The Essential Vedanta: a New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta
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Abhinavagupta's Portrait of a Guru: Revelation and Religious Authority in Kashmir
Abhinavagupta's Portrait of a Guru: Revelation and Religious Authority in Kashmir The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:39987948 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA Abhinavagupta’s Portrait of a Guru: Revelation and Religious Authority in Kashmir A dissertation presented by Benjamin Luke Williams to The Department of South Asian Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the subject of South Asian Studies Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts August 2017 © 2017 Benjamin Luke Williams All rights reserved. Dissertation Advisor: Parimal G. Patil Benjamin Luke Williams ABHINAVAGUPTA’S PORTRAIT OF GURU: REVELATION AND RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY IN KASHMIR ABSTRACT This dissertation aims to recover a model of religious authority that placed great importance upon individual gurus who were seen to be indispensable to the process of revelation. This person-centered style of religious authority is implicit in the teachings and identity of the scriptural sources of the Kulam!rga, a complex of traditions that developed out of more esoteric branches of tantric "aivism. For convenience sake, we name this model of religious authority a “Kaula idiom.” The Kaula idiom is contrasted with a highly influential notion of revelation as eternal and authorless, advanced by orthodox interpreters of the Veda, and other Indian traditions that invested the words of sages and seers with great authority. -
Rasaesthetics.Pdf
Rasaesthetics Richard Schechner Where in the body is theatricality located? What is its place? Traditionally in Western theatre, the eyes and to some degree the ears are where theatricality is experienced. By etymology and by practice a theatre is a “place of/for seeing.” Seeing requires distance; engenders focus or differentiation; encourages analysis or breaking apart into logical strings; privileges meaning, theme, narration. Modern science depends on instruments of observation, of ocularity: tele- scopes and microscopes. Theories derived from observations made by means of ocular instruments define the time-space continuum. From super-galactic strings on the one hand to molecular and subatomic wave particles on the other, we “know” the universe by “seeing” it. See = know; know = see; speed = space; distance = time; diachronicity = story. But in other cultural traditions there are other locations for theatricality. One of these, the mouth, or better said, the snout-to-belly-to-bowel—the route through the body managed by the enteric nervous system—is the topic of this essay. The snout-to-belly-to-bowel is the “where” of taste, digestion, and excretion. The performance of the snout-to-belly-to-bowel is an ongoing interlinked muscular, cellular, and neurological process of testing-tasting, separating nourishment from waste, distributing nourishment throughout the body, and eliminating waste. The snout-to-belly-to-bowel is the where of in- timacy, sharing of bodily substances, mixing the inside and the outside, emo- tional experiences, and gut feelings. A good meal with good company is a pleasure; so is foreplay and lovemaking; so is a good shit. -
Sanskrutha Bharathi, New Jersey & Sangam Festival
Sanskrutha Bharathi, New Jersey & Sangam Festival- Princeton, New Jersey hosted a seminar and performance - commemorating the 1000th year of the Kashmirian genius Acharya Abhinavagupta on Saturday, April 8th 2017. The program opened with a brief prayer followed by a paper presentation by Bharatanatyam exponent and scholar Bala Devi Chandrashekar on Sri Abhinavagupta's commentary on Bharata muni's treatise "Natya shastra". The presentation stressed the immense value of understanding Abhinava Gupta's commentary "Abhinava Bharathi" to comprehend Natya Sastra. The Key takeaways from Bala Devi's presentation - Abhinava Gupta's two major works on aesthetics are - Dhvanyaloka -locana and Abhinava Bharati, they point towards his quest into the nature of aesthetic experience. In both these works Abhinava Gupta suggests that aesthetic experience is something beyond worldly experience, and has used the word ‘Alaukika’ to distinguish the former feeling from the mundane latter ones. He subscribes to the theory of Rasa Dhvani and thus entered the ongoing aesthetic debate on nature of aesthetic pleasure. Bharatha in Natyashastra, his pioneering work on Indian dramatics, mentions eight rasas and says rasa is produced when ‘Vibhaava’, Anubhava and Vyabhichari bhava come together. According to Abhinavagupta, the aesthetic experience is the manifestation of the self. It is similar to the spiritual experience as one transcends the limitations of one's limited self because of the process of universalisation taking place during the aesthetic contemplation of characters depicted in the work of art. Abhinavagupta maintains that this rasa is the supreme good of all literature. Abhinavagupta extended the eight rasas categorized by Bharata, by adding one more to the list, the Shanta rasa. -
