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celina12

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Posts posted by celina12


  1.  

    Buddha preached with the intent to convert.

     

    Do you know why there's only one Hindu nation in the entire world ?

     

    true, but there are more and more hindus who preach the dharma, there are many swaminarayan sects that do missions. I think there are certain branches of hinduism that have a bright future throughout the world.


  2.  

    There is only one hindu nation because hindus never undertook to preach or convert.The first missionary activities started with budhism,which spread even to alexandria and china.

     

    Hindus always belived that spirituality is for a chosen few(truth seekers) while commoners were advised to follow dharma and merit gaining rituals(punya karma).They also had this broad universal outlook which made them realise that all paths ,if properly adhered to, is essentially true.

    It is indeed a miracle that the hindus have survived such various onslaughts without a preaching mechanism.

     

    It is testimony to the truth that they are indeed lords chosen ones.

     

    Sorry but who are you to speak to all of Hindu Dharma? Hinduism is not only for a chosen few! The reason why there is only one Hindu country in the world is because of Indian exclusivisim and collectivist mindset. Unwilling to spread dharma in an unrighteous would. Remember Lord Krishna's conversation with Arjuna? Sometimes you just have to fight....for your beliefs, country etc.... Indians are just a passive people and we've paid for it by having various rulers....the moghuls, the british etc... Even our Lord told us there's a time to fight for our beliefs in this world. Although some are content with being a slave. Our faith is valuable and has something to contribute to the world and that's why I actively spread Hindu dharma by preaching Lord Swaminarayan's word. :pray:


  3.  

    Hmm...do you know any preacher, who went out to preach with the possiblity in his open mind that he may encounter a belief that may convert himself? I have not seen any. Preacher are sure of their own beliefs and are doubly sure there is nothing out there that can replace their current affiliation. In fact, that smugness, is the primary motivating factor.

     

    How does this align with your "intending to share ideas" and "collectively learn"? Christian preachers are sure people who do not change over to their view are hellbound. Hare Krishnas think and believe that they found the holy grail in iskcon and everyone else is a second class citizen for not changing over to their view. Since I have not found over-zealous preachers in other beliefs, I do not have a third example.

     

    In short, the whole concept of preaching is to convert the other to my own point of view. Otherwise, there is absolutely no reason to preach at all.

     

    Cheers

     

    so? and they have every right to? If you believe what you have is the ultimate truth, then why not share it? Hindus should do the same. people have have right to preach their beliefs, if you don't believe your faith is worth preaching and teaching to others, then maybe you should find something stronger to believe in.


  4.  

    i feel that the idea of preaching is actually a idea of hatred.for you cannot 'preach' unless you hate all other paths and convince yourself that yours is the only path.one should sing praises of his lord or glorify him,but why 'preaching'?? isn't it very similar to those colonial christian missionaries who came to india to deliver the infidels?isnt it all about showing absolute disrespect about all other beliefs?one should expose his beliefs before everyone,so that anyone interested might follow,but why impose it??

     

    I think hindus should preach, their are some who do. And they have every right too. Who gives a crap, what the purposes of non-hindus are when preaching. If you believe in your faith as the truth, then you want to spread the truth to others. Hindus believe the same. It's only indian exclusivism, that keeps use from genuinely spreading our faith. So indians think that non-indians wouldn't know how to practice hinduism. That it's better left to indians, which is false.

     

    I think the Swaminarayan faith is very different in that reguard, we have an obligation to spread the name of Lord Swaminarayan far and wide and we take pride in that, if it's the truth then you shouldn't be afraid to tell it. There's nothing wrong with seeking converts to Hinduism, arguing about what "infidels" do is meaningless and a waste of time. We should be focusing on our mission. Some hindus are too introverted to the point of self-destruction. There's no crime in spreading our faith, we have the right and obligation upon us. :)


  5.  

    why convert... keep doing what u are doing pray to whichever god you choose i think in india you have the freedom of deciding which god u will pray to...

    i am a hindu and a shiva bhakt... but i have prayed at vaishnav temples and at churches and even at dargahs.... no one has stopped me so why should anyone stop you...

