One of the things that most people find very hard to accept about religion is the location of its origin.
Most of the Vedic stories we find, as far as humanity and planet Earth is concern, all happened in India, more or less.
Similarly, as for the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), they have a middle eastern origin.
For example, Lord Krishna wore 'dhoti' and the gopis wore 'sarees'. Likewise, Jesus, Mary and Joseph all wore
middle eastern clothing.
So, my question is what do God really wear or speak or eat? In the Vedic scripture they are illustrated to strictly wear
"Indian clothing" speak "sanskrit" and sustained on "vegetarian diet" or is it the other way around;
is it a transcendental thing or is it an Indian thing? Then again, claiming that all things Indian are transcendental in
origin won't be very helpful would it? That adds fire to the already exsiting ego maniacs out there claiming theirs to
be the best.
Same thing goes for the middle eastern religions - God and angels speak 'Hebrew'/'Latin'/'Arabic', wear that ancient
Israeli/Arabic robes and ate an ancient Israeli/Arabic diet.
So when a faith is tied to the location of its origin, culturally, it becomes very hard to accept for the people living in
different locations that shares none of the culture wherefrom it began.
Yes, you can blame it on the conditioning of the "embodied souls" still if you were serious and about to think in a more
realistic way, wouldn't it be great if we have a better, sensible explanation for this fact? In my opinion it is
the single most contraining factor that makes a lot people second guess about accepting religion in general because in
their mind it seems more like cultural conditioning/invasion than a actual transcendental offer/experience.
Sensible, easy to understand, non pretentious answer would be much appreciated.
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the whole world is in great danger from the ""peaceful religion"" than from atheism or any other. you never know who will pick up a weapon or a vehicle with a bizzarre thought that hes going to jannah!!!....lol
I believe, there are a lot of people who are thankful to the Indian people for preserving that ancient knowledge. I am one of them.
So when & whereever & wherever it is verbulized that place & time becomes Spiritualized. I.e. Not an issue for ISKCON! ?
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama'
Maybe when we are chanting a mantra, we are turning our body temporary in some kind of a temple. So the Geographical position doesn't matter.
May be it is so, because a religion is the organizer of concrete society in connection with its culture, language and History - Geographical location. May be our faith is the only ours personal possession, with which we are coming on the Earth and passing away later.
However, Krishna & His Holy-Names are not, -time or tarratory specific. My comparasum is' if one were to turn the earth aground on it's axis at midnight, that part that normally would be sroded in bleakness would suddinly be illuminated* in the same way, th÷) transindental vibrational reactions of the holy sweetness of the name of Hare, Krishna & Rama, have no cultural tarratorel or (time- frame) restrictions are applicable.When chanted property i.e. pronounced Haray KRISHNA & Rama respectively. They -allThings are immediately illuminated (internaly) & instantlaineusly/in moment's, hence without any exceptions all are spiritually enlivened & all Souls are revitalized. So what is the need of this redundant discussion amyway. I.e.this SoundVibration is Universally non-sectarianism, & all ah'spissus, when Ha-ray is chanted /pronounced properly it is Not Limited in anyWay. Om Tat SaT.
Culture goes with the religion or belief, and masses needs to follow it for their gradual spiritual progress.
People wear particular type of cloths according to their beliefs, having different types of tilak on foreheads, following rituals, ceremonies and philosophies according to their acaryas and teachers.
One who do not desire wasting the time and effort in a long proces which usually takes many many lives, should abandon all religions and cultures, and fully surrender only to Lord who reside inside the heart.
Hare Krishna! Dandavat Pranam!
Dear Prabhuji - Here are few points from Acharya's teachings/discourses, request to consider the points 'constructively' and forgive Adiyen if it is offensive any way.
As you rightly mentioned it is the 'conditioning' of the embodied souls but certainly not without any rationale. The scriptures confirm that the 'present' life is an outcome of 'past' karma (again & again). In fact, it would be so irrational if it were to be anything different otherwise. So anything that obstructs pursuing Bhakti yoga (whether it is at gross physical body level OR subtle mind level), it is because of past 'bad' karma. In general, the more bodily comfort, the more it keeps us away from the lord.
There are very classic cases where many born in very traditional families who are clearly aware of vedic system values, still settling down in western countries with different pursuits since the desires are different in this birth. So culture being conducive is apparently not helping since the desires are different.
Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanam!
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