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Posted
on 03-Nov-01 10:40 AM
An old posting from Nepal Digest
Thought might be relevant to the current discussion of religion.
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I have been reading the digest since a couple of months and I have found it a very interesting forum for discussing issues related with Nepal. We can make any issues and discuss at length those issues trying to radiate our erudition. We all are supremacists because we all want to win. Perhaps it is inherent in human nature. I have seen the discussion of Nepali politics, racism, pollution, proselytism etc in this forum and am glad that the digest has given the opportunity to express our feelings. I may not agree and find some topic boring and offensive as well. In that case, I realize that it is my problem, and not that of the originator. I am particularly interested in the discussion of religion but let me confess that I am not a religious person in the formal sense. I see myself as an ordinary man struggling to earn livelihood. However, I am fascinated by human being's eternal quest for truth and consider religion as a way to find the answer. I got the chance to read in the last issue that the poverty of Nepal is due to its being a Hindu nation. Is it really so or is it just a reactionery outburst of some deeper prejudice and malice? I think it is time for us to look deep into this matter. WHAT IS HINDU RELIGION ? Everybody knows that Hindu is the name given to the people living on the banks of Sindhu river some thousands years ago. The religion of these people was called "Sanatana Dharma". It is important to understand and appreciate the literal meaning of these words. Sanatana - Eternal, Dharma (From the Sanskrit root Dhri) - Law. It was a collective works of literature, hymns, economics, rituals, grammar, astrology, geometry, medicine and what not? Whatever constituted the knowledge and truth was a part of this all encompassing culture - called Sanatana Dharma. And in this context, scholars agree that Hinduism is indeed a way of life and not a religion in a narrow context. How about other religions - are they also like Hinduism? Let us find then. Buddhism - It was founded by the Buddha and has an authoritative book called Tripitak. Islam - Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) got the revelation from Allah and has the Holy Quran as the ultimate book. Christianity - Jesus Christ and the Bible
We see that all major religions have founder and an authoritative book around which all doctrines are based upon. As these religions progressed, they became very aggressive and intolerant because their existence relied upon the extinction of the others and this was the beginning of Proselytism. They knew that both of them could not be correct at the same time. For example, The greatest faith in Islam is the complete acceptance of this: "La ilah illallah, Muhammadur Rasullah (Please forgive me if this is not the exact Arabic expression)." which means that "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the last prophet". No christians can accept the second fact because in that case, it will falsify their bible. Please be aware that I am not here to demean any religion. What I am trying to show is that there are hundreds of examples in which one religion's fundamental faith is completely negated by the other. So they have started to convert others. Conversion is a very intriguing phenomenon. It gives a feeling of newness, euphoria and justice for some time but after a while you again fall victim of the same vices which you previously were against of. How about Buddhism? I have a great respect for Budhhism and accept that it does not try to falsify others because its truth is not based upon others falsehood. Culturally, there is a vast difference between Hinduism and Budhhism but what is more important to me as a philosophy student or as a free human being is the distinction in the ultimate goal between these two philosophies. When you strip a religion of its culture, then it becomes a philosophy and for all rational human beings only the philosophy should matter for culture is bound by time, space and causation. I consider Advaita Vedanta as the culmination of Hindu philosophy and I call myself a Hindu because I admire the great truth that it is trying to emanate. "Tat tvam asi" Thou art that. The god which you are looking outside, that is YOU my friend. All is one and when you realise this yourself, you are free. Buddhism emphasises that even the idea of truth is illusion and in this sense Buddhism is a very dynamic philosophy. It further elaborates that in an ever changing world you can not stop and think of truth. Be free from desires and conflicts. This is a question a Hindu asks to a Buddhist - My wise friend, when you talk about misery you must have known happiness, when you talk about illusion, then you must have seen the truth because they are complimentary to each other. So why you cannot accept the idea of truth while you advocate so much of illusion? The hindu(Non-dualist) believes that they are the same. Once the distinction vanishes, then what remains is the ultimate truth. However, no one can deliver the truth by preaching or converting. The Vedas had been very vocal on this:"Nayam atma prabachanen lavyo, na veddayadhyaynen cha. (This soul can not be obtained by preaching or studying the vedas.). This article is getting very long but I do have the intention of clarifying or being clarified in this very sensitive matter. I will discuss at length this topic in future but let me put some facts before you.
