I thank every member who participated in the lively debate on TBs culture, tradition, belief and scriptures.
Let the members who actively and some vehemently took part in the discussion, take a brief break.
It is nice to see most of the members maintain their cool in presenting their arguments.
I can see some tend to derive pleasure in criticizing our age old customs, traditions, our beliefs and even scriptures.
The Forum is free for all and it is their personal opinion and need not be taken more seriously.
In my first posting, I had made a request that members who are against TBs, their Culture, Traditions, etc (BBs) to keep away.
And it is only an obligtion expected as a matter of decency in behaviour and thanks for everyone for their co-operation and reciprocation.
I have mentioned in my earlier thread we have changed.. yes ..we have changed.
But how about in our attitude which is criticized more?
It is not out of place to share the remarks of Tamil Movie Actor and political satirist Mr. Cho Ramaswamy, made few years back on TBs that ‘TB are people who fight with each, degrade themselves and paint the entire community in shades of dark.
There had been some good discussion, some may be tangential but relevant to the topic.
While one is not expected to take any of the opinions seriously, I did put forth a view in
post 76 as to what could be worth preserving and what can be a set of concrete actions.
This community of frequent posters in the forum may not represent a larger population but a few sincere people are capable of offering concrete & actionable ideas.
My own view is that a TB identity simply as just an ego identity is hard to sustain unless one begins to live up to the ideals of Varna definition of a Brahmana. This point is reiterated by Kachi Seer (reference provide by Sri Balasubramani)
Living up to those ideals, does not mean living up to, by means of symbols that may not be relevant in today's times.
My family including my children do not think themselves to be orthodox but traditional. The difference is that our focus is on the intent of a given practice not on the form of the practice. The idea is not to dilute the intent or what is contained in a practice. There are orthodox people that may want to focus on the symbols only. In most religions of the world orthodoxy can never survive.
Hinduism has survived onslaughts of many invasions over 1000 years or more. Its adaptability has to do with its survival and the availability of treasure of scriptures over the ages is our gift from prior generations. Our own responsibility is to ensure doing our part to pass this on to the next generations overcoming the onslaught of new wave culture.
If we focus on tradition and its significance, a point that I think, and a few in this thread have echoed/agreed to here (Sri yesmohan, Sri Sravana for example), there can be good action oriented discussions possible.
I feel that IC and IR marriages are symptoms and not the problems. One cannot just address the symptoms.
There are other serious symptoms such as systematic discrimination towards the Brahmin tag in many parts of India.
To Cho Ramaswami's point, my view is that the greatness of Hindu tradition is also its weakness. We have a more accepting society * by and large* in terms of not being a fundamentalist Hindu religion (though there are vintages of such groups that do coexist).
This openness promotes free expression unlike for followers of biblical religions for example. This openness can lead to mutually assured destruction as well in the hands of irresponsible people.
Most TBs spread worldwide are not sure as to what their role towards the rest of the world is. All they carry is a TB tag (an ego tag at best) and some practices which nature will not allow its survival over time.
I hope we can continue to have respectful discussion even while presenting diametrically opposing views . If someone thinks that this is all a waste of time they can say so once but there is no need filibuster the ongoing conversations. All that is asked for is mutual courtesy.
If I had more time at this point in my life priorities, I would organize a worldwide TB conference with a view to educate the adults first (including Seniors) as to what it means to be a Brhamana. Help show how our scriptures (leave aside certain deprecated Smritis) have a lofty vision for a society based on timeless truths. Help develop concrete steps towards dealing with symptoms and do all these without aggrandizing the ego of the TB tag. My commitment towards all these actions is not high but I will support such effort.
This may not happen but people with serious ideas should ignore the distractions that crop up now and then and just state what they have to share.
In putting forth the ideas, kindly refrain from personal attacks. That will only weaken your message.
I am clear that for all practical purposes a brahmin is one by birth alone. This is the traditional view.
