jabdakhata

One of the key trends that we see today in social media are that people are easily outraged by any incident that they associate with, in terms of their own beliefs, values and core ideologies, but remain mute, try to trivialize or just ignore when a similar incident happens with a segment or sub segment or individual that do not conform to their beliefs and values. This is also evident in case of mainstream media where stories are often described, blogs are written and editorials are posted on horrendous and nefarious crimes against humanity when that crime is committed to a selective group, while completely ignoring or downplaying possibly similar or more horrendous atrocities against other groups. There are actions and reactions. When atrocities evoke outrage from a group, the opposite  group tries to divert attention to a more vicious atrocity or similar incident, completely ignoring or forgetting the fact that by the very act they are acting in the same manner as they are accusin

Another great aspect of Buddhism was the emphasis on service, compassion and kindness for all. Buddha himself wanted to sacrifice his life to protect the lambs meant for the Vedic yagna. It is no wonder that his main thrust was on ahimsa or non violence for all. Swami Vivekananda had said that it was Buddhist influence that largely contributed to the later Hindu traditions of protecting cows from slaughter, although Ahimda was a fundamental tenet in Vedic Hinduism as well as Jainism, more so in Jainism. However before the Buddhist period it was largely forgotten owing to the dominance of the rituals or karmakanda (Vedic sacrifices) that required sacrifices. The sacrifices in fact formed an important constituent of all major religions, including the Abrahamic religions. That Ahimsa was the highest principle was emphatically declared in Gita and Gita also questioned the infallibility of Vedas, because, according to Sri Krishna, the sacrifices were done with a view of quenching the desi

Even though Buddhism was primarily developed and driven around the charismatic leadership of Buddha, it will be wrong to presuppose that it was Buddha centric. In fact Buddhism was the earliest missionary religion, as Swami Vivekananda pointed out. Its sphere of influence once included almost the half of the world population before the advent of Christianity and Islam. Buddhism spread mainly through the silent work of a band of monks whose simple and austere life style attracted people. Buddha himself came to fulfill, not to destroy, like Christ. He was an embodiment of Upanishadic teachings and his doctrine was much more closer to Vedanta than that can be imagined as has been pointed out by Swami Vivekananda. Buddhism was possibly more inspired by Kapil's Samkhya philosophy. In any event, Lord Buddha did not face any major hostility. For one, India was always receptive to great teachers whom the people had an uncanny ability to recognize and understand. Buddha's main adversa

Every religious festival is marked by four aspects - The cultural, the mythological, the philosophical and the spiritual. The cultural aspect comes first because it the culture that largely molds the way a particular religion gives shape to its festivals and celebrations. Take for instance Christmas and Easter, the two greatest and grandest festivals associated with Christianity. Early Christianity had two formidable enemies in its path - Judaism and Paganism. The Pagans were more powerful because they were the ruling class. In order to win over the common people who were deeply rooted in Pagan cultures Christianity needed more than faith in Christ. It needed to redefine and reshape the cultural aspects of Paganism while keeping its core intact. It is no coincidence that 25th December is almost near the beginning of summer solstice or Uttarayan in Sanskrit, marking the Northbound journey of sun. This is linked with festivities in most cultures of the world which signifies our primary