Guest guest Posted April 12, 1999 Report Share Posted April 12, 1999 We observe that almost all present day global conflicts seem to stem from 'religious differences'. How relevant do you think are the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna? Sri Ramakrishna's teachings on Interfaith: " Every man should follow his own religion. A Christian should follow Christianity and a Mohammedan - Mohammedanism. For the Hindu, the ancient path - the path of the Rishis is the best. A truly religious man should think that other religions are also many paths leading to the Truth. One should always maintain an attitude of respect towards other religions " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 1999 Report Share Posted April 12, 1999 In a message dated 99-04-12 13:47:48 EDT, vivekananda writes: << Sri Ramakrishna's teachings on Interfaith: " Every man should follow his own religion. A Christian should follow Christianity and a Mohammedan - Mohammedanism. For the Hindu, the ancient path - the path of the Rishis is the best. A truly religious man should think that other religions are also many paths leading to the Truth. One should always maintain an attitude of respect towards other religions " . >> Well, my personal opinion, and also one of Swamiji's I believe, is that all the conflict that arises from religion is because folks toss aside the teachings and ideals, and begin worshipping the personality of the Teacher. Then the ole " ....my teacher is better than your teacher... " begins and escalates into deadly wars. This is true of Christianity, Islam, Buddism, and Catholicism. Let's just hope this doesn't happen to Vedanta. But, I must admit, that I have seen signs of this beginning already, in even Vedanta...Is one of Swamiji's greatest fears beginning to be realized....let's hope not. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 1999 Report Share Posted April 14, 1999 Dear List, This topic has been in my thoughts lately, ever since I saw a post from a buddhist on Usenet subtly putting down " Brahmanism. " There is a danger in following ANY religion or system, be it Buddhism, Vedanta, Christianity, Muslimism, Judaism, etc. That danger is to become *attached* to the particular group of people and/or personality of the teacher, or even the specific method of teachings, and to neglect Truth. There is only One Truth. There is only One Awakening. There are, however, billions of ways to reach Truth. Perhaps the best for some people is simply to follow one's own heart. This is why I don't claim allegiance to any " religion " at all. When asked, I say that the tenets of Advaita Vedanta are closest to my heart, and make the most sense to me (and Buddhism is secondary), but if asked if I follow any religion, I say " No. " The danger always exists that spirituality can become a material thing, a possession, an attachment, a thing of the ego. I feel uniquely free to be unattached, because I was *not* raised in any religion at all, and so according to Saint Ramakrishna, have no religion of my own. Thus, I think he would say to me " Follow your heart then. " That's what I do, and I find teachings of value even in some of the more esoteric religions. But I follow no religion. I think to do so (for some, at least) is to ultimately hinder the process of Realization. Whether or not Advaita Vedanta is looking down on other religions (this is difficult for me to believe, it's against everything Vedanta stands for), it is the jiva who counts, not the religious movement. *If Vedanta becomes a hindrance to Realization, drop Vedanta like a hot potato!* With Love and OM, Tim At 06:55 PM 4/12/99 EDT, you wrote: >FREESUE > >In a message dated 99-04-12 13:47:48 EDT, vivekananda writes: > ><< > Sri Ramakrishna's teachings on Interfaith: > " Every man should follow his own religion. A Christian should follow >Christianity and a Mohammedan - Mohammedanism. For the Hindu, the ancient >path - the path of the Rishis is the best. > > A truly religious man should think that other religions are also many paths >leading to the Truth. One should always maintain an attitude of respect >towards other religions " . >> > >Well, my personal opinion, and also one of Swamiji's I believe, is that all >the conflict that arises from religion is because folks toss aside the >teachings and ideals, and begin worshipping the personality of the Teacher. >Then the ole " ....my teacher is better than your teacher... " begins and >escalates into deadly wars. This is true of Christianity, Islam, Buddism, >and Catholicism. Let's just hope this doesn't happen to Vedanta. But, I >must admit, that I have seen signs of this beginning already, in even >Vedanta...Is one of Swamiji's greatest fears beginning to be >realized....let's hope not. > >Sue > >------ >Tired of empty chat rooms and out of date bulletin boards? >http://www.ONElist.com >ONElist: Making the Internet Intimate >------ >Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah >Vivekananda Centre London >http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ > > ----- Visit The Core of the WWW at: http://www.eskimo.com/~fewtch/ND/index.html Music, Poetry, Writings on Nondual Spiritual Topics. Tim's Windows and DOS Shareware/Freeware is at: http://www.eskimo.com/~fewtch/shareware.