ADMIN : Response

[Steve Cotten D.R.H.]

Is it ok to talk about Sri Ramana Maharshi?

Thanks for this list. I am learning much.

Aloha,
Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: Ravi Mayavaram <msr at reddy20.tamu.edu>
To: ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU <ADVAITA-L at TAMU.EDU>
Date: Monday, April 06, 1998 2:01 PM
Subject: ADMIN : Response


>Dear LIST Members,
>
> advaita-vedanta is not anything and everything. To dismiss the role
>of shrI shankara and his disciples, in establishing this tradition is
>making a mockery of the maThas established by shrI shankara which
>carry on the tradition till date. There is a definite tradition of
>advaita vedanta. It is not anything and everything.  Dont confuse this
>with the idea that every being ultimately seeks the bliss of non-dual
>brahman.
>
>I disagree with shrI sadananda's viewpoint and shrI Ram chandran's
>view point on this.  shrI shankara did not merely codify and explain
>advaita-vedanta, he started maThas to establish the tradition. His
>works are still the standard for advaitins.
>
>
>I think I am clearly justified in saying that this LIST is for
>advaita-vedanta as taught by shankara.  Shankar Jayanarayan's point
>that the tradition starts from shrI nArAyaNA himself is correct.  By
>honoring shankara, I honor all the gurus before him. To keep
>shankara's work as a standard reference for this LIST is
>the right thing to do.  Especially after knowing that there are myriad
>of opinions on what advaita is, I have not even an iota of doubt on
>this issue.
>
>For all practical purposes this LIST is
>Advaita-vedanta-as-taught-by-shankara-L, abbreivated as advaita-L. I
>will include this if you want in the signature of every ADMIN post I
>make. If you think I am wrong on this, let it be so. I prefer to be
>wrong this way than right your way.
>
>
>I invite shrI Ram Chandran and shrI Nanda Chandra, back to list. I am
>sorry for being bit rude to Nanda Chandran.  I sincerely apologize for
>that. But I will not accept buddhist discussions on this list, to me
>it like going to some temple kitchen and saying I want to cook beef
>here.
>
>About the debates issue, I am confused. I agree that  it will aid
>learning. But I wonder, how many here know enough to debate?  Friendly
>discussion on advaita vedanta will  definitely serve the purpose.
>This LIST is not for converting any atheist, buddhist, Jain or a
>folower of any other tradition to advaita-vedanta. This for like
>minded people, who want to learn advaita-vedanta as taught by shrI
>shankara and who already have desire to do so.
>
>
>If I sound harsh, I am sorry. I respect each and every one of you, but
>my stance on this issue is based on my real purpose with which this
>LIST was started.
>
>
>with love and respects,
>Ravi
>
>mInalochani pAshamochani
>
>NOTE: I will not respond further on this issue at least till this
>weekend. I am busy with both my office work and Ph.D work.