Sunday, August 22, 2004
The Teachings of Sri Chaitanya
I just published this article on my website Teachings of Sri Chaitanya by Spiritual Guide Steve Bohlert, Subal Das. It presents a summary study of the sublime philosophy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya advented himself in Mayapur, in the town of Nadia, on February 18, 1486, and from the time of his appearance, he made everyone chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Sri Chaitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna himself, advented in the present age of Kali Yuga in the garb of a devotee in order to experience the bliss of devotional service and to spread love of Godhead to everyone.
I just published this article on my website Teachings of Sri Chaitanya by Spiritual Guide Steve Bohlert, Subal Das. It presents a summary study of the sublime philosophy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Chaitanya advented himself in Mayapur, in the town of Nadia, on February 18, 1486, and from the time of his appearance, he made everyone chant Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Sri Chaitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna himself, advented in the present age of Kali Yuga in the garb of a devotee in order to experience the bliss of devotional service and to spread love of Godhead to everyone.
Friday, August 20, 2004
The Historical Chaitanya
Aug 16 2004, I posted the following on Gaudiya Discussions:
For a long time now, liberal Christian scholars and theologians have been doing text critical research of the gospels. There is a group called the Jesus Seminar which has published books in which they have gone through the gospels giving the scholarly consensus regarding what the historical Jesus really said and did. Much of the material is considered to be creations of the various authors as they developed the theology/Christology over time. It is generally agreed that Jesus did not think of himself as the messiah and did not perform many of the miracles attributed to him. This does not mean that the stories are not spiritually true and lack value. Rather than being considered historical in the modern sense, they are more mythological. Of course, these scholars are coming from a rational, scientific point of view and that affects their assumptions. Besides, Jesus is both man and God or a shaktavesh avatar.
Has any work of this nature been done regarding Sri Chaitanya? Of course, we believe him to be God, but did he consider himself to be God? Did he do all the "miracles" attributed to him? Do we have an accurate record of his teachings or were a lot of things developed by the goswamis and others on their own? These questions should be easier to answer since he is more recent than Jesus and was surrounded by scholars and political leaders in a literate society.
I just finished reading Lord Chaitanya by O.B.L. Kapoor who was a scholar. He tells the story well but does not go into the type of analysis I am asking about. It sounds quite believable, but I would like to know the scholarly opinion.
To read the discussion that followed, you can click here: Gaudiya Discussions -%3E The Historical Chaitanya
Aug 16 2004, I posted the following on Gaudiya Discussions:
For a long time now, liberal Christian scholars and theologians have been doing text critical research of the gospels. There is a group called the Jesus Seminar which has published books in which they have gone through the gospels giving the scholarly consensus regarding what the historical Jesus really said and did. Much of the material is considered to be creations of the various authors as they developed the theology/Christology over time. It is generally agreed that Jesus did not think of himself as the messiah and did not perform many of the miracles attributed to him. This does not mean that the stories are not spiritually true and lack value. Rather than being considered historical in the modern sense, they are more mythological. Of course, these scholars are coming from a rational, scientific point of view and that affects their assumptions. Besides, Jesus is both man and God or a shaktavesh avatar.
Has any work of this nature been done regarding Sri Chaitanya? Of course, we believe him to be God, but did he consider himself to be God? Did he do all the "miracles" attributed to him? Do we have an accurate record of his teachings or were a lot of things developed by the goswamis and others on their own? These questions should be easier to answer since he is more recent than Jesus and was surrounded by scholars and political leaders in a literate society.
I just finished reading Lord Chaitanya by O.B.L. Kapoor who was a scholar. He tells the story well but does not go into the type of analysis I am asking about. It sounds quite believable, but I would like to know the scholarly opinion.
To read the discussion that followed, you can click here: Gaudiya Discussions -%3E The Historical Chaitanya
Sunday, August 15, 2004
Lord Chaitanya
I have just finished reading Lord Chaitanya by O.B.L. Kapoor. It is an extensive English biography of Sri Krishna Chaitanya who lived in India 1486-1534 CE. He is considered to be the incarnation of Radha and Krishna in one body. This biography, compiled from various original sources by a learned scholar and devotee, Dr. Kapoor, is quite convincing. Sri Chaitanya lived in somewhat "modern" historical times. He was surrounded by leading religious scholars and political rulers of the day who considered him to be God in his own lifetime. The original sources include notes from his direct associates and writings based on interviews with other direct associates. Some of the events described in this book can only have been performed by God. His followers are still active today and have spread around the world. They are known as Gaudiya Vaishnavas and continue the path of spontaneous devotion to Radha and Krishna that he taught.
I was most fortunate to have had Dr. Kapoor as a friend and mentor when I lived in Vrindaban, India in the early 1970s. He was very welcoming and had a big heart. His academic credentials are impressive as well as his life as a devotee. I trust him and his words. He presents Lord Chaitanya in a very readable style. It is the most enjoyable, informative and inspiring biography of Chaitanya I have read. I highly recommend it.
Loi Bazaar: Lord Chaitanya (OBL Kapoor)
I have just finished reading Lord Chaitanya by O.B.L. Kapoor. It is an extensive English biography of Sri Krishna Chaitanya who lived in India 1486-1534 CE. He is considered to be the incarnation of Radha and Krishna in one body. This biography, compiled from various original sources by a learned scholar and devotee, Dr. Kapoor, is quite convincing. Sri Chaitanya lived in somewhat "modern" historical times. He was surrounded by leading religious scholars and political rulers of the day who considered him to be God in his own lifetime. The original sources include notes from his direct associates and writings based on interviews with other direct associates. Some of the events described in this book can only have been performed by God. His followers are still active today and have spread around the world. They are known as Gaudiya Vaishnavas and continue the path of spontaneous devotion to Radha and Krishna that he taught.
I was most fortunate to have had Dr. Kapoor as a friend and mentor when I lived in Vrindaban, India in the early 1970s. He was very welcoming and had a big heart. His academic credentials are impressive as well as his life as a devotee. I trust him and his words. He presents Lord Chaitanya in a very readable style. It is the most enjoyable, informative and inspiring biography of Chaitanya I have read. I highly recommend it.
Loi Bazaar: Lord Chaitanya (OBL Kapoor)
Thursday, August 12, 2004
The Eternal Religion
I just published an article, The Eternal Religion, which I wrote in 1973 when I was a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. It was published in the magazine "Back to Godhead." At the time I was a sannyasi, renunciate. After spending two years in India, I did a nine month speaking tour of Canada and the eastern United States in 1973 and then returned to India. I re-edited the article, up-dating the language and some of the ideas.
I just published an article, The Eternal Religion, which I wrote in 1973 when I was a disciple of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. It was published in the magazine "Back to Godhead." At the time I was a sannyasi, renunciate. After spending two years in India, I did a nine month speaking tour of Canada and the eastern United States in 1973 and then returned to India. I re-edited the article, up-dating the language and some of the ideas.
