Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 I agree with Brad on this. Marathi Saint Ramadas (17th century) put it so well in his work 'Dasbodha'. He stated 'Ghade Bhogane sarvahi karma yoge, mateemanda te khed manee viyoge' meaning 'happenings and suffering are all due to Karma, it is the guy with inferior intellect, who feels sad due to suffering'. Hence Hinduism lays so much emphasis on doing the right Karma. As you sow, so you reap. seems to be a better explanation for 'suffering'. IT makes one take responsibility instead of blaming it on Satan or others. Milind Brad Stephan [brad] Tuesday, 12 March 2002 3:40 AM The Ramakrishna List [sri Ramakrishna] Re: jay's Talks Dear jay: I also enjoy hearing about your talks (the one on quantum physics should be quite interesting), however, on the important topic of " suffering, " you said: " On the question of 'why suffering?' Hinduism has been blunt. It says 'We don't know', yet we cannot stop loving God. . . Hinduism comes up with two explanations .....One is Leela and the other is Maya " For me, the concept/reality of Karma has been the best answer (along with Avidya, or Maya) to why God " allows " suffering. (and, the purpose of Karma is to teach, i.e., to lead us from Avidya to Vidya.) Could you please comment? Thanks! Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 12, 2002 Report Share Posted March 12, 2002 - " Brad Stephan " <brad " The Ramakrishna List " <ramakrishna > Monday, March 11, 2002 04:40 [sri Ramakrishna] Re: jay's Talks > Dear jay: > > I also enjoy hearing about your talks (the one on quantum physics should be quite interesting), however, on the important topic of " suffering, " you said: > > " On the question of 'why suffering?' Hinduism has been > blunt. It says 'We don't know', yet we cannot stop loving > God. . . Hinduism comes up > with two explanations .....One is Leela and the other is Maya " > > For me, the concept/reality of Karma has been the best answer (along with Avidya, or Maya) to why God " allows " suffering. (and, the purpose of Karma is to teach, i.e., to lead us from Avidya to Vidya.) Could you please comment? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~response~~~~~~~~~~~~ Law of Karma is the transmitter of good and bad actions. But it is not responsible for creating anything by itself like suffering. It is purely a transmitting instrument. Let us simplistically say we do something " right or wrong " . The law of Karma will produce a result in accordance with our actions. Law of karma just transmits so cannot be held responsible for being the original creator of suffering. The question still remains: Why suffering? " Maya " is one possible response. " Maya " on its own is enough to tackle this... At this stage the law of karma is not invoked. Maya suggests that the whole setup we have is not what it seems. This would include the 'law of karma' the transmitting mechanism seen within the realm of maya. A sceptic would say... this is pure escapism.... are we suggesting that there is 'really' no suffering? : ) Hence the pragmatic response in Hinduism still stands as the blunt: 'We do not know why there is suffering' jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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