What will bloggers assume, when I say I am a Proud Hindu?
1.Why should it be assumed, I am out to kill other communities and drive them out of their country, just because I take pride in my religion
2.Why should it be assumed, if I dont support killing/driving away of communities, I will oblige even the most irrational demand and be an appeaser forever?
3.Why should it be assumed, I vote for the BJP.
4.Why should should it be assumed, because I dont vote for the BJP, I vote for the Congress.
5.Why should should it be assumed, I dont vote, because I dont seem to vote for the Congress or the BJP. (I do vote, but its based on the person and not the party)
6.Why should I support building a temple for Ram in Ayodhya. Lord Ram, refused Ayodhya, even when Bharat gave it back to him.
Choices, gives us power. And power is the true test of Character. When I refuse to go against my conscience, even when I can get away with the consequence, I am laying down a brick, in my heart, to build a temple for Lord Ram in my heart.
7.Why should I say kill/drive away all Muslims because many of the terrorists are Muslims. Lord Ram could distingush between the Ravans and the Vibhishans.
(And I certainly dont say, just because most of the rapists are men, lets castrate the men, let there be conception through artificial methods and after all men are not going to die, if we castrate them, but its going to be convenient for the women, and since men also have sisters, if they object it means they are anti-women.)
8.Why cant I be a Secular Indian and a Proud Hindu. If Turkey with 72 million population and 99% of them Muslims, can be Secular, Why cant I be Secular? Why can't I love and be proud of my religion and respect other religions. Why can't I be Secular and still support the concept of Uniform Civil Code?
9.Why can't I be proud of my religion, and yet be aware that it need not be perfect. Two centuries ago, widows were burned. Today we dilute and dismiss, it as a custom and say its not part of religion. But it wouldn't have been viewed similarly, back then.
The point remains, that irrespective of what others say, I can distingush the bad from the good, and can choose to take only the good from my religion.
And why should I believe that I can do it, only because I am a Hindu.
10.Why shouldnt I accept, a Woman from a Scheduled Tribe could be The Guru and still be a Proud Hindu.
11.Why should I believe that only the Proud Hindus are the best of the humankind.
12.Why on earth should I say I am a proud Hindu. Isnt it natural to be proud of one's religion. I dont write a blog post on Clean Human and say I took a long bath today. Well thats what I thought till yesterday. But I am sick and tired of what many think, when we hear the term Proud Hindu or for that matter Proud Muslim/ Christian/ Buddhist / Jew...
I am sick and tired of only fundamentalists, associated with what I feel. If they are the Proud Hindus, what am I an Ashamed Hindu?
Yes its possible to be a good human and live without religion. The question is not whether there is a God or no God or whoose God. For me the answer is, I need God. When I feel thankful, overwhelmed, uncertain; and when my cricket team is in trouble. When I come across the cold finality of death, I need to say a prayer to God, and hope that prayer makes a difference. When I recite the Dhanvantri prayer while massaging someone's knees, it helps me focus and adds a dose of certainity of success, which I like, even if its unreal.
Speaking of knees, for me religion and God are a form of walking stick, which help me support myself through the journey of life. There are the brave, who dont need the stick. Fine. But just because some use this walking stick to attack others, doesnt mean that I wont be able to make discreet use of it.
Religion is not the reason for Cruelty and Stupidity, its just an Excuse. Every Proud Hindu need not be a Good Human or a Good Indian. But just because I happen to be a Proud Hindu doesnt mean I cant be a Good Human or a Good Indian.
