A spiritual imbalance?

[Lakshmi Subbarao]

Traditionally, Brahmins have been known for their in-depth knowledge of
all aspects of Hinduism, encompassing both its philosophical and
devotional attributes. However, it seems with each passing generation,
more emphasis is being put on solely learning devotional practices,
leaving philosophical teachings to the side.

In Christianity, it seems that all of these teachings are the
responsibility of the church that the individual attends. Children can
attend church services with parents, and then join their peers for
Sunday school and as they get older, bible study. This fulfills both the
devotional and philosophical needs of the Christian. For Hindus, it
seems that the temple satisfies the devotional side, but doesn't do much
to address the philosophical side. Individuals can take it upon
themselves to teach "hindu primers" at temples, but the credibility of
this individual is subjective, as there is no "official" title or
certification this person can earn to become a "Hindu expert".

My questions to everyone in the group:
-Why is it that devotional practices are more prevalent that
philosophical ones? Is it because of the communal aspect? Why aren't
there more Bhagavad Gita study groups around?
-How do Brahmins get educated in their faith? What has changed to keep
this education from happening?
-What can we do to raise awareness on Hindu philosophy? Is it our dharma
to do so?

On a side note - it was a pleasure getting to meet so many of you at the
NASA conference that I've been corresponding with via email. Hopefully
we can get together again sometime soon for a BG study.

Thanks,
Lakshmi

[mysr...@aol.com]

Dear Lakshmi,

 

I have tried to give short responses under each point.  Hope it will be useful.

 

Nataraja

-----Original Message-----
From: Lakshmi Subbarao <lsu...@gmail.com>
To: sankethi spirituality <sankethi-s...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jul 12, 2010 10:19 pm
Subject: A spiritual imbalance?

Traditionally, Brahmins have been known for their in-depth knowledge of all aspects of Hinduism, encompassing both its philosophical and devotional attributes.

[Relatively speaking, the Brahmins were more knowledgeable, in comparison to other groups.  However, loukika Brahmins (as opposed to vaidika -- those who took to professions other than being Ritviks, priests and gurus)  were not necessarily knowledgeable in philosophical aspects.]

 

However, it seems with each passing generation, more emphasis is being put on solely learning devotional practices, leaving philosophical teachings to the side. 

[Rigorous study of philosophy has always been opted by a select group of a few.]

In Christianity, it seems that all of these teachings are the responsibility of the church that the individual attends. Children can attend church services with parents, and then join their peers for Sunday school and as they get older, bible study. This fulfills both the devotional and philosophical needs of the Christian.

[This is true of all organized religions.  Hinduism has never been an organized religion]

 

For Hindus, it seems that the temple satisfies the devotional side, but doesn't do much to address the philosophical side. Individuals can take it upon themselves to teach "hindu primers" at temples, but the credibility of this individual is subjective, as there is no "official" title or certification this person can earn to become a "Hindu expert". 

[Some temples have started addressing these needs lately, but not enough by any means.  Hindu priests are trained to follow the rituals but not teach philosophy.  Organizations such as Chinmaya Mission and Ramakrishna Mission ordain spiritual teachers who have attempted to fill the void, quite successfully in some places.]

 
My questions to everyone in the group: 

-Why is it that devotional practices are more prevalent that philosophical ones? Is it because of the communal aspect? Why aren't there more null Gita study groups around?

[Those who worship on a daily basis go to the temple only on special occasions.  Bringing the community together is one of the main goals of a temple.  Temples can have other activities including Bhagavadgita classes.  Temples in India were the cultural centers for music, dance, harikatha, satsang and gamaka and spiritual discourses.] 

 

-How do Brahmins get educated in their faith? What has changed to keep this education from happening?

[In the past, Brahmins got their initiation from the parents starting with the upanayanam and after that the boys went off to the gurukula for a formal education which lasted a decade or so.  These days, we have other pressures and send our children to schools and colleges instead.  For the motivated children and parents, there are schools in India which train students in Sanskrit, tatvaSAstra and tarka etc.  Even here, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, for instance.] 

-What can we do to raise awareness on Hindu philosophy? Is it our dharma to do so? 

[The only practical solution for those who are interested is to initiate youngsters to love and respect our religion as a first step and then get some basic lessons from parents/grandparents and enroll in regular or periodic classes like in Arsha Vidya Gurukulam during summers or in Chinmaya Mission etc.  This should get you started, then you have your entire life of studying and practicing and assimilating and internalizing ......!] 

 

On a side note - it was a pleasure getting to meet so many of you at the NASA conference that I've been corresponding with via email. Hopefully we can get together again sometime soon for a BG study. 

[It was my pleasure to see you all young folks get involved!] 

Thanks, 
Lakshmi 
 

[naga narayana]

Dear Lakshmi,

Thanks for the relevant question.

