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From: TCA Venkatesan (vtca_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Fri Apr 27 2001 - 08:41:38 PDT
Dear BhaktAs,
I wanted to conclude my recent postings on issues
that face us with this note. First, I want to thank
those that made comments and suggestions to my posts.
I will respond to your thoughts in this post.
The sentiments I have expressed are nothing new either
in these forums or even back in India. These are made
in private often by folks from either kalai and in
public once in a while by the leaders. So what is the
purpose of my lament now.
There are two things to note. One is that what are the
steps that anyone can take to follow up. Where there
is inaction, the words are plain empty.
One is at the personal level. 1. My suggestion is that
we educate ourselves and anyone we can on the entire
sampradhAyam and all our AchAryAs. 2. We start
reciting taniyans and vAzhi tirunAmams at homes
without bar on sect. While this may be common practice
already overseas, it is particularly important that it
happens in India. As one correspondent pointed out,
folks outside of India see it from a different angle
than those who live at the divyadEsams. Hence, the
importance in that it happens in India. The change
itself can only start from the homes, before it can
happen at the temples. 3. Ask those that give talks
and upanyAsams if they can recommend similar steps in
their talks. This would have tremendous influence on
very many people.
Second is at the community level. As another person
pointed out, for those of us who live overseas it is
even more difficult to express our thoughts publicly
back home as we may be brushed off. So what can we do.
1. Speak out wherever you can. There are some who do
have influence at the divyadEsams - then, do not
hesitate to use it. 2. If that is not possible, talk
to those who have power to influence in your
AchAryA's mutt or household. Imagine the power of a
statement coming from AchAryAs on their sishyakOtis,
even if it is expressed only in private. 3. When you
have the opportunity, talk to upanyAsakars and ask
them what they think can be done. Ask them to address
these issues in their talks and not ignore them.
4. A request to those who organized the Yati Sammelan.
If there is a second meeting, please request the
Yati's to address this. Not the usual let's be united
kind of talk; but, about them making very specific
points.
Regarding the issue at Tirumalai, I do not have much
more detail or who to contact. I will try to find some
information and contacts and post it. The important
thing is that the sAtthumaRai be not stopped. However,
I do agree with the readers who pointed out that
there have to be very strict rules as to who form
the gOshti.
Finally, as one reader mentioned this is not about
unification of the sects. It is about the unity
rather.
Unity in diversity as we like to say time and again
in India. The sampradhAyams need to exist and
flourish, but they don't have to fight each other
while losing on common ground.
adiyEn madhurakavi dAsan
TCA Venkatesan
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