Guest guest Posted November 6, 2002 Report Share Posted November 6, 2002 Message form Raj Upen raj2497 Namaste I know this is a bit personal, but I am putting forth a question which anyone who is interested can answer. I had come across a situation in life where I was almost led to believe in another religion (or I can say on the verge of conversion to Christianity), mainly due to my ignorance of my own religion (Hinduism). Now can anybody tell me how are we supposed to see to it that our children understand the elegance and importance of our religion, rather than giving them enough freedom before it gets too late. Is forceful denial a method or is there any other way to spread the light of Hinduism into young minds, so that they realise the importance of our religion Thankyou raj ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2002 Report Share Posted November 6, 2002 Namaste Raj, A search on " Teaching Hinduism " will reveal many sources. Many Hindu temples and organizations around the world offer classes, books, CD's, etc. Here are just a few links from search " Teaching Hinduism " . http://www.iskcon.org.uk/ies/tips.html http://www.hinduism.fsnet.co.uk/centre.htm http://sindh.net/Faith/Hinduism/ http://www.indiadivine.com/ http://www.hinduweb.org/home/general_sites/sita/sitakasansar/bharat.htm http://www.americanhindu.net/aboutus.htm http://www.atributetohinduism.com/ http://www.ramanuja.org/ " The Ocean has plenty of water. It is the size of the container brought to collect it that determines the quantity taken. " BHAGAWAN NITYANANDA OM Shanti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2002 Report Share Posted November 7, 2002 Ramakrishna, " Vivekananda Centre " <vivekananda@b...> wrote: > Message form Raj Upen raj2497 > > Namaste > > I know this is a bit personal, but I am putting forth a question which > anyone who is interested can answer. I had come across a situation in life > where I was almost led to believe in another religion (or I can say on the > verge of conversion to Christianity), mainly due to my ignorance of my own > religion (Hinduism). Now can anybody tell me how are we supposed to see to > it that our children understand the elegance and importance of our religion, > rather than giving them enough freedom before it gets too late. Is forceful > denial a method or is there any other way to spread the light of Hinduism > into young minds, so that they realise the importance of our religion > > Thankyou > > raj > Dear Raj...This is a very interesting question to me as a Christian who has been very helped and enlightened by Hinduism. Christianity's insistence on being the only true way back to God has always been a sticking point to me. When I discovered Ramakrishna, I felt like a window had been opened to a beautiful new world. Now I worship Jesus as my Ishta Deva and love him so much, but I don't have to think that all other religions are bad. You might want to tell your children that love of Jesus is perfectly compatible with Hinduism, but that Christianity, as it is commonly understood, is too exclusive. Do you have any questions about Christianity that you would like me to answer? Katie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2002 Report Share Posted November 7, 2002 Ramakrishna used to tell Vivekananda not to spend before one earns. Only one who has made enough progress through meditation and with Guru's grace, is qualified to spread religious/spiritual messages. Even we like to listen only to a qualified PhD holder instead of some lesser qualified person when it comes to technical issues. Therefore in matters of higher importance and relevance such as God, Religion, Spiritualism etc. it is important that one who preaches, is also one who practises. Therefore, only by Guru's grace can we really spread such awareness. It is only a fraction of his force that flows through our actions. Only by prayers to God and Guru can we really convince someone about the importance of religion etc. Finally, Krishna tells us in the Bhagavad-Gita that no matter how well we perform some other duties, if we neglect our " swa-dharma " , or our religion and our prescribed duties, it is of no use at all. In the case of our children, we can only pray to God constantly to take care, and we should also live a life so that they take it as an example. Our shastras say that, " Satyam Vadha, Dharmam Chara " . We should speak the " satyam " truth at all times, and we should " follow " the righteous path( " dharmam " ). The subtle meaning here is that, we should not speak " dharmam " but we should follow it ourselves. That is more important. Only by being on the righteous path, can we also convince someone about the greatness of the path. Not by just talking about it. So in summary, my thoughts are that we should constantly pray to our lord and Guru, to take care of us and our family and set an example to our children by leading an appropriate life. By just making them read books and talking about greatness of our religion would not help. -- Pradeep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2002 Report Share Posted November 7, 2002 Personal View... Forceful denial is a non starter ... Level of freedom given to children is not relevant. Its quite easy actually and very basic ... Key is to teach our children key values (most of it is common sense and thought by Hindu teaching) 1. Always respect diversity and show 'EQUAL RESPECT' (not tolerence) to all cultures, religions, belief and communities. Any group that does not respect this principle and tries to preach an exclusive superior view should rejected. (The pity is that many of our hindu faiths are becoming exclusivist, Sad...) 2. See divinity in all living things (not only human). This is something we are not generally concious about. But we should try and be aware of this. Reject principles that don't follow this view. If you saw someone else as divine, you would automatically realise that there is no point in converting who is already divine. Any believe that leave no room for finding the divinity within one self (Heavily faith based belief) should not be accepted. 