Caratula De La Tesis
UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO Colegio de Postgrados The Search for the Essence of Being according to Advaita-Vedānta and Chán Buddhism Claudia Cecilia Vega Conejo Dissertation presented as a requirement to obtain the title of Master in Chinese Philosophy Quito, August 2009 UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO Colegio de Postgrados HOJA DE APROBACIÓN DE TESIS The Search for the Essence of Being according to Advaita-Vedānta and Chán Buddhism Claudia Cecilia Vega Conejo Renaud Neubauer ..................................................................... Director de Tesis Zhang Xianglong ..................................................................... Miembro del Comité de Tesis José Salazar Carbonell, M.A. ………………………………………………… Director de la Maestría en Filosofía China Carmen María Fernández-Salvador ..................................................................... Ayala, Ph.D. Decana del Colegio de Artes Liberales Víctor Viteri Breedy, Ph.D. ..................................................................... Decano del Colegio de Postgrados Quito, agosto de 2009 iii © Copyright Claudia Cecilia Vega Conejo, 2009 iv Acknowledgments My sincere thanks to Professor Jose Salazar who converted into a reality the dream of this Master Course of Chinese philosophy, to all the professors from Beijing University, who shared generously with us their invaluable knowledge, and to my husband Renaud Neubauer who, with his academic guidance, made possible the completion of this present investigation, and above all, I wish to express my gratitude -
Secrets of RSS
Secrets of RSS DEMYSTIFYING THE SANGH (The Largest Indian NGO in the World) by Ratan Sharda © Ratan Sharda E-book of second edition released May, 2015 Ratan Sharda, Mumbai, India Email:[email protected]; [email protected] License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-soldor given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and didnot purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to yourfavorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hardwork of this author. About the Book Narendra Modi, the present Prime Minister of India, is a true blue RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or National Volunteers Organization) swayamsevak or volunteer. More importantly, he is a product of prachaarak system, a unique institution of RSS. More than his election campaigns, his conduct after becoming the Prime Minister really tells us how a responsible RSS worker and prachaarak responds to any responsibility he is entrusted with. His rise is also illustrative example of submission by author in this book that RSS has been able to design a system that can create ‘extraordinary achievers out of ordinary people’. When the first edition of Secrets of RSS was released, air was thick with motivated propaganda about ‘Saffron terror’ and RSS was the favourite whipping boy as the face of ‘Hindu fascism’. Now as the second edition is ready for release, environment has transformed radically. -
An Understanding of Maya: the Philosophies of Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva
An understanding of Maya: The philosophies of Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva Department of Religion studies Theology University of Pretoria By: John Whitehead 12083802 Supervisor: Dr M Sukdaven 2019 Declaration Declaration of Plagiarism 1. I understand what plagiarism means and I am aware of the university’s policy in this regard. 2. I declare that this Dissertation is my own work. 3. I did not make use of another student’s previous work and I submit this as my own words. 4. I did not allow anyone to copy this work with the intention of presenting it as their own work. I, John Derrick Whitehead hereby declare that the following Dissertation is my own work and that I duly recognized and listed all sources for this study. Date: 3 December 2019 Student number: u12083802 __________________________ 2 Foreword I started my MTh and was unsure of a topic to cover. I knew that Hinduism was the religion I was interested in. Dr. Sukdaven suggested that I embark on the study of the concept of Maya. Although this concept provided a challenge for me and my faith, I wish to thank Dr. Sukdaven for giving me the opportunity to cover such a deep philosophical concept in Hinduism. This concept Maya is deeper than one expects and has broaden and enlightened my mind. Even though this was a difficult theme to cover it did however, give me a clearer understanding of how the world is seen in Hinduism. 3 List of Abbreviations AD Anno Domini BC Before Christ BCE Before Common Era BS Brahmasutra Upanishad BSB Brahmasutra Upanishad with commentary of Sankara BU Brhadaranyaka Upanishad with commentary of Sankara CE Common Era EW Emperical World GB Gitabhasya of Shankara GK Gaudapada Karikas Rg Rig Veda SBH Sribhasya of Ramanuja Svet. -
Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Hindu-Christian Dialogue
Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies Volume 8 Article 5 January 1995 Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Hindu-Christian Dialogue Michael Stoeber Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/jhcs Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Stoeber, Michael (1995) "Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Hindu-Christian Dialogue," Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies: Vol. 8, Article 5. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7825/2164-6279.1110 The Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies is a publication of the Society for Hindu-Christian Studies. The digital version is made available by Digital Commons @ Butler University. For questions about the Journal or the Society, please contact [email protected]. For more information about Digital Commons @ Butler University, please contact [email protected]. Stoeber: Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, and Hindu-Christian Dialogue SRI RAMAKRISHNA, SWAl\II VIVEKANANDA, AND HINDU-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE* Michael Stoeber The Catholic University of America IN THE LATE smnmer of 1993, noted for his interests in Buddhism, representatives of the major religions of the Sikhism, J ainism, Islam, and Christianity. world met in interfaith dialogue in Chicago, Indeed, his experiences of elements of these to celebrate the centenary of the 1893 different faiths led him to advocate a World's Parliament of Religions. The 1893 common divine Reality behind the many Parliament was remarkable, both in its forms of religiousness, despite the many magnitude and its purpose: it brought differences between traditions. He once together forty-one denominations and over commented, for example: four hundred men and women in a forum of A lake has several ghats [bathing mutual teaching and learning. -
"Revelation" by Eliot Deutsch
From the World Wisdom online library: www.worldwisdom.com/public/library/default.aspx Chapter 1 Revelation If we are to form a proper understanding of the meaning and scope of “Revelation,” we do well to forget at once the implications of the term in the Mediterranean religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Strictly speaking, “revelation” is a misnomer, since ultimately there is no revealer. The Sanskrit term for it is çruti, literally “the hear ing,” which means an erudition acquired by listening to the instruc tion of a teacher. This instruction itself had been transmitted to the teacher through an uninterrupted series of teachers that stretches to the beginning of creation. Revelation, therefore, is by no means God’s word—because, para doxically, if it were to derive from a divine person, its credibility would be impugned. It is held to be authorless, for if a person, human or divine, had authored it, it would be vulnerable to the defects inherent in such a person. It is axiomatic that revelation is infallible, and this infallibility can be defended only if it is authorless. Then from where does it come? The answer is stark and simple: it is given with the world. For some of the Mīmāmsā (or orthodox, exegetical) thinkers who have addressed themselves to this problem, the world is beginningless and the assumption of a creator is both problematic and unnecessary. And even if a beginning of the world is assumed, as in later Hindu thought when it is held that the universe goes through a pulsating rhythm of origination, existence, and disso lution, it is also held that at the dawn of a new world the revelation reappears to the vision of the seers, who once more begin the trans mission. -
Vol. 30, No.6 November/December 2019
Vol. 30, No.6 November/December 2019 A CHINMAYA MISSION SAN JOSE PUBLICATION MISSION STATEMENT To provide to individuals, from any background, the wisdom of Vedanta and practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become a positive contributor to the society. TheC particularhinmaya form that the L greatahari Lord took in the name of Sri Swami Tapovanam has dissolved, and he has gone back to merge into his own Nature. He has now become the Essence in each one of us. Wherever we find the glow of divine compassion, love, purity, and brilliance, there we see Sri Gurudev (Swami Tapovanji) with his ever-smiling face. He has left his sheaths. He has now become the Self in all of us. Ours is a great responsibility. It is not sufficient that only we ourselves evolve–we must learn to release him to visible expression everywhere. It is a glorious chance to take a sacred oath that we shall not rest contented until he is fulfilled. SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA from My Teacher, Swami Tapovanam CONTENTS Volume 30 No. 6 November/December 2019 From The Editors Desk . 2 Chinmaya Tej Editorial Staff . 2 We Stand as One Family . 3 The Glory of Saṁnāsa . 10 The Ethos of Spirituality . 13 Friends of Swami Chinmayananda . 20 Tapovan Prasad . 21 Chinmaya Study Groups . 22 Adult Classes at Sandeepany . 23 Shiva Abhisheka & Puja . 23 Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra & Language Classes . 24 Gita Chanting Classes for Children . 25 Vedanta Study Groups - Adult Sessions . 26 Swaranjali Youth Choir . 28 BalViHar Magazine . 29 Community Outreach Program . 30 Receptivity . -
