Guys,

This article was publshed in the Korea Times news paper. It was written by Sister Kim Ae-Ran, in the "Thought of The Times" column, titles, "India Dreaming".


http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/opinion/200309/kt2003090517244411390.htm


India Dreaming



By Kim Ae-ran
I recently visited India for 16 days. While staying in Mumbai and Lonavla, I really appreciated their deep spirituality, abundant culture and rain. When Indians and I talk about India, we spontaneously recall Gandhi and Mother Teresa.

At the same time, we are concerned about its poverty under its caste system. India seems to be poor, but, as far as I know, the people are proud of their history, culture and intelligence. Even a beggar with her child on her shoulder knows how to smile. Almost every Indian sister I met during the conference was hospitable, kindhearted, proud and full of smiles. They looked happy and beautiful. I think being happy and sincere is so precious and beautiful that it penetrates the reality of poverty.

Asia consists of 47 countries with a population 3,720,761,000. Many people from the West are coming to the mysterious East in spite of socio-economic issues affecting the region, such as unemployment due to the global economic crisis, drugs, AIDS, pornography, prostitution, alcoholism, abuse of minors, terrorism, economic and political instability, and religious fanaticism. In these circumstances, it's urgent for us to share our wealth with the poor and the marginalized, to respect and appreciate different cultures and religions as they are. We can rediscover the family as a foundation for solidarity and make use of the Internet to form friendships with people.

Most Asian countries are multicultural, multilingual and multi-religious. So, it is a great challenge to appreciate the goodness and beauty of other cultures, religions and races. India has a rainbow of cultures spread out over 27 states and six territories. It has 18 languages, with two official languages _ Hindi and English. Being a multi-religious country, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains and Parsis coexist in this huge land. It's said that it's not easy for Christianity to spread in India, because of its ancient religions and their profound sense of spirituality.

As I walked down streets, I saw no traffic lanes or signs. Along the fields, natural waterfalls on the hills or mountains were spreading their beauty like a folding screen. Cows and buffalos were freely passing through the street. Temples with various images or idols were crowded with people. It is true that people out of poverty long for something higher, transcendental and spiritual. Probably because Hinduism is not a rational religion, poverty and divisions among people seemed to be an inescapable reality.

It's encouraging to see many Indian churches conduct ``Aarathi’’ instead of Christian religious service so that even non-believers can come to church to pray and sing together. Hopely in the end, they might believe they are all equals created in the image of God.

The three most important challenges for Asian people are raising multicultural awareness, fundamental services for the poor and marginalized and understanding of various religions. As you know, many western people throng to ashrams and gurus in Asia for spirituality. I had a chance to visit Osho meditation resort in Pune. I had to pay 10 rupees just to take a walk in silence around the compound for about 15 minutes. They said staying one day here costs 1,700 rupees or so just to experience the different ways of meditation, such as dynamic meditation, Kundalini meditation, Nataraj meditation, nadabrahma meditation, chakra breathing meditation, chakra sounds meditation, no-dimensions mediation, whirling meditation and so on. Those who stay there wear maroon robes with no bras or underwear.

It is said that this area was barren in its early beginnings, but its founder, Osho, cultivated it to become a viable territory. His many works have been already translated into many languages. Those who follow Osho meditation believe in accepting the here and now, total freedom, personal responsibility, expressing sensuality as something natural, living their principles in daily life and looking inward instead of the external world.

They oppose the outside world, so they confine themselves to Osho and its surroundings. Be happy with one's own existence, be yourself, and be natural are their catch phrases. They seem to realize inner peace and freedom without God.

They introduce Osho as a place to relax, recharge one’s self and make wellness a reality. The Osho auditorium has the capacity to house 5,000 people. People are free to meditate anywhere within the compound. Osho once said, ``What I am doing here is very simple, very ordinary, nothing spiritual, nothing sacred. I am not trying to make you holy people. I am simply trying to make you sane, intelligent, ordinary people, who can live their lives joyously in dance and celebration.’’

I agree with the idea of living life to the fullest, but I feel something is lacking in their ideas. They practice their meditations, but they seemed to seek money from their activities. If they are open towards the world, they might open the gate of the auditorium to share their spirituality. However, they are closed. No one knows how many people there are inside. Who knows if they have free sex or what other things that may go on there.

