Haridas
29 August 2007, 03:10 PM
Namaste all.
In my search for the correct philosophy that agrees with all the Scriptures, I have found that nearly every philosophy contradicts at least one Scripture. However, I have seen agreement in, at least, in the Vaishnava scriptures and Advaita. However, four things are stopping me from even touching Advaita. Forgive my ignorance, but maybe it's incorrect information (I was a Dvaita, the most severe rivals of Advaita).
1) Sri Shankara said that God is an illusion (to sum up his views of God). Is this true? Does Sri Shankara teach that God is an illusion, and that in reality there is no God? Does he teach that "God" is only a trick played upon the mind by maya?
2) What is Sri Shankara's view on moksha? What will we do after obtaining moksha, and how do we obtain it in the first place?
3) What about Bhakti? If the answer to the questions in question 1 is "Yes", then this question is pointless. However, if the answer to the questions in question 1 is "No", then what does Sri Shankara think about Bhakti?
4) Adi Shankara said that the world isn't real. Why is it, then, that Lord Vishnu incarnates onto this Earth to guide people and to reestablish Dharma and to annihilate the miscreants when in reality this all (the world, evil, etc.) isn't real?
Once these questions are answered, then I'll start studying about nd start practicing Advaita. Until then, I just want to know about it. It's time for me to stop practicing what I like and start practicing the truth, so please don't sugar-coat the truth (no offence meant).
Please know, however, that if question 1 is answered with a "No", then I'll completely exclude Advaita out of my list of possible philosophies for myself due to my own experiences and beliefs and studies (for lack of a better word). Thanks in advance.
In my search for the correct philosophy that agrees with all the Scriptures, I have found that nearly every philosophy contradicts at least one Scripture. However, I have seen agreement in, at least, in the Vaishnava scriptures and Advaita. However, four things are stopping me from even touching Advaita. Forgive my ignorance, but maybe it's incorrect information (I was a Dvaita, the most severe rivals of Advaita).
1) Sri Shankara said that God is an illusion (to sum up his views of God). Is this true? Does Sri Shankara teach that God is an illusion, and that in reality there is no God? Does he teach that "God" is only a trick played upon the mind by maya?
2) What is Sri Shankara's view on moksha? What will we do after obtaining moksha, and how do we obtain it in the first place?
3) What about Bhakti? If the answer to the questions in question 1 is "Yes", then this question is pointless. However, if the answer to the questions in question 1 is "No", then what does Sri Shankara think about Bhakti?
4) Adi Shankara said that the world isn't real. Why is it, then, that Lord Vishnu incarnates onto this Earth to guide people and to reestablish Dharma and to annihilate the miscreants when in reality this all (the world, evil, etc.) isn't real?
Once these questions are answered, then I'll start studying about nd start practicing Advaita. Until then, I just want to know about it. It's time for me to stop practicing what I like and start practicing the truth, so please don't sugar-coat the truth (no offence meant).
Please know, however, that if question 1 is answered with a "No", then I'll completely exclude Advaita out of my list of possible philosophies for myself due to my own experiences and beliefs and studies (for lack of a better word). Thanks in advance.