Other posts in Pilgrim Series
Blog post no.308
Showing posts with label Pilgrim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pilgrim. Show all posts
Jul 13, 2006
Feb 25, 2006
Pilgrim - Millions
Dear God
Instead of waiting for the day I get millions (eerrr I am not asking for billions), let me realise that I have more than what millions of peole have, and let me utilise every rupee wisely:)
Instead of waiting for the day I get millions (eerrr I am not asking for billions), let me realise that I have more than what millions of peole have, and let me utilise every rupee wisely:)
Dec 30, 2005
Pilgrim - A Temple for Them
Who would question him, if he returned to the Rule the Kingdom. After all, Bharat was pleading with him to come back. Yet he choose the Forest, even when he had the power to choose the kingdom. Power, the true test of character.
http://wisedonkeyarchive.blogspot.com/2005/12/short-story-conquerors-crown.html
The Vanars vs the Rakshas. The might wasn’t with him. But that didn’t intimidate him. As Gandhi pointed out “What is the meaning of Rama, a mere human being, with his host of monkeys, pitting himself against the insolent strength of ten-headed Ravan surrounded in supposed safety by the raging waters on all sides of Lanka? Does it not mean the conquest of physical might by spiritual strength ?” http://www.mkgandhi.org/nonviolence/Doctrine%20of%20the%20sword.htm
Vibhishan an enemy? Wouldn’t he be like his brother? Yet why trust him? Yet firmly deciding to Judge a person on the basis of character not the community
In the war before him stood Ravan. Weaponless. His actions hadnt been honourable. Then why not kill him, then. Why think the path is as important as the goal? Why tell Ravan, Go today, and Come back Tommorrow. (Cant match the eloquence in Tamil of Inru Poi, Nalai, vaa).
She choose the forests over Kingdom to be with him. Yet in the end when he called her back to the kingdom, She refused the kingdom and him.They loved each other. Neither remarried. Yet not everything the person you love does, needs to be right. http://wisedonkey.blogspot.com/2005/03/my-favourite-love-stories.html
http://wisedonkey.blogspot.com/2005/01/emergency-against-hindus.html
Did they lead a happy life? Did they lead a life of royalty. Hmmm life is not fair even to the Gods and Goddessess.
Were they right always? They werent. Were they Perfect, No they werent.
Yet there are things I could learn and follow from them. I do and will do. In levels which are so small and simple. And that’s my own tribute to them.
I don’t support the violence in their name. I don’t support the loss of innocent blood in their name. I don’t care if a temple wasn’t built in the disputed site, for them.
Because I have a temple for them in my hearts, and I worship them by what I do.
This is not to say, this is the best form of worship. This is not to say, others should follow it. I follow what I think I need to follow. The choice is there for everyone. Carry them in your conscience, or in an idol, or somewhere else. We all have the Choice. And thus the Power from it. And after all he did show, that Power is The True Test of Character.
Previous entries in Pilgrim Series
http://wisedonkeyarchive.blogspot.com/2005/12/short-story-conquerors-crown.html
The Vanars vs the Rakshas. The might wasn’t with him. But that didn’t intimidate him. As Gandhi pointed out “What is the meaning of Rama, a mere human being, with his host of monkeys, pitting himself against the insolent strength of ten-headed Ravan surrounded in supposed safety by the raging waters on all sides of Lanka? Does it not mean the conquest of physical might by spiritual strength ?” http://www.mkgandhi.org/nonviolence/Doctrine%20of%20the%20sword.htm
Vibhishan an enemy? Wouldn’t he be like his brother? Yet why trust him? Yet firmly deciding to Judge a person on the basis of character not the community
In the war before him stood Ravan. Weaponless. His actions hadnt been honourable. Then why not kill him, then. Why think the path is as important as the goal? Why tell Ravan, Go today, and Come back Tommorrow. (Cant match the eloquence in Tamil of Inru Poi, Nalai, vaa).
She choose the forests over Kingdom to be with him. Yet in the end when he called her back to the kingdom, She refused the kingdom and him.They loved each other. Neither remarried. Yet not everything the person you love does, needs to be right. http://wisedonkey.blogspot.com/2005/03/my-favourite-love-stories.html
http://wisedonkey.blogspot.com/2005/01/emergency-against-hindus.html
Did they lead a happy life? Did they lead a life of royalty. Hmmm life is not fair even to the Gods and Goddessess.
Were they right always? They werent. Were they Perfect, No they werent.
