Comments on: In Response to Larissa http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:15:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Kaffir http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320965 Kaffir Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:33:27 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320965 Ramakrishna U, thanks for your response. As for my handle "kaffir" - if I were you, I wouldn't read too much into it. I took that handle in a moment of levity because of how Abrahamic religions (esp. Islam) view Hindus, and it's not representative of my learning or my viewpoint regarding theism. It wouldn't be wise to jump to any conclusions about my views simply based on my handle. :) Ramakrishna U, thanks for your response.

As for my handle “kaffir” – if I were you, I wouldn’t read too much into it. I took that handle in a moment of levity because of how Abrahamic religions (esp. Islam) view Hindus, and it’s not representative of my learning or my viewpoint regarding theism. It wouldn’t be wise to jump to any conclusions about my views simply based on my handle. :)

]]> By: Ramakrishna U http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320937 Ramakrishna U Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:33:57 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320937 Kaffir, Some answers to your question about summarizing: (i) I am not competent enough to write on "practicing Hinduism" as I am a student of it myself. (ii) I do not think it can be done by anyone but the living gurus whose single living words are more valid than entire library of books to propagate sanAtana-dharma. Hence my pointer to the book by such a person. (iii) Further you know (being a very learned commentator, from your handle ("Kaffir")) that a religion simplified in rules is the worst form of virus. Regards, Kaffir,

Some answers to your question about summarizing:

(i) I am not competent enough to write on “practicing Hinduism” as I am a student of it myself.

(ii) I do not think it can be done by anyone but the living gurus whose single living words are more valid than entire library of books to propagate sanAtana-dharma. Hence my pointer to the book by such a person.

(iii) Further you know (being a very learned commentator, from your handle (“Kaffir”)) that a religion simplified in rules is the worst form of virus.

Regards,

]]> By: larissa http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320891 larissa Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:41:20 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320891 Besides, I’ll take a non-corrupt country without a Tagore-like figure any day over a hundred Tagores but a country where people are corrupt and dishonest - right from the top to the bottom. In today’s India, it is considered a marvel and a rarity if someone refuses rishwat/ghoos when it should be the norm. Well civilizaion in India was greatly scarred by many barbarian invasions... I am saying that India once produced greatness that others found worth emulating. Is India capable of healing itself? The history of India is very tragic and painful to read if you are a HIndu. Well you cannot change the past, and dwelling on it only makes you depressed. One can only look towards the future and learn from the past... Besides, I’ll take a non-corrupt country without a Tagore-like figure any day over a hundred Tagores but a country where people are corrupt and dishonest – right from the top to the bottom. In today’s India, it is considered a marvel and a rarity if someone refuses rishwat/ghoos when it should be the norm.

Well civilizaion in India was greatly scarred by many barbarian invasions…
I am saying that India once produced greatness that others found worth emulating. Is India capable of healing itself? The history of India is very tragic and painful to read if you are a HIndu.
Well you cannot change the past, and dwelling on it only makes you depressed. One can only look towards the future and learn from the past…

]]> By: Rama http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320881 Rama Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:42:45 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320881 This is what I was referring to: "There’s really no way you can produce serious, quality scholarly material on ancient India/Hinduism without a solid grasp of Sanskrit (read my posts on Indology to know why I say this)." So, what about the contributions of: archeologists, anthropologists, scholars proficient in other ancient Indian non-hindu religions such as Jainism and Budhism who present material from non-sanskrit, pali or ardha magadhi sources, scholars of non-sanskrit classical literature such as tamil sangam literature. This is what I was referring to:

“There’s really no way you can produce serious, quality scholarly material on ancient India/Hinduism without a solid grasp of Sanskrit (read my posts on Indology to know why I say this).”

So, what about the contributions of: archeologists, anthropologists, scholars proficient in other ancient Indian non-hindu religions such as Jainism and Budhism who present material from non-sanskrit, pali or ardha magadhi sources, scholars of non-sanskrit classical literature such as tamil sangam literature.

]]> By: vivekam.vairagyam http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320859 vivekam.vairagyam Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:48:25 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320859 my 2 cents ...... http://vivekamvairagyam.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/the-jungle-book-the-sanatana-dharma/ my 2 cents ……

http://vivekamvairagyam.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/the-jungle-book-the-sanatana-dharma/

]]> By: Kaffir http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320849 Kaffir Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:39:32 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320849 => How long has it been since India has produced a figure like Tagore or Ramanujan? => How many people today have read Tagore's thoughts and put them into practice? From what I've read, even Shanti Niketan has also declined since its heydays. Besides, I'll take a non-corrupt country without a Tagore-like figure any day over a hundred Tagores but a country where people are corrupt and dishonest - right from the top to the bottom. In today's India, it is considered a marvel and a rarity if someone refuses <i>rishwat/ghoos</i> when it should be the norm. =>
How long has it been since India has produced a figure like Tagore or Ramanujan?
=>

How many people today have read Tagore’s thoughts and put them into practice? From what I’ve read, even Shanti Niketan has also declined since its heydays.
Besides, I’ll take a non-corrupt country without a Tagore-like figure any day over a hundred Tagores but a country where people are corrupt and dishonest – right from the top to the bottom. In today’s India, it is considered a marvel and a rarity if someone refuses rishwat/ghoos when it should be the norm.

