Two fundamental principles of Brahmoism

[Debanjan Ray]

Dear all,
 
I apologise that I very rarely see the mails of this group. I am pleasantly surprised that Brahmoism still attracts many people, even though inevitable controversies exist. When I saw Mr. Rahul Dev Sharma’s reply to some very fundamental and intelligent questions of Mr. Suhrud, Mr. Malay Sanyal’s reply mail about Brahmo Religious Principles, or even the criticism about my mail with “Common Principle to all religions”, I further became happy.
 
What is Brahmoism? – is a question on which I see eternal debate among Brahmos. I see different groups of Brahmos, expressed their utter dissatisfaction over the views of other groups.
 
In this mail, I just want to stress upon just two fundamental  principles which perhaps are agreed by “most of the Brahmos”. These two principles might resolve many controversies:
1)      No Scripture is Infallible
2)      No Human Being who writes a scripture is Infallible/Ideal.
 
Let me first quote from one fantastic work of Rammohun – Tuhfat-Ul-Muwahdin(note-1): “Some people belonging to one sect having different opinions than that of others, oppose the view of other sects with a belief that whatever their ancestors(of their own sect) had told is absolutely true. However, their ancestors were like other Human Beings, and  were never beyond errors or erroneous acts. So, people of the sects promoting their own religions can either be erroneous or can be free from errors. If they are correct, then either of the contradictory theories shall be reasoned out as false;  and if they are incorrect, then either of the religious theories, or all of those are incorrect.”
 
When Rammohun started reading all the major religious scriptures in the world, it was in the back of his mind that there might be some other truths in other religions too. Above led Brahmos to establish the concept of considering all scriptures as fallible, and inspired us to search for the “truth” – as Truth is God (Satyam Gnyanamanantang Brahma).  Satish Chandra Chakraborty mentioned that whatever religion is written in the world; and in that whatever truth is written, and whatever truth shall be discovered in future, assimilation of all the truths is Brahmo religion. This also means that we have to reject many old truths and establish the new bigger truth.
 
This openness leads to a concept that  Change and evolution is the biggest essence of Brahmoism. Rammohan argued that if the law makers continuously change tenets of law over a period of time, by justifying, then why can not religious rules be changed? Truth is never constant. Change, proves that Brahmoism respects intelligence more than belief. Searching the ultimate truth is the biggest objective of Brahmoism. Therefore Brahmo religion is an evolving religion and is never complete. This openness of mind, where the intelligence supersedes the belief, is the greatest characteristics of Brahmoism. And how does this openness come? It comes via challenging the old truth. A method by Socrates suggested constant questioning on the truth already acquired; thus challenging the belief which creates obstruction to acquire new truth. In Upanishad, the concept of “Intelligence” is defined in asking questions. Prof. Benoyendra Nath Sen, in his book “The
 intellectual ideal of Upanishads” has described “If you ask me what is the measure of height to which the intellect of man can rise, I will answer:- It is to be found in the height of the question that it has dared to ask.”.  
 
This idea of accepting change is the biggest advantage as well as biggest disadvantage of Brahmoism. Why? As Mr. Malay Sanyal in this group has written  “In reply to the Adi Brahmo Samaj cry of  "Brahmoism is Hinduism,"  the young reformers cried "Brahmoism is catholic and universal,"”. Was Brahmoism really Hinduism initially? If it is so, what is the need to create another religion? First of all, we should ask ourselves: What is Hinduism? Is there any specific religion Hinduism? No, there are several varieties of contradicting philosophies in Hinduism too. While Rammohun was great follower of Shankaracharya and his philosophy of Advaita, Debendranath was not so.  
The belief that Brahmos must not have any fixed scripture, led Upanishads as the main source of prayer from for long time, till Debendranath felt that there should be a written down scriptures. However, he himself has written that he could not accept all parts of Upanishads. In the autobiography of Debendranath Tagore, he mentioned “When I saw in Upanishad – “Sohhamasmi” – I am He, then I got fade up with Upanishad”. On the other hand, he further mentioned – “Upanishad said “Hrida Maneesha Manasabhiklipta” – When heart with the doubtless intelligence joins the mind for discussion, God is revealed. The sinless quiet mind gets enlightened with the intelligence, God is revealed with that mind”.
 
If Debendranath could not accept all parts of Upanishad, it is quiet natural that Keshub Chandra Sen, could not agree to or accept all parts what Debendranath has said. Keshub Chandra Sen brought new philosophies of Brahmoism.
 
And who has created or discovered such truths? They are human beings only. To err is Human. We thus never believe that our Brahmo leaders and their thinking were free from errors. They are never infallible. We thus do not believe Gurus, Man as messenger of God, or, God like Man. Newton was a great scientist. For over two hundred years, the equations of motions enunciated by Newton were believed to describe nature correctly, and then errors were discovered and corrected by Einstein.   
 
