SV:
Thanks very much. Now I have a better sense of what you are trying. No argument there on the need for this, and I strongly support the effort.
However..... as with most things, I am blessed, or cursed depending on one's perspective, with the need to see things from the odd and unpopular angle. I would submit that the best-intentioned efforts to bring out the Hindu narrative, flounder on the rocks between the ears of far too many of our fellow-travelers on the Wheel of Punarjanmam. I don't mean that they are stupid - they are not. But the "narrative" is used far too freely to rationalize the indefensible. And way too rigid in their insistence on this, again using the "narrative" as the source of support.
One example of what I mean, and I use it gently, is the one about the queue-jumping. Yes, everything can be rationalized as "karma" or "vidhi" or "Bhavitavyam Bhaved eva". This is extremely useful in trying to rationalize tragedies, as in "Why did the Almighty allow that child to burn to death?" Or something like that.
IMO, the most important part of reviving the Hindu narrative is to point out why the best traditions, habits and discipline of humanity anywhere, are in line with Hindu tradition. No problem there, people will agree with me happily, just like they like to hear that 33% of NASA employees are Hindus, 99% of Silicon Valley was built by Indians (translation: Hindus), yada yada yada.
But when I then point out that many things that are done in India under the excuse of "v r like that onlee" or "this is our tradition" are NOT in any original Narrative, but are just social evils that crept into stagnant society, or are simple results of human greed, lust and bullying nature, then people get very mad at me.
Let me give some examples:
1. It is part of the Hindu narrative that Hindus are given strict instructions on getting up early (enough to say "namaskaram" to the Sun by bowing and prostrating TOWARDS THE EASTERN HORIZON, not by lying on one's back and saying "Howdy" at midday)
...
and to take a bath and then spend some time in worship....
But "taking a bath" does NOT mean: "go immerse yourself in a filthy stream where half-burned corpses are floating by, and still feel real holy". Common sense should dictate that the Hindu should then take the trouble to demand clean-up of the river, and in fact REFUSE to go take a dip in the dirty water until that is done. In fact, the practise of dumping half-burned corpses, or any human remains, into the prime source of drinking water for millions of people downstream, should be banned.
But that would be sacrilege, to even suggest that .. because the supersitition that having one's corpse burned and dumped into the river at a specific spot guarantees a special line-jumping in the Ultimate Darshan, is allowed to overrule the common sense of doing what is necessary for the nation and its environment, and for clean drinking water.
To me, the "narrative" must be disciplined enough to reject things which go against common sense, basic hygiene, the civil rights of fellow humans, and against basic decency.
The "narrative" should never be used to rationalize indiscipline, laziness, greed, lust or denial of civil rights.
The "narrative" should never be ALLOWED to be used to rationalize hatred or hateful conduct.
So it is about far more than reciting long slokams without considering their real meaning, and how the ancients came to believing in them.
It is about separating those things that came from evolved human practices in a very different time, from the basic underlying principles.
But, hey, I am all for celebrations and happiness. This is something that we learned young in India: that we have the right to celebrate anyone's happiness. And that this is a precious right.
OK, enough incendiary examples for today. What I am trying to do, if anyone has not seen it, is to explain why the odds are stacked in favor of those who diss Hinduism. And what needs to be done to start leveling the odds.
************************************************
Well.. since I am on a roll here with blasphemy...
In the late 1980s, through the early 90s, many temples in my part of the matrubhoomi were in a sad state of disrepair. Thus even so stingy a person as moi decided that one should do what one could, to prevent the disappearance of these treasures.
One did, in one's small ways.
Since the mid-90s or so, the tide had obviously turned. These temples have increasingly articulate, well-organized, thoughtful planners and fundraisers and implementers working for them locally. I hold that the upkeep of temples, and the protection of local history, are properly the responsibility of those around and near it. And they should do it.
Temples are crucial to Hindu Dharma, but Hindu Dharma is NOT temples, as SV so clearly pointed out. Giving money to temples makes one feel good, no doubt, but the focus, esp. of ppl outside, should be on building the institutions and practices of the future. Going back to did up one's Roots is so cute, but helping to give hope and opportunity is more important.
On the other hand, temple festivals generate economic benefits for the locals, that are just as important as building new businesses or bringing new technologies. In fact, I think temples and festivals should be used as focal points for bringing the best in technology, but always with an eye towards enhancing the best of ancient traditions and community beliefs.
To me, the real challenge is how to use the Narrative, with clear, contemporary interpretation and explanation, to achieve modern ends.