3. Instill in the minds of children, that ultimately god can be found from within. Don't follow a view just because someone said so. 4. Never hide the negative aspects of indian culture, like caste system etc. This transient anomalies are inevitable in the vastness of indian culture. Seperate this from Religion ans it is not authorised ny the shurtis scriptures. Recently all the dharmacharyas in india totally rejected the evil caste system and declare all as equal. I am saying this because it is a common argument given by non hindus. Just as the spanish inquisition, colonialism, destruction of Amricam indian civilisation in not be linked to Christianity, or Slavery is now denied by Islam, so in Hinduism there is not place for caste/class. 5. Finally, something that my father told me a couple of time in my teens which really in ingrained in my mind. " Finding your creater (self realisation) is your foundamental BIRTHRIGHT " . This right should never be violated by anybody. I studied in a Muslim School (Aga Khan) and later in a Mainly Black Christian School in Kenya. When anybody said that grace of Christ or Mohammed is only way. I would say, this violates my right to find my creater and thus not acceptable. i.e other should not find my creater for me, it is my sacred right. Rather be agnostic until you find god that follow an exclusive view. ---------- Only after this will the vast ocean of the shurtis like the Upanishads, the Vedas ... make sense. Note. In my seconday school in Kenya, I was very saddened by the african christian making fun of their own tribal religion. They made more sense me than some of the main religion. Ramkrishna paramhans, Viveknanda and many other teachers have been wonderful guide to help us in self realisation. They have never told us " Right This is it, You must follow this otherwise you are doomed " ... Believe me I am worried about my children also. The book by David Frawley, Hinduism, 'Sanatan Dharma' the eternal tradition is a must read for all teenage Hindu children. It is easy to read and tackle some key points in Hinduism. Note my hinduism knowledge is very basic. So apologies if I have erred in anyway Namaste Vijay Hirani Quoting Vivekananda Centre <vivekananda: > Message form Raj Upen raj2497 > > Namaste > > I know this is a bit personal, but I am putting forth a question which > anyone who is interested can answer. I had come across a situation in life > where I was almost led to believe in another religion (or I can say on the > verge of conversion to Christianity), mainly due to my ignorance of my own > religion (Hinduism). Now can anybody tell me how are we supposed to see to > it that our children understand the elegance and importance of our > religion, > rather than giving them enough freedom before it gets too late. Is forceful > denial a method or is there any other way to spread the light of Hinduism > into young minds, so that they realise the importance of our religion > > Thankyou > > raj > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > > > Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah > Vivekananda Centre London > http://www.vivekananda.co.uk > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2002 Report Share Posted November 7, 2002 Vijay Hirani has given his " Personal View " in reply to Raj Upen. It is heartily commendable, in my view, and especially interesting as coming from a father, and from one with experience in Africa. I hope all will read it. Yogeshananda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2002 Report Share Posted November 7, 2002 Dear Raj The best and correct way to do this is to teach our own children about Hinduism. Then they will never even be tempted to convert. They can worship christ, buddha, ramakrishna and kali maa equally. I do not know where you are located. Jay himself runs Hinduism classes for children in England. Nothing more is needed. If you are located elsewhere, you maybe able to find similar classes. Recently I also came across the " Vedic Heritage Teaching Programme " of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam of Swami Dayananda Saraswathi. Here is the introduction provided in their website http://www.arshavidya.org/ Although originally written for Indian children living abroad, it is probably also relevant in Indian metros today. x--x--x The Vedic Heritage Teaching program is a guide for families and communities that wish to teach the Vedic heritage to their children in an authentic and systematic manner. The subject matter has been organized into three volumes, tailored to the ages of the children. The first volume addresses children of ages six to eight years and offers teaching material for a three-year program. The second volume for children of ages nine to twelve extends the learning by introducing the forms of Isvara and the spirit of Vedic culture. The third and final volume for children between thirteen and fifteen years of age includes the significance of Hindu samskaras, provides an introduction to the Bhagavad Gita. It also addresses some social and cultural issues faced by them through Vedic vision. Teaching this program will be a blessing to oneself and to the community if one has the attitude of a seeker and discovers the skill to communicate. The immigrant community from India have channeled much energy into building temples and community centers in the west. These centers fulfill a need for cultural