Re: [discuss-invadingthesacred:220] Re: invading the sacred - sign of Rennais...

[Clas...@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/3/2007 7:44:58 P.M. Atlantic Standard Time, jag.ag...@gmail.com writes:

On Dec 1, 11:51 pm, panditaindrani <i_ramper...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Namaste to all. I am not so sure that I agree with the need to be "lovingly firm" against our aggressors and predators. I think that the tone we take will depend on our personal qualities. I don't think there is an absolute need to be "loving." I for one cannot be "loving" in the face of an avowed enemy whose agenda is to destroy me and who is in my face.

So, the "pandita" recommends that we, too, become violent? The teachings of Hinduism always remind us Tat Tvam Asi. To not teach and practice this most basic principle of Hindu Dharma is to do just that!

 

Swami Param

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[Clas...@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/3/2007 7:44:58 P.M. Atlantic Standard Time, jag.ag...@gmail.com writes:

Namaskar to all of you,

Even though the approach may be different, there seems to be a
consensus that we need to deal with the situation.  The sacred is
being invaded not just by the likes of Wendy and her children but in
many other  ways.  Each of us has to find our own way and method to
address the issues that come up.  I can only speak for myself.  What
I have been doing is as follows:

IF I visit a bookstore I make it a point to go to the religion section
and go though all the books they have on comparative religion and see
if there is anything offensive regarding Hinduism,

IF I visit a  library I make it a point  to do the same by visiting
their religion section.,

I am encouraging others to read this book.

Look for any commercial articles which would depict Hindu icons in an
offensive manner.

While doing all these I will maintain respect and regard for other
religions.  If I expect others to be respectful towards my faith, I am
going to extend  the same to them without anyone  having to ask for
it.


Jag Aggarwal

Very good point Jag,

In the past I have written to express these same sentiments, however, since they did not deal directly with the book "Invading the Sacred," they were dismissed. We Hindus need to work together!!

 

Swami Param

[panditaindrani]

Is the "swami" recommending that we close our eyes in prayer and beg the aggressor with loving words all the time? Is this what Sri Krishna taught to Arjuna?

Pandita Indrani Rampersad, Ph.D.
Senior Research Fellow (Academy)
(Trinidad Ramlila)
University of Trinidad & Tobago
3rd Floor TTMA Bldg
42 Tenth Avenue
Barataria
Trinidad, W.I.

[ITS Team]

Dear Swami Param,

 

I think you may be misreading Pandita Indrani's words. (Also, calling her "Pandita" instead of calling her Pandita; would be the same as someone calling you "Swami" instead of Swami. As you well know, courtesy begets courtesy.)

 

The book's basic premise is that official scholarship on Hinduism is mostly dominated by forces inimcal to hindu/Indic thought, and also the quality of scholarship is shoddy. This is an intellectually aggressive response to an ongoing intellectually aggressive and destructive trend in Western scholarship. It does not have many precedents in the world of scholarship on Hinduism.

 

Introducing words like "violence" mischaracterizes the approach that the book is taking, and Pandita Indrani being one of the authors, is quite right in saying that one cannot remain intellectually passive in the name of love of fellow being.

 

Shri Jag Agarwal is also right in his approach of being pro-active; and helping to spread the knowledge of the current state of "scholarship" on Hinduism. I don't think there's really any basic difference in his aproach, from that of the book. The words "lovingly firm" are quite appropriate, with some accent on the "firm" part.

 

You, as a person invested in Yoga, are also right in saying hindus need to work together. We can do that by building consensus on larger issues, and not getting lost in minutiae of arguments, in my humble opinion. 

 

Also, regarding your earlier posts-

 

We've maintained all along that this discussion board is Solely for the book "Invading The Sacred". As long as the posts are civil, and pertain to the book, they will be entertained.

 

Hinduism is a vast subject, and there are many fora all over the Net & elsewhere for discussions focussing on many subjects , including Yoga. This forum is exclusively for the Book, and would like to stay focussed. Hence, please don't think your views are being "dismissed" if they are exclusively about your opinions on Yoga, etc, and don't relate much to the book. 

 

It is merely that we would like the focus not to stray from the book. We have published many of you posts, and will continue to do so. However, I hope you will agree, that the ones not posted were not relevant to book.

 

All members are free to post, however this is a moderated forum, and Editors have sole discretion on what to publish. 

 

Please feel free to post.

 

Namaste

 

Editor -ITS Web Team