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A Philsophical Sketch of Hinduism: Comments
A Philosophical Sketch of Hinduism: Comments
Shri Krishna Susarla wrote:
: Actual personal experience is based on acquiring information through the
:senses, which are themselves faulty. The senses therefore cannot yield
:perfect information. Consequently, the best method for acquiring
:information about the spiritual world is to accept an authority.
:Now if, one is to accept an authority, then he must be doing it find
:knowledge about the Absolute Truth. Therefore, if several people are
:saying different things about the Absolute Truth, then they cannot all be
:right. So, to say that it does not matter who is right and who is wrong
:is to indicate a lack of interest in actual understanding God.
..........
..........
:To accept everything as correct is to say that nothing is wrong.
:Consequently, this just degenerates into moral relativism, which goes
:nowhere.
Let me first thank Krishnaji for expressing his opinion and I respect his
view point. I fully agree that "There is only one Absolute Truth."
Fortunately or unfortunately, I do not know what is that "Absolute Truth."
How do I judge "Who is right?" and "Who is wrong?" All the information
are communicated to me only through my sense organs as rightly pointed out
by Krishnaji. Krishnaji is absolutely correct in his assetion that
"senses cannot yield perfect information". His assertion is a paradox
confirming that it is impossible to prove "Who is Right?" and "Who is
Wrong?". This is beyond the capacity of intellect! A win-win strategy
for me is to give the benefit of doubt and accept them until they are
negated. Finding the "Absolute Truth" is an endless path and "Absolute
Truth" is a pathless land as J. Krishnamurthy said.
In summary "Absolute Truth" is beyond intellectual perception and
intellectual discussions will not yield the desired result. How can we
explain "What We do not Know" from "What We Know?" Any one who says that
I can explain is not telling the "Absolute Truth." Krishnaji's recent
article in Alt.Hindu asserts the same point of view. This beautiful
passage is fr: Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.3.14-15: Translation by His Divine
Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada:
"I, Yamaraja; Indra, the King of heaven; Nirrti; Varuna; Candra, the
moon-god; Agni; Lord Siva; Pavana; Lord Brahma; Surya, the sun-god;
Visvasu; the eight Vasus; the Sadhyas; the Maruts; the Rudras; the
Siddhas; and Marici and the other great rsis engaged in maintaining the
departmental affairs of the universe, as well as the best of the demigods
headed by Brhaspati, and the great sages headed by Bhrgu are all certainly
freed from the influence of the two base material modes of nature, namely
passion and ignorance. Nevertheless, although we are in the mode of
goodness, we cannot understand the activities of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. What, then, is to be said of others, who, under illusion,
merely speculate to know God?"
The Gods, semi-gods and demigods substantiate my belief that "Absolute
Truth" is beyond anybody's speculation. I am great admirer of His Divine
Grace A.C. Bhativedanta Srila Prabhupada. His Bhagvad Geeta translation
and commentary is a master piece and he has done unselfish service to the
humanity. I accept that he is the authority on "Hare Krishna Movement."
Also, Sankara is the authority on "Advaita," Madhva is the authority on
"Dwaita," and Ramanuja is the authority on "Vishistadvaita." As Krishnaji
rightly points out we should accept these philosophies because their
followers have bestowed "faith" in their authority.
I believe that religion soley depends on individual's "faith." Gandhiji,
the great "Hindu" believed in the equality of all religions and developed
an "attitude" to accept that "religion is one and it has several branches
which are equal". He is the "Hindu Role Model" and has demonstrated that
"Unity" can be found in "Diversity." A necessary condition for finding a
path to "Absolute Truth" is unselfish service to the humanity as exhibited
by Gandhiji. No sufficient condition can be established because "Absolute
Truth" is complex, the world is complex and our life is complex. Are we
not better off if we direct our attention to "What we can learn from a
philosophy" instead of focusing on " What is wrong?" The "Absolute
Truth" is that "We do not know the Absolute Truth!"
The following passages from "The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi", Vol
64, pp.203-4 summarize Gandhiji's view point on religion and "Absolute
Truth".
Let me once again thank Krishnaji for helping me to sharpen my thinking
and anything good has come out from this article, I owe it to him. He has
demonstrated his profound knowledge in the subject matter and I admire his
sincerity and conviction. I trust that we have the "god given right" to
practice what we believe in as long as it does not interfere with other's
beliefs and rights. Some may agree and some may object and they have the
right to do so! I do remember the famous paradox, "No one is convinced by
other's arguments."
**************************************************************************
The following passage is extracted from: Article: 168067 of
soc.culture.indian, Organization: Penn State University, Date: Tue, 1 Mar
1994 10:07:24 EST, From: Dinesh Agrawal <DXA4@psuvm.p
On January 2, 1937 a Professor of Philosophy from Poland, Krzenski came to
see Gandhiji. Krzanski told Gandhiji that Catholicism was the only true
religion.
Krzenski: But I have studied all religions and have found that mine is the
only true religion.
Gandhiji: But so have others studied other religions. What about them?
Well, I go further and tell you that religion is one and it has several
branches which are all equal.
Krzenski: I accept that no religion lacks divine inspiration but all have
not the same truth, because all have not the same light.
Gandhiji: It is an essentially untrue position to take, for a seeker after
truth, that he alone is in absolute possession of truth. What is happening
to the poor astronomers today? They are changing their position every day,
and there are scientists who impeach even Einstein's latest theory.
Krzenski: No. But I have examined the arguments in favor of other
religions.
Gandhiji: But it is an intellectual examination. You require different
scales to weigh spiritual truth. Either we are all untrue - quite a
logical position to take - but, since truth does not come out of untruth,
it is better to say that we all have truth but not the complete truth.
For God reveals His truth to instruments that are imperfect. Raindrops of
purest distilled water become diluted or polluted as soon as they come in
contact with mother earth.
My submission is that your position is arrogant. But I suggest to you a
better position. Accept all religions as equal, for all have the same root
and the same laws of growth.
Krzenski: It is necessary to examine every religion philosophically and
find out which is more harmonious, more perfect.
Gandhiji: Not enough. I had that feeling myself one day, but I found that
it was not enough. Unless I accept the position that all religions are
equal, and I have as much regard for other religions as I have for my own,
I would not be able to live in the boiling war around me. Any make-believe
combination of spiritual forces is doomed to failure if this fundamental
position is not accepted. I read and get all my inspiration from the Gita.
But I also read the Bible and the Koran to enrich my own religion. I
incorporate all that is good in other religions.
************************************************************************
" Have a Good Day "
"Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path
whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect. Truth, being limitless,
unconditioned, unapproachable by any path whatsoever, cannot be
organized; nor should any organisation be formed to lead or to
coerce people along any particular path." J. Krishnamoorthy
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