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> ...... What mean "very manifestation" and "symbolic representation"
> here? The possible range of meaning is (surely I call too wide
> but it is better than too narrow) from <<something that is to
> mean "God" just like a word "cat" means some animal>> to
< something being God in His essence>>. I understand the "very
< manifestation" is much nearer the second and further from the
< first than the "symbolic representation" but I don't know how
< near and how far it is, what _properties_ are the same as the
< first or the second, what are different from both.......
Hello Jerzy Tarasiuk:
Thanks for your kind words and let me try to answer your
questions. Before I give my specific answers to your questions, let me
give a paragraph on Hindu Scriptures.
Hindu Scriptures are broadly classified into Sruti (heard and
transmitted), Smriti (remembered and collated), Itihaasa (epics), Purana
(stories and values) and Aagma (temple related rules for prayers, rituals
and construction). Vedas constitute Sruti. The four Vedas: Rig, Saama,
Yajur and Atharva are treasured as the most ancient heritage and Hindus
believe that Vedas are eternal and never created! The subject-matter of
Vedas is classified into three categories: Karma, Upasanaa, and jnana.
Karma discusses obligations of each individual. Upasanaa provides
guidance for divine communion and worship. Jnana is the philosophical
disquisition about Brahman, the supreme reality. These philosophical
discussions in the last portions of each Veda are known as Upanishads.
Scriptures, compiled by the great sages, Yajnavalkya, Manu and Parasara
are known as Smriti . Itihasa comprises of the two epics: Ramayana and
Mahabharata written respectively by sages Valmiki and Vedavyasa.
Vedavyasa also wrote the eighteen Puranas and eighteen Upa(sub)-puranas.
Each purana emphasizes a specific Hindu value and dramatizes a story
with a virtuous hero, an evil villain, and supporting characters on
either side! In general, the hero is a favored deity, who represents the
Supreme Reality and others become demigods and play subordinate roles.
Aagmas define elaborate rules for temple construction and rules for
conducting rituals and prayers in the temple premises.
According to the puranas, Lord Vishnu has taken Ten ‘Avatars'
(reincarnations) to protect the world from the evil. Hindus do believe
that the presence of God can be invoked by conducting appropriate
rituals specified in the Agamas. Manifestation implies that God reveals
HIS (HER) presence through the idol. Most of the idols in the Indian
temples are created by the specially trained artists according to the
rules defined by the Agamas. A vast majority of Hindus believe that an
idol is the manifestation of the God of their choice. Many of them also
believe that each manifestation attributes certain intrinsic qualities.
Tiger's paw, Lion's roar, Elephant's tusk, are symbolic representation of
the respective animals. Manifestation is belief" where as symbolic
representation is scientific inference!
The symbolism in Hinduism is analogous to the modern
communication methods adopted by the computer industry. They both adjust
to the diverse tastes and needs of the world. Only a small segment of the
general public look for sophistication and special features. The common
folk who are in the majority, demand simple illustrations and practical
examples rather than lengthy logic! The computer industry employs
creative graphic displays of "icons" to satisfy the general public.
Hindu symbolism seems to imply that it does not believe in a
one-size-fits-all theory! Artistic temples with idols, heroic stories,
and colorful rituals demonstrate this fact. Knowledgeable Hindus may
grasp a lot more from such symbolism, and unravel philosophical and
spiritual truths of Vedanta. Puranic stories create role models by
dramatization of legendary events to preserve social ethics (Dharma). An
ideal spouse, parent, offspring, or teacher is orchestrated to help the
society to conduct its daily duties (nithya karma). Hinduism has
perfected the art of symbolism as a powerful media to teach complex
philosophical ideas to the common man. The communication of values using
the puranic stories in Hinduism, resemble the case study procedures in
business management institutions.
God is infinity and perception of infinity varies by individuals.
Our perception of infinity when we were children is not the same now.
Our perception changes with the growth of our intellect and the gain of
knowledge. Manifestation of infinity in finite terms can be possible
from religious belief. But, scientific representation of infinity using
a finite object is necessarily symbolic.
> ..... I met a claim that there are places where religions changed many
> times - from ancient pagan religions, through Jude religion, then
Islam,
> and many religions assumed some place to be sanctity.
All religions including Hinduism, Christianity and Islam have undergone
numerous changes. Buddhism and Jainism are rooted from Hinduism and
churches have so many denominations and the same is true for Islam.
> I would like to know what these philosophies are. The thing
> I am usually most interested in what is - in depth - reason
> for which their followers choose just this, not some other,
> what they find good in this one, not in others.
> Can you please rather specify WWW pages where such an info is
> published, if there are any?
I will try post details of the three philosophies within a week. I need
to dig some information before I post them. Let me also request other
readers to help if they can. Many linkages related to Hinduism and
related materials can be easily gathered by searching through Yahoo by
using key words such as: (1) Hinduism (2) Advaita (3) Vedanta (4)
Vaishnava (5) Dwaita etc.
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