philosophy : holy men, heaven, rewards etc.

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

Like as when a tank pours water forth to suit all needs,
so do these Brahmans draw text for all wants from tank of Holy Writ.
But thou, want not! ask not!
Find full reward Of doing right in right!

Let right deeds be thy motive,
not the fruit which comes from them.

And live in action! Labour!
Make thine acts thy piety, casting all self aside, contemning gain and merit;
equable in good or evil:
equability is Yog, is piety!

Yet, the right act is less, far less,
than the right-thinking mind.

Seek refuge in thy soul; have there thy heaven!
Scorn them that follow virtue for her gifts!

From the Shrimad Bagvad Gita.

2

Very beautiful, if everybody followed the Gita's teaching we would be living in different world. I point of contention, I would change word Brahmin with the learned ones or followers, to make it more universal and inclusive.

[This message has been edited by Rani (edited May 21, 2000).]

3

i think "brahmin", in this context, is representive of the "owners of religion", who justify any deed with their version of what the holy books say. there is no holier book than ones own conscience..

4

"Let right deeds be thy motive,
not the fruit which comes from them."

Ah! My eternal struggle, which will go with me to the grave and may be beyond...to try to be Selfless, even if a tiny bit....
To learn to Give, without keeping any Expectations of return in mind....

5

there is no holier book than ones own conscience<<

I agree with this but at same time think everybody is an owner of the religion. Using words like Brahmins (maybe in instance in a generic context) leave room open for different interpretation which been historically used by a particular group to think that it is their birth right to have knowledge shut others out.

I don't want to distract from the such a deep and spiritual passage. I want to add that this philosphy is also part of Sikhism.

6

Queer Moshaii,

How about another piece...
If possible, this time only about HIM, without mention of any Brahmins etc.,...I think I've had enough of Pundits....if you know what I mean...smile

Also, hope we are still clear on the fact, that when it comes to our friendship, what is going on, on the forums is Irrelevant...

7

here’s something more

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smile.gif

it’s from the Gita again. i like some parts of the Gita, because they are quite sensible even to an atheist or agnostic, they dont prescribe rituals, and encourage knowledge and freedom.

This is His description of what us humans whould strive to be like..

"That man I love! Who troubleth not his kind,
And is not troubled by them; clear of wrath,
Living too high for gladness, grief, or fear,

That man I love! Who, dwelling quiet-eyed,
Stainless, serene, well-balanced, unperplexed,
Working with Me, yet from all works detached,

That man I love! Who, fixed in faith on Me,
Dotes upon none, scorns none; rejoices not,
And grieves not, letting good or evil hap
Light when it will, and when it will depart,

That man I love! Who, unto friend and foe
Keeping an equal heart, with equal mind
Bears shame and glory; with an equal peace
Takes heat and cold, pleasure and pain;

abides quit of desires, hears praise or calumny
In passionless restraint, unmoved by each;
Linked by no ties to earth, steadfast in Me,

That man I love! But most of all I love
Those happy ones to whom 'tis life to live
In single fervid faith and love unseeing,
Drinking the blessed Amrit( Sacred Nectar) of my Being!"

ps > thanx for not letting my petty ego-clashes with others of my kind not bother you much. hopefully, your unconditional friendship will shame me into being more objective when it comes to such clashes.

8

Queer Moshaii,

This is a Work evening for me, so just a hurried, "THANK YOU"!!!!!!

I found the verses simply "Enchanting"!!! And "Amrit"....boy, am I going to Interpret it in so many ways, as I comb this piece Friday evening....laugh!

Take care!
P.S.
Friendship is a two way street...you have always been Extremely nice to me, I am only reciprocating...smile

[This message has been edited by Dehatan (edited June 05, 2000).]

9

.

[This message has been edited by CM (edited June 05, 2002).]

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Just read mundayya's posts CM, even while discussing hadiths, he can't have a lunch unless he talks about Hindus and prostitutes five times a day.

11

These thoughts are very noble. In fact one can find echoes of them in most religions. The difficulty isn't in expressing them but in actually living by them. For example, how many coke-sniffing rock stars are also pseudo Buddhists?

Let right deeds be thy motive,
not the fruit which comes from them.

Not too much different from islamic version of charity which is meant to be done in secret not as a form of showing off.

Rani says

[quote]
Very beautiful, if everybody followed the Gita's teaching we would be living in different world.
[/quote]

We are not Gods or angels we are human beings. Otherwise your Utopia would be a reality. History bears me out. Not trying to distract from the general theme of the writing, which I agree with, but just a caution that we don't forget to look at the bigger picture.

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[This message has been edited by CM (edited June 05, 2002).]