Re: New To Advaita, Help Needed
Namaste Arijit,
Originally Posted by
arijitmitter
I spent some time belonging to no religion. But I am much too strong believer in God. Being a Brahmo I could not take part in normal puja since Brahmo Dharma prevented idol worship. That is why I feel good in a temple but feel uncomfortable / outsider during puja and aarti.
Brahmo Samaj is part of Hindu Dharma. Hindus have a long history of arguing over spiritual issues based on scriptures and if defeated in Shstrartha, people would change their belief system. So, when you have any confusion, discuss and change to the views what appeals to you as the Truth. This has been our tradition. Mandan Mishra was an ardent karma-kaandi based on Purva MimAmsaa but when he was defeated in ShAshtrArtha by ShankarAchArya, he became his follower and proved to be a great Advaitin Sannyaasi. So, shed the view that once born in a family of Brahmo-samaji you are saddled with their views and cannot get over with them.
As you are from Kolkata and a BengAli, you should be proud of the fact the BengAl has given many great Advaitin saints to Hindu Dharma. Ramkrishna Paramhansa showed that Advaita is the ultimate truth even though he was a great devotee of Maa Kaali. When worshipping Mother Kaali didn't stop Ramkrishna becoming established in Nirvikalpa SamAdhi, why are you afraid of worshipping mother Goddess if she appeals to you ? If she doesn't, then you choose whatever appeals to you and follow that path firmly.
I am an Advaita follower. There have been very few Adavitins like Maharishi Ramana, AshtAvakra etc. who without help of duality have been able to reach the ultimate. God-devotee relationship is absent in absolute reality but for getting there too God's grace is important.
If I am in land of Adavita Vedanta why will I choose Buddhism?
Good decision. I have studied Buddhism in depth and I can say it with confidence.
A ) I live in Calcutta and everyone here worships Kali. Though I am fond of Kali, I do not want to spend time worshiping her since I like complex intellectual books. As a Brahmo can I call myself a Vedantin (by definition it seems to be so since Brahmo Dharma is based on Upanishads but no Brahmo has ever called himself so)
You can find your answer above.
B ) I will educate myself by books, books and more books. Calcutta lacks Vedanta teachers. Can a Vedantin teach himself? Between work and reading I do not have any more time.
It is better you choose an Advaitic Guru like Sri Ramkrishna, Paramhansa Yogananda and join their school. You will get a better picture of the reality and also grace which will calm your mind which seems agitated now. I can suggest you some books if you are interested (please pm me).
C ) I am used to Buddhist Samatha (calming) meditation. To change to Hindu meditation does not seem that much change. Can I proceed?
Samatha is good. However, it is strongly advisable not to choose any path arbitrarily unless it is prescribed by a true Guru. A true Guru is one who Himself has attained the Absolute Reality. If you join Buddhism, then I would recommend Vipashyanaa to start with.
D ) Most important - Brahmo Samaj has disappeared, gone. How to do funeral of my mother when she dies. She is old and may pass away any day. She is also a Brahmo but has no objection to any type of funeral or even no funeral. My sisters are mainstream Hindus and will do it in that way. What does an Advaitin Vedantin do? Perform same rituals as a mainstream Hindu, same mantras, same method? Reason I am asking is - Vaishnavs do not have same funeral liturgy as Shaivites. What about Advaita Vedanta followers? What do they do when someone dies.
The golden principle is that you follow what your mother wants. ShankarachArya did not bind himself with the rituals of SannyAsis when it came to performing his mother's death rituals. Try to know what your mother wants (or your near and dear ones) and act accordingly. It is all a matter of faith. I have done samskaar of both my parents in traditional way.
OM
"Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"
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