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 1999 Report Share Posted April 15, 1999 In a message dated 99-04-14 16:55:14 EDT, fewtch writes: << There is a danger in following ANY religion or system, be it Buddhism, Vedanta, Christianity, Muslimism, Judaism, etc. That danger is to become *attached* to the particular group of people and/or personality of the teacher, or even the specific method of teachings, and to neglect Truth. There is only One Truth. There is only One Awakening. There are, however, billions of ways to reach Truth. Perhaps the best for some people is simply to follow one's own heart. >> What you say is certainly true. It is, as I stated, one of the reasons why religion has been responsible for so much bloodshed down through the ages. The problem people tend to have, is when they follow their heart, and find the Way that suits them best, the tend to want everyone else to to travel the same road with them. However, it is truly a journey " ...from the Alone to the Alone... " as Swamiji said. <<The danger always exists that spirituality can become a material thing, a possession, an attachment, a thing of the ego.>> This is very true, and I see it happen in ALL religions, including Vedanta, tho most would not admit to it. <<I feel uniquely free to be unattached, because I was *not* raised in any religion at all, and so according to Saint Ramakrishna, have no religion of my own.>> Nor was I. I never felt the need to " belong " to any particular organized group to be close to God. It's a purely personal thing. Tho I find Vedanta " fits " a great deal, I have also found great appeal in Sufism, Buddism, and even some of the ancient Shaman beliefs. I adhere strongly to the... " if it fits, then it's for you, if it doesn't then it is not for you... " philosophy. <<Whether or not Advaita Vedanta is looking down on other religions (this is difficult for me to believe, it's against everything Vedanta stands for), it is the jiva who counts, not the religious movement. *If Vedanta becomes a hindrance to Realization, drop Vedanta like a hot potato!*>> I never meant that Vedanta was " looking down " on other religions. Quite the contrary. What I said was that I am beginning to see a tendancy of making the Teacher and the personality of the Teacher the focal point. And this was one of Swamigi's greats fears. He always stressed that his name should not be made prominent, nor his master's even, but to " work the ideal " instead. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 1999 Report Share Posted April 15, 1999 [This message contained attachments] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 1999 Report Share Posted April 15, 1999 In a message dated 4/15/99 1:37:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time, anurag writes: << Recently there was post with some questions on Hinduism. I thought wat is hinduism ? When did this term originate ? isn't it just another path like other religions to help realise God. >> Sri Ramakrishna says in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna that Hinduism or Vedanta is the Sanathana Dharma. Other sects (referring to the Brahmo samaj) will come and go but the religion of the Sanathana Dharma is eternal. this is not pride or narrowness, because if you see and read all the scriptures and philosophies that make up Hinduism they incorporate EVERY SINGLE PHILOSOPHY in the world, every single doctrine, attitude. It is an umbrella over all religions. This is not being partial but it is a fact. This is shown by Swamiji's statement " We want to make the Hindu a better Hindu, the Christian a better Christian, and a Mohammedan a better Mohammedan. " Yours in Sri Ramakrishna, Om Lala Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 1999 Report Share Posted April 15, 1999 True i too at sometimes happen to meet some people who were totally against Hinduism ( or vedantaa or watever ) n who were