“Re-Rigging” the Vedas: Examining the Effects of Changing Education and Purity Standards and Political Influence on the Contemporary Hindu Priesthood
“Re-Rigging” the Vedas: Examining the Effects of Changing Education and Purity Standards and Political Influence on the Contemporary Hindu Priesthood Christine Shanaberger Religious Studies RST 490 David McMahan, advisor Submitted: May 4, 2006 Graduated: May 13, 2006 1 Introduction In the academic study of religion, we are often given impressions about a tradition that are textually accurate, but do not directly correspond with its practice amongst its devotees. Hinduism is one such tradition where scholarly work has been predominately textual and quite removed from practices “on the ground.” While most scholars recognize that many indigenous Hindu practices do not conform to the Brahmanical standards described in ancient Hindu texts, there has only recently been a movement to study the “popular,” non-Brahmanical traditions, let alone to look at the Brahmanical practice and its variance with ancient conventions. I have personally experienced this inconsistency between textual and popular Hinduism. After spending a semester in India, I quickly realized that my background in the study of Hinduism was, indeed, merely a background. I found myself re-learning aspects of the tradition and theology that I thought I had already understood and redefining the meaning of many practices as I learned of their practical application. Most importantly, I discovered that Hindu practices and beliefs are so diverse that I could never anticipate who would believe or practice in what way. I met many “modernized” Indians who both ignored and retained many orthodox elements of their traditions, priests who were unaware of even the most basic elements of Hindu mythology, and devotees who had no qualms engaging in both orthodox Brahmin and quite unorthodox non-Brahmin religious practices. -
Rasa Aesthetics Goes Global: Relevance and Legitimacy
CHAPTER TWO Rasa Aesthetics Goes Global: Relevance and Legitimacy PRIYADARSHI PATNAIK Quantum Physics makes me so happy! It is like looking at the universe naked. Ohh . Sheldon’s words in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Season 5, Episode 20. This living hand, now warm and capable Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold And in the icy silence of the tomb, So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood So in my veins red life might stream again, And thou be conscience-calm’d–see here it is— I hold it towards you.1 John Keats, “This Hand, Now Warm and Capable.” I. INTRODUCTION Let us begin this chapter with the two quotes above which raise more questions than they answer. What is it that makes Keats’s poem successful? Why does it make us marvel and yet leave us in a state where it is difficult to pinpoint what we feel?W hat is it in this string of words that makes us experience emotions that have nothing to do with our lives? Similarly, when Sheldon looks at his whiteboard of equations in The Big Bang Theory and blurts out the words above, we see rare emotions in a person who is generally unmoved by emotions of everyday life or art. What motivates such Copyright © ${Date}. ${Publisher}. All rights reserved. © ${Date}. ${Publisher}. Copyright reaction? Whatever else we may say, we cannot deny that these questions are as pertinent today as they must have been when Bharata’s NāṭyaŚāstra attempted to answer such questions through the aesthetic concept of rasa. -
Book Only Cd Ou160053>
TEXT PROBLEM WITHIN THE BOOK ONLY CD OU160053> Vedant series. Book No. 9. English aeries (I) \\ A hand book of Sri Madhwacfaar^a's POORNA-BRAHMA PH I LOSOPHY by Alur Venkat Rao, B.A.LL,B. DHARWAR. Dt. DHARWAR. (BOM) Publishers : NAYA-JEEYAN GRANTHA-BHANDAR, SADHANKERI, DHARWAR. ( S.Rly ) Price : Superior : 7 Rs. 111954 Ordinary: 6 Rs. (No postage} Publishers: Nu-va-Jeevan Granth Bhandar Dharwar, (Bombay) Printer : Sri, S. N. Kurdi, Sri Saraswati Printing Press, Dharwar. ,-}// rights reserved by the author. To Poorna-Brahma Dasa; Sri Sri : Sri Madhwacharya ( Courtesy 1 he title of my book is rather misleading for though the main theme of the book is Madhwa philosophy, it incidentally and comparitively deals with other philosophies such as that of Sri Shankara Sri Ramanuja and Sri Mahaveer etc. So, it is use- ful for all those who are interested in such subjects. Sri Madhawacharya, the foremost Vaishnawa philosopher, who is the last of the three great Teachers,- Sri Shankara, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Madhwa,- is so far practically unknown to the English-reading public of India. This is, therefore the first attempt to present his philosophy to the wider public. Madhwa philosophy has got two aspects, one universal and the other, particular. I have tried to place before the readers both these aspects. I have re-assessed the values of Madhwa and other philosophies, and have tried to find out also the greatest common factor,-an angle of vision which has not been systematically adopted by any body. He is a great Harmoniser. In fact mine isS quite a new approach, I have tried to put old things in a new way.