Many people still visit this place, implying many modern people are searching for peace and comfort. They try to better their lives and look for a place where they can relax and renew themselves. It is something like a new age movement.

It's a pity that they don't like the world. The world is our home where we can reach out to share our riches with one another. Some ideas are good, but it's necessary to discern the truth.

When I visited the Sadhana Institute, which is run by Jesuits, this meditation training center was fully open and educated people seeking inner freedom and peace. The spirit of its founder, Father Tony de Mello, seemed to guide us to a new way of life.

There are many things I have learned from the Indian Catholic Church. Among them, I would like to point out one thing regarding conversion _ they do not force a person to be a Christian. They wait until a person’s willingness becomes mature and spontaneous. It surely takes time to become baptized, but the church doesn't press it. Unlike Korean Catholics where over one-third or two-thirds are non-practicing Catholics, India has few non-practicing Catholics. Once they believe, they stay true to the end.

However, building and expanding the church should not be the primary concern. The foremost thing is to create an inner kingdom of peace, love, joy and sharing among us. The second most important thing is cultural awareness. People should try to integrate their beliefs and other cultures into their lives. People know to be happy and joyful if they are true to themselves. Every homily at the Indian Catholic Church was spontaneous and natural but filled with deep insight and concise explanation based on the Gospels. While enjoying my stay in India, I was so grateful to be able to appreciate their way of life. Sharing means a lot.

Sister Kim Ae-ran belongs to the Daughters of St. Paul in Seoul.

The following is my letter to the editor. All those who feel that injustice was done, please do write to the Editor(kt@koreatimes.co.kr).

INDIA REALITY
-------------

Dear Ms Kim Ae-ran,

I am very happy to note that you enjoyed your short stay in India.

Your observations on India (Mumbai, Pune and Lonavla) may be true, but to make inference of this nature is slander.

To call Hinduism (popular term for Sanatana Dharma) as an irrational religion cannot solely be attributed to ignorance. It an irresponsible statement. I am sure your knowledge of hinduism is rudimentary. One of the oldest religion, which contain treasures like Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasa(Ramayana, Mahabharata) and Bhagwat Gita, hailed by most as the greatest philosophical book, are some of the creations of thinking sages. In addition there are Shaddharshanas, the six systems of philosohy.

Hinduism does not have a founder or creator. Most of its principals and scriptures were formulated over thousands of years by many different "seers" or rishis, as well as avatars, or incarnations of God. One of the most unique features of Hinduism is its ability to evolve and update itself to suite changing times and people. This has helped to sustain Hinduism for thousands of years through many difficult times. To quote the world famous words of Rig Veda, "Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides".

Going back to rationality, tell me how logical can an exclusive religion (like Christianity, Islam) get when each claim their path alone leads to god. Compare with Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) which recognises the fact that the means or ways to salvation are diverse. "Truth is one, the wise call it by various names"-Rig Veda. Imagine saying to a thirsty man, "If, and only if, you draw water from this particular well, call it as "Water" and drink it, your thrist will be quenched and not otherwise !"

You have made a very shrewd move by projecting Osho meditation as the sole meditation of Hindus. Read your statemt, "Who knows if they have free sex or....". Is that an allegation? It is like giving the example of prayer healing in Christanity and stating that all Christians are in to this form of medication. Osho ashram is just one form of meditation or soul searching for which people come to India.

You have also raised your concern on the caste system, and equating it with povery. Well, firstly caste has nothing to do with Hindu religion. It is a social setup, present in all the societies. I am sure you are not unaware of the class division in the korean society till recent times. Incidently all people in India, irrespective of their faith, have caste affliation, since they retain the same after conversion.

In early vedic period, the society was divided in to varnas, based on ones profession. For example a carpenter son, being exposed to the trade is more than likely to be a good carpenter, hence he follows the same trade. This set up was fluid in nature, meaning, a carpenter son would become a scholar if he has the ability. There are numerous historical examples, viz. Sage Vasistha, was born of Prostitute; Vyasa, another celebrated sage was the son of a fisher woman; Sage Parasara's mother was a chandala girl, belonging to a family that dealt with disposal of corpses. It was later, after the incursion in to India of the Turks and other foreign armies, that the caste system acquire a strangle hold, making it virtually impossible for anyone to move to a higher caste. Infact there is no equalent word for "caste" in Sanskrit language, the term being a recent introduction by the British.

