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Author: Samuel James
Publisher: Dr. Samuel Inbaraja S
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 69
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Book Description
Vaishnavism, one of the principal traditions within Hinduism, focuses on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars, especially Krishna and Rama. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, has played a pivotal role in propagating Vaishnavism globally. Founded in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON has established itself as a significant religious and cultural entity, claiming millions of adherents worldwide. Despite its popularity, Vaishnavism and ISKCON have not been immune to criticism. Scholars, former members, and critics have raised numerous concerns regarding the veracity and ethical implications of their doctrines and practices. This book aims to critically analyze Vaishnavism and ISKCON through various lenses, including factual and logical accuracy, epistemological soundness, internal and external consistency, methodological rigor, scientific validity, and ethical considerations. The foundation of Vaishnavism rests on a rich tapestry of scriptures, primarily the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. These texts are revered as divinely revealed and are considered the ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice. One of the critical areas of analysis in this book is the logical structure of Vaishnavite doctrine. Logical fallacies, such as circular reasoning and appeal to authority, are prevalent in the theological arguments presented by Vaishnavite scholars. For example, the claim that the Bhagavad Gita is infallible because it is divinely revealed is a classic case of circular reasoning. Such fallacies undermine the credibility of the doctrine and call into question its intellectual rigor. Epistemologically, Vaishnavism relies heavily on scriptural authority and personal revelation. While these sources may hold subjective value, they fall short of the standards of objective verification and falsifiability. The reliance on unverifiable assumptions, such as the existence of an eternal soul and the law of karma, further complicates the epistemological foundation of Vaishnavism. Internal contradictions within Vaishnavite scriptures pose another significant challenge. The Bhagavad Gita, for instance, simultaneously advocates for non-violence and justifies warfare, leading to a paradox that is difficult to reconcile. Such contradictions not only undermine the coherence of the doctrine but also create ethical ambiguities for practitioners. Externally, Vaishnavite claims often conflict with established historical and scientific facts. The dating of events described in the scriptures, the cosmological assertions, and the depiction of human evolution in these texts do not align with contemporary scientific understanding. This dissonance raises questions about the reliability of the scriptures as sources of factual knowledge. Methodologically, Vaishnavite theology exhibits several flaws, including selective interpretation of texts, confirmation bias, and resistance to critical inquiry. These methodological errors hinder a comprehensive and unbiased understanding of the doctrine. Scientific scrutiny further exposes the weaknesses in Vaishnavite claims. Assertions about the nature of the universe, the origin of life, and the mechanisms of karma do not withstand scientific examination. This lack of scientific credibility diminishes the doctrine's claim to universal truth. Ethically, Vaishnavism and ISKCON face significant criticism for their support of the caste system, social segregation, and controversial practices such as enforced vegetarianism. In conclusion, this book aims to provide a thorough and critical examination of Vaishnavism and ISKCON. By highlighting factual inaccuracies, logical inconsistencies, epistemological weaknesses, and ethical dilemmas, we seek to foster a more rational and humane understanding of this influential tradition. Through rigorous analysis and critical inquiry, we hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of religion in contemporary society.
Author: Samuel James
Publisher: Dr. Samuel Inbaraja S
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 69
Get Book Here
Book Description
Vaishnavism, one of the principal traditions within Hinduism, focuses on the worship of Vishnu and his avatars, especially Krishna and Rama. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement, has played a pivotal role in propagating Vaishnavism globally. Founded in 1966 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON has established itself as a significant religious and cultural entity, claiming millions of adherents worldwide. Despite its popularity, Vaishnavism and ISKCON have not been immune to criticism. Scholars, former members, and critics have raised numerous concerns regarding the veracity and ethical implications of their doctrines and practices. This book aims to critically analyze Vaishnavism and ISKCON through various lenses, including factual and logical accuracy, epistemological soundness, internal and external consistency, methodological rigor, scientific validity, and ethical considerations. The foundation of Vaishnavism rests on a rich tapestry of scriptures, primarily the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana. These texts are revered as divinely revealed and are considered the ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice. One of the critical areas of analysis in this book is the logical structure of Vaishnavite doctrine. Logical fallacies, such as circular reasoning and appeal to authority, are prevalent in the theological arguments presented by Vaishnavite scholars. For example, the claim that the Bhagavad Gita is infallible because it is divinely revealed is a classic case of circular reasoning. Such fallacies undermine the credibility of the doctrine and call into question its intellectual rigor. Epistemologically, Vaishnavism relies heavily on scriptural authority and personal revelation. While these sources may hold subjective value, they fall short of the standards of objective verification and falsifiability. The reliance on unverifiable assumptions, such as the existence of an eternal soul and the law of karma, further complicates the epistemological foundation of Vaishnavism. Internal contradictions within Vaishnavite scriptures pose another significant challenge. The Bhagavad Gita, for instance, simultaneously advocates for non-violence and justifies warfare, leading to a paradox that is difficult to reconcile. Such contradictions not only undermine the coherence of the doctrine but also create ethical ambiguities for practitioners. Externally, Vaishnavite claims often conflict with established historical and scientific facts. The dating of events described in the scriptures, the cosmological assertions, and the depiction of human evolution in these texts do not align with contemporary scientific understanding. This dissonance raises questions about the reliability of the scriptures as sources of factual knowledge. Methodologically, Vaishnavite theology exhibits several flaws, including selective interpretation of texts, confirmation bias, and resistance to critical inquiry. These methodological errors hinder a comprehensive and unbiased understanding of the doctrine. Scientific scrutiny further exposes the weaknesses in Vaishnavite claims. Assertions about the nature of the universe, the origin of life, and the mechanisms of karma do not withstand scientific examination. This lack of scientific credibility diminishes the doctrine's claim to universal truth. Ethically, Vaishnavism and ISKCON face significant criticism for their support of the caste system, social segregation, and controversial practices such as enforced vegetarianism. In conclusion, this book aims to provide a thorough and critical examination of Vaishnavism and ISKCON. By highlighting factual inaccuracies, logical inconsistencies, epistemological weaknesses, and ethical dilemmas, we seek to foster a more rational and humane understanding of this influential tradition. Through rigorous analysis and critical inquiry, we hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of religion in contemporary society.