Yet there are things I could learn and follow from them. I do and will do. In levels which are so small and simple. And that’s my own tribute to them.
I don’t support the violence in their name. I don’t support the loss of innocent blood in their name. I don’t care if a temple wasn’t built in the disputed site, for them.
Because I have a temple for them in my hearts, and I worship them by what I do.
This is not to say, this is the best form of worship. This is not to say, others should follow it. I follow what I think I need to follow. The choice is there for everyone. Carry them in your conscience, or in an idol, or somewhere else. We all have the Choice. And thus the Power from it. And after all he did show, that Power is The True Test of Character.
Previous entries in Pilgrim Series
Dec 11, 2005
Pilgrim - When Heaven not the Goal
There are probably millions of things about being a Hindu. I choose this as an one point reference. I use the word choose,because I do think every religion has it points, and we do decide what we should follow or not follow.
"Mahapurna advised Ramanujacarya to go to the great Goshtipurna and accept initiation in the Vaisnava mantra from him.
At the behest of Mahapurna, Ramanuja approached Goshtipurna for the mantra, but was refused, for Goshtipurna was reluctant to give such a confidential mantra to a relative newcomer. Ramanujacarya approached Goshtipurna 18 times with great humility, finally breaking into tears and pleading for his mercy. At last Goshtipurna gave him the mantra, after first swearing him to absolute secrecy. When Ramanuja had vowed never to repeat the mantra to anyone else, Goshtipurna whispered the mantra in his ear saying, “This mantra is most powerful. Whoever chants it will attain liberation; he will return to the spiritual Vaikuntha planets where he will achieve the personal service of the Lord.”
As he left the temple and proceeded towards Sri Rangam, a crowd gathered around Ramanujacarya. They had heard that he was to receive the mantra from Goshtipurna, and begged to know its secret. Inspired to distribute the magic of the mantra that could free anyone who chants it from material existence, Ramanuja announced to the crowd: “Please chant this mantra: Om namo narayanaya.”
The crowd was overjoyed, and felt that they had been truly blessed, but when the news reached Goshtipurna, he called for Ramanuja. Outraged that his new disciple would disobey his order so quickly, he demanded an explanation. “I told you to keep this mantra a secret. Why have you so quickly revealed it to the masses? Do you know the penalty for such behavior?”
Ramanuja replied, “Yes, gurudeva, I may go to hell for disobeying your order.“
“Then why have you done such a thing?”
“ My beloved teacher, I realized that the power of the mantra given by you could deliver everyone who hears it. When I saw the earnest desire of these people to be saved from material life, I could not contain myself. I felt some divine inspiration to distribute your mercy to all of them. If this is a great sin, then I must be punished by your holiness. Condemn me to hell, then, if my sin warrants it. But please do not show your wrath to these simple people who begged me for the mantra.” "
What this means to me :
The two main principles for me
1.Rather than worry about what I should do to go to heaven, think on what I can do now, to make life better for those around.
2.Accepting responsibility for one's Action : He didnt say, forgive me. But said I am prepared to go to hell.
And bear in mind
Ramanuja didnt go around with a sword saying, say "Om Namo Narayana" or else...
Nor did he say, those who dont chant "Om Namo Narayana" will go to hell.
This has nothing to do with superiority of one path over other. But with thinking, God has created me, God has also created others. I am closer to God, when I come closer to God's other creations.
Pilgrim series
"Mahapurna advised Ramanujacarya to go to the great Goshtipurna and accept initiation in the Vaisnava mantra from him.
At the behest of Mahapurna, Ramanuja approached Goshtipurna for the mantra, but was refused, for Goshtipurna was reluctant to give such a confidential mantra to a relative newcomer. Ramanujacarya approached Goshtipurna 18 times with great humility, finally breaking into tears and pleading for his mercy. At last Goshtipurna gave him the mantra, after first swearing him to absolute secrecy. When Ramanuja had vowed never to repeat the mantra to anyone else, Goshtipurna whispered the mantra in his ear saying, “This mantra is most powerful. Whoever chants it will attain liberation; he will return to the spiritual Vaikuntha planets where he will achieve the personal service of the Lord.”
