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Re: Age of Hinduism
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To: alt-hindu@cs.washington.edu
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Subject: Re: Age of Hinduism
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From: Anshuman Pandey <apandey@u.washington.edu>
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Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 22:31:59 -0800
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From root@nntp1.u.washington.edu Fri Feb 24 01: 21:55 1995
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In-Reply-To: <3igr0t$n1d@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: University of Washington
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References: <3igr0t$n1d@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
I don't belief there is a "perfect feel" for Hinduism. As much as
adherents of Vedanta would like to proclaim it, it is not the oldest and
purest form of Hinduism.
If you want to learn about Hinduism, my best advice would be to start in
the Upanishads. If you can, gather three or four different copies of the
Ishopanishad and Chandogyopanishad, make sure that they are not from the
ISKCON, and read through each mantra, and compare it with the other
copies as you go along. Then draw a conclusion for yourself. Also with
most of the Upanishads, you will find commentary after each mantra. These
are to be taken with a grain of salt. Read each one, and draw your own
conclusion.
Sure. You can also read Vivekananda and Ramakrishna, but as the other
commentaries, they are to be read with a careful eye. Don't be afraid to
criticise. This, unlike in many religions, is allowed.
If you want a "feel" of a more ancient system. You could try reading
commentaries on the Vedas. This will not provide you much in the way of
metaphysical enlightenment, but it does given one insight into how the
ancient rishis saw things, and the conclusions they drew about religion.
Anshuman Pandey
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
USA
On 23 Feb 1995, Parag Gupta wrote:
> If you want a perfect feel for Hinduism, without any cultish kind of
> interpretation!! Read lectures given by Swami Vivekananda, and his spiritual
> master, Sri Ramakrishna!! You cannot get a better feel of Vedanta, than you ca
> n from these great enlightened souls!! Since, they experienced everything
> they teach, from the purpose of life to seeing and feeling 'God' is the very
> zest of Hinduism!!
>
> -Parag Gupta
> "The Complete Works of Vivekanada"
> Vols. 1-8?
>
>
>
>
> ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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