Thanks very much. Now I have a better sense of what you are trying. No argument there on the need for this, and I strongly support the effort.
However..... as with most things, I am blessed, or cursed depending on one's perspective, with the need to see things from the odd and unpopular angle. I would submit that the best-intentioned efforts to bring out the Hindu narrative, flounder on the rocks between the ears of far too many of our fellow-travelers on the Wheel of Punarjanmam. I don't mean that they are stupid - they are not. But the "narrative" is used far too freely to rationalize the indefensible. And way too rigid in their insistence on this, again using the "narrative" as the source of support.
One example of what I mean, and I use it gently, is the one about the queue-jumping. Yes, everything can be rationalized as "karma" or "vidhi" or "Bhavitavyam Bhaved eva". This is extremely useful in trying to rationalize tragedies, as in "Why did the Almighty allow that child to burn to death?" Or something like that.
IMO, the most important part of reviving the Hindu narrative is to point out why the best traditions, habits and discipline of humanity anywhere, are in line with Hindu tradition. No problem there, people will agree with me happily, just like they like to hear that 33% of NASA employees are Hindus, 99% of Silicon Valley was built by Indians (translation: Hindus), yada yada yada.
But when I then point out that many things that are done in India under the excuse of "v r like that onlee" or "this is our tradition" are NOT in any original Narrative, but are just social evils that crept into stagnant society, or are simple results of human greed, lust and bullying nature, then people get very mad at me.
Let me give some examples:
1. It is part of the Hindu narrative that Hindus are given strict instructions on getting up early (enough to say "namaskaram" to the Sun by bowing and prostrating TOWARDS THE EASTERN HORIZON, not by lying on one's back and saying "Howdy" at midday)
...
and to take a bath and then spend some time in worship....
But "taking a bath" does NOT mean: "go immerse yourself in a filthy stream where half-burned corpses are floating by, and still feel real holy". Common sense should dictate that the Hindu should then take the trouble to demand clean-up of the river, and in fact REFUSE to go take a dip in the dirty water until that is done. In fact, the practise of dumping half-burned corpses, or any human remains, into the prime source of drinking water for millions of people downstream, should be banned.
But that would be sacrilege, to even suggest that .. because the supersitition that having one's corpse burned and dumped into the river at a specific spot guarantees a special line-jumping in the Ultimate Darshan, is allowed to overrule the common sense of doing what is necessary for the nation and its environment, and for clean drinking water.
To me, the "narrative" must be disciplined enough to reject things which go against common sense, basic hygiene, the civil rights of fellow humans, and against basic decency.
The "narrative" should never be used to rationalize indiscipline, laziness, greed, lust or denial of civil rights.
The "narrative" should never be ALLOWED to be used to rationalize hatred or hateful conduct.
So it is about far more than reciting long slokams without considering their real meaning, and how the ancients came to believing in them.
It is about separating those things that came from evolved human practices in a very different time, from the basic underlying principles.
But, hey, I am all for celebrations and happiness. This is something that we learned young in India: that we have the right to celebrate anyone's happiness. And that this is a precious right.
OK, enough incendiary examples for today. What I am trying to do, if anyone has not seen it, is to explain why the odds are stacked in favor of those who diss Hinduism. And what needs to be done to start leveling the odds.
************************************************
Well.. since I am on a roll here with blasphemy...
In the late 1980s, through the early 90s, many temples in my part of the matrubhoomi were in a sad state of disrepair. Thus even so stingy a person as moi decided that one should do what one could, to prevent the disappearance of these treasures.
One did, in one's small ways.
Since the mid-90s or so, the tide had obviously turned. These temples have increasingly articulate, well-organized, thoughtful planners and fundraisers and implementers working for them locally. I hold that the upkeep of temples, and the protection of local history, are properly the responsibility of those around and near it. And they should do it.
Temples are crucial to Hindu Dharma, but Hindu Dharma is NOT temples, as SV so clearly pointed out. Giving money to temples makes one feel good, no doubt, but the focus, esp. of ppl outside, should be on building the institutions and practices of the future. Going back to did up one's Roots is so cute, but helping to give hope and opportunity is more important.
On the other hand, temple festivals generate economic benefits for the locals, that are just as important as building new businesses or bringing new technologies. In fact, I think temples and festivals should be used as focal points for bringing the best in technology, but always with an eye towards enhancing the best of ancient traditions and community beliefs.
To me, the real challenge is how to use the Narrative, with clear, contemporary interpretation and explanation, to achieve modern ends.