gHari

When I worked in the Christian Church, our prayer group had an exercise where we each had to make a poster. I made two, and one of them depicted the trilogy of axioms from which Prabhupada said we can deduce all truth: <center><table width="80%" border=5 bgcolor=yellow><td width="100%"><center><h3> <font color=blue>GOD is the Supreme Proprietor GOD is the Supreme Enjoyer GOD is everyone's Best Friend </font></center></h3></td></table></center><font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 04-01-2002).]

I think the Gita verse goes something like: For those who have conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached. The soul is he who sees the Supersoul. This is how you can prove it to yourself. Proving it to others? Tell them to stop being so lazy, and start executing God's instructions in the Gita. Then they will know. That "I" who is not infatuated with the material objects and senses and mind will be left standing alone with the Supersoul as the material world falls away. This happens gradually through the processes recommended by Lord Krsna in His conversation with Arjuna; and then suddenly as the heart changes, humility is finally enkindled by knowledge, perspective and honesty, and our dependence is shifted from the vain mind to Sri Krsna. Then the Supersoul is reached, and one takes pleasure in the soul. This is a very great thing. But it is not a cheap thing. It will cost everything you own. All material attachments must leave. After you have given up everything though, your reward will be greater beyond anything you can imagine. In this state of atmarama, the only thing that is attractive is Sri Krsna. You are now on the fast track to Godhead. And nothing can dissuade you. Hari Bol.

Here is a simple statement of our religion by Srila Prabhupada, and indeed a simple statement of why one should follow Lord Caitanya:

Here are nine basic tenets from the Garland of Vaishnava Truths by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura: The above nine may scare as many away as it might attract of those who have never considered some of these more esoteric aspects of religious thought. I found another succinct statement of our religion by Srila Prabhupada and had considered presenting it on the Fellowship. I'll try to find it, and learn to follow my heart more closely in the future, even if I cannot see the full rationale for doing so at the time.

I guess it is true; I saw it on Chakra as well. I was very shocked and saddened, although I had only read about him. And of what I read, I only accepted the positive. I am hoping everyone can show good taste here. Recently I had been reading his diaries from the early days, realizing how indebted we all are to the selfless dedication of so many of Srila Prabhupada's dear disciples. I fear I would not have had the guts for their austerity. I will finish that diary and that is how I will thankfully remember Tamal Krishna Goswami, one of the key figures in helping Srila Prabhupada to create the worldwide infrastructure for Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement.

Hopefully my master will forgive my poetic licence in stealing His identity to rain some hell upon that heathen Muslim miscreant. Thank you for presenting that link. These dogs need to be whipped. The One and Only God, Krishna

There may be hope for darwin afterall: http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/150302/detFOR06.asp

Disappointingly, this quote seems to be very unscholarly since the word is actually referring to Abraham not Brahma. It tends to reduce the whole idea to fanatic speculation.

Yes, this is an excellent point. Perhaps Lord Caitanya has arranged this wondrous internet for us to get through to the world that has been shut off by politicians. If only we could stop our petty bickering on the net, the world might be able to take us seriously.

Speaking of Brando, I liked The Island of Dr. Moreau, seeing it as ISKCON where the doctor tried to evolve animals into humans who don't eat meat. Actually I see his animal-humans all around me and it can get quite depressing, but at least I don't see dead people. Anymore.

<center><table><td width="40%"><center><img src=http://www.ummah.net/hajj/pics/bstone.jpg width=138 height=186> Sacred Black Stone </center></td><td width="60%" valign=middle><center><img src=http://www.ummah.net/hajj/pics/kabbabig.jpg width=278 height=308 align=middle> Circling Ka'ba (First Church Built by Abraham)</center></td></table></center> The Hajj seems to be mostly about Abraham, complete with the circumambulation of the first church he built (subsequently restored by Mohammed), the throwing of seven stones at the devil, and the sacrificing of sheep. Background The mysterious mystical? holy stone (from a Glossary of HAJJ Terms) This short synopsis was offered by the Encyclopoedia of the Orient: I noticed that Abraham's wife was called Hajar; perhaps this is why Mohammed kissed the Hajar stone three times?<font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 03-09-2002).]

<center><table><td width="40%"><center><img src=http://www.ummah.net/hajj/pics/bstone.jpg width=138 height=186> Sacred Black Stone </center></td><td width="60%" valign=middle><center><img src=http://www.ummah.net/hajj/pics/kabbabig.jpg width=278 height=308 align=middle> Circling Ka'ba (First Church Built by Abraham)</center></td></table></center> The Hajj seems to be mostly about Abraham, complete with the circumambulation of the first church he built (subsequently restored by Mohammed), the throwing of seven stones at the devil, and the sacrificing of sheep. Background The mysterious mystical? holy stone (from a Glossary of HAJJ Terms) This short synopsis was offered by the Encyclopoedia of the Orient: I noticed that Abraham's wife was called Hajar; perhaps this is why Mohammed kissed the Hajar stone three times?<font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 03-09-2002).]

