[Pictured: Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa - 1836-1886]
[2nd President and Spiritual Head: the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa]
[now a Centre of the international Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission]
DAILY READINGS
Selected from Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji.
Day 937
People think we are the followers of Sri [Adi] Shankaracharya [the 'consolidator' of non-dualism, or advaita vedanta]. Yes we are - and infinitely more. This is because where Sri Shankaracharya left off, Sri Ramakrishna found further things. Sri Shankaracharya's teachings are limited - limited because of people's understanding at that time, and limited by the environment and the traditions of the time.
In Sri Shankaracharya's teachings you find that he has given women the second fiddle to play. When Sri Ramakrishna came, he said, 'No. Correctly a woman is the embodiment of the Divine Mother.'
Sri Shankaracharya believed in caste but Sri Ramakrishna was beyond caste. Anyone that yearns for God is beyond caste because they believe that God dwells in everyone's heart.
Sri Shankaracharya's idea of realising God was that you must sit in one place till you get moksha [liberating from the cycle of birth and rebirth]. But Sri Ramakrishna said, 'No, sannyasis [Swamis, monks, renunciates, sadhus, holy people] must serve the world and use that as a means to realise God.'
Sri Shankaracharya said that only Brahmins [the highest caste of priests, teachers and 'professionals' in Hindu culture and society] can realise God. Sri Ramakrishna says, 'No. All who have the devotion can realise God.'
Sri Ramakrishna founded a religion [universality, inclusiveness] which is the essence of all religions. It condemns no religion.
1) Care should be taken by the reader to understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with Swamiji at the time.
2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the posting for further explanation or links.
There are currently available, over 100 different CDs or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email timhoare@webmail.co.za to order.
Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and teachings.
For more about the Holy Trinity, and also the founding Swamis of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, please mouse over their names below:
Sri Ramakrishna Sri Sarada Devi Swami Vivekananda
Swami Nischalananda Swami Shivapadananda
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna - read online
Reference websites - please mouse over the name and click to connect:
Ramakrishna Math and Mission Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa Ramakrishna Dham