The use of "Aarthi" in Indian churches has more reasons than you have mentioned. "If you cannot beat them, join them". It is just another attempt to make it more attractive, or drawing similarity with the "non-believers". If you go further in to other means which missionaries follow to convert, a sane person may puke. Providing food, clothing, money for the poor; jobs for the needy; with a pre-condition of conversion is considered acceptable compared to "divine revelation for the ignorant(simple minded)tribals through tape recorder hidden on trees !".

And what do the so called "lower castes"(harijans/dalits) gain after conversion. Well, they get a different church, "dalit church" and a brand "dalit christians". If equality was what they seeked, they are sure to be disappointed. I quote an instance, once when my teacher (a christian) preferred to travel extra 10 Km on a sunday to avoid going to church, which was mainly visited by the fishermen "converts".

Another result of conversion seem to be alienation from the main current of a country, its culture and tradition, and misleading the ignorant masses into fantastic ways of thinking, ultimately leading to denationalization and disintegration. Today, for instance, there is no living Greek culture; there are only empty monuments. The Mayan, Incas, Roman and many other rich cultures are all lost forever and humanity is impoverished for it. We need not go that far, ask our Christian Korean friends, how they celebrate Chusok!

Attributing poverty in India directly to caste and indirectly to hinduism have another flaw. India, till the 18th century was the richest country in the world, called "golden bird". History is witness to the continuous looting of Imperialist which reduced the nation to poverty, at the time of independence in 1947.

I would suggest you to enlighten yourself about India and Hinduism, before you spit venom.


Samarjit



I always believe that "Not Knowing is not a mistake, but not knowing where to look is a crime". To guide you-

References :

Return of The Aryans - Bhagwan S.Gidwani
Missionaries in India - Arun Shourie
The Life Divine - Sri Aurobindo
The Secret of The Vedas - Sri Aurobindo

http://www.hindunet.org/introduction/
http://www.aspiringindia.org/

I will tell u the story of a few blind people who wanted to experience what an elephant is. One caught its tail and thought it was like a serpant. The other caught its trunk, and thought it was like a tree. The next caught its legs, and thought it was a stone pillar. Another put hands on its stomach. and said it was like a wall. Did anyone know what the elephat was? Did they see the whole picture?
Your article's views on Hinduism, based on a 16 days journey surely equates you to one of such blind men in the story. The oldest religion in the world, old enought for people to even forget how it began, CANNOT be understood in a few days.
Please keep your views to yourself, and do not defile the minds of Koreans with your skewed impressions.

Its pretty clear that what a person do learn about a society or culture in a span of 16 days is far too short to assess it in critical and rational terms but will be rather a superficial one with a narrow perception of the reality. This is especially true about a pluralistic society like india that is gifted with a vastly diverse cutlure, history and tradition. The erudite article by samarjit can be appreciated in this respect.
rohit

Hi Kim Ae-ran
I have read ur article in which you have tried to
explain about india and hindusim.Let me tell u one thing hindusim is not a religion which u can understand in this span of time.It's not like chirstianity u attend one church service or become chirtian.And u can avail any facility whatever u need.
better not to disclose what kind of facility i have experience,how much they offer me to attend church service.Sorry Hindusism can not offer those kind of service.Hindusim and India have there identety.
if u want to learn more about india please go through
references given by Samarjet. before that it's better do'nt share ur views with others.

Thanks people for all the support.

I am yet to receive the mail from the editor of the news paper.

absolutely...if u can learn about Worlds only ancient religion and a divine culture in 16 days trip to india and u thought u know evrything...you just won an ignorance award...bashing hinduism has become main priority now a days for all western media including asian media...but we indians are not tired nor gonna give up to teach you the true values of our great culture and human values...may be we should start teaching you with these lines.

"Truth (God) is one, the wise call it by various names"

RESPECT OTHER RELIGIONS AND CULTURES

When many hindus themselves dont know the value of our religion can we expect from koreans?

After innumerable calls and reminders, the editor published the article with minor corrections.

People who have access to todays edition of The Korea Times news paper, can read it in the Page no.6, Thoughts of the Times column.

For others the article will be put up in the website, I hope, by tomorrow.

http://times.hankooki.com/opinion/thoughts.htm

Satyameva Jayathe