]]> By: Sandeep http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320837 Sandeep Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:04:07 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320837 Rama, Did you even read my post fully? I marvel at your ability of finding something that's not there in my post. Rama,

Did you even read my post fully? I marvel at your ability of finding something that’s not there in my post.

]]> By: Rama http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320834 Rama Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:37:07 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320834 I have not read your previous blogposts but read this one after finding a reference in varnam. I read your different criteria for judging scholarship and have strong reactions to atleast one of the crierion listed. You are implying that: archeologists, anthropologists, scholars proficient in other ancient Indian non-hindu religions such as Jainism and Budhism who present material from non-sanskrit, pali or ardha magadhi sources, scholars of non-sanskrit classical literature such as tamil sangam literature have nothing to contribute to the understanding of India/South Asia's ancient history. wow! I have not read your previous blogposts but read this one after finding a reference in varnam. I read your different criteria for judging scholarship and have strong reactions to atleast one of the crierion listed.

You are implying that: archeologists, anthropologists, scholars proficient in other ancient Indian non-hindu religions such as Jainism and Budhism who present material from non-sanskrit, pali or ardha magadhi sources, scholars of non-sanskrit classical literature such as tamil sangam literature have nothing to contribute to the understanding of India/South Asia’s ancient history.

wow!

]]> By: larissa http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320833 larissa Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:14:18 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320833 Did Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati fit this model of yours? Never heard of him. My point is: There will be no messiah/prophet/avatar/mind/soul/teacher that will suddenly ‘arise’ and release you from anything or assign you a responsibility. It is the idea that is already in OUR mind and that is everything. WE are the gods. WE are everything. I am simply saying that India has the capacity to produce great people. I am not saying they are to lead like a messiah. Where is the political leader today who inspires a mass following? How long has it been since India has produced a figure like Tagore or Ramanujan? I was just saying that I hope India produces some "great" figures as it has done in the past in the near future. Of course, almost of India's problems are of a political nature--it has to do with improper governance...India is not quite like the Mid-East..and it is not difficult to change it for the better given decisive political leaders who can inspire mass appeal...Which is why it is unfortunate that things are the way they are...I think a lot of talent gets wasted in this system and is not allowed to flower. Anyway so much for speculations... Of course organizations like the RSS do many good things...one just hopes they are able to adapt to the times in attracting bright young people... Did Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati fit this model of yours?

Never heard of him.

My point is: There will be no messiah/prophet/avatar/mind/soul/teacher that will suddenly ‘arise’ and release you from anything or assign you a responsibility. It is the idea that is already in OUR mind and that is everything. WE are the gods. WE are everything.

I am simply saying that India has the capacity to produce great people. I am not saying they are to lead like a messiah. Where is the political leader today who inspires a mass following? How long has it been since India has produced a figure like Tagore or Ramanujan? I was just saying that I hope India produces some “great” figures as it has done in the past in the near future.

Of course, almost of India’s problems are of a political nature–it has to do with improper governance…India is not quite like the Mid-East..and it is not difficult to change it for the better given decisive political leaders who can inspire mass appeal…Which is why it is unfortunate that things are the way they are…I think a lot of talent gets wasted in this system and is not allowed to flower. Anyway so much for speculations…

Of course organizations like the RSS do many good things…one just hopes they are able to adapt to the times in attracting bright young people…

]]> By: Druva http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/comment-page-1/#comment-320826 Druva Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:22:04 +0000 http://www.sandeepweb.com/2009/07/14/in-response-to-larissa/#comment-320826 Larissa, May be you should read Bohm's take on Jiddu's contribution. I am not sure about the publication. Do you understand Jiddu's discourse on the World of Observer and Observed ? This is what Bohm praised as his greatest contribution which later influenced his own(Bohm) ideas. I am not a big fan of Jiddu myself. I am more rooted to the traditional knowledge, where as Jiddu is for the western readers. Coming to Bohm, you got me completely wrong here. I am not talking about Bohm's scientist credentials. As I said he is a great man. I am just talking about his ability to tap into traditional knowledge(spiritual) in whatever he does, which I felt is not that great. Otherwise his insights like limitations of language in the expression of knowledge/science and holographic model of the world are really great. He himself comes out as very honest person defenitely, I agree. Larissa,
May be you should read Bohm’s take on Jiddu’s contribution. I am not sure about the publication. Do you understand Jiddu’s discourse on the World of Observer and Observed ? This is what Bohm praised as his greatest contribution which later influenced his own(Bohm) ideas.
I am not a big fan of Jiddu myself. I am more rooted to the traditional knowledge, where as Jiddu is for the western readers.

Coming to Bohm, you got me completely wrong here. I am not talking about Bohm’s scientist credentials. As I said he is a great man. I am just talking about his ability to tap into traditional knowledge(spiritual) in whatever he does, which I felt is not that great. Otherwise his insights like limitations of language in the expression of knowledge/science and holographic model of the world are really great. He himself comes out as very honest person defenitely, I agree.

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