Russians embrace Hinduism

[P.J.]

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Russians embrace Hinduism


Finding an ‘inexplicably-positive’ energy pervading India, they expressed desire that the entire world should feel it. After visiting a couple of local temples, the team addressed the students of an engineering college on the noble values in Hinduism.

Kanchi pontiff Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi makes a point to the Russian nationals who have embraced Hinduism, during their visit to Tirupati on Monday



Dressed in traditional Indian attire, four Russian women Peema, Valentina, Tania and Elama sport the Hindu religious insignia on the forehead, while the lone man Merina wears the sacred thread on his shoulder.
They have not just voluntarily embraced Hinduism, but are zealous to spread the values enshrined in the religion across India’s countryside. Disciples of Sri Sri Ravishankar of the Art of Living Foundation, they embraced Hinduism some time back and are in Tirupati now, as part of their visit to places of spiritual interest in the country.



Finding an ‘inexplicably-positive’ energy pervading India, they expressed desire that the entire world should feel it. BJP State spokesperson G. Bhanuprakash Reddy ushered them to Sri Vijayendra Saraswati, the junior pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, who is currently camping here, when they got into a gripping interaction with the seer.

They told the Swami that they were now familiar with the practice of ‘Sandhya Vandanam’, the meaning of the magical hymn ‘Gayatri Mantra’ and the nuances of Yoga. When the seer welcomed their idea of looking for values in other faiths and putting them to practice, the visiting delegates readily expressed their desire to spread the message across the globe. The seer gave them some English publications brought out by the Mutt and much to their delight, assured to present them a Russian edition soon.


After visiting a couple of local temples, the team addressed the students of an engineering college on the noble values in Hinduism. Mr. Bhanuprakash Reddy hoped that they would become brand ambassadors of Hinduism abroad. They are likely to visit Sri Venkateswara temple after Deepavali.

Russians embrace Hinduism - The Hindu

 

[JR]

The women look beautiful in their Salwar Kameez!

I hope they find much peace and joy with embracing Sanathana Dharma!

Hail to the glory of Hinduism!

 

[renuka]

Why do we feel happy when others embrace Hinduism but when Hindus convert to Christianity or Islam we Hindus start to cry?

I have seen and known many whites embracing "Hinduism"..they go totally overboard till levels unknown and become too involved in Hinduism.

Same happens when they embrace Islam..they become overboard and start sporting a beard and skull cap with Jubah and females don Hijab.

Whites have a tendency to get too involved in what they do.They are passionate in everything they do..so that tendency spills over in prayer.

I think after a while they will realize that they needn't leave Jesus to start with.

 

[JR]

Why do we feel happy when others embrace Hinduism but when Hindus convert to Christianity or Islam we Hindus start to cry?

For an atheist it could be different.

But religious people belonging to any religion feel happy when their dharma grows... and if more and more people come into the fold of their own dharma, because they sincerely feel that their dharma has the potential to redeem people and uplift them. This is at the highest level. Many people from islam or christianity infact feel the joy over someone 'converting' simply because their number grows.

 

[sangom]

Why do we feel happy when others embrace Hinduism but when Hindus convert to Christianity or Islam we Hindus start to cry?

I have seen and known many whites embracing "Hinduism"..they go totally overboard till levels unknown and become too involved in Hinduism.

Same happens when they embrace Islam..they become overboard and start sporting a beard and skull cap with Jubah and females don Hijab.

Whites have a tendency to get too involved in what they do.They are passionate in everything they do..so that tendency spills over in prayer.

I think after a while they will realize that they needn't leave Jesus to start with.

I am told that in US, among the white population, in some parts of that country at least, there is this fashion of "gastronomic adventure" for which they go and eat in hotels of various countries (Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Arab, etc.) and may finally get some chronic stomach ailments. May be some of them have a similar "religious adventurism" in their genes!

 

[JR]

I am told that in US, among the white population, in some parts of that country at least, there is this fashion of "gastronomic adventure" for which they go and eat in hotels of various countries (Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Arab, etc.) and may finally get some chronic stomach ailments. May be some of them have a similar "religious adventurism" in their genes!

With such an impression on the great Hinduism, there is no point in you gaining 'knowledge' on Hinduism by reading and researching various works - that shows you do things for superficial, 'vanity sake'!

Its good this forum has an open-minded attitude towards freely expressing one's thoughts! That way, we are able to 'read into other's minds' like an open book and use our judgement to stay clear of those unworthy of our time and attention. Thanks, TAMIL BRAHMINS!

 

[renuka]

For an atheist it could be different.

But religious people belonging to any religion feel happy when their dharma grows... and if more and more people come into the fold of their own dharma, because they sincerely feel that their dharma has the potential to redeem people and uplift them. This is at the highest level. Many people from islam or christianity infact feel the joy over someone 'converting' simply because their number grows.

Dear JR,

A truly religious person does not feel happy or sad when others experiment with religion.

