Guest guest Posted February 20, 2002 Report Share Posted February 20, 2002 Brad Touching anything with feet is considered disrespectful because Vedantis assume a divinity in all beings. To touch or kick even accidently someone is disrespecting that divinity. Ramakrishna used the toe of his feet as a conduit for transferring his immense spiritual powers. He did it with thumb (hand) too. Many a times Bhaktas, since they want to be redeemed would urge the Guru to touch with feet and Guru's oblige. In this context touching with feet is ok. Rama touched with feet a rock and with that touch, Ahilya was redeemed. It is this simile that is appropriate here. As the common man has yet to reach the state of Ramakrishna, it is proper for him/her not to touch others with feet. A set of rules for disciples can't be applied to 'Gurus'. This is what respecting Guru means, but the Western world which is obsessed with equality may find this hard to fathom. Milind Brad Stephan [brad] Thursday, 21 February 2002 2:32 AM The Ramakrishna List [sri Ramakrishna] A Cultural Question Greetings: I copied the following from a recent Hindu Press International article: < Non-Hindus don't normally understand that touching anything with the feet is considered extremely disrespectful, akin to spitting in someone's face. Even an accidental touch of another person with one's foot would result in profuse apologies.> My question relates to the apparent contrast of the above with " taking the dust off the feet of a holy person " and the many times Sri Ramakrishna would touch someone with his foot, in order to impart a foretaste of Realization. Thank you, Brad Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah Vivekananda Centre London http://www.vivekananda.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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