'Dvaita and Advaita' approaches

[Guest guest]

Further to the dialogue with Paul which was meant to discuss the merits of

'Advaita' and 'Dvaita' schools of philosophies.

 

I was hoping for a good discussion as I believe that the 'Dvaita schools'

have serious contribution to make in the realm of spirituality. But Paul

went off with a string of rhetoric from the ISCKON camp which

- kind of just proved the point made by the 'Advaita' system.

 

Which says:-

 

One of the greatest limitation of the 'Dvaita system is

that it will impose an arbitrary relationship between 'man and god'.

The fun begins when you compare the different 'Dvaita movements'.

Which of them is right?

Can any one of them be more right than others?

Surely all of them cannot be right else we will have scores of almighty

Gods.

Suppose someone likes to think of God as 'Christ' or 'Shiva' or 'Mother

Goddess'. Then a devotee of 'Vishnu' will say all of you are doomed!

 

Let us see what rhetoric they adopt - we will take the snippets from Paul's

latest posting as the best examples of how 'Dvaita' system will

automatically

respond.

 

Paul's latest posting:

<snip> " Shruti - It's the breath sound of Vishnu. It's not meant to be

interpreted.

It's meant to be heard and sung in glorification of the Lord " . (usage of

just one Godhead - Vishnu in this case as being acceptable. - Also now no

need to interpret it either - hence switch off the rational faculties -

just accept!)

 

<snip> " we are His servants. The dharma of every living entity is as a

servant " (the usage Just this relationship as his servant is permissible -

we cannot

be his children! - we have to be his servants. Again we see an arbitrary

relationship being put forward as the only acceptable relationship between

man and god.)

 

<snip> " engaging the senses in service to the Master of the Senses, (Krsna) "

etc.......(standard rhetoric adopted by Krishna Consciousness devotees )

 

 

 

I expected a serious discussion as there are many issues in which 'Dvaita

can score important points over the Advaita system on the practicality of

'dvaita' against the in a sense the impracticality of the 'advaita'. But

Paul just came

with a string of standard quotes as above.

 

A pity!

 

jay

Vivekananda Centre London