I am presenting Vaisnavism the eternal religion of all living beings - as taught by the Vedic teachings in Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita and all Vaisnava literature - and in reality there is no such thing as Christian,Muslim, Hindu or Jew. which are all labels or designations of the mind and body and therefore temporary and die along with the death of the body.
Vaisnavism does not die with the death of the body - and continues with the soul to its next destination.....either back to Godhead or back to the material world to continue its journey to perfection through devotional service as taught by Vedic literature.
When Sanatana Gosvami asked Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu about the svarupa of every living being, the Lord replied that the svarupa or constitutional position of the living being is the rendering of service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we analyze this statement of Lord Caitanya's, we can easily see that every living being is constantly engaged in rendering service to another living being. A living being serves other living beings in two capacities - and by doing so, the living entity enjoys life.
The lower animals serve human beings as servants serve their master. A serves B master, B serves C master and C serves D master and so on. Under these circumstances, we can see that one friend serves another friend, the mother serves the son, the wife serves the husband, the husband serves the wife and so on. If we go on searching in this spirit, it will be seen that there is no exception in the society of living beings to the activity of service.
The politician presents his manifesto for the public to convince them of his capacity for service. The voters therefore give the politician their valuable votes, thinking that he will render valuable service to society. The shopkeeper serves the customer, and the artisan serves the capitalist.
The capitalist serves the family, and the family serves the state in the terms of the eternal capacity of the eternal living being. In this way we can see that no living being is exempt from rendering service to other living beings, and therefore we can safely conclude that service is the constant companion of the living being and that the rendering of service is the eternal religion of the living being.
Yet man professes to belong to a particular type of faith with reference to particular time and circumstance and thus claims to be a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or any other sect. Such designations are non-sanatana-dharma. A Hindu may change his faith to become a Muslim, or a Muslim may change his faith to become a Hindu, or a Christian may change his faith and so on. But in all circumstances the change of religious faith does not affect the eternal occupation of rendering service to others.
The Hindu, Muslim or Christian in all circumstances is servant of someone. Thus, to profess a particular type of sect is not to profess one's sanatana-dharma. ----But the rendering of service is sanatana-dharma.
Factually we are related to the Supreme Lord in service. The Supreme Lord is the supreme enjoyer, and we living entities are His servitors. We are created for His enjoyment, and if we participate in that eternal enjoyment with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we become happy.
We cannot become happy otherwise. It is not possible to be happy independently, just as no one part of the body can be happy without cooperating with the stomach for its supply of food. It is not possible for the living entity to be happy without rendering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord Krsna.
Christ - Kristos - Krsna
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Originally posted by Dasa
I am presenting Vaisnavism the eternal religion of all living beings - as taught by the Vedic teachings in Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita and all Vaisnava literature - and in reality there is no such thing as Christian,Muslim, Hindu or Jew. which are all labels or designations of the mind and body and therefore temporary and die along with the death of the ...[text shortened]... ndering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord Krsna.
Christ - Kristos - Krsna
We cannot become happy otherwise. It is not possible to be happy independently, just as no one part of the body can be happy without cooperating with the stomach for its supply of food. It is not possible for the living entity to be happy without rendering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord Krsna.
This closing statement makes it look like the real goal is one's own happiness, which to my mind, distracts from the ideas presented.
Originally posted by Dasa"You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride [... b]ut you're gonna have to serve somebody."
I am presenting Vaisnavism the eternal religion of all living beings - as taught by the Vedic teachings in Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita and all Vaisnava literature - and in reality there is no such thing as Christian,Muslim, Hindu or Jew. which are all labels or designations of the mind and body and therefore temporary and die along with the death of the ...[text shortened]... ndering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord Krsna.
Christ - Kristos - Krsna
Yes, indeed.
Originally posted by JS357I don't think Dasa is trying to say that happiness isn't important.We cannot become happy otherwise. It is not possible to be happy independently, just as no one part of the body can be happy without cooperating with the stomach for its supply of food. It is not possible for the living entity to be happy without rendering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord Krsna.
This closing statement make ...[text shortened]... ike the real goal is one's own happiness, which to my mind, distracts from the ideas presented.
I think what Dasa is saying is that when you lose yourself in the effort to do something good for someone else, it is then, paradoxically, that you find the most happiness for yourself.
Originally posted by DasaThis seems pretty cogent and reasonable for the main. Perhaps you could credit the source Dasa?
I am presenting Vaisnavism the eternal religion of all living beings - as taught by the Vedic teachings in Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita and all Vaisnava literature - and in reality there is no such thing as Christian,Muslim, Hindu or Jew. which are all labels or designations of the mind and body and therefore temporary and die along with the death of the ...[text shortened]... ndering transcendental loving service unto the Supreme Lord Krsna.
