[Advaita-l] Chanting Gayatri overseas

[Vēdānta Study Group]

Apologies, I should have clarified that I was addressing Shashi ji and
Santosh ji's comments on the contextualization of dharma :)

On 6 October 2017 at 23:26, V Subrahmanian <v.subrahmanian at gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> 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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>>>
>>>
>>
>