Self-Realization to any particular traditions.

 

Recognition of Truth of the Self as the Ultimate Reality may be facilitated

by being in a certain tradition, but is not dependent on it. Truth of Pure

Consciousness always stands on its Own Ground, independent of all paths, and

yet fully supporting them.

 

We bow to the sages in all traditions and outside of traditions who have

pointed to the Reality of the Heart that is the Self, Eternally Complete

with absolutely no longing for anything what so ever.

 

Harsha

 

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[Guest guest]

Some excellent points were made by Jaishankarji and Harshaji regarding the role

of traditions. Their discussions reinforces the fact that persons like me who

make judgments on others are not free from flaws. If we realize this simple

truth about us, we can restrain our subjective criticisms on others. Then we can

recognize the implied Dharma that is common to all traditions which can help us

to conduct meaningful discussions and debates.

 

We should turn our attention and focus more on the subject and avoid hasty

generalization based on incomplete observations. Yogi Ramacharaka in the book

"Advance Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism" states beautifully

the guidelines based on Dharmic Rules which is quite relevant for our

discussions: " And another rule of Dharma is to refrain from criticizing or

condemning the Dharma of another man less developed than yourself. He is not

looking through your eyes. He may be living nearer to his spiritual ideal than

you are to yours -- how dare you judge him? Are you so near perfect that you set

your standard up as absolute? . . "

 

We should recognize that the debate on the role of traditions toward the

recognition of Truth can never be resolved because we have no clear evidence to

say yes or no. We have no means to prove that the traditions did or didn't help

Ramana Maharishi and Swami Aurobindo. Early childhood exposure to traditions

have potentials to have long lasting impact in the later part of life. One of

the Tamil Shiva Saint, "Jnana Sambandhar" was known to be the master of Vedas

and all the Scriptures during his early childhood. The entire human evolution

is quite mystic and it is beyond us to make judgements!

 

Note: It is time for me to recognize how much I was benefitted from the noble

customs and traditions strictly enforced by my grandmother during my early

childhood. My grandparents and parents and the rich traditions that they

inherited are soley responsible for all my noble thoughts. I am responsible for

rest of the remaining thoughts.

 

Ram Chandran