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From: lakshminarayan krishnaswamy (tngepl_at_hotmail.com)
Date: Wed Sep 06 2000 - 09:08:22 PDT
Dear Bhakthas,
This is in response to Sriman. RR's posting on the above subject.
While it would not be my purpose to engage in a point war reply, I thought
of presenting a totally different perspective to the issue on hand.
When we look at other religions/other hindu religious options, it has been
my observation that these systems have been closely identified with certain
value systems. For instance when we talk of Christianity -a lay person
probably identifies it instantly with LOVE TO ALL. Similarly when we talk of
Islam or Sikhism, these have probably been identified with EQUALITY &
SACRIFICE. Budhism and Jainism have been closely identified with AHIMSA. The
Satya Sai movement is identified with Equality of all religions and also
service to humanity. I am not trying to say that these are not there in our
darshanam. But from a common man's point of view the identification of
religions is probably on the lines mentioned above. This essentially leaves
only the committed few in our fold. While the fact that Srivaishnavism
transcends the varna fold,has an extremely humanistic approach, and could
offer total solutions to a jiva's spiritual needs, could be our USP, these
points are probably unknown to the man in the street.
There is also the other face to the whole issue. If any one had listened to
Bro. Paul Dinakaran's speeches at the public fora, one is indeed amazed at
the way the mass get instantly influenced and also identify themselves with
what he says. Even in the Satya Sai and the Bangaru Adigal's fold the
following is increasing with every day because of the so called secular
approach, as also the tangible and material benefits accruing to the
followers (if not for all atleast for some of them).
With this background in mind, we must try and see what is that we are
offering to existing and potential srivaishnavas.Are we too individualistic
vis a vis others, who are adopting a community based approach.The fact that
we tend to be ritualistic may be partially correct.It is high time we
thought of ways and means of attracting the best of the youth. This would
essentially involve our taking a more active participation in people's day
today life (particularly the youth).It must be remembered that Bhagawan
Ramanuja out his immense compassion for the suffering jiva's took the bold
step of bringing innumerable people into the darshanam's fold.May be we have
to plead to Yatiraja "Innum oru Nootrandu Irum".
Adiyen
K.Lakshminarayan
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