| Arise Arjuna Hinduism And The Modern World |
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| Books By David Frawley |
| VEDANTA, UNITY AND UNIVERSALITY, THE UNITY OF TRUTH | |
| Vedanta and
Religion Vedanta is such a spiritual science of the highest order. It aims at connecting us with the universal Truth, and it does not stop at limited, partial, or preliminary truths. Vedanta examines all the beliefs and practices of its own Hindu tradition, and finds that only some of them represent the highest truth, whereas others are inferior or partial teachings. Rituals, for example, Vedanta finds to be mainly of value for people at an early stage of spiritual development or as practices for general welfare, while those who can practice meditation are no longer required to perform them. Vedanta sees the same levels in all the religions of the world, which exist not only to link mankind to the One Truth but also serve various lesser goals of moral upliftment or merely social control. Vedanta takes us to the highest level of religion which is a practical path of Self-realization. This takes us beyond religion, in fact beyond all externalities to our true Self. From the standpoint of Vedanta all forms of knowledge are only aids to Self-knowledge, gaining which we go beyond them, including all religious beliefs. Religion, properly employed, should serve to take us to the point of Self-inquiry, to direct us to the path of Self-knowledge, or such religion is deficient in its usefulness. |
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