Vedic definition of atheism

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Hare Krishna Prabhus, _/\o_

 

glad to have this forum.

 

> Yes, I don't think there is a word for atheist in sanskrit - other

> than asura with direct meaning is quite different.

 

The nastika philosophies of the Carvakas, Buddhists and Jains (nasti,

'it is not so'), reject the Vedas. This is the widest definition

philosophically-wise. "The" notorious Vedic atheist was Carvaka

although his ideas survived only in the writings of his opponents like

Madhvacarya.

 

Asura is imho more about attitude - an enemy of dharma, devas,

Bhagavan.

 

Btw, we have an article: veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/atheism.htm

and I'd like to improve and expand it thanks to your input, in a way

of a Wiki project.

 

> However, the word atheist can have many other meanings in other

> contexts. ... I think it good for us to know were our definition of

> atheist differs from the definitions used by atheist or others

> non-devotees. If we want to defeat them we have to know how they

> define the words.

 

Varied definitions and approaches should be used according to a range

of audience. First thing is to realize who we are talking to - both

his philosophy and his attitude. Here is my approach:

 

1. general audience - using standard dictionary definitions of

'atheist' and 'agnostic', at least in the beginning, to avoid

confusion

 

major opponents:

 

1.1 western atheists (agnostics, rationalists, etc.)

1.2 buddhists (southern, northern)

1.3 advaitists (Sankarists, Neo-Vedantists, New Agers)

1.4 ignorant followers of Abrahamic traditions

1.5 sectarians (usually derived from 1.4)

 

examples:

 

challenges by mail

 

2. other theists, esp. Vedic followers - I don't accuse them of

atheism, this would be counterproductive right from the beginning.

Just trying to present Visnu tattva as the highest. Using

intercultural examples of Vedic culture around the world, as a source

of other cultures.

 

major opponents:

 

2.1 open-minded followers of Abrahamic traditions

2.2 Saivas, Saktas, Jainas, Sikhs, etc.

 

example:

 

Beliefnet.com > Discussions > Hinduism > Learn about Hinduism

 

3. other Vaishnava sampradayas - Krishna as the source of Visnu, being

superior in rasa.

 

example:

 

Beliefnet.com > Discussions > Hinduism > Vaisnavism

 

4. other Gaudiya lines - Sarasvata siddhanta showed the highest

potential to spread Mahaprabhu's message.

 

example: My contact with them is limited to occassional challenges by

followers of apasampradayas. There is usually no discussion possible

and a danger to hear aparadhas. For advanced preachers.

 

5. ISKCON candidates - providing links to ISKCON sources, quoting

directly from Prabhupada and previous acaryas, Caitanya Mahaprabhu is

Radha-Krishna, etc.

 

example:

 

Beliefnet.com > Discussions > Hinduism > Hare Krishnas

harekrsna.cz forum

 

All approaches can be used in Wikipedia as per the specific section.

 

attitudes:

 

agnostic - fruitful preaching possible

defensive (reactive) atheist - f. p. possible

offensive (pro-active) atheist - f. p. possible for hardened preachers

demon (atheist by instinct, outright inimical) - f. p. impossible,

best avoided, can be aggressive

 

> >In ISKCON I would say that anyone who has doubts in Prabhupada is

> >an atheist.

>

> I think that's a reasonable way to use the word in an ISKCON

> context.

 

In a sense that Prabhupada is our link to Krishna. However, it should

be used carefully, not to burn neophyte persons.

 

 

Haribol Jahnu, greetz from Prague to you and Braja.

 

 

Your servant, bh. Jan

 

www.vrindavan-dham.com

www.veda.harekrsna.cz

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