Author: Edwin Bryant
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 9780231508438
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 506
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Book Description
Dancing and chanting with their shaven heads and saffron robes, Hare Krishnas presented the most visible face of any of the eastern religions transplanted to the West during the sixties and seventies. Yet few people know much about them. This comprehensive study includes more than twenty contributions from members, ex-members, and academics who have followed the Hare Krishna movement for years. Since the death of its founder, the movement, also known as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), has experienced debates over the roles of authority, heresy, and dissent, which have led to the development of several splinter movements. There is a growing women's rights movement and a highly publicized child abuse scandal. Providing a privileged look at the people and issues shaping ISKCON, this volume also offers insight into the complex factors surrounding the emergence of religious traditions, including early Christianity, as well as a glimpse of the original seeds and the germinating stages of a religious tradition putting down roots in foreign soil.
Author: Tamal Krishna Goswami
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199796718
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 297
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Book Description
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhup?da (1896-1977), founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, traced his lineage to the fifteenth-century Indian saint Sri Chaitanya. He authored more than fifty volumes of English translation and commentaries on Sanskrit and Bengali texts, serving as a medium between these distant authorities and his modern Western readership and using his writings as blueprints for spiritual change and a revolution in consciousness. He had to speak the language of a people vastly disparate from the original recipients of his tradition's scriptures without compromising fidelity to the tradition. Tamal Krishna Goswami claims that the social scientific, philosophical, and 'insider' forms of investigation previously applied have failed to explain the presence of a powerful interpretative device-a mahavakya or 'great utterance'-that governs and pervades Prabhupada's 'living theology' of devotion on bhakti. For Prabhupada, the wide range of 'vedic' subject matter is governed by the axiomatic truth: Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Goswami's academic training at the University of Cambridge, his thirty years' experience as a practitioner and teacher, and his extensive interactions with Prabhupada as both personal secretary and managerial representative, afforded him a unique opportunity to understand and illuminate the theological contribution of Prabhupada. In this work, Goswami proves that the voice of the scholar-practitioner can be intimately connected with his tradition while sustaining a mature critical stance relative to his subject. A Living Theology of Krishna Bhakti includes a critical introduction and conclusion by Graham M. Schweig.
Author: Nicole Karapanagiotis
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 0253054907
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 288
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Book Description
How do religious groups reinvent themselves in order to attract new audiences? How do they rebrand their messages and recast their rituals in order to make their followers more diverse? In Branding Bhakti, Nicole Karapanagiotis considers the new branding of the Hare Krishna Movement, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Known primarily for their orange robes, shaved heads, ecstatic dancing on the streets, and exuberant Hindu-style temple worship, many contemporary ISKCON groups are radically reinventing their public presentation and their style of worship in order to attract a global audience to their movement. Karapanagiotis explores their innovative and complex approaches in both the United States and India by following three new ISKCON brands aimed at gathering new followers. Each is led by a world-renowned ISKCON guru and his global disciples, and each is promoted through a mix of digital and social media and the construction of an innovative "worship-scape." These new spaces trade ISKCON's traditional temples for corporate work-life balance programs, posh yoga studios, urban spiritual lounges, edgy mantra clubs/lofts, and rural meditative retreat facilities. Branding Bhakti not only investigates the methods the ISKCON movement uses to position itself for growth but also highlights devotees' painful and complicated struggles as they work to transform their shrinking, sectarian movement into one with global religious appeal.
Author: Hanuman Prasad Poddar
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780913922514
Category : Bhakti
Languages : en
Pages : 51
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Book Description
Author: Sukanya Sarbadhikary
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 0520962664
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 294
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Book Description
A free ebook version of this title is available through Luminos, University of California Press’s new open access publishing program for monographs. Visit www.luminosoa.org to learn more. Hindu devotional traditions have long been recognized for their sacred geographies as well as the sensuous aspects of their devotees' experiences. Largely overlooked, however, are the subtle links between these religious expressions. Based on intensive fieldwork conducted among worshippers in Bengal’s Navadvip-Mayapur sacred complex, this book discusses the diverse and contrasting ways in which Bengal-Vaishnava devotees experience sacred geography and divinity. Sukanya Sarbadhikary documents an extensive range of practices, which draw on the interactions of mind, body, and viscera. She shows how perspectives on religion, embodiment, affect, and space are enriched when sacred spatialities of internal and external forms are studied at once.
