Fwd: Re : Philosophical debates and hoaxes

[Guest guest]

Namaste:

 

Here is my reply to Sri Nanda.

 

regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

advaita-l, Ram Chandran <rchandran@c...> wrote:

Namaste Nandaji:

 

Though your logic appears compelling, I am sorry to say that I

disagree.

 

Here is my understanding of Shankara's statement: "don't get seduced

by

looking at the navel of a woman." Shankara by this statement warns the

lower

ends of human tendencies and ask us to assume the higher levels. When

we

were children, we get amused by the toys and if we go to a toy store,

we

want to buy and play with the toys. As children, our mind gets

agitated

because of our attachment to things that we like and enjoy. But as

adults,

when we go to the toy store, the same toys that we used to play do not

have

any impact on us and we are no more agitated. We do become `instant

jnanis!" Whether you agree or disagree, we have high potential to be a

jnani

and avoid getting mind agitation when seeing objects that bring

sensual

pleasures. According to Vedanta, we are truly jnanis but our

ignorance and

false attachment propels desires and we suffer due to their

consequences.

We do take up samnyaasam slowly and steadily, some can do it faster

and

others may indulge in worldly things for a longer time. Please

understand

that the Vedantic view of human liberation is much more appealing than

the

views expressed in Buddhism. Vedanta doesn't deny that pain is

inevitable

but it stresses that suffering is avoidable through detachment. You

may

have a different point of view and may be more convinced with point of

view

of Buddhism and I fully respect it but I certainly don't agree.

 

Coming back to intellectual conceptualization, let me restate my

understanding. Vedanta distinguishes between "para" and "apara"

vidya.

Apara vidya includes learning and mastering of all scriptures

including the

Vedas. The Upanishads (also in Vivekachoodamani) states that apara

vidya is

not sufficient for God-realization and it is para vidya that can lead

us to

Self-realization. The famous quotation of the Upanishads, "the more

we

know, the more we don't know" signifies why the path of intellectual

education will never help us realize the Brahman. Please understand

that

faith is integral part of Advaita Vedanta and "God" is the gate keeper

who

opens the door for us when the reach the gate to liberation. All the

road

maps, guides and vehicles that travel can take us may at the most can

take

us to the Gate. But with only God's grace, the gate will open for

human

liberation. If you are convinced that without God's grace and with

only

intellectually, you can be liberated, I respect your view but I

disagree.

 

Your statements regarding `object,' and `subject' are intellectually

quite

appealing but it can take us no where as for as I can see. According

to

Vedanta, we should prepare discard all notions including the notion of

Advaita Philosophy to get the liberation. Once again, God's grace

alone will

guarantee our liberation and this statement is the statement of faith

which

is quite essential in understanding Shankara's Advaita Philosophy.

The

reading of books and Shastras are only to help us to cultivate

`faith.' St

Augustine is quite correct when he said: "faith is to believe what we

don't

see; its reward is to see what we believe."

 

warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran