Brahman

[Guest guest]

Recently in a discussion on comparing pantheism with ideas of Brahaman - I

sent the following posting which may be of interest to others on this list.

 

Hindu scriptures are subdivided into two classes. That which have authority

like the Upanishads and that which have lower authority (relative

importance) like books of mythology and books of ethics, codes of conduct

etc.

 

'Alan Watts' may be a good Western Scholar, but learning Hinduism from him?

If anyone is serious about learning Hinduism he should look up the

contributions of these recent figures

 

(1) Sri Ramakrishna

(2) Sri Raman Maharshi

(3) Vivekananda

 

Ron has given very good response on comparison/contrasts between ideas of

Pantheism and Brahman so let me attempt to develop this thread further.

 

From teachings of Special Relativity we get the idea that matter and energy

are interchangeable. One is a dynamic concept the other is a static concept.

If you wish to define energy you can say 'that which moves matter'

If you wish to define matter you can say 'that which can be moved by energy'

Now special relativity tells us that they are interchangeable. Matter is

really coiled up energy! So as Ron said it seems that surely everything is

'same'.

 

Seems like it -- but there is a difference says Hinduism.

There is a scale attached to all manifestations.

The scale does not show itself between matter and energy in the physical

sense but between - What we call physical and mental realms. Hence

consciousness is not a by-product of physical forces but something that is

higher up the scale of manifestation.

 

Now the word 'divine' takes on a serious role - it becomes this scale we

attach to everything physical as well as mental as well as to idea of

consciousness.

 

Matter is 'divine' -- Thoughts are more 'divine' and Consciousness is

highest form of 'divinity'. The difference between a lump of clay and a

prophet is the level of divinity manifesting through them says Hinduism :-)

 

jay