favouring buddhism. Yes all paths show different methods to reach to God the problem arises when one ties to attach a particular path to one community or country n compares it with others on geographical or community basis n there comes discriminations. Recently there was post with some questions on Hinduism. I thought wat is hinduism ? When did this term originate ? isn't it just another path like other religions to help realise God. Anurag On Wed, 14 Apr 1999, Tim Gerchmez wrote: > Tim Gerchmez <fewtch > > > Dear List, > > This topic has been in my thoughts lately, ever since I saw a post from a > buddhist on Usenet subtly putting down " Brahmanism. " There is a danger in > following ANY religion or system, be it Buddhism, Vedanta, Christianity, > Muslimism, Judaism, etc. That danger is to become *attached* to the > particular group of people and/or personality of the teacher, or even the > specific method of teachings, and to neglect Truth. There is only One > Truth. There is only One Awakening. There are, however, billions of ways > to reach Truth. Perhaps the best for some people is simply to follow one's > own heart. > > This is why I don't claim allegiance to any " religion " at all. When asked, > I say that the tenets of Advaita Vedanta are closest to my heart, and make > the most sense to me (and Buddhism is secondary), but if asked if I follow > any religion, I say " No. " The danger always exists that spirituality can > become a material thing, a possession, an attachment, a thing of the ego. > I feel uniquely free to be unattached, because I was *not* raised in any > religion at all, and so according to Saint Ramakrishna, have no religion of > my own. Thus, I think he would say to me " Follow your heart then. " That's > what I do, and I find teachings of value even in some of the more esoteric > religions. But I follow no religion. I think to do so (for some, at > least) is to ultimately hinder the process of Realization. > > Whether or not Advaita Vedanta is looking down on other religions (this is > difficult for me to believe, it's against everything Vedanta stands for), > it is the jiva who counts, not the religious movement. *If Vedanta becomes > a hindrance to Realization, drop Vedanta like a hot potato!* > > With Love and OM, > > Tim > > > At 06:55 PM 4/12/99 EDT, you wrote: > >FREESUE > > > >In a message dated 99-04-12 13:47:48 EDT, vivekananda writes: > > > ><< > > Sri Ramakrishna's teachings on Interfaith: > > " Every man should follow his own religion. A Christian should follow > >Christianity and a Mohammedan - Mohammedanism. For the Hindu, the ancient > >path - the path of the Rishis is the best. > > > > A truly religious man should think that other religions are also many paths > >leading to the Truth. One should always maintain an attitude of respect > >towards other religions " . >> > > > >Well, my personal opinion, and also one of Swamiji's I believe, is that all > >the conflict that arises from religion is because folks toss aside the > >teachings and ideals, and begin worshipping the personality of the > Teacher. > >Then the ole " ....my teacher is better than your teacher... " begins and > >escalates into deadly wars. This is true of Christianity, Islam, Buddism, > >and Catholicism. Let's just hope this doesn't happen to Vedanta. But, I > >must admit, that I have seen signs of this beginning already, in even > >Vedanta...Is one of Swamiji's greatest fears beginning to be > >realized....let's hope not. > > > >Sue > > > >------ > >Tired of empty chat rooms and out of date bulletin boards? > >http://www.ONElist.com > >ONElist: Making the Internet Intimate > >------ > >Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah > >Vivekananda Centre London > >http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ > > > > > > ----- > Visit The Core of the WWW at: > http://www.eskimo.com/~fewtch/ND/index.html > Music, Poetry, Writings on Nondual Spiritual Topics. > > Tim's Windows and DOS Shareware/Freeware is at: > http://www.eskimo.com/~fewtch/shareware.html > > ------ > Has ONElist changed your life? > http://www.ONElist.com > Visit our homepage and share with us your experiences at ONElist of the Week! > ------ > Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah > Vivekananda Centre London > http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 1999 Report Share Posted April 15, 1999 Although everything you say is true, STILL there is a tendency, especially with the beginner, to attach to the particular teaching, the label, the various rituals and writings associated with Advaita Vedanta, and so