One has to transcend the barriers of desires and fears for attaining The Spirit, The Freedom, The Absolute, The Truth, The Peace, The Self, The Brahman, or just THAT. That is the sole purpose for a spiritual seeker and that is the sole need to attain spirituality. On the other hand, unless you showcase something in terms of desires and fears, soceity cannot fathom the importance of whatever that is told. The animal instinct embedded in one's genetic level would not allow a person to adapt anything unless it is forced upon threatening one's survival or made attractive to promote one's survival. Therefore, naturally, the spiritual benefits cannot reach the mass … only a seeker can attain that. Spirituality can never be preached as preaching depends on the same desire and fear cluster which is discarded encore by spirituality. Therefore, expecting to "distribute" the fruits of the so-called spiritual practices to all remains futile. Buddha made that mistake for the first time resulting in the first ever degeneration of the spirituality into its watered-down version - religion.

On the other hand, the social benefits are meant to reach the mass as they can be effectively preached through the media of desire and fear. It is a two-pronged approach - the fear-centric mechanism of law and order and the desire-centric mechanism of religion. The law threatens the very survival of anyone who attempts to violate the rules and regulations while showcasing how the abiding subjects would lead a secured and stable life within its framework. Religion promises how "a god" would grace your life showering all the goods onto you if you abide the laws laid out in its name (called scriptures) and threatening the violaters with the consequences there of. Religion acts as a fool-proof system to contain the social crimes who are clever enough to tresspass the barriers of law since the god is portrayed as omniscient and omnipotent. Both religion and governance are of equal importance for promoting and maintaining social harmony.

What you are refering through the Churches is the religion - not spirituality. Just the way you see many "Hindus" taking away "devotional faith" from our temples, many Christians would take away the same from Churches in my opinion. I would not consider that one would be seeking philosophical liberation or spirituality just by one's apparent involvement in the studies of some holy scriptures.

The knowledge preached would remain mere faith in spite of its source - whether Vedas or Bible. That is why Vyaasa is particular in Bhagavadgita,

Na buddhibhedam janayet agnyaanaam karmasanginaam |

Joshayet sarvakarmaaNi vidvaanyuktassamaacharan ||

The fundamental need for spirituality is NOT TO CREATE DISTORTIONS IN ONE'S APPRECIATION OF LIFE. Our appreciation of life is already distorted enough. Spirituality is the tool to straighten it up. In the name of spirituality, if we distort our appreciation further it can have a catastrophic effect - now the fellow claims that his actions are sanctioned even by the scriptures! ... reinforcing one's fear-desire borne notions further without one's awareness!!

Therefore, spiritual knowledge - The Vedanta - remains exclusive for only those students who are really keen to understand the same. Even if it is told to uninterested one's would either discard it or take it as a pill in faith - either way it looses its dexterity. Yama offers Nachiketa so many worldly things first. Only when Nachiketa refuses everything offered, The Guru opens his mouth on Self-Awareness. This is of highest social relevance because one should learn how to live first. Spirituality should sprout from the fulfilments of life. If it happens to come out unfulfilled life, it is like the exclamations of the fox that could not reach the grapes.Therefore, it may seem like the spirituality is hijacked by the so-called Brahmin community. But, no community and not even the whole universe can stop a true seeker. So many of the great seers that we know of are NOT Brahmins for your information.

Therefore, to answer your questions,

- Why is it that devotional practices are more prevalent that philosophical ones?

That is what the majority of the population can grasp and make use of.

- Is it because of the communal aspect?

Communal nature is built into all social beings. Any social activity including Bible groups and Bhagavadgita groups cannot defy the nature of the beings involved.

- Why aren't there more Bhagavad Gita study groups around?

The majority of the population do not see it as "useful"

- How do Brahmins get educated in their faith?

In an ideal Gurukula, a Brahmin does not necessarily get spiritual education. On the other hand a Jaabaali of unknown origin also can become a seer and caretaker of an entire Veda System (Atharva)

- What has changed to keep this education from happening?

Again, lack of popular interest keeps the spiritual student population relatively insignificant. Why lack of popular interest? One, the subject sounds threatening to one's very survival in the onset! Two, when one gets a deeper glimpse, one would realize that the subject may not provide any spectacular prospects of life style!!

-What can we do to raise awareness on Hindu philosophy?

By attempting to enter the sanctorium of awareness first. Awareness is all that matters - that is Sanatana Dharma, the central theme of existence. Everyone is born with such urge. Most of us do not just acknowledge it - yet all our actions and thoughts are directed toward that alone, but without our awareness.

- is it our dharma to do so?

Being aware is the only Dharma (nature) that is eternal. All the rest are just transient.

Respects.

Naga Narayana.