Collective condemnations and religious plurality

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>>> On Wed, 25 Dec 2002, Madhava wrote:> "Babaji" is just about as generic an

expression as "renunciate", "householder" and so forth. You cannot accuse such

generic groups.>>>

Mdd then replies:

You're free to hold whatever opinion if you like, and I simply disagree

with you here; since it's natural to generalize on the basis of experience and

authoritative testimony, we *all* occasionally generalize like this, if you

catch my drift. <<<

 

In response to this, I am more than satisfied to merely quote your own words, as

they appear in the post "Divinity of Guru": "...there's hardly a need to

encourage what is already natural (sahaja)." So yes, I agree, it is natural to

generalize on the basis of limited experience. That doesn't make it justified,

though.

 

 

>>> Madhava wrote:

 

You are not, in fact, interested or willing to discuss any topic whichis in

contrast with that which you have learned from your guru. >>>

MDd replies:

Certainly I don't see much point in talking serious theology with dubious

characters who have demonstrated a tendency to reject their gurus, if that's

what you mean. After all, that's very sinful activity, plain and simple. <<<

 

There are legitimate reasons delineated in Jiva Gosvami's Bhakti Sandarbha for

rejecting a diksa-guru. vaiSNava-vidveSi cet parityAjyam eva -- "One who envies

a Vaishnava should be renounced." A person who speaks deliberate lies to vilify

a Vaishnava certainly falls into this category.

 

 

>>> MDd: However, I think we all know that this isn't really the issue here, so

I think it is destructive to blur the crucial distinction between arnchair

philosophy based on idle speculation, and serious practice based on real faith.

I've said this before too. Are we all willing to get the point? <<<

Certainly yes. However, it is an open question whom one can convict as a

worthless armchair philosopher. A person who in all seriousness pursues the

path of bhakti, even if outside the Sarasvata-parivara, is certainly no

armchair philosopher, and he may have legitimate concerns over the Gaudiya

theology and practice.

 

 

Regards,

 

Madhava

 

 

 

 

 

-

M. Tandy

achintya

Wednesday, December 25, 2002 7:29 PM

Re: Collective condemnations and religious plurality

On Wed, 25 Dec 2002, Madhava wrote:> "Babaji" is just about as generic an

expression as "renunciate","householder" and so forth. You cannot accuse such

generic groups.>>> You're free to hold whatever opinion if you like, and I

simplydisagree with you here; since it's natural to generalize on the basis

ofexperience and authoritative testimony, we *all* occasionally generalizelike

this, if you catch my drift.>>> You are not, in fact, interested or willing to

discuss any topic whichis in contrast with that which you have learned from

your guru. >>> Certainly I don't see much point in talking serious

theology withdubious characters who have demonstrated a tendency to reject

their gurus,if that's what you mean. After all, that's very sinful activity,

plainand simple. It isn't a question of not regarding others' gurus or

theirteachings as worthy of serious attention--as much as (all things

considered),simply wondering about the credibility of some (not all) of their

so-called"disciples." Frankly, I believe the fact that I now have reiterated

thispoint in a number of ways has made it clear to anyone willing to

understandit. As far as plurity goes, I think the bonafide guru is one,

thoughhe can appear in an infinity of forms, as needed. This is because

thebonafide guru is Krsna Himself in the form of His pure devotee (cf. Cc,Adi

1.47). That's an acintya-bhedabheda tattva. I'm also willing todialogue with

members of others faiths, and do so regularly. However, Ithink we all know

that this isn't really the issue here, so I think itis destructive to blur the

crucial distinction between arnchair philosophybased on idle speculation, and

serious practice based on real faith. I'vesaid this before too. Are we all

willing to get the point? MDdTo from this group, send an email

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