When a religion is mostly faith-based, speculative, relies on revelations, is authoritative and sacred, does it really matter if it is theistic or atheistic, monotheistic or polytheistic, or it's god is formless or not?
Prof. Kamal Das is right. "Brahmo" Rabindranath"s God has feet: "Amar matha noto ko'rey dao he tomar choron dhulir toley."
As long as a faith respects and upholds human- and animal rights, teaches compassion, and does not spread hatred, it does not matter what the nature of God is if it assumes God's existence at all.
Discovery of the Vedic (or from the Geeta?) verse "Eko aham dwitiyo nasti" (I am one, there is no second one) was gratifying to those (excluding those whose aim was a simplified religion) who thought that Hindu polytheism was not modern enough compared to colonial masters' religion which was Christianity.
It occurs to me that historically monotheistic religions with formless God because of their abstract nature have offered comparatively less opportunity for promoting religion based art and culture. It is true that Biblical themes have been widely used in great master pieces in drawings, paintings and sculptures. Great literature has also been written based on Biblical themes. With my very limited knowledge in the field, I have the impression that creative geniuses have availed themdelves of greater freedom with respect to using Hindu religious themes and symbols. Even centered around the temples have flourished rich literature, music and performance arts. In the hands of the creative talents the polytheistic Hindu religion with many gods and goddesses has sometimes crossed the fine line that separates pure religion from ordinary human relations. The way some of the medieval vaishnav lyricists have portrayed the Radha-Krishna theme has annoyed Bankim. Like the proponents of other great religions, looks like, Bankim wanted to see a religion as a "serious" thing.
From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2012 1:25 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] America's First Hindu Think Tank Now Established
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2012 1:25 AM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] America's First Hindu Think Tank Now Established
"SanatonDharma, as it exists today, is 80% idolatry and 20% spiritual. Could this trend be reversed through mass education?"
What made you feel that idolaters can't be spiritual? Besides those religions claiming to have nothing to do with idolatry speaks about God's hands, mouth along with other limbs and above all voice. Aren't the followers of those religions idolaters too?
On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 7:25 AM, Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com> wrote:
Mr. Sudhir Kumar,I am glad that this center wants to promote open-minded intellectual deliberations about SanatanDharma. I have a proposal to all intellectuals in this center, and that is – how about promoting 'Formless-worshipping (Nirakar Upashana)' to revive the spiritual understanding of the essence of religion through yoga, meditation, etc., since SanatonDharma has a provision for that already, and does not require idolatry for religious purposes. Idolatry is merely a ritualistic act to commemorate a particular memorable scriptural event, and as such - it is much more a cultural festivity than a religious act. Idolatry breeds superstitions and prejudices; it divides community into sects and castes. It should be separated from the core religion ASAP. In my view, SanatonDharma, as it exists today, is 80% idolatry and 20% spiritual. Could this trend be reversed through mass education?Thank you so much.Jiten Roy--- On Fri, 8/3/12, Sudhir-Architect <ar_sudhirkumar@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Sudhir-Architect <ar_sudhirkumar@yahoo.com>
Subject: [mukto-mona] America's First Hindu Think Tank Now Established
To:
Date: Friday, August 3, 2012, 12:36 PMAmerica's First Hindu Think Tank Now Established The Center for the Study of Dharma and Civilizationhttp://www.dharmacivilization.com/ After more than a decade of discussions, planning and organizing, the very first credible and professionally led Hindu think tank in America has now been formally established to serve the Hindu community. The Center for the Study of Dharma and Civilization (CSDC) is the very first academic think tank of the Sanatana Dharma tradition ever created in American history. Established by Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya in May of 2012, the CSDC brings together several of the most prominent Hindu scholars in America with the singular purpose of academically affirming the preeminence of the philosophy, practice and culture of Sanatana Dharma in the intellectual realm. The Board of Advisors for this first ever Hindu think tank includes: Dr. David Frawley, Professor Subhash Kak, Professor Ramdas Lamb, Professor Ramesh Rao, Professor Parmender Mehta, and Professor Daniel Wilkins. Our goal is to reveal to the world the unique Vedic perspective on all of the most important philosophical, social, religious, political and cultural issues of the day. We will offer comparative analyses of the Dharma world-view versus every other world-view of prominence in the 21st century, thus establishing Sanatana Dharma as the philosophical system par excellence designed to solve the many crises and confusions that our world is facing today. Seeking Paper Submissions We are seeking papers to publish on our website, and that may eventually be published in printed form. We are exclusively interested in papers that firmly contrast any civilizational aspect of Sanatana Dharma with any juxtaposing aspect of a non-Dharmic belief system, theological stance, philosophy, ideology, or idea. The goal of your paper must be to demonstratively establish the preeminence of Sanatana Dharma over the non-Dharmic philosophical proposition you are comparing it to. We are not interested in purely historical, hagiographical, philological, or needlessly abstract papers – but only papers that directly interface Sanatana Dharma with modernity in a polemically engaged manner. You can submit papers online at: http://dharmacivilization.com/submissions/ We Need Your Help The CSDC is currently operating on a limited budget. We will need further funding for larger office space rental, internet development and maintenance, possible fellowships for scholars who we would want to employ full-time, development of multimedia production capacity, etc. If you would like to donate to this important cause, please do so by visiting: http://dharmacivilization.com/donate/ Aum Tat Sat
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