    I think as a hindu you should have faith in Hindu institution and follow them otherwise don't call yourself Hindu. The Guru to the Beatles died a few days ago. It was being discussed on an American show called "Real Time Bill Mahr" they were basically making fun of him. Calling him a phony and saying the Beatles should of spent theit time with Mother Theresa, instead. Calling the dumb for getting involved with Hinduism and Indian culture, these people were conservative christian guest. It's no good to true to be allies with people who think you are going to hell. If you are Hindu, you should be helping hinduism progress and spread, because your enemies won't. Jai Swaminarayan

  6.  

    I come from a Jain family who all call themselves Hindus. They believe in Hindu Gods, but also worship Jain Tirthankaras. So are we officially Hindus or do we need to go through a conversion process? Does this require a surname change? :confused:

     

     

    Please help.

    It depends which sect you follow, yes you can formally convert to Hinduism, it just depends on what tradition you come from. I wish people would stop this "you can't convert" or "you don't need to convert" junk. This Hinduism is dying to radical false religions, if some one comes here interested in hinduism, then this "hindu" forum should encourage them.

     

    On topic. I belong to BAPS Swaminarayan sanstha and there initiation paths, you just go to BAPS temple and talk to some their about converting, you'll get scripture and counseling about our faith.

     

    http://www.swaminarayan.org/


  7. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=550 align=center bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2>

     

    M a j o r N e w s o f B A P S

     

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    Vasant Panchmi Celebration, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

    Mayfair-West, Johannesburg, South Africa

    10 Feb 2008

     

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


  8. one last thing - you talk of islam - not that i have anything against them - but they are growing not primarily because people voluntarily join islam out of the blue - they are growing because our Hindus and people of other diff faith are marring into muslim families - and you have to respect the muslims for keeping their staunch belief - so that the person of the other faith mainly converts into islam - and it does not happen the other way around. and SOME muslims also have other propagenda that they're involved in which i'd rather not get into right now. You cannot compare that to BAPS. forget about other religions - BAPS is a Hindu panth- a bhakti maarg- compare it to other Hindu panths.
    I agree with you. BAPS is part of hinduism and is doing a good job in spreading Hindu dharma around the world. That's the only thing that matters. :)

  9.  

    Shatanand Swami in the Satsangi Jivan states that Gupt daan (donation to charity woithout others knowing) is the true way of the disciple of God. Thee do not require fame for the eyes of the world. We shpouldnt go round stating what we do in the name of charity or good will. As this is for self ego and pride.

     

    Hence the Original Sampraday as it is, wstablished by Swaminar5ayan Bhagwan Himself, do alot of charity but do not feel the need to show it to the media and the world. But those that go to the temples may realise for themselves all the work carried out for the charities.

     

    Jai Swaminarayan

     

    you talking about it now, kes you a hypocrit.


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  11.  

    I hear this type of response every time somebody tries to bring clarity and solution to the problem of Western vaisnavism. The messenger is attacked for the message. This is exactly what keeps ISKCON and is misleaders in business.

     

    you complain about alot, but you never offer any solutions, what exacly do you want to happen? :idea:


  12.  

    The details of VAD are available to anybody who can read. Its practical realities are available to anybody who has been excluded by elite castes or abused in an authoritarian hierarchy of power.

     

    You keep missing the point and making sweeping generalizations. The system doesn't discriminate people do. VAD is just a system to structure society, if people choose to abuse or mis-use that system it doesn't change what the system is meant for. In VAD everybody has an important role to play, by being a contributive member of society, this in itself has nothing to do with elitism, there are four varnas each are important for a healthy functioning society. VAD system has nothing to do with abuse, their is social and racial discrimination of classes in the west, but it lacks VAD. So it's not the system, it's the people implimenting the system.

     

    All you have do is put laws and ordenaces in place to make sure the system can't be abused. Btw what is your ideal system, any system run by humans is corruptable, but what do you think works best?

     

    If the right people were in the right positions, like varna ashrama dharma proscribes, then there wouldn't be discrimination and abuse of power, because people would be in the positions they are most qualified for as per Dharma. :)


  13.  

    I don't 'get' this system. It is a hierachy of power, positions and distinctions that has resulted in nothing but the prejudice and exploitation of a caste system.