Change being the greatest characteristics of Brahmoism, it is the greatest problem too. Religion is a combination of logic and belief(or emotion). Changes challenge, even shatter our old beliefs, which are hard to accept. Our immediate reaction to changes are often “NO”. Additionally, there exists no central authority/committee  in Brahmos who shall evaluate or judge proposal of changes and declare as officially accepted. This leads to diversified theory in Brahmoism giving scope of criticism.   
 
I shall  stop here. Many Brahmos believe that whatever is written in the tenets of Adi Brahmo Samaj is the absolute truth, and beyond that, Brahmoism does not have any scope of expansion may continue to stick to their opinion. But, I earnestly request them to read Tuhfat-Ul-Muwahdin and question back at their fundamental beliefs. We are not like Muslims who believe that Quoran can not be changed; laws of Shariat are eternally constant.         
 
For more, pl. look into the following site, which I tried to create with the help of my fellow Brahmos. There is a section to understand about Brahmoism.
 
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dssvmvw_3dfxp7jd2
 
 
note-1: Translated from Bengali version by me.Regards,
- Debanjan Ray 


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[biswajit dutta-2]

Dear Mr. Debanjan Ray ,
A balanced article . However while I agree when you say that the laws of Quoran cannot be changed , I refuse to accept that Islam is not a progressive religion immune to current ground realities . I have personally experienced Shariat being interpreted in a most modern & broad manner by Muslim scholars to make it relevant , acceptable & consistent with the modern eco-system . All religions go through this process of churning & questioning . No principle is cast in stone . The faults lie not in religion but in the constricted , narrow & fanatical minds of those who take upon themselves the onus of interpreting religion . A religion in the hands of the talibanised can spell ruin & disaster . The same religion interpreted  by modern & right thinking  people can appear  most reasonable & forward looking .   
Regards,
Biswajit Dutta

--- On Sat, 11/10/08, Debanjan Ray <debanjanray2003@...> wrote:
From: Debanjan Ray <debanjanray2003@...>
Subject: [brahmoconferenceorg] Two fundamental  principles of Brahmoism
To: brahmoconferenceorg@...
Date: Saturday, 11 October, 2008, 11:50 PM










   
           
Dear all,
  
I apologise that I very rarely see the mails of this group. I am pleasantly surprised that Brahmoism still attracts many people, even though inevitable controversies exist. When I saw Mr. Rahul Dev Sharma’s reply to some very fundamental and intelligent questions of Mr. Suhrud, Mr. Malay Sanyal’s reply mail about Brahmo Religious Principles, or even the criticism about my mail with “Common Principle to all religions”, I further became happy.
  
What is Brahmoism? – is a question on which I see eternal debate among Brahmos. I see different groups of Brahmos, expressed their utter dissatisfaction over the views of other groups.
  
In this mail, I just want to stress upon just two fundamental  principles which perhaps are agreed by “most of the Brahmos”. These two principles might resolve many controversies:
1)      No Scripture is Infallible
2)      No Human Being who writes a scripture is Infallible/Ideal.
  
Let me first quote from one fantastic work of Rammohun – Tuhfat-Ul-Muwahdin( note-1): “Some people belonging to one sect having different opinions than that of others, oppose the view of other sects with a belief that whatever their ancestors(of their own sect) had told is absolutely true. However, their ancestors were like other Human Beings, and  were never beyond errors or erroneous acts. So, people of the sects promoting their own religions can either be erroneous or can be free from errors. If they are correct, then either of the contradictory theories shall be reasoned out as false;  and if they are incorrect, then either of the religious theories, or all of those are
 incorrect.”
  
When Rammohun started reading all the major religious scriptures in the world, it was in the back of his mind that there might be some other truths in other religions too. Above led Brahmos to establish the concept of considering all scriptures as fallible, and inspired us to search for the “truth” – as Truth is God (Satyam Gnyanamanantang Brahma).  Satish Chandra Chakraborty mentioned that whatever religion is written in the world; and in that whatever truth is written, and whatever truth shall be discovered in future, assimilation of all the truths is Brahmo religion. This also means that we have to reject many old truths and establish the new bigger truth.  
  
This openness leads to a concept that  Change and evolution is the biggest essence of Brahmoism. Rammohan argued that if the law makers continuously change tenets of law over a period of time, by justifying, then why can not religious rules be changed? Truth is never constant. Change, proves that Brahmoism respects intelligence more than belief. Searching the ultimate truth is the biggest objective of Brahmoism. Therefore Brahmo religion is an evolving religion and is never complete. This openness of mind, where the intelligence supersedes the belief, is the greatest characteristics of Brahmoism. And how does this openness come? It comes via challenging the old truth. A method by Socrates suggested constant questioning on the truth already acquired; thus challenging the belief which creates obstruction to acquire new truth. In Upanishad, the concept of “Intelligence” is defined in asking questions. Prof. Benoyendra Nath Sen, in his book “The
 intellectual ideal of Upanishads” has described “If you ask me what is the measure of height to which the intellect of man can rise, I will answer:- It is to be found in the height of the question that it has dared to ask.”.  
  
