SV CW Vol 2 - The Ideal of a Universal Religion - Part 2-Summary

THE IDEAL OF A UNIVERSAL RELIGION

How it must Embrace Different Types of Minds and Methods

Background:     Necessity of a Universal Religion

                Religion has caused

(a)    Noblest words of peace, intensest love  + bitterest denunciation leading to cruelest bloodsheds

(b)    Patriotism which is always partial

(c)     Sects: As soon as we make a sect, we protest against equality == universal brotherhood.  (exhibited by examples of those who believe in UB of mankind, who do not speak but Do and Live).

Therefore require Universal Peace and Harmony.

What consists Religion?

 

• 1.       Is it possible to have a universal mythology that everybody will believe in?             NO
• 2.       Is it possible to have a universal ritual that everybody will agree to follow?            NO
• 3.       Is it possible to have a universal philosophy?        NO because of fanaticism.
• 4.       Is it possible to have a universal religion?               YES

Why? Because

                This universal religion runs through all religions in form of God just like the thread that strings the necklace of pearls (all religions/sects).

Requirements for Universal Religion

• 1.       All diversity in manifestation MUST remain – Natural necessity (motion due to lost balance) otherwise total annihilation will ensue.
• 2.       MUST Recognize Unity in Variety as the plan of the universe

a.       In humanity (as human beings) we are one with all men and women

b.       In existence we are one with the universe

c.       In God we are all one with everything

• 3.       MUST Understand that all religions are different views of the Same Entity: - GOD
• 4.       MUST not destroy the individuality of man in his religion but show his unity with others.

Tenets of Swami Vivekananda’s Universal Religion:

• 1.       DO NOT DESTROY but build
• 2.       Afford opportunities and remove obstacles – let man learn himself – from his within (soul)
• 3.       All are on the radii of a circle approaching the center = GOD.
• 4.       Recognize 4 types of mind:

a.       Worker (Active)

b.       Emotional (Love/Devotion)

c.       Mystic (mind)

d.       Philosopher (intellect)

• 5.       Practice + Attain Yoga :

a.       KARMA:  Worker == union with whole humanity == attachment - pain

b.       BHAKTI:  Lover == union bw himself and God of Love ==  (mythology + rituals)

c.       RAJA:  Mystic == union with his lower self with Higher Self == control mind

d.       JYANA:  Philosopher == union with all existence == Everything

• 6.       Use 3 instruments of knowledge : Instinct (animals) –> REASON (man) -> Inspiration (God-man)
• 7.       Reason fulfills instinct..teaching shd never contradict reason
• 8.       Concentration is the only method of acquiring knowledge.

IDEAL:

• 1.       Anyone who develops only one or two types of element of the 4 Yogas are termed “one sided”
• 2.       Do this by work, or worship, or psychic control or philosophy, by one or more or all of these and be free.  By all of these present in full == The Perfect Man . Be harmoniously balanced.
• 3.       Core is realize that ONE EXISTANCE == BE FREE == Mundaka UP Story of 2 birds: pg 394-396

GOAL:

TRUE RELIGION: -The DEFINITION

1. ·         Never changes
2. ·         Religion is Realization
3. ·         Being and becoming – whole Soul changes into its belief

               (c) Nandini Mitra Banerjee April 6, 2014