Guest guest Posted November 12, 2006 Report Share Posted November 12, 2006 Regarding eligibility for brahminical status, in Jaiva Dharma Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura had reconciled apparently inconsonant sastric statements-those that indicated brahmanatva by birth seeming to contradict those that promoted brahmanism through attainment of necessary qualities-by differentiating between conventional (vyavaharika) and spiritual (paramarthika) brahmanas, the former classification based on caste, the latter on spiritual qualities. Birth in a brahmana family may qualify one as a "conventional brahmana" eligible for brahminical duties such as performing sacrifices, but simply on the basis of faith in the tenets of suddha-bhakti anyone born in any caste could become a "spiritual brahmana," or Vaisnava, a true brahmana in the fullest sense. Srila Bhaktivinoda analyzed brahmanatva as a stage or qualification of Vaisnavism, and Vaisnavism as the fruit of brahmanatva. (The above is from my upcoming book on Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. This topic is treated thoroughly in Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's study "Brahmana O Vaisnava." I suggest that all participants in this worn-out debate peruse that volume prior to further discussion.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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