to practice in one tradition while understanding its relationships to every other tradition;
to meditate without believing in gods, souls or reincarnation;
to practice Zen without referring to rebirth.
There is something here for everyone.
Some Indian theists have introduced judgmentalism and intolerance I suspect under European influence.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteDidn't you mean MEDITATE instead of "mediate"?
And what did you mean about "...Indian theists have introduced judgmentalism and intolerance"? Who were these theists, Hindus who believed in "hard polytheism"? And what were they being allegedly judgmental and intolerant about in a bad sense?
Sean
Sean,
ReplyDeleteIf you talk to the Krishna Consciousness people, you will find that they condemn every interpretation but their own.
Paul.
Sean,
ReplyDeleteTo elaborate, gurus who are not of their disciplic succession are charlatans who should not be heeded.
There was a revered 19th century Hindu figure called Sri Ramakrishna. A Krishna devotee, speaking to me, quoted Bhaktivedanta, the Krishna Consciousness founder, as having said that Ramakrishna is now in Hell and will be for a long time for misleading people. It seems that only one divine name and mantra are efficacious. Any other is useless.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your explanation! I don't think I've even heard of the "Krishna Consciousness" people before. I was wondering if there were hard polytheists within Hinduism objecting to all this explaining away of the Hindu gods.
Sean
Sean,
DeleteYou will have heard of "Hare Krishna"?
Demonic hatred can infect any tradition. Another example: a man presenting himself as a Buddhist monk and teacher said that it was not murder to kill Communists.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
DeleteI have heard of the "Hare Krishnas" and how they used to make nuisances of themselves. So, they are the "Krishna Consciousness" chaps?
Of course it's wrong to murder anyone, no matter how objectionable and vile his beliefs might be! This Buddhist monk was wrong.
Sean
Sean,
ReplyDeleteYes, that is the group I meant. They chant "Hare Krishna" so they are commonly called that.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteI have a vague recollection of seeing these Hare Krishna persons long ago (perhaps on TV). And of how they were irritating and bothering people.
Sean