Continuation of Q & A Presentation. 2008 Scott Road Kandaswami Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Hindu Youth Camp.
1. What is Bhakti Yoga?
2. Who created Hinduism and the Vedas?
3. Is it a must to follow the rules of the religion to the letter?
4. Talking to God, does it help?
5. If we adopt a few religions in doing various activities, is it wrong?
Click here to read the answers to these questions.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Nine Common Questions on Hinduism
Last month (December 08) I presented and answered nine common questions about Hinduism to a group of youth attending a Hindu camp in the Scott Road (Brickfields) Kandaswami Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malalysia. This lecture weaves in a number of common questions asked in Hinduism. After I had finished this presentation, I the youth the opportunity to ask their questions.
Quick Links to the Questions: Are there many Gods in Hinduism? Are Hindu Gods married? Are we idol worshippers? Is there a Hindu Bible? Why do we worhsip cows? Must we be vegetarian? What is karma? Do we believe in reincarnation? Why do we wear the 'pottu'?
Click Here to Read the Questions and Answers
Quick Links to the Questions: Are there many Gods in Hinduism? Are Hindu Gods married? Are we idol worshippers? Is there a Hindu Bible? Why do we worhsip cows? Must we be vegetarian? What is karma? Do we believe in reincarnation? Why do we wear the 'pottu'?
Click Here to Read the Questions and Answers
Friday, January 2, 2009
Pondering: My 2009 New Year Resolution
My 2009, New Year Resolutions
New Years' are great aren't they? From one point of view it is just another day. I mean, January 1, 2009 would be nothing if we decided the new year fell on February 1, 2009.
For me the greatest significance of a new year day (or the eve) is that I review and tie-off the loose ends of the previous period of time we call a year and look to new beginnings. The best part of this is that despite whatever the foercast for next year may be, the eve of a new year and new year day are times of renewed inspiration and celebration. It is a positive time and we reinforce this positivity collectively by wishing all our loved ones and acquaintances a very Happy New Year. Even for those in the midst of tragedy, trials and tribulations, there is, even if it may be only a slightest sliver of a glimmer of hope, it is some hope and positivity nonetheless. Thus it becomes a duty for all of us to wish each other a Happy 2009. This is our collective commitment for this year and let us all join together in prayer and action to see this positivity and inspiration through in our lives.
As usual on New Year's eve and the day, my mobile beeped away with text greetings. Usually after sending the reply, the messages gets trashed. I always thought it a pity, trashing these messages, as many of the them took a lot of thought to compose. So this time around, as I list out my resolutions for this coming 2009 in this the first of the Pondering article, I am going to insert these greetings here and there in an effort to save these greetings for posterity.
"Before the sun sets in this year, before the memories fade, before the networks get jammed. Wish you Happy Sparkling New Year '09."
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Photo Documentary: Varanasi
The Ganga in Varanasi
The Ganga has become a very special river to me, now that I have been on the it's banks and bathe it in its holy waters. Until this experience I knew the Ganga for its symbolic significance. However, after experiencing the tangible spiritual vibration that this river emanates, it is like no river I have ever experienced in my life.
Since the first time I set my eyes on Mother Ganga, spiritual bliss overwhelmed me. It is the same bliss that I feel when I meditate. However, here, just standing by the river, I can feel this warm spiritual energy emanating from it and resonating within myself. This is a special river, unlike other rivers. It is not merely a grand symbol of Hinduism steeped in mythical lore. The Ganga is a spiritual powerhouse of a way of life that are the Eternal Truths of Life, Sanatana Dharma.
These are my recollections of my journey to Varanasi, one of the most ancient living cities in the world.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Is Yoga Hindu?
On Nov. 22 2208, an authoritative national Islamic body in Malaysia issued a decree, or as they call it a 'fatwa,' banning muslims in Malaysia from practicing yoga. A week later a higher council revoked this decree. The rightness or the wrongness of this decree does not concern me. To me, this is a purely islamic affair. As long as it effects only muslims, and does not impinge on the freedoms of non-muslims, particularly in Malaysia, the council can come up with whatever fatwas they see fit.