    If one already has a tendency to lord over others, how does participating in a power hierarchy bring one to the point of equal vision - sama-darshana?

     

    Varnas -The four classes of society/The Original Caste System

    Hindu society has traditionally been divided into four classes, based on profession:

    the Brāhmanas (also anglicised as Brahmins): teachers and priests;

    the Kshatriyas: warriors, kings and administrators;

    the Vaishyas: farmers, merchants, herdsmen and businessmen; and

    the Shūdras: servants and labourers.

    Each of these classes was called a varna, and the system was called Varna Vyavasthā. Some say it is debatable whether the Varna Vyavasthā system is an integral part of Hinduism or not and whether or not it is strictly sanctioned by the scriptures. The Shruti texts make very rare mentions of this system, without providing explicit definitions. But the Bhagavad Gītā (4.13) explicitly mentions that the four varna divisions are created by Bhagavān, the Supreme Lord. And the Smriti texts (including the Manusmriti) are more explicit in their categorisation of the classes and framing rather strict rules about this system. During its early development, the social structure was based upon the profession. The Gītā (4.13) explicitly says that one's varna is to be understood from one's qualities and one's work, not one's birth. It is noteworthy that many great sages became Brahmins. Vishvāmitra was a Kshatriya king before he became recognized as a great Brahmin sage. Vālmiki, once a robber, became a great sage while Veda Vyāsa was the son of a fisherwoman. A hymn from the Rig Veda says :

    "I am a bard, my father is a physician, my mother's job is to grind the corn......"

    (Rig Veda 9.112.3).

    Though historians do not agree on the specific period, the social system later became hierarchical and based upon birth, leading to the evolution of several sub-castes (along with a class of outcastes — now known as Dalits — outside the Varna Vyavasthā) and the practice of social discrimination of the Shūdra and Dalit classes, eventually forming the caste system as we know of today.

    http://www.hinduwiki.com/index.php?title=Varnas

     

    The religious institution of Varna-ashrama Dharma is followed in most Vaishnava Sects of Hinduism. Varna is simply an occupational structure for society. In varna there are four tiers Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras. All are important for a functioning society. You determine your varna by your skills and ability. Not by birth or race.

     

    Brahmins are all religious clergy, gurus, saints, sadhus and the intellectual class(anyone with a Ph.D or graduates degree) etc......Kshatriya are the politicians, officers, soldiers etc....Vaishya are the business men, farmers, artists/painters/photographers etc... Shudras are the working class people to poor people. Those are the only four stations in varna ashrama dharma, there is nothing higher or lower. Whether a society labels these position the same or not , they still exist. Every functioning society must have these positions. In hinduism being in one of these stations doesn't carry any negative connotations. It's just something that exist. It's not race based or birth based, it's based on your skill/ability. That's not only fair it's practical, IMO.

     

    In Hinduism there is no Caste, but there is Varna, which is very different system. There is more mobility and evolution with varna ashrama dharma then there is with the static cultural implementation of caste system, which evolved from varna. But it's not the same system.

     

     

     

    British Empire: Articles: Britain and the Indian Caste System

     

    <!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->

    Quote:

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 3ex; BORDER-TOP: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 3ex; BORDER-LEFT: #666666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666666 1px solid" bgColor=#e0e0e0>The word caste is not a word that is indigenous to India. It originates in the Portuguese word casta which means race,breed, race or lineage. However, during the 19th century, the term caste increasingly took on the connotations of the word race. Thus, from the very beginning of western contact with the subcontinent European constructions have been imposed on Indian systems and institutions. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


  14.  

     

    Why does the BAPS sect feel the need to build mandirs in every city, shouldn't money be spent where its needed like charitiy causes in India?

     

     

     

    Also, BAPS temples service multiple functions, alot of charities and walk-a-thon events are held there. Some recently, infact.

     

     

    London has 45,000 Hindus living in Harrow, 40,000 in Brent, and many more in Hounslow, Ealing and Finchley. The Neasden temple is the epicentre of this community, but its reach extends further. Charity walks and the world’s largest finger painting have raised money for the British Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer Care and international disaster relief. The original volunteers have also used their experience to help build more increasingly elaborate mandirs around the world.

