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Wendy Doniger on Hinduism and Mythology and Hindus.
I happened to listen to a Podcast on Sanskrit Studies and heard an interview with Doniger. I have read her big fat book The Hindus and loved it. She made a lot of Hindu “experts” angry, who were very offended by her style and her lack of proper reverence. It was an ugly controversy that ended in Penguin destroying the copies. I am so glad i have mine. I was also impressed with the way she described her life and education and how she came to be professor of Sanskrit Studies. She made me very jealous for living the life I so wish I did. So I had to see what she looked like.
I hope you enjoy this video as much as i did. Hope the link works.
Some decades ago, I had a Guru that after giving initiation, gave 'Holy Breath'.
This is when the devotee would pass in front of the Guru(at darshan) would cup his ear towards the Guru who would blow towards the ear. The symbolic meaning was that you were now totally accepted as a devotee.
I have tried to trace the origin but can't find any mention of this anywhere.
Any ideas?
Last edited by JaiSea; 11-02-2022 at 01:22 AM..
Reason: spelling error
Some decades ago, I had a Guru that after giving initiation, gave 'Holy Breath'.
This is when the devotee would pass in front of the Guru(at darshan) would cup his ear towards the Guru who would blow towards the ear. The symbolic meaning was that you were now totally accepted as a devotee.
I have tried to trace the origin but can't find any mention of this anywhere.
Any ideas?
I don’t know I have never taken any such initiation. At this time did he give you a mantra to meditate upon?
When boys get their “thread ceremony” there is a lot of whispering and these are sacred mantras given to the boy.
When a child is named on the 11th day, the mother whispers her name in her ear.
Why do you think that Luciferianism and Satanism have at their core the same concepts as Hinduism? That is, development of the third eye for the purpose of becoming awake/aware in the after death experience, so that God and judgement/purgatory may be transcended and bypassed?
Sorry, I have no idea. Hinduism embraces a lot of thoughts and practices. There ate also Indian tribal religions and practices. The third signifies many things about Lord Shiva who destroys the ego and gives you liberation. He is the Lord of the universe and of Time, he destroys ignorance and gives you spiritual knowledge. At the end of time he destroys the world and a new world is formed. All these powers are represented by the third eye.
I don’t know I have never taken any such initiation. At this time did he give you a mantra to meditate upon?
When boys get their “thread ceremony” there is a lot of whispering and these are sacred mantras given to the boy. When a child is named on the 11th day, the mother whispers her name in her ear.
Thanks for your thoughts.
There was an initiation into meditation techniques, however the Holy Breath, as it was called, happened at a later time, usually when receiving his darshan.
It could be similar to the above(emboldened)as you said.
There was an initiation into meditation techniques, however the Holy Breath, as it was called, happened at a later time, usually when receiving his darshan.
It could be similar to the above(emboldened)as you said.
Cheers
Can you say what the Sanskrit version of what is translated as Holy Breath is? That will give a better understanding. Thanks
In case anyone is curious to know more about the Sanatana Dharma (aka Hinduism), please post your questions here. I'll do my best to provide any answers.
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I love that you are doing this. When I started looking into world religions a few decades ago, I developed a deep respect to the historic Hindu beliefs. A photo of Shiva dancing in one of the Natya Shastra poses was my "talisman" in the frontispiece of my project notebook, as I conducted my role as an "agent of change" in manufacturing businesses hiring me to help them revise their business processes. I have a small garden ganesh in my yard, where I go for peace and contemplation. I hope this thread of yours brings peace and thoughtful to change their lives for the better.
I do have a question, as well.
I once read that Buddhism brought the Hindu beliefs to the world, as Christianity brought the Jewish beliefs to the world, because both Hinduism and Judaism were ethnic and specific to a culture where Buddhism and Christianity are not. Do you agree with that statement?
I love that you are doing this. When I started looking into world religions a few decades ago, I developed a deep respect to the historic Hindu beliefs. A photo of Shiva dancing in one of the Natya Shastra poses was my "talisman" in the frontispiece of my project notebook, as I conducted my role as an "agent of change" in manufacturing businesses hiring me to help them revise their business processes. I have a small garden ganesh in my yard, where I go for peace and contemplation. I hope this thread of yours brings peace and thoughtful to change their lives for the better.
I do have a question, as well.
I once read that Buddhism brought the Hindu beliefs to the world, as Christianity brought the Jewish beliefs to the world, because both Hinduism and Judaism were ethnic and specific to a culture where Buddhism and Christianity are not. Do you agree with that statement?
I hope Xpat would return to respond. In the mean time i can be of help?
I am curious where you read that, i would love to see that. It is an interesting idea. I do find remarkable commonality in aspects of Judaism with Hinduism.
Buddha actually was grounded in Hinduism and its texts and traditions. He rejected the ritual aspects of the religion and stayed with the philosophical aspects of Hinduism, the practice of meditation, and spirituality. The two philosophies are not far apart. He found a simple way to impart it the common people. So in that respect I disagree, Buddhism is very much grounded in Indian ethnic culture. Even in countries where it spread such as Sri Lanka and Thailand, Java and Sumatra etc, Indonesia, it retained many of the Hindu mythological roots, methods of worship, and culture.
While Hinduism did not spread as Buddhism did it did influence many thoughts and philosophies in the West and Mideast and Asia, and later Europe and US.
I love that you are doing this. When I started looking into world religions a few decades ago, I developed a deep respect to the historic Hindu beliefs. A photo of Shiva dancing in one of the Natya Shastra poses was my "talisman" in the frontispiece of my project notebook, as I conducted my role as an "agent of change" in manufacturing businesses hiring me to help them revise their business processes. I have a small garden ganesh in my yard, where I go for peace and contemplation. I hope this thread of yours brings peace and thoughtful to change their lives for the better.
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My favorite deity, the One that I adore, is Shiva. How can you not adore a god who dances with such abandon, in such beauty, carrying the crescent moon as ornament in his hair, the river Ganges flowing from his locks. He is also depicted at times as The Teacher, the Guru, seated in silence with only a tender smile, under a tree in a forest. The mythology of Shiva a thing of wonder and beauty.
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