Authority of a Religious Organisation

[Guest guest]

Further to our earlier message from Brad Stephan on the authority of

a Religious Organisation, the following response came from

Swami Bhaskaranandji of the Seattle Vedanta Centre.

 

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In reply to Brad Stephan's question my answer is as follows:

 

The Ramakrishna Order doesn't have anything like 'Papal Infallibility' for

its top leadership. The President of our Order looks upon himself as a

humble instrument in the hand of Sri Ramakrishna. His humility will never

allow him to think that he is infallible. By Sri Ramakrishna's will he has

to play the role of a spiritual teacher, but he does so without the vanity

of a teacher. He doesn't crave name, fame, power or position. For

example, the Government of India wanted to confer on our present

President, Swami Ranganathanandaji, the title Padmabibhushan,

the second highest honor given to civilians. But he humbly declined

that honor. He also declined the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize.

He suggested to the Government of India that, not he, but the

Ramakrishna Order, which has been engaged in continuous

philanthropic activities for more than 100 years, deserved that

prize. As a result, the prize was given to our Order Mission.

That's the first time Gandhi Peace Prize was given to an

organization. Until that time it had always been given to individuals.

 

Regarding the other personal views expressed by Mr. Stephan I have

only one comment to make. I fully realize that he is well within his rights

to have any view as long as it doesn't harm others.

 

Yours affectionately,

Bhaskarananda