     

     

    http://www.timeout.com/london/features/3961/Seven_wonders_of_London-BAPS_Shri_Swaninarayan_Hindu_Mandir.html

     

     

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=649 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle bgColor=#e8e8e8>bcc_5h.jpg</TD><TD vAlign=top>dot.jpg</TD><TD vAlign=top height=20>BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Donates £12,000 to Breast Cancer Care, UK

    20th October 2007

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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    8th July 2007

     

     

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  15. Guinness Bestows Two World Records on Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Amdavad, India

     

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    On 17 December 2007, Michael Whitty, official world record adjudicator and member of the management committee of Guinness World Records travelled especially to India to present two new world records to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international socio-spiritual organisation affiliated with the United Nations.

    The Guinness World Records Book is the biggest selling copyright book in history, with more than 100 million books sold around the world in more than 25 languages. This is the first time, though, that a senior member of the Guinness World Records management committee has personally travelled to India to present a World Record certificate. The presentation came on the occasion of His Holiness’ 87th birthday being celebrated as the culmination of the four-day BAPS Centenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.


  16. BAPS Centenary Celebrations: BAPS Woemn's Day - "Empowering Women", Amdavad, India

     

     

    12 December 2007

    Swamishri Arrives to Amdavad

     

     

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  17.  

    Hello All, I am not a Swaminaryan follower myself, but I would like to put a few questions to the Swaminaryan Experts of this board.

     

    Ok here goes....

     

    Did Lord Hanuman protect Bhagwan Swaminaryan against demons during his time on earth?

     

    In the Shikshaputri, it states that those of a Lower Caste should not put a Tilak, only a Chandlo. Is this so that people can identify lower castes? Doesn't the Swaminaryan faith beleive in equality?

     

    Why are the majority of Swaminaryan followers....Patel? Is this because of the BAPS Movememnt where by Pramukh himself is a Patel?

     

    Do Acharaya of the Original Sampraday visit BAPS Mandirs and vise versa?

     

    Why does the BAPS sect feel the need to build mandirs in every city, shouldn't money be spent where its needed like charitiy causes in India?

     

    Lord Swaminarayan promoted equality of the lower caste and believed in getting rid of discrimination against low caste and women. This is why blessed food(prasad) is distibuted to the poor as an act of service. And all caste worship together.

     

     

     

    || The Poor can Please God throught Shrddha ||

     

    “Furthermore, it is not the case that God’s pleasure is bestowed only on those who offer bhakti with various articles and not upon the poor. Someone may be poor, but if he offers water, leaves, fruits and flowers to God with shraddhã, that is enough to please Him…”

     

    http://www.swaminarayan.org/vachanamrut/829.php

     

    BAPS builds mandirs all over the world, because they are the foundation for and God-centered society and more than a place of worship. Many community activities take place there along with many charity functions, look at Neasden temple it's more the a place of worship. Also, charity doesn't just begin and end in India there are places all over the world that need help. BAPS has a full time charity trust that completes many yearly mission activities. http://www.bapscharities.org/

     

    As far as BAPS building temples why is this an issue with BAPS, no one questions when there are new churches, mosques that pop up for their followers, why the issue with BAPS. We have a right to build places of worship for our followers, you could always say money is better spent somewhere else. If that was the case the Bollywood shouldn't even exist, all of that money spent on movies should be given to some charity. Or why not blame indian billionaires, who don't give back to their community and spend $60 million dollars on a wedding. The point is India's poverty doesn't rest on the shoulders of BAPS. Charity and hand outs aren't gonna make India a first world country, more jobs, better infrastructure and better economic policies will. None of this is a issue that has anything to do with BAPS. We are interesting in building the spiritual foundation of India, the government and business world can handle the economic foundation. Peace.


  18.  

    Jai Sita Rama

     

    I have a few questions that need answering

     

    1) Where is the evidence that Dr Swami etc.... are fighting over succership of Sri Pramukh swami.???? And by the way who is going to be next leader of BAPS

     

     

    Whoever they elect, like it's been done since BAPS's beginning. And no, there is no infighting going on in BAPS that's the shree swaminarayan sampradaya. :)

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