The joy felt by those claiming to be religious is just an ego boost that their religion is better than others and their tribe is increasing! They are so unsure of themselves that they need to see their numbers increasing to reassure themselves that they are the best.

Even an atheist would feel happy and joyful when his tribe increases..so on technical grounds there is no difference in the ego boost felt by a so called religious person or an atheist..the mechanism of action on the mind is the same.

No human likes to admit they get an ego boost and they rather call it joy.

 

[JR]

Dear JR,

A truly religious person does not get happy or sad when others experiment with religion.

The joy felt is just an ego boost that their religion is better than others and their tribe is increasing!

No human likes to admit they get an ego boost and they rather call it joy.

Well, atleast I don't see it that way! When others (christians, muslims) embrace Hinduism, I see it as 'their karmas ripening' for they are able to get lots of guidance and support from various accepted standards of work, are able to choose more than 1 path (bhakti yoga, karma yoga, gnana yoga, rajayoga), can have many examples of elevated souls and saints that walked on the great land of India.

 

[renuka]

Well, atleast I don't see it that way! When others (christians, muslims) embrace Hinduism, I see it as 'their karmas ripening' for they are able to get lots of guidance and support from various accepted standards of work, are able to choose more than 1 path (bhakti yoga, karma yoga, gnana yoga, rajayoga), can have many examples of elevated souls and saints that walked on the great land of India.

So you do feel that the Hindu way is the best way.That is being judgmental.There are many ways to know the Truth.

If you read works of Sufi masters, Zen masters,works of Lao Tze and even some Voodoo philosophy it also sounds very Upanishadic.In fact Voodoo has been misunderstood as being all about black magic.

Most masters spoke the same words even though they were not Hindus..the reason is finally there is no doctrine to follow and only moments of realization and that does not need any tribe or any religion.

BTW when we ourselves are karma ridden..how can we judge the karma of others as ripe or unripe..that shows that we feel we are privileged..thats Mada.

 

[JR]

So you do feel that the Hindu way is the best way.That is being judgmental.There are many ways to know the Truth.

If you read works of Sufi masters, Zen masters,works of Lao Tze and even some Voodoo philosophy it also sounds very Upanishadic.In fact Voodoo has been misunderstood as being all about black magic.

Most masters spoke the same words even though they were not Hindus..the reason is finally there is no doctrine to follow and only moments of realization and that does not need any tribe or any religion.

BTW when we ourselves are karma ridden..how can we judge the karma of others as ripe or unripe..that shows that we feel we are privileged..thats Mada.

No, you're not understanding. While it may be true that it is possible to realize the truth in other religions, such as Buddha attaining Nirvana, in the modern world, the lifestyle and hardships with accessing the right sources for striving for the same (attaining spiritual knowledge) becomes very limited for Muslims and Christians. Whereas Hinduism by easy means, such as stotras, mantras, puranas, kathas, etc, not only elevate the soul but also provide sought-after results, even in spirituality, much faster. That is why, it is the well-accepted consensus among atleast Hindus that hinduism is a superior religion.

For example, in Christianity we find the following, in practical, day to day living:

1. Meat eating.

2. Belief that admitting one's mistakes, whatever they may be, to a father at the Church will redeem you of the sins.

3. Attending just once a week mass on Sundays, as opposed to daily 3-time prayers, Surya-Namaskara, Sandhya-Vandhanam, etc as emphasized in Hinduism.

 

[renuka]

My answers in blue

For example, in Christianity we find the following, in practical, day to day living:

1. Meat eating.

Meat eaters are present even in Hinduism till today..not all Hindus are vegetarians....if you read Manu Smirti its sounds like Discovery Channel with a whole Serrengeti used as meat for oblation to the Pitrs.

Sacrificing animals was stopped by Lord Buddha..before that everyone was eating meat..left,right and centre.

2. Belief that admitting one's mistakes, whatever they may be, to a father at the Church will redeem you of the sins.

Just like Hinduism...Prayaschit and doing Pariharams..some believe that even taking a dip in the Ganga will abolish sins..does not make sense right? So here again no difference from religion to religion

3. Attending just once a week mass on Sundays, as opposed to daily 3-time prayers, Surya-Namaskara, Sandhya-Vandhanam, etc as emphasized in Hinduism.

So does Islam wins hands down with its 5 times Namaz?

The number of times one prays does not matter..in fact prayer itself is not needed.

The Upanishads do not talk about prayer. I read once before that the Upanishads are not even part of the Vedas and they are called Vedanta not becos its the end of Vedas but it means "end of knowledge"..once knowledge ends..that is when knowing starts and in the state of knowing there is no knower or known too..its total unity.

God has His own way of reaching out to those with faith in themselves..any religion can lead anyone to the truth and at times even religion need not even be the way to God.


BTW as long as any person holds on to the belief that their religion is the most suited and conducive for spiritual growth and not limited like other religions..he/she remains bound in his/her personal illusion.