What interests me more on this issue was the international coverage that this piece of news got and the responses to them. This news even made the CNN World News Headlines. The subsequent rebuttals this news received from some yoga experts in Malaysia and from other parts of the world, claiming that yoga was 'just an exercise,' that it has nothing to do with spirituality, is a misconception that I would like to address in this presentation.
Every exercise system has a goal. If I want to build muscles, I will pump iron. If I want to build stamina, I can jog or get on a tread mill. If I want to stimulate spiritual awareness through exercise, then, I will do hatha yoga.
One may take yoga out of religion but not its inherent spirituality.Yoga is part of Hindu religious tradition and teachings, however yoga itself is a universal practice that is not the monopoly of Hinduism or any other religion.
This is why Hindu gurus have never restricted the teaching or practice of yoga exclusively to Hindus. You will never hear a Hindu guru claim that a student has to be Hindu to learn and practice yoga, or that yoga will only work if the yogi is a Hindu. This universality of yoga comes from the spiritual philosophies behind it.
The word yoga means union. This union refers to the oneness of consciousness that is achieved when a yogi's awareness merges with God. Yoga is a method through which this oneness is achieved.
What interests me more on this issue was the international coverage that this piece of news got and the responses to them. This news even made the CNN World News Headlines. The subsequent rebuttals this news received from some yoga experts in Malaysia and from other parts of the world, claiming that yoga was 'just an exercise,' that it has nothing to do with spirituality, is a misconception that I would like to address in this presentation.
Every exercise system has a goal. If I want to build muscles, I will pump iron. If I want to build stamina, I can jog or get on a tread mill. If I want to stimulate spiritual awareness through exercise, then, I will do hatha yoga.
One may take yoga out of religion but not its inherent spirituality.Yoga is part of Hindu religious tradition and teachings, however yoga itself is a universal practice that is not the monopoly of Hinduism or any other religion.
This is why Hindu gurus have never restricted the teaching or practice of yoga exclusively to Hindus. You will never hear a Hindu guru claim that a student has to be Hindu to learn and practice yoga, or that yoga will only work if the yogi is a Hindu. This universality of yoga comes from the spiritual philosophies behind it.
The word yoga means union. This union refers to the oneness of consciousness that is achieved when a yogi's awareness merges with God. Yoga is a method through which this oneness is achieved.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
On Offering God Meat
Question: How is it that God accepted Kanappan’s meat offerings? Isn’t it an impure offering?
Answer: Yes, meat is an impure offering to give God. However you must understand that in Kanappan Nayanar’s case, first of all, God responded to his devotion, not the quality of his offerings. The story showcases the greatness of unbridled selfless devotion. It is not meant to give a devotee an excuse to offer meat or animal sacrifice to God. Secondly, Kanappan did not know better. Being born in a community of hunters and forest dwellers, meat was a central part of their diet. Meat was considered the best among foods to them since they lived in conditions where a balanced vegetarian diet may have been difficult to maintain. Thus it is natural for Kanappan, having grown up not knowing the concept of vegetarianism and not schooled in the protocols of temple worship, to offer God meat. To Kanappan this was the best quality food that he knew for offering God at the time.
Answer: Yes, meat is an impure offering to give God. However you must understand that in Kanappan Nayanar’s case, first of all, God responded to his devotion, not the quality of his offerings. The story showcases the greatness of unbridled selfless devotion. It is not meant to give a devotee an excuse to offer meat or animal sacrifice to God. Secondly, Kanappan did not know better. Being born in a community of hunters and forest dwellers, meat was a central part of their diet. Meat was considered the best among foods to them since they lived in conditions where a balanced vegetarian diet may have been difficult to maintain. Thus it is natural for Kanappan, having grown up not knowing the concept of vegetarianism and not schooled in the protocols of temple worship, to offer God meat. To Kanappan this was the best quality food that he knew for offering God at the time.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Forms of Paramatma
The Many Faces of Paramatma
One God, Many Forms
Dakshinamurthi
Krishna
Lakshmi
Mariamman
Nataraja and Sivakami Sundari
Click Here to view more forms of Paramatma.
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