320 likes | 1.49k Views
Vedanta Society of Iowa February 22, 2014. Introduction to Vedanta. Discussion Topics. What is Vedanta? Why study Vedanta? How to study Vedanta? Q&A. What is Vedanta ?. Culmination/Essence of ‘Veda’
E N D
Vedanta Society of Iowa February 22, 2014 Introduction to Vedanta
Discussion Topics • What is Vedanta? • Why study Vedanta? • How to study Vedanta? • Q&A
What is Vedanta ? • Culmination/Essence of ‘Veda’ • Basis (Philosophy) of Hinduism • Defines God (Brahman) as ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’
Why study Vedanta? • To be eternally happy & wise • Sat-Chit-Ananda • To understand who I am • AhamBrahmasmi • To understand what this world is • SarvamKalvidam Brahman • To ascertain methods to achieve the goal • SadhanaChatushtaya/PrapattiMarga/NabadhaBhakti/4-Yogas/5-Commandments of Sri Ramakrishna etc. • To become master of oneself • Obtain sthitapragna (not buffeted by dualities) • To develop reverence for everything • Ekam Sat; Vipravahudhabadanti (all incarnation + all religion + all living & non-living manifestations )
How to study Vedanta? • Anubandha-Chatushtaya (अनुबन्ध-चतुष्टय) • 4-requisites to undertake a study • Prayojana, Vishaya, Sambandha, Adhikari • Sadhana-Chatushtaya(साधन-चतुष्टय) • 4-means to develop qualification • Viveka, Vairagya, Sad-Sampatti, Mumukshutva • Shravana-Manana-Nididhysana(श्रवण-मनन-निदिध्यासन) • 3-fold process of practice • Constant Hearing, Reflecting, Meditating
Anubandha-Chatushtaya • Prayojana (’प्रयोजन’) – benefit/result • Atyantika – Dukha – Nivritti • ParamanandaPrapti • Vishaya (’विषय’)– subject matter • Jiva - Brahman - Aikya • Sambandha(’सम्बन्ध’) – relationship • Prayojana – Vishaya – Sambandha – Adhikari • Adhikari (’अधिकारी’)– qualification of seeker • ChittaEkagrata • ChittaSuddhi
Sadhana-Chatushtaya • Viveka (‘विवेक’) • Discrimination between Eternal and Non-Eternal • Vairagya (‘वैराग्य’) • Detachment from Non-Eternal • ShamAdi Sat-Sampatti (‘शमादिशट-सम्पत्ति’ ) • Practice of Six Wealths/Treasures • Mumukshutva (‘मुमुक्षुत्व ‘) • Longing for Liberation/Mukti
Shat-Sampatti • Shama (‘शम’) • detaching the mind from external stimuli • Dama (‘दम’) • detaching the sense organs from external stimuli • TitikShA (‘तितिक्षा’) • enduring afflictions without reaction • Uparati (‘उपरति’) • not letting the mind react • ShraddhA (‘श्रद्धा’) • faith in Scriptures & words of Guru • SamAdhAna(‘समाधान’) • one pointed focus on the Reality