As he left the temple and proceeded towards Sri Rangam, a crowd gathered around Ramanujacarya. They had heard that he was to receive the mantra from Goshtipurna, and begged to know its secret. Inspired to distribute the magic of the mantra that could free anyone who chants it from material existence, Ramanuja announced to the crowd: “Please chant this mantra: Om namo narayanaya.”
The crowd was overjoyed, and felt that they had been truly blessed, but when the news reached Goshtipurna, he called for Ramanuja. Outraged that his new disciple would disobey his order so quickly, he demanded an explanation. “I told you to keep this mantra a secret. Why have you so quickly revealed it to the masses? Do you know the penalty for such behavior?”
Ramanuja replied, “Yes, gurudeva, I may go to hell for disobeying your order.“
“Then why have you done such a thing?”
“ My beloved teacher, I realized that the power of the mantra given by you could deliver everyone who hears it. When I saw the earnest desire of these people to be saved from material life, I could not contain myself. I felt some divine inspiration to distribute your mercy to all of them. If this is a great sin, then I must be punished by your holiness. Condemn me to hell, then, if my sin warrants it. But please do not show your wrath to these simple people who begged me for the mantra.” "
What this means to me :
The two main principles for me
1.Rather than worry about what I should do to go to heaven, think on what I can do now, to make life better for those around.
2.Accepting responsibility for one's Action : He didnt say, forgive me. But said I am prepared to go to hell.
And bear in mind
Ramanuja didnt go around with a sword saying, say "Om Namo Narayana" or else...
Nor did he say, those who dont chant "Om Namo Narayana" will go to hell.
This has nothing to do with superiority of one path over other. But with thinking, God has created me, God has also created others. I am closer to God, when I come closer to God's other creations.
Pilgrim series
Nov 24, 2005
Pilgrim - Black Cat
Long long ago, a sage used to worship an idol under a banyan tree in a village.
One day a black cat appeared in that area. And much to the sage's distress, it tried to drink the milk before he could offer it to God.
He had to shoo it away frequently, and thus was unable to concentrate on his prayers.
Therefore from the next day, before starting his prayers, he would search for the cat, tie it to a nearby tree and then start praying.
And release the cat after finishing his prayers.
After his death, the villagers decided to continue the worship of the idol.
And some laters, even a temple was built for the idol.
But every morning the villagers would not begin the prayers before searching for a black cat and tying it the nearby tree. And if they couldnt find a black cat to tie, the temple would remain closed on that day.
One day a little girl took pity on the tied, mewing cat and offered it milk from her house. She got a thrashing from her parents for offering milk to the cat, before the prayers could be completed at the temple. But I think, atlast, God drank the milk, which the devotees wanted to offer.
Whenever there is a custom I have to follow, I think of this story. The credit for the first part of the story, goes to my mother, and I just added my own version to it:)
Pilgrim is a new series.
Post number : 217
One day a black cat appeared in that area. And much to the sage's distress, it tried to drink the milk before he could offer it to God.
He had to shoo it away frequently, and thus was unable to concentrate on his prayers.
Therefore from the next day, before starting his prayers, he would search for the cat, tie it to a nearby tree and then start praying.
And release the cat after finishing his prayers.
After his death, the villagers decided to continue the worship of the idol.
And some laters, even a temple was built for the idol.
But every morning the villagers would not begin the prayers before searching for a black cat and tying it the nearby tree. And if they couldnt find a black cat to tie, the temple would remain closed on that day.
One day a little girl took pity on the tied, mewing cat and offered it milk from her house. She got a thrashing from her parents for offering milk to the cat, before the prayers could be completed at the temple. But I think, atlast, God drank the milk, which the devotees wanted to offer.
Whenever there is a custom I have to follow, I think of this story. The credit for the first part of the story, goes to my mother, and I just added my own version to it:)
Pilgrim is a new series.
Post number : 217
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