I think they are required to do this pilgrimage once during their lifetime. I have read various speculative pieces about the stone actually being a Shiva Deity left over from the peoples of Mohammad's parents who worshiped Lord Siva. I think I should do a little surfing now to see what the Muslims themselves say about the significance of the Hajj stone. Tarun, I recognize that song - it was an early Hajj Mahal hit.

I think they are required to do this pilgrimage once during their lifetime. I have read various speculative pieces about the stone actually being a Shiva Deity left over from the peoples of Mohammad's parents who worshiped Lord Siva. I think I should do a little surfing now to see what the Muslims themselves say about the significance of the Hajj stone. Tarun, I recognize that song - it was an early Hajj Mahal hit.

Caitanya Caritamrta Adi lila 17.128-134:

Some may say that this is not a specifically 'spiritual' discussion, but it does point out that many see their own Muslim religion as impotent. The only way one would adopt it is if they were brutalized into submission. I hope that all such deviants are completely unsuccessful in all their twisted ungodly plans. What a puny God they have; that He needs them to behave so abominably for Him. [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 03-08-2002).]

McDonald's apologises, pays $10 mn to veggies Fast food behemoth McDonald’s has agreed to publicly apologise to “Hindus, vegetarians and others” for failing to disclose the use of animal products in foods it identified as vegetarian. The company will also donate $10 million to concerns supported by these groups as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit initiated by Seattle-based Indian-American attorney Harish Bharti. Starting next month, pending court approval, the fast food giant will insert advertisements in newspapers apologising for its mistake. "We acknowledge that, upon our switch to vegetable oil in the early 1990s for the purpose of reducing cholesterol, mistakes were made in communicating to the public and customers about the ingredients in our French fries and hash browns. Those mistakes included instances in which French fries and hash browns sold at US restaurants were improperly identified as vegetarian,” the ads will say. “We regret we did not provide these customers with complete information, and we sincerely apologise for any hardship that these miscommunications have caused among Hindus, vegetarians and others,” the settlement-ad will say. As a result of the flap, and under the terms of the settlement, McDonald’s has also promised to enhance its disclosure standards and create a Dietary Practice/Vegetarian Advisory Panel of experts that will advise the fast food chain on dietary restrictions and guidelines. The lawsuit arose from an episode in April 2001 when some Indian-American vegetarians on the West Coast accused McDonald’s of misleading customers by presenting its golden fries as vegetarian. While McDonald did phase out animal fat in favour of vegetable oil for frying, it was later revealed that the firm continued to use “miniscule” amounts of beef flavouring to “enhance” taste. The admission, in the form of an e-mail message from a McDonald’s executive to an inquiring Indian-American customer, led to the widely-reported lawsuit. The episode also provoked protests in India. McDonald’s has a modest number of outlets in India and has sales of nearly $20 billion annually worldwide. In an interview with this correspondent, Harish Bharti, the expansive Seattle attorney who oversaw the effort, said he had decided to settle with McDonald’s after having proved the point. “In the last 100 years, this is the first giant corporation to apologise, admit wrongdoing and also pay millions of dollars,” Bharti claimed adding that he was not “fully satisfied” with the monetary aspects of the deal but “money isn’t everything.” “The money will be spent. But we have forced a giant corporation to change its attitude and its way of thinking. I am proud of that,” Bharti said. The two sides are still working on how and to which groups the money will be distributed, he added. Times of India

I think the kid should get the yoyo. I remember when I was first computer programming for God at the church where I worked. It had a very humbling affect me. Worn off now, of course (for the cynical). It could well give the child some constructive smaranam, at a stage when God's remembrance is not as easy to come by, what with all the fun kids have to contend with. Your friend may well have God's Champion right in her own home!

This approach seems to have enjoyed a certain degree of success in the past: rob and kill everyone who will not join your church.

Why did Krsna create Islam? I am speculating that we have a primitive people who are naturally aggessive and who need something to give them a feeling of superiority to offset their feelings of inferiority. Islam provides them what they want. And maybe they will just make some spiritual advancement at the same time. Perhaps I shouldn't write now, for I'm having great difficulty generating anything but contempt for the prophet.

EM EYE SEE, KAY EE WHY; EM OH YOU ES EE. A Religion for Morons For those who have some familiarity with the Vedas, I'm afraid the Koran is just simply Mickey Mouse childishness by comparison. Maybe these people are that dull that they needed something this trivial, but after reading a tenth of the book, I've found nothing that would even justify my considering it a religion. Nothing to take notice of. Sheer nonsense start to finish. Mohammed may have been cool, but they have included some of his out-of-date messages in their scriptures which will necessarily destroy the religion. No loss.<font color="#f7f7f7"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 03-07-2002).]

Here is the context of the above Qu'ran verses. This is an excerpt of the gruesome summary of the chapter: <font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 03-07-2002).]

Here are two Koran gems. More are HERE. <font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 03-06-2002).]

But do not forget the real goal. Devising philosophy to attract more people or attain more fame and fortune over a longer stretch will not necessarily lead to krsna-tattva efficiently. Adding Siva puja may increase general wealth, but may detract from the fast track to Goloka. But as you say, we can't let Caitanya's message be lost either. Perhaps a watering-down is needed; likely that is naturally produced by the varnasrama culture where a gradation of austerity is expected from the congregation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_1844000/1844930.stm