Brahmoism's Jewish origins

[Rahul Dev Sharma]

from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debendranath_Tagore

DebendraNath's Brahmoism is founded on Ram Mohan
Roy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Mohan_Roy>'s
Hasidic <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasidic> religious
panentheism<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism>(ie. the
omnipresence of
God <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God>) but extended by Tagore to communion
between God and man ie. *Devekus <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devekut>*.

*Deveikus* (communion) refers to the belief that an unbroken intercourse
takes place between the world of God and the world of humanity. It is true
not only that the Deity influences the acts of man, but also that man exerts
an influence on the will of the Deity. Every act and word of man produces a
corresponding vibration in the upper spheres. From this conception is
derived the chief practical principle of Hasidism — communion with God for
the purpose of uniting with the source of life and of influencing it. This
communion is achieved through the concentration of all thoughts on God, and
consulting Him in all the affairs of life.

The righteous man is in constant communion with God, even in his worldly
affairs, since here also he feels His presence. A special form of communion
with God is prayer. In order to render this communion complete the prayer
must be full of fervor, ecstatic; and the soul of him who prays must during
his devotions detach itself from its material dwelling.

[jagannath Chatterjee]

"DebendraNath's Brahmoism is founded on Ram Mohan
Roy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Mohan_Roy>'s
Hasidic <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasidic> religious
panentheism<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism>(ie. the
omnipresence of
God <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God>) but extended by Tagore to communion
between God and man ie. *Devekus <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devekut>*."

Panentheism is a keystone in the foundations of True Brahmoism. The
conception of God being both "immanent" and  "transcendant" is difficult for
our non-True brothers (Sadharan or NB)  to accept and where we part ways
with them and make it impossible to reconcile doctrines.

[Rahul Dev Sharma]

Actually I would have thought the fundamental division to be the
"There is truth in all religions" versus "All religions are true"
schism.

On 11/2/08, jagannath chatterjee <jagannath.chatterjee@...> wrote:
>
> Panentheism is a keystone in the foundations of True Brahmoism. The
> conception of God being both "immanent" and  "transcendant" is difficult for
> our non-True brothers (Sadharan or NB)  to accept and where we part ways
> with them and make it impossible to reconcile doctrines.
>

[Saurav Brahmogroups]

"All religions are true" does not constitute Brahmoism as we know it. That
is New Dispensation propaganda
based on Keshab's concoctions, and we all know that Keshab was not a Brahmo.

As this series is on Judaism we could begin with the general articles of
faith of that religion as settled by
Maimonides.

" *Principles of Jewish Faith:*

   1. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, Blessed be His Name, is
   the Creator and Guide of everything that has been created; He alone has
   made, does make, and will make all things.
   2. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, Blessed be His Name, is
   One, and that there is no unity in any manner like His, and that He alone is
   our God, who was, and is, and will be.
   3. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, Blessed be His Name,
   has no body, and that He is free from all the properties of matter, and that
   there can be no (physical) comparison to Him whatsoever.
   4. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, Blessed be His Name, is
   the first and the last.
   5. I believe with perfect faith that to the Creator, Blessed be His Name,
   and to Him alone, it is right to pray, and that it is not right to pray to
   any being besides Him.
   6. I believe with perfect faith that all the words of the prophets are
   true.
   7. I believe with perfect faith that the prophecy of Moses our teacher,
   peace be upon him, was true, and that he was the chief of the prophets, both
   those who preceded him and those who followed him.
   8. I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah that is now in our
   possession is the same that was given to Moses our teacher, peace be upon
   him.
   9. I believe with perfect faith that this Torah will not be exchanged,
   and that there will never be any other Torah from the Creator, Blessed be
   His Name.
   10. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, Blessed be His Name,
   knows all the deeds of human beings and all their thoughts, as it is
   written, "Who fashioned the hearts of them all, Who comprehends all their
   actions"
   11. I believe with perfect faith that the Creator, Blessed be His Name,
   rewards those who keep His commandments and punishes those that transgress
   them.
   12. I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah; and even
   though he may tarry, nonetheless, I wait every day for his coming.
   13. I believe with perfect faith that there will be a revival of the dead
   at the time when it shall please the Creator, Blessed be His name, and His
   mention shall be exalted for ever and ever."


So whereas we could agree with 1 through 5, which True Brahmo can agree with
their articles 6 through 13 ? It is apparent there is "some truth in all
religions" (including Brahmoism) but the corollary that"every religion is
true" is not a tenable one.

In Truth
Saurav

PS: Brahmoism does not originate from Judaism but can be traced even further
back to Atenism.

On 11/2/08, Rahul Dev Sharma wrote:>Re: Brahmoism's Jewish origins
>
>Actually I would have thought the fundamental division to be the
>"There is truth in all religions" versus "All religions are true"
>schism.
>
>On 11/2/08, jagannath chatterjee <jagannath.chatterjee@...<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brahmoconferenceorg/post?postID=xlia1Hlj0aCVFokdYIhi01I3iuDdAfhLXvX_442TPny1dQE8HJErjQDTqWcWPFWW0F065g42uPOKpQ3L6dAKSXl8j7mtdqHprA>>
wrote:
>>
>> Panentheism is a keystone in the foundations of True Brahmoism. The
>> conception of God being both "immanent" and "transcendant" is difficult
for
>> our non-True brothers (Sadharan or NB) to accept and where we part ways
>> with them and make it impossible to reconcile doctrines.
>>

[Rahul Dev Sharma]

Before dissecting principles of faith of other religions, we should be clear
on principles of our own faith and the subtle variations.

*For example on "God".*

Adi Dharma: There is only One "Supreme Spirit", Author and Preserver of
Existence. (... Beyond description, immanent, transcendant, eternal,
formless, infinite, powerful, radiant, loving, light in the darkness, ruling
principle of existence .... )

Brahmo Dharma : There is always Infinite (limitless, undefinable,
unperceivable, indivisible) Singularity - immanent and transcendant Singular
Author and Preserver of Existence - He who is manifest everywhere and in
everything, in the fire and in the water, in the smallest plant to the
mightiest oak.

*Another example, on prophets, revelations*

Adi Dharma: There is no scripture, revelation, creation, prophet, priest or
teacher to be revered. (Only the Supreme Spirit of Existence can be revered
- not the Vedas, Granths, Bibles or Quran etc.. Worship consist of revering
the "inner light within" ie. enlightened conscience)

Brahmo Dharma: Respect all creations and beings but never venerate (worship)
them for only Singularity can be loved (adored, worshipped). Brahmos reject
scripture as authority. Brahmos reject revelations, prophets, gurus,
messiahs, or avatars as authority. Brahmos reject the need for formal
rituals, priests or places (church, temple, mosque) for worship.
*
So whereas these appear to be saying the same thing, there are still
"irreconciable" differences*

On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 4:56 PM, Saurav Brahmo <saurav@...> wrote:
>
> "All religions are true" does not constitute Brahmoism as we know it. That
is New Dispensation propaganda
> based on Keshab's concoctions, and we all know that Keshab was not a
Brahmo.
>
> As this series is on Judaism we could begin with the general articles of
faith of that religion as settled by
> Maimonides.
>