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eyetex_at_md1.vsnl.net.in
Date: Tue Aug 15 2000 - 16:14:25 PDT
Dear Bhagavathas,
Ms.Subha has made a correct assessment of one of the main reasons why our
people are moving away to another stream. I have already stated that there
is no purpose in condemning them with strong words and it will be clear
from the lady's personal experience that there seems to be a strong sense
of participation which seems to attract so many from all over the world
which needs to be replicated in ou own institutions.
However we need not worry so much about the dangers of conversion here, we
should realise that after more than 300 years the total christian
population is appr. 25 million and it's growth rate is the same as the
country's.
The most important aspect which should concern all of us are:
i)how will we manage to take the teachings of Bhagawan Ramanuja, Sri
Nigamantha Desika , Sri MAnavala Mamuni and their Successors who have been
and are Great Acharyas in their own right to the common persons in a very
simple manner and in a language they can understand and follow?
ii)since we are supposed to learn the said essences of Visishtadvaitha
thro' these Acharya Purushas, are we devising a system more suited to the
fast changing world which looks for instant solutions to every problem in
life OR are we going to take our usual systems forward which , to me,
looks as if will admit fewer and fewer members into the inner learning
circle?
iii)how do we impress upon and convey to the most common and the poorest
sishya or abhimani the baic essence of our pilosophy and the teachings of
our Acharyas?
iv)do we accept that the system is now more structured to reach out to and
to teach the affluent and if so,how do we ensure that all are made equally
welcome in these places of learning?
These are some prelimnary questions that need to be addressed to and some
viable answers found.
One immediate answer( not a panacea ) that comes to my mind is that we
eliminate all Dress codes for persons entering these Mutts and Asramams
excepting inside the sanctum sanctorum or the Madappali to start with.It
is becoming more and more difficult to convince and to persuade persons to
come over , pay their respects to the Acharyas and receive their blessings
and their teachings.Another suggestion would be to make these institutions
open to all SriVaishnavaites without any sectarian restrictions and NOT
show any discrimination.
I have held and am holding a responsible position and am convinced that
the time for action is now without resorting to flippant comments.Believe
me i have been there for nearly 28 years and there are several ways we can
broadbase our institutions without losing our sanctity or the glory of our
Asramams or Mutts.
Again i will visit these pages in due course with further comments.
Adiyen Srimad Andavan Thiruvadi,
RR.
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