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Re: Anib to
Oh dear GM, i did not mean 'sacrifice' the way you have come to take its meaning. Please let me clarify. But before that I must say that I hold abhorrence to an equal degree as yours (or even more) of the Hindu practices that was prevalent from the early eighteenth century and the torture these poor lot had to undergo just because they were of the class that was helpless. even worse, the Sati Pratha, where a widow upon the death of her husband at a young age, drugged and pushed to in the sacrificial fire (pyre) with logs and people shouting in glee; these were all so barbaric. Everything in the Hindu cultue underwent decay since the old times I am mentoning. If you see, I mentioned in the write at least 5300 years ago. 1800 would be just 300 plus years back. So these practices can't be equated or paralleled with those of the ancient. Pls. don't get me wrong. I am not at all a staunch votary for whatever the orthodox Hindus did.
'Sacrifice' is the toil that one physically sacrifices in activity, for the good of others. It is a selfless act, and that is why after sharing the remnants we call 'prasad'.
Thank you so much for your high praise in appreciation .I just love talking to you. And as we are progressing many of the misunderstandings, or errors, are getting clearer by the day, I hope.
posted by
anib
on August 21, 2017 at 5:18 AM
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Anib
I agree fully with RP..... you have distilled the best of this teaching for us to quaff with joy, and you have identified and discarded the dreggs, those being the teachings of the Hare Krishna group.
I am coming to understand that you are well-qualified, by your birth, culture, interest and education, to understand the best of the orthodox Hindu religion, and present it to us. Here, you are also warning us against the errors and failings of Hindu groups that could be considered as 'heretics', such as the Hare Krishna. Those Hare Krishna people made an impact in my home town in Texas in the 1970's, with their white robes and walking around in groups. They became popular with the college crowd, they harassed people on the street, and my brother became interested in them for a short time.
So, you present the best of the orthodox Hindu religion, and warn us of those who have gone astray. I am enjoying your posts, and I agree with most of your points. But sadly, I must cast a shadow upon one of your points.
You wrote "The Hindu thought from very ancient times believed that Nature's bounties be not diminished, but preserved through a mutual 'give and take' process, call it sacrifice. The science of ecology is a recent discovery of the western world and is still in its infancy."
I happen to know (or have read the writings of other people who know) that in ancient times, extending even into the 1800's, the Hindu idea of sacrifice was quite literal, and quite bloody. In many villages in India, human sacrifice was a common Hindu rite until it was suppressed by law in 1835. It was witnessed by several Europeans who wrote about what they had seen. Generally, the victim had to be a meriah, a slave who was purchased or born to someone who had been purchased. Villages kept families of meriah which had been started by purchasing slaves from other villages. Though well-treated, the meriah were always available for sacrifice at least once a year, before the spring sowing, so that each family of the village would have a piece of human flesh to plant in its field for the blessing of its crop by the gods. The victim, a selected meriah, was tied to a post and anointed with oil, butter, and flowers. He or she was generally given opium to prevent struggle, and to dull the pain of execution. One of the most common methods of killing the victim seems to have been squeezing or crushing to death. The large branch of a tree was split several feet down the middle; the victim's neck or chest was inserted in the cleft, then the high priest and his assistants strove with all their might to close the split branch. The priest then ceremoniously struck the subdued victim with his axe, whereupon the crowd rushed at the wretch and hacked all the flesh from the bones, avoiding only the head and bowels. Sometimes the victim was cut up alive, if the priests had not squeezed mightily enough. Large pieces of flesh were taken to outlying villages. There the local priest divided it into as many pieces as there were heads of households. Each man took his piece and buried it in his favorite field. It had to be buried behind his back without looking.
I cannot remember what book I read this in, decades ago, but it impressed me greatly and I wrote it down (in my computer), thus I am able to reproduce it here.
It may be of little consequence, as most modern Hindus probably don't even know that bloody barbaric history, and would be horrified to learn of it. However, I think that all members of a religion should be aware of the true history of their religion, including the errors and failures. Otherwise, they are in danger of repeating those errors and failures.
posted by
GoldenMean
on August 21, 2017 at 1:59 AM
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Re: Aba Brother - Outstanding!
I am truly humbled my dear big sis, Presta. I was somewhat worried about its length, whether one would like to read? And you've read all so carefully and given me your blessings, for which I feel honoured. Your encouragement gladdens my heart. TY, once again. 
.
posted by
anib
on August 19, 2017 at 1:09 AM
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Aba Brother - Outstanding!
I just love this post, the spirit of it, the depth of understanding, and the points covered and so carefully explained. It is so logical and part of the beauty, though complex, lies in the basic simplicity. Just fabulous, and, as always, thank you, dear Aba. Five Stars! We must give, and give freely; ask, and ask confidently, yet humbly, in order to receive properly, it seems. All is a cycle in the continuum. 
posted by
Sea_Gypsy
on August 19, 2017 at 12:34 AM
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