Technically there isnt even a path to reach God. The illusion is believing that there is a path and we took steps only to walk in circles and come back to where we are standing..blinking and still knowing nothing.

It is said that Ignorance in Bliss and that is true becos one has to even drop all acquired religious knowledge to attain bliss.

 

[Srimadhan]

To me, there is no religion which is superior and no religion which is inferior.

Following of the religion has nothing to do with "Self Realization" because there are lot of examples of Saints in all religions. There is a big list, so I am giving some which are very common and named some known Saint in each of them below..
Christianity - Jesus
Muslims - Mohammed
Sufis - Rumi
Sikhs - Nanak
Hinduism - Ramanuja
Jains - Mahavira
Buddhism - Buddha

All religions lead us to the God...Hence they are one and the same.. Following the religion is every individual choice.

To me, God is one! and also many! (I am in love with this quote of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa)!

 

[Vaagmi]

post #11:

The Upanishads do not talk about prayer. I read once before that the Upanishads are not even part of the Vedas and they are called Vedanta not becos its the end of Vedas but it means "end of knowledge"..once knowledge ends..that is when knowing starts and in the state of knowing there is no knower or known too..its total unity.

From that gross meaningless mass of unity is born two entities again. One being God, it never speaks, writes, reads, teaches or gestures. But the other entity retaining its pre-oneness memories sits down before a table on a chair with a table lamp on, and records its impressions in the form of many upanishads. Then many other such no.2 entities come sit before other tables and start writing AthAthO brahmajijnAsu........LOL. Shivoham! Shivoham!! Siva, Sivaa!!! inthapponnukku eppo thaan unmaiyai chollapporiyO therilayEdappaa. LOL.

 

[renuka]

post #11:



From that gross meaningless mass of unity is born two entities again. One being God, it never speaks, writes, reads, teaches or gestures. But the other entity retaining its pre-oneness memories sits down before a table on a chair with a table lamp on, and records its impressions in the form of many upanishads. Then many other such no.2 entities come sit before other tables and start writing AthAthO brahmajijnAsu........LOL. Shivoham! Shivoham!! Siva, Sivaa!!! inthapponnukku eppo thaan unmaiyai chollapporiyO therilayEdappaa. LOL.

New twist to the Dva Suparna stanza from Mundaka Upanishad.

Two Little Birds, Sitting on Tree,
One types posts and the other just sees,
One knows all but the other doesn't know,
There's only One though two are in a row!

 

[JR]

My answers in blue

Namaste,

Just for the sake of those who might be following this thread, I would like to add my message so as to clarify my views regarding Hinduism being a superior religion.

While it is true that Hinduism might have an equivalent for meat eating, and disbelief in the karma theory, these converts (and many similar to them) are not going to embrace those equivalent practices in Hinduism. The fact is that they are into Hinduism for what it can offer as an alternative, a superior means.

The Western adoptees of Sanathana Dharma are into it for the following:

Emphasis on Ahimsa
Karma theory and prayaschittas
Stotras, mantras, puranas, ithihasas that yield results
Example of numerous saints and their sayings for motivation
Emphasis of disciplined lifestyle (Surya namaskaras, consuming food offered to deities first, etc).

Since the above are either unavailable to them or are unclear to them in the Abrahamic religion, whereas Hinduism lays a firm foundation and easy accessibility to those interested parties in the above fundamentals, I deem Hinduism to be superior in my view.

I do not like to go into the argument over stotras, mantras, chants, pujas work or not. For theists they do, and the converts are here because they are *theists*.

Thanks!

 

[sangom]

My answers in blue

God has His own way of reaching out to those with faith in themselves..any religion can lead anyone to the truth and at times even religion need not even be the way to God.

In my view God just does not reach out to anyone, whether Bhakta or Naastika. It is for each one to ponder oneself and know god and then understand the relationship (not in the usual mundane sense of the word, but the metaphysical sense) and then only will some progress be possible for anyone in approaching that Gos while he/she is in the human bondage. Only that religion which teaches this truth and the path will be of any help to mankind. Otherwise we can have as many religions as there are individuals, or even two or more religion per head, but it won't matter; it will only add to the confusion relating to this worldly existence of ours.

Just my two cents please.

 

[KRN]

Dear All

A lot of points have been made but I guess the most important one is missing. The Abrahamic religions have been generally exclusivist (Its MY way or the highway). While generally speaking Hinduism as a conglomeration of various indigenous spiritual paths￾0È3 have been accommodating of differences.

Hence when someone brought up in the Abrahamic path decides to venture outside￾0È3 it is a much bolder step than vice versa. (social restrictions notwithstanding).

 

[JR]

Dear KRN ji,

I like your views here and also in the Karna thread. You should post more.

 

[JR]

Prasad ji,

I deleted that post, may I ask you to remove yours too?

I am moving my post to a new thread in Chit chat forum.

Thanks.

 

[KRN]

Dear Sir

Thank you for the appreciation.

Dear KRN ji,

I like your views here and also in the Karna thread. You should post more.