Tony, you've got a point

[Guest guest]

Namaste Sri

I think you've got a good point sending us those websites on

allegations against Sathya Sai Baba regarding sexual abuse and bogus

miracles. Although I have not studied this issue enough to be

certain, it does seem as though there is a suspiciously large

quantity of credible evidence, enough to be quite disturbing.

 

Of course, we have all heard about the trouble lately with

Catholic priests, which happened all over the world! And I was

particularly disturbed by what I read regarding Swami Muktananda and

some children under his care, because his writings seemed authentic

to me. In fact, Sai Baba's writings also seem quite fine and

orthodox. And Osho is famous for writing brilliantly about

spirituality but for being nevertheless entangled in considerable

controversy (though not with children). The there were the problems

with the Hari Krishnas, who actually paid out money to settle the

lawsuits against them. I believe that there is probably considerable

truth to at least some of these allegations.

 

There can be no doubt that abusing spiritual authority in

this way with children is reprehensible, because of the deep

emotional scars that are left on vulnerable minds. How can this

happen so often with spiritual leaders, especially those who can

speak and write in such a fine and inspiring way?

 

I think that we must accept the fact that humans are

complicated and have different facets, both light and dark, good and

bad. I particularly disapprove of anything remotely resembling blind

submission to any guru, unless the disciple is already very mature

and dedicated. Under no circumstances should young people or

immature people with emotional problems or a lack of self-confidence

surrender to anyone, no matter how holy he or she seems. I also

reject organized churches which try to enforce dogma or clerical

infallibility regarding spiritual matters.

 

This is one reason I admire Buddhism. The original Sakyamuni

always seemed to reject worship and blind obedience. He always

seemed to demand that his disciples investigate and verify his

teachings for themselves. I believe that this is the attitude of all

that is good in the Indian spiritual tradition, or indeed in any

other spiritual tradition.

 

Om!

Benjamin

[Guest guest]

advaitin, Benjamin Root <orion777ben>

wrote:

>

> Namaste Sri >

> I think you've got a good point sending us those websites

 

Namaste Ben,

 

It actually fits the discussion on jnana and bhakti. For you have

bhaktas following certain Gurus etc. Unfortunately many are frauds

but the teachings are good, although they are not their own. In India

this is not an unusual situation.

 

My problem with the frauds is that eventually they hurt people,( I

know some) and at that stage they often throw the baby out with the

bath water. So they are counterproductive to many people's eventual

spirituality.

 

I like Advaita and the Buddha's teaching, for relying on others isn't

really the path of Advaita.

 

My own test of a teacher these days or advice rather is; If they have

a desire, even one material desire, then they are not realised and

hence a fraud. The Guru you mention has many desires, discounting the

more higher profile ones, the one I first noticed was his desire for

a certain type of food, and the chewing of betel nut. This indicated

to me that he had at least one desire and therefore could not be what

he was claiming.

 

http://www.bridgeoflove.com/bookstore/icke/magazine/vol12/articles/fin

dings1.html

 

Om Namah Sivaya......Tony.

[Guest guest]

namaste.

 

May I respectfully suggest that this thread and the contents

be discontinued.

 

Firstly, we are interested on this List in the teachings of

the AcAryA-s to improve our understanding of ourselves. We

take the good only out of any teacher's teachings or discourses.

 

Secondly, it is a long tradition on this List that we do not

denigrade any teacher whether advaitic or of any viewpoint.

 

Thirdly, there may be allegations of discordant nature; they

may be allegations only, we do not know. We are not really

interested. The purpose of this List is not advanced in any

way by repeated references to URL's of allegations.

 

Fourthly, for every one that alleges misconduct against this

AcArya, there are a great number that consider this person to

be an avatAr.

 

Thus, I would respectfully suggest that we do not pursue the

content of this topic anymore on the List.

 

 

Regards

Gummuluru Murthy