Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Aravind, What are some other examples of things you feel Prabhupada may have said that are taken too seriously on the grounds of "guru infallibility" theory? This might help us provide context for the discussion. As far as the faked moon landing thing, I don't recall reading anything by Prabhupada in which he gave the definitive "Fake Moon Landing Conspiracy" theory. What I recall reading is simply that he expressed doubt about it based on the Vedic view that Chandra Loka could only be attained by pious deeds and performance of appropriate sacrifices. Sadaputa dasa later wrote something in _Vedic Astronomy and Cosmography_ in which he reconciled the two possibilities by invoking multidimensional theory. By the way, for those who wish to argue in favor "Faked Moon Landing," please consider reviewing the following link http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html which answers many of the commonly held scientific misconceptions used to argue against moon landings having taken place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Hare Krishna, Aravind i wouldn't judge infallibility of a guru on basis of moon landing and like utterances. A lot about this statement has been over blown by various devotees. Some devotees come and tell me that SP challenged Scientists to prove that they landed on moon, while truth remains that SP simply voiced a doubt based on vedas as krishna prabhu has pointed. Many devotees have a tendency to embellish stories with their own creation and then pass them around. To be frank you should keep your question to philosophical realm. I mean concerned with knowledge of tattvas - iswara, jiva, prakriti and their mutual relationship and sadhana to mukti and nature of mukti itself. Issues other than these are not good ones to judge a Guru. A Guru is specifically meant to inform us about these issues. Once you realize these basic principles you will develop a common sense[unique to a person who has clear understanding of fundamentals] and can apply it to various situations in life. I mean you will intutively know how to apply something you have learnt from a Guru. So in short if you want to judge infallibility of a guru, you should go ahead and judge him on these terms rather than bringing issues like moon landing, big bang theory etc..... Let me sum it up for you: "Whether SP was right or wrong about moon landing will not affect your mukti and consequently will not effect his capability to guide anyone to mukti. However, if SP gives you incorrect knowledge about the tattvas[described earlier] that will definately prevent your mukti and will also make SP incapable of guiding anyone to mukti." Mukti above, is defined in Vedanta Sutra style which says mukti is attained through seeing brahman and does not means impersonal liberation. Infallibity of Guru should be judged on this sole criteria only. After all what else is the purpose of a Guru except guiding one to liberation, having himself attained that state ? Your Servant Always, Sumeet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 I don't mind discussing the issue. But to be honest, I don't know where this idea came from that a guru has to be omnisicient. Isn't it more important that the guru be learned in shaastras and able to convey their meaning? Who cares if Srila Prabhupada thought NASA faked the moon landing? Isn't he allowed to have some doubts about subject matters with which he is not personally familiar? Does it make him any less a guru? Does one have to be omnisicient to be a guru? Where is this stated? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2004 Report Share Posted November 12, 2004 Hare Krishna, Sorry for this delayed reply. I just brought up the "moon landing" issue to show an example of something that Krishna didn't either directly speak about or communicate through the scriptures. So, when a pure devotee comments on similar issues, should we accept such comments as infallible? I'm not bothered about the moon landing theories, per se. Further, although, I brought up the specific case of Srila Prabhupada, my question, I guess is more general. Is a guru infallible? Is there any sastric evidence to support this? if he is considered a pure devotee, but not perfect does that constitute an offense? I hope I was a bit more clear. in your service, krishna_susarla <krishna_susarla wrote: Aravind, What are some other examples of things you feel Prabhupada may have said that are taken too seriously on the grounds of "guru infallibility" theory? This might help us provide context for the discussion. Aravind Mohanram Ph.D. Candidate Dept. of Mat Sci and Engg., Penn State University, University Park, PA 16801 www.personal.psu.edu/aum105 Check out the new Front Page. www. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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