[Advaita-l] Chanting Gayatri overseas

[V Subrahmanian]

On Sat, Oct 7, 2017 at 8:54 AM, Vēdānta Study Group <vedant.study at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Harih Om,
>
> Simple question: Is the Jagadguru of Sringeri wrong in blessing the SVBF
> initiative in Pennsylvania?
>

If you are asking me, my answer is: definitely not wrong. I myself said
that he blessed an event through a webinar type broadcast.

regards
subbu


> 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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>>
>>
>