06-12-2008, 10:07 AM
First of all for Husky,
I think you need to study the lives of Chaitanya and Ramkrishna more closely before you can pass a judgement on them.
Chaitanya in addition to being an unparalleled expert on the Vedas, (he once gave 18 interpretations of a single verse) , could have put any hafiz to shame if a discussion on the Koran had to be made. It was purely because of his presence that all of Bengal did not turn Islamic in the medieval period. And believe me , the threat was very much there. In fact in places like Kakdwip he brought many people on the fringes to the the Krishna cult.
For an authoritative work on Ramkrishna , read the 'Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna ' by M . Once a muslim came to ask Ramkrishna as to why "Hindus worship stone". pat came the reply from Ramkrishna- "what's your problem?"
Ramkrishna showed that in the <b>essence</b> these forms were not very different from the Dharmic credo at all and were acceptable as a means of attaining Siddhi. "jato mat tato poth"
Understand the sophistication. However beyond everything understand the fact that these masters sought to bring about unity through gyaan and bhakti. which is the essence of Dharma.
Shambhu,
I have said it before and i am saying it again. Forums such as this have done the right thing in countering evangelist/Islamist propaganda . But they must also provide a coherent alternative and play to our historic strength - <b>Inclusivity</b>. Religion, regardless of all the missionaries and jehadis out there does not play an overarching role in the lives of most people. However due to birth or "conversion" most people do have some kind of religious affiliation . if from the very outset we say that whatever they have "followed" thus far is bull all that this will serve to do is make them go deeper into a shell. rather if you have an outreach program and show that you can give common people space as well as respect a movement can be built based on these two lowest common denominators.
Schools run by various Dharmic organistaions are doing precisely this. there is no attempt at conversion but a proper education that empowers is being given.
A person who converts under duress or due to greed is hardly an asset . when the situation changes this very person is likely to betray his faith. on the other hand there are families and people who have not given up Hinduism under the most trying circumstances. they have a legacy and that legacy will be done justice only through a much broader strategy.
K.Ram,
thanks for the leg up. this is a forum for ideas and I hope to help the discussion with my contributions.
I think you need to study the lives of Chaitanya and Ramkrishna more closely before you can pass a judgement on them.
Chaitanya in addition to being an unparalleled expert on the Vedas, (he once gave 18 interpretations of a single verse) , could have put any hafiz to shame if a discussion on the Koran had to be made. It was purely because of his presence that all of Bengal did not turn Islamic in the medieval period. And believe me , the threat was very much there. In fact in places like Kakdwip he brought many people on the fringes to the the Krishna cult.
For an authoritative work on Ramkrishna , read the 'Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna ' by M . Once a muslim came to ask Ramkrishna as to why "Hindus worship stone". pat came the reply from Ramkrishna- "what's your problem?"
Ramkrishna showed that in the <b>essence</b> these forms were not very different from the Dharmic credo at all and were acceptable as a means of attaining Siddhi. "jato mat tato poth"
Understand the sophistication. However beyond everything understand the fact that these masters sought to bring about unity through gyaan and bhakti. which is the essence of Dharma.
Shambhu,
I have said it before and i am saying it again. Forums such as this have done the right thing in countering evangelist/Islamist propaganda . But they must also provide a coherent alternative and play to our historic strength - <b>Inclusivity</b>. Religion, regardless of all the missionaries and jehadis out there does not play an overarching role in the lives of most people. However due to birth or "conversion" most people do have some kind of religious affiliation . if from the very outset we say that whatever they have "followed" thus far is bull all that this will serve to do is make them go deeper into a shell. rather if you have an outreach program and show that you can give common people space as well as respect a movement can be built based on these two lowest common denominators.
Schools run by various Dharmic organistaions are doing precisely this. there is no attempt at conversion but a proper education that empowers is being given.
A person who converts under duress or due to greed is hardly an asset . when the situation changes this very person is likely to betray his faith. on the other hand there are families and people who have not given up Hinduism under the most trying circumstances. they have a legacy and that legacy will be done justice only through a much broader strategy.
K.Ram,
thanks for the leg up. this is a forum for ideas and I hope to help the discussion with my contributions.