Author: Steven Rosen
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 1498558348
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 259
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Book Description
Tucked away in ancient Sanskrit and Bengali texts is a secret teaching, a blissful devotional (bhakti) tradition that involves sacred congregational chanting (kīrtana), mindfulness practices (japa, smaraṇam), and the deepening of one’s relationship with God (rasa). Brought to the world’s stage by Śrī Chaitanya Mahāprabhu (1486–1533), and fully documented by his immediate followers, the Six Goswāmīs of Vrindāvan, these unprecedented teachings were passed down from master to student in Gauḍīya Vaishnava lineages. The Golden Avatāra of Love: Śrī Chaitanya’s Life and Teachings, by contemporary scholar Steven J. Rosen, makes the profound truths of this confidential knowledge easily accessible for an English language audience. In his well-researched text, modern readers—spiritual practitioners, scholars, and seekers of knowledge alike—will encounter a treasure of hitherto unrevealed spiritual teachings, and be able to fathom sublime dimensions of Śrī Chaitanya’s method. Using the ancient texts themselves and the findings of contemporary academics, Rosen succeeds in summarizing and establishing Śrī Chaitanya’s life and doctrine for the modern world.
Author: Amara Das Wilhelm
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1453503161
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 125
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Book Description
Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex is a collection of years of research into a topic seldom discussed or easily found within the Hindu/Vedic scriptural canon. Based entirely upon authentic Sanskrit references and modern concurring facts, the book guides us through the original Hindu concept of a "third sex" (defined as homosexuals, transgenders and the intersexed), how such people were constructively incorporated into ancient Indian society, and how foreign influences eventually eroded away that noble system. It discusses how this concept can be practically applied in today’s modern world, the importance of all-inclusiveness in human society, and the spiritual principle of learning to transcend material designations altogether. Tritiya-Prakriti: People of the Third Sex will be a valuable source of reference for anyone interested in Hindu/LGBTI studies whether they are newcomers to the field or seasoned veterans of Vedic knowledge. It offers a veritable treasure trove of fresh information and ideas that will likely challenge the reader to rediscover and rethink Hinduism’s traditional understanding and treatment of gay, lesbian, and other gender-variant people within its culture. "The recognition of a third sex in ancient India and Hinduism is highly relevant in many ways. Our own modern-day society has only recently begun to understand sexual orientation, transgender identity, and intersex conditions, and our legal and social systems are just beginning to catch up with and accommodate such people in a fair and realistic way . . . yet ancient India had already addressed and previously resolved this issue many thousands of years ago in the course of its own civilization ́s development. Indeed, there is much we can learn from ancient India ́s knowledge regarding the recognition and accommodation of a 'third sex' within society." -Amara Das Wilhelm "In India there is a system where such people (the third sex) have their own society, and whenever there is some good occasion like marriage or childbirth, they go there and pray to God that this child may be very long living." -A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada "Gay and lesbian people have always been a part of society from Vedic times to our postmodern times. They should be accepted for what they are in terms of their sexual orientation and encouraged like everyone else to pursue spiritual life." -B.V. Tripurari Swami "Initially, I did not really allow myself to go deep in trying to understand the third sex. I figured that this was necessary only for those who are insensitive, arrogant and fundamentalist . . . who think that they are compassionate and tolerant while basically being superficial and even condescending. It is quite amazing how most of us can be so prejudiced about so many things and not even know it . . . .I thank you and several others for your compassion and for your tolerance in making efforts to educate your Godfamily, so that we can be more authentic servants of the servant." -H.H. Bhakti Tirtha Swami
Author: Urmila Mohan
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004419136
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 88
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Book Description
In Clothing as Devotion in Contemporary Hinduism, Urmila Mohan explores the materiality and visuality of cloth and clothing as devotional media in contemporary Hinduism. Drawing upon ethnographic research into the global missionizing group “International Society for Krishna Consciousness” (ISKCON), she studies translocal spaces of worship, service, education, and daily life in the group’s headquarters in Mayapur and other parts of India. Focusing on the actions and values of deity dressmaking, devotee clothing and paraphernalia, Mohan shows how activities, such as embroidery and chanting, can be understood as techniques of spirituality, reverence, allegiance—and she proposes the new term “efficacious intimacy” to help understand these complex processes. The monograph brings theoretical advances in Anglo-European material culture and material religion studies into a conversation with South Asian anthropology, sociology, art history, and religion. Ultimately, it demonstrates how embodied interactions as well as representations shape ISKCON’s practitioners as devout subjects, while connecting them with the divine and the wider community.
Author: Sanātana Gosvāmī
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788187812869
Category : Vaishnavism
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Treatise on the rituals and doctrines of Vaishnavism.