This idea of accepting change is the biggest advantage as well as biggest disadvantage of Brahmoism. Why? As Mr. Malay Sanyal in this group has written  “In reply to the Adi Brahmo Samaj cry of  "Brahmoism is Hinduism,"  the young reformers cried "Brahmoism is catholic and universal,"”. Was Brahmoism really Hinduism initially? If it is so, what is the need to create another religion? First of all, we should ask ourselves: What is Hinduism? Is there any specific religion Hinduism? No, there
 are several varieties of contradicting philosophies in Hinduism too. While Rammohun was great follower of Shankaracharya and his philosophy of Advaita, Debendranath was not so.  
The belief that Brahmos must not have any fixed scripture, led Upanishads as the main source of prayer from for long time, till Debendranath felt that there should be a written down scriptures. However, he himself has written that he could not accept all parts of Upanishads. In the autobiography of Debendranath Tagore, he mentioned “When I saw in Upanishad – “Sohhamasmi” – I am He, then I got fade up with Upanishad”. On the other hand, he further mentioned – “Upanishad said “Hrida Maneesha Manasabhiklipta” – When heart with the doubtless intelligence joins the mind for discussion, God is revealed. The sinless quiet mind gets enlightened with the intelligence, God is revealed with that
 mind”.
  
If Debendranath could not accept all parts of Upanishad, it is quiet natural that Keshub Chandra Sen, could not agree to or accept all parts what Debendranath has said. Keshub Chandra Sen brought new philosophies of Brahmoism.  
  
And who has created or discovered such truths? They are human beings only. To err is Human. We thus never believe that our Brahmo leaders and their thinking were free from errors. They are never infallible. We thus do not believe Gurus, Man as messenger of God, or, God like Man. Newton was a great scientist. For over two hundred years, the equations of motions enunciated by Newton were believed to describe nature correctly, and then errors were discovered and corrected by Einstein.   
  
Change being the greatest characteristics of Brahmoism, it is the greatest problem too. Religion is a combination of logic and belief(or emotion). Changes challenge, even shatter our old beliefs, which are hard to accept. Our immediate reaction to changes are often “NO”. Additionally, there exists no central authority/committee  in Brahmos who shall evaluate or judge proposal of changes and declare as officially accepted. This leads to diversified theory in Brahmoism giving scope of criticism.   
  
I shall  stop here. Many Brahmos believe that whatever is written in the tenets of Adi Brahmo Samaj is the absolute truth, and beyond that, Brahmoism does not have any scope of expansion may continue to stick to their opinion. But, I earnestly request them to read Tuhfat-Ul-Muwahdin and question back at their fundamental beliefs. We are not like Muslims who believe that Quoran can not be changed; laws of Shariat are eternally constant.         
  
For more, pl. look into the following site, which I tried to create with the help of my fellow Brahmos. There is a section to understand about Brahmoism.  
  
http://docs. google.com/ View?docid= dssvmvw_3dfxp7jd 2
  
  
note-1: Translated from Bengali version by me.Regards,
- Debanjan Ray 
 

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To: brahmoconferenceorg@...: debanjanray2003@...: Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:50:59 +0530Subject: [brahmoconferenceorg] Two fundamental principles of Brahmoism







Dear all,
 
I apologise that I very rarely see the mails of this group. I am pleasantly surprised that Brahmoism still attracts many people, even though inevitable controversies exist. When I saw Mr. Rahul Dev Sharma’s reply to some very fundamental and intelligent questions of Mr. Suhrud, Mr. Malay Sanyal’s reply mail about Brahmo Religious Principles, or even the criticism about my mail with “Common Principle to all religions”, I further became happy.
 
What is Brahmoism? – is a question on which I see eternal debate among Brahmos. I see different groups of Brahmos, expressed their utter dissatisfaction over the views of other groups.
 
In this mail, I just want to stress upon just two fundamental  principles which perhaps are agreed by “most of the Brahmos”. These two principles might resolve many controversies:
1)      No Scripture is Infallible
2)      No Human Being who writes a scripture is Infallible/Ideal.
 
Let me first quote from one fantastic work of Rammohun – Tuhfat-Ul-Muwahdin(note-1): “Some people belonging to one sect having different opinions than that of others, oppose the view of other sects with a belief that whatever their ancestors(of their own sect) had told is absolutely true. However, their ancestors were like other Human Beings, and  were never beyond errors or erroneous acts. So, people of the sects promoting their own religions can either be erroneous or can be free from errors. If they are correct, then either of the contradictory theories shall be reasoned out as false;  and if they are incorrect, then either of the religious theories, or all of those are incorrect.”
 
