Desicritics Comments on Hinduism, the Buddha, and Other Musings

Comment by Kalyani

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:51:58 EDT

Deepa, nice article and very informative inspite of having a light touch. Thanks,I learnt a lot. Why did they never teach us all this? Why don't we?

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Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:53:53 EDT

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Comment by Deepti Lamba

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 13:16:22 EDT

Religion can be a way of life if we don't get dogmatic and take it with a pinch of salt;) Deepa, despite the temple's color scheme making you wince that pic looks quite beautiful to my nostalgic eyes:)

Comment by Buddha is not Hindu Avatar

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 12:24:19 EDT

budha the so called gautama budha is not the incarnation of lord vishnu he is an absolute escapist of the world...nyways there is a avatara of lord vishnu which is called as "ADI-BUDHA" which all the gautama budha lovers are not familiar with there were rashasas called as tripuraasuras these rakshasaas had wives who are pativratas and these demons used to create hell in the world then lord vishnu took the avatara of "adi-budha" visits the wives of tripurasuras and willargue with them on the non-existance of god (nastia vada) the three wives got a slight doubt whether god exists or not and that was the moment lord vishnu destroys the tripurasuras. this is the story inthe purana and this has been told by sri swaroopanandendra saraswati maharaj of dwaraka and jyotish matt he has said it in hyderabad very recently and i have a mobile video of it please dont mess our ancient dharma with gautama budha as one of the dasa avataras..

Comment by Deepa Krishnan

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 06:13:59 EDT

I found this definition which I think sums things up pretty nicely: "It is apparent that religion can be seen as a theological, philosophical, anthropological, sociological, and psychological phenomenon of human kind. To limit religion to only one of these categories is to miss its multifaceted nature and lose out on the complete definition."

Comment by Sujai

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 04:11:50 EDT

#7, Deepa Krishnan: Hmm. I see no difference between religion and philosophy. Isn't religion merely a codified expression of an underlying philosophy? After writing so many enlightening articles, you stump me completely! Are you serious? Look at each religion on this planet and study them carefully and see how different the religion is from its underlying philosophy.

Comment by Deepa Krishnan

Sun, 2 Sep 2007 22:00:38 EDT

Hmm. I see no difference between religion and philosophy. Isn't religion merely a codified expression of an underlying philosophy?

Comment by harold bergsma

Sun, 2 Sep 2007 21:26:49 EDT

Deepa, What a nice article. The addition of pictures made the text vivid. I have struggled with the idea, the concept of 'agnostic'. I have been amazed by those who only know, suredly, because a book said so. People of the book, Jews, Muslims and Christians and perhaps others back into an a-priori argument, that is their books from which all knowledged and inspiration comes. In essence then the book becomes the devine. Agnostics as I understand them simply state that they don't know. It interests me that some can "believe in the Vedas" yet not etc. How do you understand agnosticism? Do you consider it a religious belief or a philosophical stance?

Comment by temporal

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 13:30:17 EDT

deepa: Why, instead of acceptance and liberalism, do they transmit so much dogma and uninformed nonsense? vested interest?:) as kabir said: Kahet Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho Mein To Hun Viswas Mein _______________________________________________ here is kabir in full: Moko Kahan Dhundhere Bande Mein To Tere Paas Mein Na Teerath Mein, Na Moorat Mein Na Ekant Niwas Mein Na Mandir Mein, Na Masjid Mein Na Kabe Kailas Mein Mein To Tere Paas Mein Bande Mein To Tere Paas Mein Na Mein Jap Mein, Na Mein Tap Mein Na Mein Barat Upaas Mein Na Mein Kiriya Karm Mein Rehta Nahin Jog Sanyas Mein Nahin Pran Mein Nahin Pind Mein Na Brahmand Akas Mein Na Mein Prakuti Prawar Gufa Mein Nahin Swasan Ki Swans Mein Khoji Hoye Turat Mil Jaoon Ik Pal Ki Talas Mein Kahet Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho Mein To Hun Viswas Mein Translation Where do you search me? I am with you Not in pilgrimage, nor in icons Neither in solitudes Not in temples, nor in mosques Neither in Kaba nor in Kailash I am with you o man I am with you Not in prayers, nor in meditation Neither in fasting Not in yogic exercises Neither in renunciation Neither in the vital force nor in the body Not even in the ethereal space Neither in the womb of Nature Not in the breath of the breath Seek earnestly and discover In but a moment of search Says Kabir, Listen with care Where your faith is, I am there. (translation credit to the kabir website)

Comment by Tanay

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 12:27:34 EDT

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing lots of new info. You can take a peek into one of the best temples in the Orissa style of architecture and design. I had made a post here at DC.

Comment by A. S. Mathew

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 05:50:15 EDT

We can see fancy cathedrals of great arts in Europe, and many of them are getting empty and turning into beautiful monuments, since religious interests are gradually fading there. On the other hand, in the U.S., Church buildings are being made as movie theaters with T.V. screens everywhere. We all need a comortable place to worship God but when the building becomes God, there is a variation in our focus at God. As a deep believer in God from the very childhood, I find God's closeness in a Church building as well as in an open ground. Great satisfaction is derived while I serve the poorest of the poor, which will take me very closer to God than adoring God in the most beautiful building.

Comment by Sujai

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 05:36:43 EDT

Deepa: Once again a well-researched article. You continue to teach us a lot. Very interesting! Thanks for the clarification on nastika. The definition helped. Do you know why the term nastika, over time, became derogatory? The very verse of Rig Veda is agnostic too. It starts with the premise that we can't know for sure :) I have a different take on this: It is interesting to see how the Hindu response to Buddhism - and indeed, to the many divergent schools and traditions that arose within the land - is not one of conflict but of acceptance and co-existence. Indian History is mired with violence. First Buddhism became a threat to Hinduism, especially the Brahmins who were the faith-keepers, and soon it started to spread quite rapidly, with many kings converting into it. But a big movement came about, where Buddhism was combated, and then later assimilated into Hinduism. This transition was not smooth and was quite violent in certain places. There were riots in the regions of present-day Bihar, which were along the caste lines. But on the overall, it was definitely not as bloody as what you get to see with friction with Abrahamic religions.

Comment by raj

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 03:40:43 EDT

Deepa, that was well-researched and well-written. Learnt quite a few things. Thanks