[Y-Indology] Digest Number 386

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INDOLOGY wrote:

 

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>indology

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>There are 2 messages in this issue.

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>Topics in this digest:

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> 1. Request: On reading sacred texts

> "Vito Evola " <vito.evola

> 2. JOB POSTING

> David Magier <magier

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>Message: 1

> Fri, 13 Sep 2002 12:55:09 +0200

> "Vito Evola " <vito.evola

>Request: On reading sacred texts

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>Greetings!

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>I would like to ask you for some information about how Hindu and Buddhist

devotees approach their respective sacred scriptures. I'm trying to note some

commonalities and differences between these traditions and Jews, Christians and

Muslims, on approaching the reading of sacred literature.

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>1. Are there "preliminaries" in their approaching the text (i.e. abluations,

special rites or prayers, etc.)?

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>Not that I'm aware of.

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>2. Can anyone read everything, or is there something sacred and reserved to

only some?

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Some texts, need permission in the form of a initiation to be studied in

the Tibeto-Indian tantric traditions.

 

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>3. Are the texts considered revealed or divinely inspired?

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In the Tibeto-Indian tantric traditions: yes,

 

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>4. Are there special methods for the reading? can I just open up and read at

random?

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There is the literary meaning and the intended one. Special insights and

meditationexperience is supposed to be necessary to understand the

intended one.

 

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>5. Any other info?

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Not only the meaning, but the material stuff, the paper, ink etc. is

holy and have powers. Also the history of the stuff, whether is has been

used by holy men or on holy occasions add to the powers. Names are holy,

reciting a text even without understanding one word of it is considered

to be very good. The more the better! Even 100.000 times! Nonetheless

many texts partly have a clear foreing origin.

HTH

 

erik

 

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>thanks in advance! I'd be happy to post a summary.

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>VEVOLA

>vito.evola

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