this tendency must be guarded against in one way or another. I do not deny that Vedanta is an " umbrella over all other religions, " yet still, any and all systems or religions or methods of teaching must take a secondary place to Truth. It is a fact that for one who is Realized or has " attained " nirvikalpa samadhi and moksha, the teachings no longer have any meaning. They are a " means to an end " only, a vehicle and a guide for realization of Truth. When Truth has been realized, the teachings are to be discarded as meaningless. Brahman knows no teachings, no religion, no labels, no definitions, it is totally beyond and void of such niceties. When Atman is realized to be Brahman, the teachings, the teachers, the Upanishads, the Gitas, they all go out the window like last week's trash. Thus, they should never be treasured as a thing in themselves, but used as the tools they are, a vehicle to Truth. In an ultimate sense, they have no more meaning than a piece of aluminum foil. Hari OM, Tim At 03:36 PM 4/15/99 EDT, you wrote: >Vidya123 > >In a message dated 4/15/99 1:37:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >anurag writes: > ><< Recently there was post with some questions on Hinduism. I thought wat is > hinduism ? When did this term originate ? isn't it just another path like > other religions to help realise God. >> > >Sri Ramakrishna says in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna that Hinduism or >Vedanta is the Sanathana Dharma. Other sects (referring to the Brahmo samaj) >will come and go but the religion of the Sanathana Dharma is eternal. this >is not pride or narrowness, because if you see and read all the scriptures >and philosophies that make up Hinduism they incorporate EVERY SINGLE >PHILOSOPHY in the world, every single doctrine, attitude. It is an umbrella >over all religions. This is not being partial but it is a fact. This is >shown by Swamiji's statement " We want to make the Hindu a better Hindu, the >Christian a better Christian, and a Mohammedan a better Mohammedan. " > >Yours in Sri Ramakrishna, > >Om Lala ----- Visit The Core of the WWW at: http://www.eskimo.com/~fewtch/ND/index.html Music, Poetry, Writings on Nondual Spiritual Topics. Tim's Windows and DOS Shareware/Freeware is at: http://www.eskimo.com/~fewtch/shareware.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 1999 Report Share Posted April 16, 1999 I'm not exactly clear about what your question was but as far as the word Hindu goes (as you might know already) was really " Sindhu " at the time of the Indus valley civilization. It meant " the people living on the other side of the river Sindhu (or Indus) " The syllable " Sa " was contorted into " Ha " somehow or another by the Persians. Yours in Sri Ramakrishna, Om Lala ONElist Tech Support <admin > ======================================================================== List members kindly note the following mesg recd from Onelist Hello, The ONElist system will be down for scheduled maintenance Saturday evening, April 17, 1999. We will be off-line from 10pm to Midnight Pacific Time while we upgrade the system. Vivekananda Centre London =================================================================== ===================================================================== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 1999 Report Share Posted April 16, 1999 It is not clearly known as to when the word 'Hindu' was first applied to the collective religious fold prevalent in India (I am very interested to know this) - the term Sanatana Dharma seems to be in use quite a while ago. It is stated that Ramanuja in his _Vedartha Sanghraha_ uses the term Sanatana Dharma. Of course, these are textual curiosities, ... T. Hari Krishna Anurag Goel [sMTP:anurag] Thursday, April 15, 1999 9:28 AM ramakrishna [ramakrishna] Re: Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Anurag Goel <anurag ...... Recently there was post with some questions on Hinduism. I thought wat is hinduism ? When did this term originate ? isn't it just another path like other religions to help realise God. Anurag On Wed, 14 Apr 1999, Tim Gerchmez wrote: > Tim Gerchmez <fewtch > > > Dear List, > > This topic has been in my thoughts lately, ever since I saw a post from a > buddhist on Usenet subtly putting down " Brahmanism. " There is a danger in > following ANY religion or system, be it Buddhism, Vedanta, Christianity, > Muslimism, Judaism, etc. That danger is to become *attached* to the .............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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