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| ks |
Posted
on 03-Nov-01 10:44 AM
(1) The idea that all religions are equally tolerant is naive and wrong. In Hinduism and Buddhism, there is room for exploration and tolerance. When Salman Rushdie wrote "Satanic Verses", a fatwa was issued for his death. And he is still hiding. But has anyone heard of death warrant to Modanath Prashrit because he wrote "Devasur Sangram"? It is more blasphemous to Hinduism than what "Satanic verses" is to Islam. Even in the ancient times, Charvak made fun of Hinduism and its practice of truth. But did any one try to kill him? No, instead a separate philosphy called "Charavak Dharsan" was established. I often times make fun of Hindu deities. But can any one kill me for that? Why not? Why not? If there is an eternal truth in Hindu religion, then my mockery or rejection or whatever is not going to affect it. I come and go but the truth shall remain forever. Hinduism is one of the oldest religion in the world. If it is so absurd and unjust, then why it is still existing? Why only Hindus and Buddhists come in this world to show the depth of human spirituality? If all religions are equal, then why a muslim is killed by other muslim if he/she converts to other religion? Why they want to convert others if they truly believe other religions are also good and can be path to truth? The problem is that they don't believe. They think theirs is the only vehicle of truth and they must save others by converting them. What a noble idea! I have never heard of a mathematician converting other mathematician. But I have heard of bandits and robbers forming a group trying to be more powerful by forcing others to join their group or killing them.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM IN NEPAL? I don't accept the idea that Nepal is lagging because it is a Hindu country. If you talk about the philosophy and the teachings, then there is no doubt that it is the most revolutionary religion of human beings. Let me give you some examples:
(a) "Ekam Sat Bipra Bahuda Vadanti" The truth is one, but wise says it by different names. Does any other religion have place for any other religion?
(b) "Tat Tvam Asi" - Thou art that! "Aham Brahmasmi" I am the Brahman. Can you say you are the God in any other religion. Muslims will kill you if say you are Allah. Christians believe humans are sinner and they must surrender to Christ for salvation. There is no other way.
(c) "Uttisthata Jagrat Prapya Varannibodhata" Arise, wake up and stop not till the goal is achieved.
IS NEPAL REALLY A HINDU COUNTRY? To be frank and truthful, I don't consider Nepal a Hindu country. By constitution and some cultural playings only, we are calling it a Hindu country. Where is the greatness and revolutinary aspect of Vedanta in Nepal? We are all coward, reactionery, hypocrats and ignorant.
"Haami buddhu chhau, Yasai bir chhau" (We are stupid and that's why we are brave.) We need Vivekanands and not mercenary missionaries. We need actions and not just mere talks. If we call Nepal a Hindu country - then there should be no caste distinctions (for Vedas clearly say that You are the God.) There should be no fear (Ma vai Ma Vai - Fear Not, Fear Not). We have become very reactionery. When missioneries come to Nepal and start proselytising, then we talk of Vedas and equality. Why can not we make Vedas - the guiding principles for all time?
Recently, there has been some efforts to build our society in the highest principles of Vedas and Upanishads. The works of Swami Prapannachrya, Swami Agnivesh, Pundit Chhabi Lal Pokhrel are commendable. They are trying to cleanse the dirt from the Nepali societies. If we call ourselves Hindu, then we must wake up and find what is true and what is false, what is intrinsically good and what is evil.
(2) Hinduism is in essence a way of life. The way of human life is the way of learning and exploring and this is how Hinduism has evolved and will evolve in course of time. Is there a one founder, a one book and a one date for the beginning of this religion? No, and this is the most important aspect of Hindu religion that there is no central authority. That is why it is so tolerant and ever-evolving. It does not depend upon historical date. It depends upon the historical message. The fact that we do not know the birth date of Krishna does not annoy us. What is of importance is his message of the Gita.
(3) Having said this much about religion, let me elaborate the issue of religion in Nepal. To say that the poverty of Nepal is due to its being a Hindu country is very reactionery and irresponsible statement. Nepalis people are peace loving people and have lived in harmony even in the extreme cultural diversity. It is very easy to destroy but very difficult to construct. If we do not act rationally, then the future of Nepal is very bleak. We can fight with each other as Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Pahade, Madhese, Gaule, Sahare, Kirati, Newar, Mathlo Jaat, Tallo Jaat. What is important at the verge of this 21st century is the realization of the necessity of global survival. We need to survive as a nation first. And this is possible only when we all think in one way - the nepali way. We need visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, technocrats to build our infrastructure. And instead of debasing and haranguing others, if we can formulate some creative ideas, then that will really be achievement. Let Nepal Digest be a forum for constructive ideas and not a platform to gratify our ego, prejudice, and hatred towards others. What we talk will vanish. Only what we do will remain. The last question: Are Mahatma Gandhi, Krishnamurti, Vivekanada, Arvind Ghosh, Radhakrishnan, Raman Maharshi, RamKrishna Paramhamsa, Paramhamsa Yogananda, T.S. Eliot, Herman Hesse, Schopenheur, Maxmuller, Schrodinger, Einstein, Fritjof Capra, Gary Zukav, Alan Watt, Bede Griffith ALL WRONG???????
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