Re: Questions on Smartism.
Originally Posted by
Baobobtree
Jai Sai Ram my fellow Baba devotee. I thank you for the wise words, but I really don't find my beliefs to be in line with traditional Christian theology, so I don't see how I can call myself a Christian.
This is the right attitude and makes rational sense. Surely one cannot call himself chirstian or muslim and yet claim to believe in rebirth and karma.
It is sad propaganda which arose in Hinduism towards the later part of the last millennium to patch up problems with other sects in India. Far from patching up things it has made Hinduism inherently weaker than it used to be.
About the smarta conversion, I am personally not very happy with the smarta standpoint. I think the reason for their strict adherence to varnashrama is for the sole purpose of protecting the Vedas. What Manu created, and what was reinforced strongly by the great Ved Vyas had the sole purpose of protecting the roots of the vedic culture. The name smarta inhereits the same purpose...to remember the origins of our culture through time.
Given this main purpose of protection of the vedic civilization, ban on conversion is quite contrary to this purpose in the current Yuga. I personally believe that if Srmiad Acharya himself was present at this moment, he would have advised differently...
That said, smarta practices cannot be forbidden to others...it's that u wud still not be called a brahmin by the orthodox cummunity...how does it matter outside India ??
What is Here, is Elsewhere. What is not Here, is Nowhere.
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