[Advaita-l] Chanting Gayatri overseas

Vēdānta Study Group vedant.study at gmail.com
Fri Oct 6 23:24:58 EDT 2017


Harih Om,

Simple question: Is the Jagadguru of Sringeri wrong in blessing the SVBF
initiative in Pennsylvania? Is our understanding of dharma superior to the
Shankaracharyas? Please address this question directly before proceeding
forward

Namaste,
Prashant

On 6 October 2017 at 22:50, V Subrahmanian <v.subrahmanian at gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> On Sat, Oct 7, 2017 at 1:52 AM, Vēdānta Study Group via Advaita-l <
> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
>
>> Harih Om
>>
>> Dharma (and its interpretation) evolves through time.
>
>
> Shankara, in his Brahma sutra bhashya ३.१.२५ has said:
>
> यस्मिन्देशे काले निमित्ते च यो धर्मोऽनुष्ठीयते, स एव
> देशकालनिमित्तान्तरेष्वधर्मो भवति ; तेन न शास्त्रादृते धर्माधर्मविषयं
> विज्ञानं कस्यचिदस्ति । - Dharma is place-time specific and hence the
> scripture is the best source to decide what is dharma and what is not.
>
> And in innumerable places Shankara has stated that śiṣṭāchāra, conduct of
> the noble, as a source of Dharma/adharma. In fact the Taittiriya Upanishad
> itself says: Follow those who are wedded to Dharma, in deciding what course
> of action you have to take, while in doubt, etc.
>
> While the śiṣṭa-s may not encourage people going abroad, yet they have
> continued to bless those who live abroad, for whatever reasons. I have
> heard the earlier Jagadguru would bless those who seek his blessings while
> a boy is going abroad for higher studies: 'My blessings are there on this
> condition: Study there and return to our Land and serve here.' Now, over
> the years we have huge settlements abroad who seek to follow dharma. In
> fact I came across at least one person, who has studied the entire Rg Veda
> and is now teaching people even in India, through Skype from the US. There
> are sincere seekers who have said 'the quite, serene atmosphere there is
> very conducive to dhyāna, contemplation, etc.' This is what is sought by
> anyone who is a seeker, ultimately.
>
> Above all, we have to also remember this:  Between niyama (observances)
> and yama (fundamental moral conduct), the latter takes precedence over the
> former in spiritual progress and attainment. Swami Vidyaranya in the
> Jivanmuktiviveka has given references for this rule. He also points out
> cases of extremity where 'a certain person looked for a pure place all
> over the world to conduct his religious practice and could not find a
> single one'. What is important above all is for a person to value ahimsā,
> satyam, akrodha, brahmacharya and non-stealing. These are the five yama-s
> that are crucial for spiritual evolvement. Niyama-s are there to support
> these in the long run. They are not to be belittled either. An
> individual-specific, balanced, view is what is moderate.
>
> regards
> subbu
>
>
>
>
>> What is stated in the
>> Brhadaranyaka upanishad may be contextual to the social situation then.
>> These boundaries can be widened as contemporary sampradayavits see fit.
>>
>> As someone correctly points out, even the Jagadguru of Sringeri has
>> blessed
>> the SVBF mandir to be set up in Pennsylvania. Surely these Acharyas have a
>> better understanding of the commentaries and how to make them applicable
>> in
>> present times. Personally, I don't see ourselves fit to form a universal
>> opinion for Hindus to follow, but certainly these teachers are in a
>> position to do so, and they have. So far I have not seen any counter to
>> this point
>>
>> Namaste,
>> Prashant
>>
>> On 6 October 2017 at 11:14, Kalyan via Advaita-l <
>> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org> wrote:
>>
>> > I am surprised that in this entire discussion no one has quoted the
>> > Brihadaranyaka upanishad so far.
>> >
>> > Br.Up.1.3.10 advises against foreign travel. Shankara interprets it in
>> the
>> > same way.
>> >
>> > Travel should be confined to lands inhabited by people possessing Vedic
>> > knowledge - this is the gist.
>> >
>> > Thus, there is Shruti prohibition against foreign travel.
>> >
>> >
>> > Regards
>> > Kalyan
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