Christ - Kristos - Krsna
- Joined
- 29 Dec 08
- Moves
- 6788
Originally posted by MelanerpesOK, thanks I think I get that part -- overall, I like it, for a change.
I don't think Dasa is trying to say that happiness isn't important.
I think what Dasa is saying is that when you lose yourself in the effort to do something good for someone else, it is then, paradoxically, that you find the most happiness for yourself.
Originally posted by MelanerpesI don't see it as paradoxical at all. In fact I don't think the notion rises much above a bit of fortune cookie wisdom - true but terribly cliched. Does Dasa make any relevant real life connection between the details of his chosen religious dogma and finding happiness through doing something good for someone else? No. I make efforts to do something good for others and it brings me happiness but it has nothing to do with the Vedas and it has noting to do with whether I eat meat. Does Dasa derive happiness from his proselytism here at RHP? There may be a paradox lurking in the answer to that question.
I think what Dasa is saying is that when you lose yourself in the effort to do something good for someone else, it is then, paradoxically, that you find the most happiness for yourself.
Originally posted by FMFYes, it is "fortune cookie wisdom" - in a sense, everyone knows that losing oneself in the service of others is the way to finding the greatest joys in life. Likewise, the quote from JFK about "ask not what your country can do for you..." is also a cliche. No one really disagrees with what he said.
I don't see it as paradoxical at all. In fact I don't think the notion rises much above a bit of fortune cookie wisdom - true but terribly cliched. Does Dasa make any relevant real life connection between the details of his chosen religious dogma and finding happiness through doing something good for someone else? No. I make efforts to do something good for othe ...[text shortened]... om his proselytism here at RHP? There may be a paradox lurking in the answer to that question.
And yet - we so often don't do these things -- look at the political situation - what would happen if everyone actually DID what JFK was saying? -- if they made this attitude the very basis of everything they did in life?
So I do ask Dasa -- we all know we need to be better servants -- the real issue is how do we actually become better servants?
Originally posted by MelanerpesWe have to know who to serve.
Yes, it is "fortune cookie wisdom" - in a sense, everyone knows that losing oneself in the service of others is the way to finding the greatest joys in life. Likewise, the quote from JFK about "ask not what your country can do for you..." is also a cliche. No one really disagrees with what he said.
And yet - we so often don't do these things -- look at ...[text shortened]... need to be better servants -- the real issue is how do we actually become better servants?
The goal of life in this world is to learn to rekindle our lost love for God - so we must ultimately serve God.
No one knows how to serve God because the false religions of the world are mis-guiding everyone with false knowledge.
Vedic teachings explain in detail how to serve God.
The 4 main ways of serving God are........think of God, read about God from Vedic literature and learn true knowledge, chant God,s Holy names constantly and follow the instruction of Vedic teachings to become civilized and pure.
You cannot do this by going on-line because if you go on-line you will be misinformed with pseudo Vedic knowledge from unqualified persons.......but you must approach a bonafide spiritual master, but until you do that you must read the books of his Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prubhupada.............the only bonafide spiritual master in our current times.
Hare Krsna
Originally posted by avalanchethecatDidn't he say the source was the Vedic teachings in Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita and all Vaisnava literature?
This seems pretty cogent and reasonable for the main. Perhaps you could credit the source Dasa?
P.S. But perhaps it is the books of his Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prubhupada.
Originally posted by DasaOf the 4 main ways of serving God, do any of them involve serving one's neighbor?
We have to know who to serve.
The goal of life in this world is to learn to rekindle our lost love for God - so we must ultimately serve God.
No one knows how to serve God because the false religions of the world are mis-guiding everyone with false knowledge.
Vedic teachings explain in detail how to serve God.
The 4 main ways of serving God are..... ...[text shortened]... mi Prubhupada.............the only bonafide spiritual master in our current times.
Hare Krsna
Originally posted by MelanerpesThe truly only way to properly serve your neighbour is to help them raise their own consciousness to the spiritual platform by showing them where they can obtain true knowledge about themselves and God.
Of the 4 main ways of serving God, do any of them involve serving one's neighbor?
This is called preaching and of course its goes along with the process.
The Vaisnava Society last year alone served out over 2 million meals to the homeless and needy............but this is not as important as giving someone knowledge of their factual spiritual position in their material existence.
Originally posted by DasaWhen you offer the "homeless and needy" of Brisbane your purported "knowledge of their factual spiritual position in their material existence", do you address them in the same way as you address people here on this forum?
The Vaisnava Society last year alone served out over 2 million meals to the homeless and needy............but this is not as important as giving someone knowledge of their factual spiritual position in their material existence.