identity and offer a place for worship, religious and cultural celebrations, and social events. Although these centers preserve the forms of the Vedic tradition, the spirit which breathes wisdom into these forms can be imbibed only through an appreciation of the sruti and smriti literature. The homeland of any people provides an infrastructure in its society to hand down culture from generation to generation. The first-generation Indian immigrants, having grown up in India, naturally imbibed the culture of their homeland. In addition, the joint family structure provided them with inspiration and stability at home through relatives who lived pious lives. The second generation Indian children, born in a different culture, the dynamics of understanding and growing into their heritage have changed drastically. For them , the home is composed of a nuclear family wherein parental responsibilities are diverse. Western society, too, offers many alternative beliefs and ways of living. Given this situation, teaching the Vedic heritage to children emerges as an essential part of life in an immigrant Indian family or community x--x--x regards and my bext wishes Your children are fortunate that they have a caring father Swami > >Namaste > >I know this is a bit personal, but I am putting forth a question which >anyone who is interested can answer. I had come across a situation in life >where I was almost led to believe in another religion (or I can say on the >verge of conversion to Christianity), mainly due to my ignorance of my own >religion (Hinduism). Now can anybody tell me how are we supposed to see to >it that our children understand the elegance and importance of our >religion, >rather than giving them enough freedom before it gets too late. Is forceful >denial a method or is there any other way to spread the light of Hinduism >into young minds, so that they realise the importance of our religion > >Thankyou > >raj > >~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > _______________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 I think the best way is to provide them with books that are written by people who have seen somebody achieve happiness or bliss through religious practise. Eg.1. Paul Brunton on Ramana Maharshi & Hinduism 2. M. on Sri Ramakrishna 3. The first hand account of the disciples of Brahmananda,Shivananada and other direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. and others. 4. Contact with senior monks of the Ramakrishna order. The primary goal should be to sustain Shraddha( implicit belief or confidence in the existence of God whatever the circumstances) in children. These can be achieved by reading and being aware of real life spiritual experiences which are offered by the above. --- Vivekananda Centre <vivekananda wrote: > Message form Raj Upen raj2497 > > Namaste > > I know this is a bit personal, but I am putting > forth a question which > anyone who is interested can answer. I had come > across a situation in life > where I was almost led to believe in another > religion (or I can say on the > verge of conversion to Christianity), mainly due to > my ignorance of my own > religion (Hinduism). Now can anybody tell me how > are we supposed to see to > it that our children understand the elegance and > importance of our religion, > rather than giving them enough freedom before it > gets too late. Is forceful > denial a method or is there any other way to spread > the light of Hinduism > into young minds, so that they realise the > importance of our religion > > Thankyou > > raj > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > > > Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah > Vivekananda Centre London > http://www.vivekananda.co.uk > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 Raj writes: " Now can anybody tell me how are we supposed to see to it that our children understand the elegance and importance of our religion, rather than giving them enough freedom before it gets too late. " First, children must be taught by example. If their parents are spiritual and practice sadhana, they will tend to be more patient, relaxed and loving. Words and rituals mean nothing if they don't translate into a more peaceful and loving attitude toward your family. Children smell hypocrisy and usually reject religion because the people preaching it aren't practicing it. Set a good example, but give your children a wide pasture to roam. Let them think for themselves and ask questions about religion. By not forcing religion on them, but quietly setting a beautiful example yourself, they will see the benefit of religion through your actions. Remember Narendra in the early days? Who could tame such as restless, brilliant intellect except Thakur? How did He do it? By showing unconditional love at all times. You do have to worry about other influences outside the home. Avoid people who are impressed with money and material things. Teach your children that material things mean nothing when you don't have true health and peace of mind. Provide them with enough material things that they don't feel deprived, but set limits. It's usually the poor who relentlessly lust after material things- cherishing the illusion that money will solve all their problems and increase their self-worth in the eyes of others. And the rich are so intoxicated with all their little toys and privledges that they forget God completely. Those in the middle realize the limitations of both situations and strive for balance. Good luck. May God bless you as a beautiful, radiant Yogi full of love, wisdom, and bliss. Om Shanthi RD U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch./u2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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