When Rammohun started reading all the major religious scriptures in the world, it was in the back of his mind that there might be some other truths in other religions too. Above led Brahmos to establish the concept of considering all scriptures as fallible, and inspired us to search for the “truth” – as Truth is God (Satyam Gnyanamanantang Brahma).  Satish Chandra Chakraborty mentioned that whatever religion is written in the world; and in that whatever truth is written, and whatever truth shall be discovered in future, assimilation of all the truths is Brahmo religion. This also means that we have to reject many old truths and establish the new bigger truth.
 
This openness leads to a concept that  Change and evolution is the biggest essence of Brahmoism. Rammohan argued that if the law makers continuously change tenets of law over a period of time, by justifying, then why can not religious rules be changed? Truth is never constant. Change, proves that Brahmoism respects intelligence more than belief. Searching the ultimate truth is the biggest objective of Brahmoism. Therefore Brahmo religion is an evolving religion and is never complete. This openness of mind, where the intelligence supersedes the belief, is the greatest characteristics of Brahmoism. And how does this openness come? It comes via challenging the old truth. A method by Socrates suggested constant questioning on the truth already acquired; thus challenging the belief which creates obstruction to acquire new truth. In Upanishad, the concept of “Intelligence” is defined in asking questions. Prof. Benoyendra Nath Sen, in his book “The intellectual ideal of Upanishads” has described “If you ask me what is the measure of height to which the intellect of man can rise, I will answer:- It is to be found in the height of the question that it has dared to ask.”.  
 
This idea of accepting change is the biggest advantage as well as biggest disadvantage of Brahmoism. Why? As Mr. Malay Sanyal in this group has written  “In reply to the Adi Brahmo Samaj cry of  "Brahmoism is Hinduism,"  the young reformers cried "Brahmoism is catholic and universal,"”. Was Brahmoism really Hinduism initially? If it is so, what is the need to create another religion? First of all, we should ask ourselves: What is Hinduism? Is there any specific religion Hinduism? No, there are several varieties of contradicting philosophies in Hinduism too. While Rammohun was great follower of Shankaracharya and his philosophy of Advaita, Debendranath was not so.  
The belief that Brahmos must not have any fixed scripture, led Upanishads as the main source of prayer from for long time, till Debendranath felt that there should be a written down scriptures. However, he himself has written that he could not accept all parts of Upanishads. In the autobiography of Debendranath Tagore, he mentioned “When I saw in Upanishad – “Sohhamasmi” – I am He, then I got fade up with Upanishad”. On the other hand, he further mentioned – “Upanishad said “Hrida Maneesha Manasabhiklipta” – When heart with the doubtless intelligence joins the mind for discussion, God is revealed. The sinless quiet mind gets enlightened with the intelligence, God is revealed with that mind”.
 
If Debendranath could not accept all parts of Upanishad, it is quiet natural that Keshub Chandra Sen, could not agree to or accept all parts what Debendranath has said. Keshub Chandra Sen brought new philosophies of Brahmoism.
 
And who has created or discovered such truths? They are human beings only. To err is Human. We thus never believe that our Brahmo leaders and their thinking were free from errors. They are never infallible. We thus do not believe Gurus, Man as messenger of God, or, God like Man. Newton was a great scientist. For over two hundred years, the equations of motions enunciated by Newton were believed to describe nature correctly, and then errors were discovered and corrected by Einstein.  
 
Change being the greatest characteristics of Brahmoism, it is the greatest problem too. Religion is a combination of logic and belief(or emotion). Changes challenge, even shatter our old beliefs, which are hard to accept. Our immediate reaction to changes are often “NO”. Additionally, there exists no central authority/committee  in Brahmos who shall evaluate or judge proposal of changes and declare as officially accepted. This leads to diversified theory in Brahmoism giving scope of criticism.  
 
I shall  stop here. Many Brahmos believe that whatever is written in the tenets of Adi Brahmo Samaj is the absolute truth, and beyond that, Brahmoism does not have any scope of expansion may continue to stick to their opinion. But, I earnestly request them to read Tuhfat-Ul-Muwahdin and question back at their fundamental beliefs. We are not like Muslims who believe that Quoran can not be changed; laws of Shariat are eternally constant.        
 
For more, pl. look into the following site, which I tried to create with the help of my fellow Brahmos. There is a section to understand about Brahmoism.
 
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dssvmvw_3dfxp7jd2
 
 
note-1: Translated from Bengali version by me.Regards, - Debanjan Ray  

From Chandigarh to Chennai - find friends all over India. Click here.
 





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