To Vinod about "idols" (was Introduction to this Group) & a Q & A for Swami

March 22, 2006

Vinod wrote:

....I also donot like idols but I have Yantras for appropriate

divinity.That way I am more scientific in my associations with

divine.In fact I only invite the Divine within my heart

only.However,even Sun is an idol by definition. Sri swamiji has

helped me incredibly in finding some answers to my querries and is

always very forthcoming with proper answers.I truly love him.He is a

great walking soul on this earth.

Dear Vinod ~ I believe this issue of "idols," which is generally

referred to "worshiping God/dess with form," has been dealt with in

Hindu scripture, or at least in oral tradition. There is the

tradition of worshiping God/dess with form (which some are calling

"idols") and worshipping God/dess as the Formless, without

attributes.

Some people worship in both these ways. I just wish that everyone

would cease using the term, "idols" in referring to worship of

God/dess with form. At least in our western culture, the term "idol"

has been a perjorative term to negate the validity of non-Christian

faiths. Even Shree Maa and Swamiji worship God/dess with form, as all

of the pictures of the Devi Mandir altar show. And I can't help think

of the dear video clip of Shree Maa going to the Shiva Lingam outside

the temple to offer bananas and flowers. I am also pretty sure that

there are times when Shree Maa and Swamiji also worship the formless.

Question for Swamiji:

Dear Swamiji ~ can you bring some clarity to this discussion of

worship of the God/dess with and without form? It is not my intent to

put either manner of worship down below the other, but you are the one

who has the background and experience to shed some light on these

different ways of worship. Thank you for giving of your precious time

to help us understand.

Jai Swamiji ~ Linda

March 22, 2006

other form of worship.Is this a right the way to remain connected with

the divine at all times even when one is not in a temple.

Vinodnierika (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote: Vinod wrote: ...I also donot like

idols but I have Yantras for appropriate divinity.That way I am more

scientific in my associations with divine.In fact I only invite the

Divine within my heart only.However,even Sun is an idol by

definition. Sri swamiji has helped me incredibly in finding some

answers to my querries and is always very forthcoming with proper

answers.I truly love him.He is a

great walking soul on this earth. Dear Vinod ~ I believe this issue

of "idols," which is generally referred to "worshiping God/dess with

form," has been dealt with in Hindu scripture, or at least in oral

tradition. There is the tradition of worshiping God/dess with form

(which some are calling "idols") and worshipping God/dess as the

Formless, without attributes. Some people worship in both these

ways. I just wish that everyone would cease using the term, "idols"

in referring to worship of God/dess with form. At least in our

western culture, the term "idol" has been a perjorative term to

negate the validity of non-Christian faiths. Even Shree Maa and

Swamiji worship God/dess with form, as all of the pictures of the

Devi Mandir altar show. And I can't help think of the dear video clip

of Shree Maa going to the Shiva Lingam outside the temple to offer

bananas and flowers. I am also pretty sure

that there are times when Shree Maa and Swamiji also worship the

formless. Question for Swamiji: Dear Swamiji ~ can you bring some

clarity to this discussion of worship of the God/dess with and

without form? It is not my intent to put either manner of worship

down below the other, but you are the one who has the background and

experience to shed some light on these different ways of worship.

Thank you for giving of your precious time to help us understand. Jai

Swamiji ~ Linda

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March 22, 2006