Guest guest Posted December 6, 1999 Report Share Posted December 6, 1999 Hi Warren, Like Jaishankar and Kalyan, I have also learned a great deal from Swami Dayananda and the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (AVG). In my case however, since I have had other primary teachers, my association with Swamiji has been through his books and tapes. Every time I have been to the gurukulam, he wasn't there :-( But I have also benefitted from knowing the kind and knowledgeable Swami Tadatmananda :-), who is full-time resident at AVG, and who at one time I believe, might have been a member of this list or of ADVAITA-L. In the U.S., I think that AVG is as close as one can come to a traditional gurukulam setting. They also have the best bookstore for Vedantic books I've ever been in (you can call 717-992-2339). There is also the Chinmaya Mission, which teaches Advaita Vedanta in more of an "outreach" format, with study groups around the U.S. I studied with the New York group for about 2 years. Sadananda-ji, one of our moderators, is also a teacher for the Chinmaya Mission, and can tell you more about it, if you are interested. At one time, Swami Dayananda was Swami Chinmaya's student. If anyone is serious about learning advaita vedanta, I **highly recommend** these approaches to studying the scriptures. It is definitely preferable to any scholarly analysis. There is a VERY VERY strong tradition of oral teaching in this sampradaya guru-disciple tradition. Oral teaching from the texts becomes the springboard for a teacher-conducted tour through the entire vedantic vision and philosophy. And from experience, I can tell you that the answers to most questions tht Westerners are likely to ask ARE NOT IN WRITTEN IN BOOKS. In other words, the best stuff is not written down. So, face-to-face or oral contact becomes a highly efficient way to learn advaita vedanta. Om! --Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 1999 Report Share Posted December 6, 1999 Hari Om: I have been to Arsha Vidya Gurukulam several times and have attended one of their weekend classes. I agree with Sri Jaishankar, Sri Kalyan and Sri Greg that Swami Dayananda is one of the best few teachers who is well versed in Scriptures and Shankara's Advaita Philosophy. I also agree that Arsha Vidya Gurukulam has nice set up as a Gurukulam with nice cottages, book-store, a temple and several lecture halls. During my short visit there, classes were free and the food was provided free with a small donation. Actually, the Gurukulam did not demand money from us and we only offered donations on a voluntary basis. This concept may look strange and this is the true vedic tradition where unselfish service generates revenue without asking! In Rishikesh, northwest of Delhi, there are several other institutions follow the same tradition. The traditional way of learning the scriptures and Advaita Vedanta can't be accomplished in a fixed time framework and everyone who wants to learn may not have time to undertake studies of longer duration. Consequently, those who want to learn Vedanta have number of options. Ramakrishna Missions, Chinmaya Missions and several other yoga centers (for example, Yogaville in Virginia) offer classes during weekends, residential retreats and annual camps. Chinmaya Mission also offers a Brahmachari Course conducted at Sandeepani, Bombay and Chinmaya Mission West offers also longterm courses. These courses are conducted in Gurukulam style with imposed discipline and restrictions. Those who committed to do service after completing the course can practically study without paying any fees (or nominal fees) in most of the institutions. The links to those institutions are available at the advaitins homepage: http://www.geocities.com/advaitins/ As pointed out by Sri Greg, attending Satsang can help us to broaden our outlook, exchanging ideas and improve our understanding. Sri Sadanandaji, Sri. Raju Chidambaram, Sri Madhava, Sri Gummuluru, Sri Shyam, Sri Jyothi Kumar and several others including me are members of Chinmaya Mission. Several lead the Satsang or teach the Adults, Youth and Children of different ages. All these institutions also publish large number of books on Vedas and Vedanta which are quite thorough. Internet is a great source for getting useful information and there are electronic versions of Upanishads, Vedas, Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures with Sanskrit and English translations. The Advaitin List and other lists such as Advaita-L, , nonduality saloon, Ramakrishna, are useful for interested readers with time and transportation constraints. Finally, I have a request to those who have access to information related to other institutions: Please share your knowledge to the list members with information on Web Address, etc. This is an important service that everymember of this list to other members. This is the least expensive way to exchange ideas and knowledge and let us take full use of it. Let us follow this Vedic Tradition and the best way to learn Vedanta is through Service and this is the only way! ======================================================= Two and One-half Month Course (Mon., Oct. 4, 1999 - Sun, Dec. 19, 1999) THE GURUKULAM DOES NOT CHARGE TUITION FOR VEDANTA PROGRAMS. WE MAINLY RELY ON DONATIONS TO MAKE THE PROGRAMS POSSIBLE. Two and a half Month Course Registration - $100 Lodging and Meals $300 per month per single room; $500 per month per couple $150 per month per person for commuters. Arrangements can be made for part time study. More details on other programs and retreats, see the WEB Page: http://www.arshavidya.org/programs/ ====================================================== Greg Goode wrote: > > Greg Goode <goode > > Hi Warren, > > Like Jaishankar and Kalyan, I have also learned a great deal from Swami > Dayananda and the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam (AVG). In my case however, since I > have had other primary teachers, my association with Swamiji has been > through his books and tapes. Every time I have been to the gurukulam, he > wasn't there :-( But I have also benefitted from knowing the kind and > knowledgeable Swami Tadatmananda :-), who is full-time resident at AVG, and > who at one time I believe, might have been a member of this list or of > ADVAITA-L. > > In the U.S., I think that AVG is as close as one can come to a traditional > gurukulam setting. They also have the best bookstore for Vedantic books > I've ever been in (you can call 717-992-2339). > > There is also the Chinmaya Mission, which teaches Advaita Vedanta in more > of an "outreach" format, with study groups around the U.S. I studied with > the New York group for about 2 years. Sadananda-ji, one of our moderators, > is also a teacher for the Chinmaya Mission, and can tell you more about it, > if you are interested. At one time, Swami Dayananda was Swami Chinmaya's > student. > > If anyone is serious about learning advaita vedanta, I **highly recommend** > these approaches to studying the scriptures. It is definitely preferable > to any scholarly analysis. There is a VERY VERY strong tradition of oral > teaching in this sampradaya guru-disciple tradition. Oral teaching from > the texts becomes the springboard for a teacher-conducted tour through the > entire vedantic vision and philosophy. And from experience, I can tell you > that the answers to most questions tht Westerners are likely to ask ARE NOT > IN WRITTEN IN BOOKS. In other words, the best stuff is not written down. > So, face-to-face or oral contact becomes a highly efficient way to learn > advaita vedanta. > > Om! > > --Greg > > > Discussion of the True Meaning of Sankara's Advaita Vedanta Philosophy focusing on non-duality between mind and matter. Searchable List Archives are available at: http://www.eScribe.com/culture/advaitin/ Contact Email Address: advaitins > -- Ram Chandran Burke, VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 7, 1999 Report Share Posted December 7, 1999 Many thanks to all who graciously provided answers to my questions about the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam and Swami Dayananda Saraswati. >.... nonduality saloon.... Hey now, that sounds like my kind of place! I wonder what they serve there....? :-) (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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