Teachings
Swami Vivekananda – Key Tenets of Practical Vedanta
Swami Vivekananda’s teachings are profound and cover various aspects of life, spirituality, and personal development. Here are some key elements of his philosophy:
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Practical Vedanta: This means integrating spiritual principles into all aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal growth.
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Strength: and Belief in Self ”He encouraged individuals to have faith in their potential and be courageous in facing challenges.
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Service to Humanity: He emphasized the importance of selfless service and compassion towards fellow beings.
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Education and Character Building: He believed that true education is about the overall development of an individual.
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Universal Tolerance: He believed all paths lead to the same truth and encouraged mutual respect among different faiths1.
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Personal Development: He believed that individuals should strive to become their best version.
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Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others is crucial for a harmonious society.
Swami Vivekanada -Teachings
Swami Vivekananda’s complete works encompass a vast array of writings, lectures, and discourses that span nine volumes. His contributions include profound explorations of Vedanta and Yoga, practical spirituality, and the synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophies. Notable works include “Karma-Yoga,” “Jnana-Yoga, “Raja-Yoga,” and “Bhakti-Yoga,” which delve into the paths of selfless action, meditation, and devotion, respectively. His addresses at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 are particularly famous for introducing Hindu philosophy to the Western world. Vivekananda’s teachings emphasize the unity of all religions, the potential divinity of every individual, and the importance of selfless service to humanity.​
"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far”
Swami Vivekananda
Vedanta-Ancient,Broadest, Highest & Deepest Spiritual Philosophy
DEFINITION
The word "Vedanta" is a combination of two Sanskrit words - veda (knowledge) and anta (end). Therefore, Vedanta means "the end of knowledge" "the culmination of all knowledge" or "the highest knowledge". It also refers to that which is beyond all knowledge i.e. the "knowledge" of the ultimate Reality - knowing which everything becomes known. Here, "knowledge" means an actual realization and not mere intellectual understanding.
PURPOSE
The purpose of Vedanta is Self-realization i.e. to realize who you are. It also includes realizing the underlying reality of the whole universe, as the reality of the universe and your reality are the same. Upon this realization, one transcends all sorrows and sufferings (atyantika dukha nivritti) and attains supreme bliss (paramananda prapti). This doesn't mean that all problems of life suddenly disappear, but it means that they no longer hurt you - leaving you in a state of positive and enduring peace and joy.
ESSENCE
Vedanta — specifically Advaita Vedanta (Nonduality) — teaches that you are not merely the body-mind complex you perceive yourself to be. Your real Self (Atman) is one with the ultimate Reality (Brahman) and is of the nature of Existence-Consciousness-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda). This Self is beyond all limitations and is not constrained by anything, such as time, space, or objects (satyam jnanam anantam brahma). Only Brahman / Atman is real, and everything else that appears to be real (i.e., the entire universe) is ultimately false. You are none other than Brahman (brahma satyam jagan mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah).
Upon realizing yourself to be Brahman (ayam atma brahma; aham brahmasmi) — the One non-dual Reality — the true nature of the universe becomes clear, and you are no longer affected by its apparent reality. This realization liberates you from misidentifying with the limited body-mind complex and detaches you from things associated with it. It also frees you from desires and aversions toward other things, as you recognize that the entire universe appears within yourself, and nothing truly exists apart from you. Self-realization removes all sources of suffering and unveils your true nature: infinite, eternal, all-pervading, unchanging, unattached, ever-pure, absolute Existence-Consciousness-Bliss.
Vedanta employs a methodical and logically consistent process, guiding you step-by-step from your apparent self to your real Self. Each step is verifiable through your own experience, requiring no unsubstantiated beliefs. This makes Vedanta especially appealing to the modern scientific mind.
The True Meaning of Religion
According to Swami Vivekananda, religion is the science of the mind. It is not centered on rigid dogmas, rituals, or scriptures but rather on the unfolding of inner truth. He taught that every action has consequences—a principle known in Sanskrit as Karma Phala, which signifies that good or bad deeds will yield corresponding results. Thus, religion is about personal responsibility, self-realization, and understanding our true nature.
A truly religious person realizes that we are not merely the body-mind complex but the Atman, the eternal soul. The ultimate goal is Moksha, or liberation, which is freedom from this limited self and the realization of our oneness with the universal Self.
The Foundations of Sanatan Dharma
Sanatan Dharma, or eternal truth, is founded upon the teachings of the ancient Vedas. These sacred texts consist of four Vedas, and at the end of each are the Upanishads, which explore the deeper, philosophical aspects of existence. The essence of the Vedas and Upanishads is to guide human beings toward realizing their divine potential and unity with all of creation.
The Four Pillars of Human Life
The fundamental framework of human life in Sanatan Dharma rests on four pillars: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation). Dharma is the foundation, ensuring that the pursuit of Artha and Kama is ethical and leads to Moksha, the ultimate freedom from the cycle of birth and death. This balanced approach to life ensures both material and spiritual fulfillment, guiding humanity toward the realization of its highest potential.
Cultural affinity-Thailand & india
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India and Thailand share a rich tapestry of spiritual and cultural connections, deeply rooted in their historical and religious traditions. Here are some notable similarities:​
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Buddhism: Originating in India, Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand, with over 90% of the population practicing it1.
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Ramayana and Ramakien: The Indian epic Ramayana has a Thai counterpart called Ramakien, which shares the same characters and storyline, highlighting the cultural exchange between the two countries.
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Festivals: Both countries celebrate similar festivals. For instance, Thailand’s Songkran, which marks the Thai New Year, is akin to India’s Holi, involving water splashing and festive merriment1.
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Architecture: Thai religious architecture shows influences from Indian styles, such as the use of gopurams (temple towers) and pagodas1.
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Deities and Religious Beliefs: Both cultures share similar deities and religious concepts. For example, the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) is revered in both traditions1.
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Language and Literature: The Thai language has been significantly influenced by Sanskrit and Pali, the liturgical languages of Hinduism and Buddhism2.
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Traditional Clothing: Thai traditional attire, such as the ‘Sbai’, resembles the Indian saree in its draping style1.
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These shared elements underscore the deep spiritual and cultural bonds between India and Thailand, reflecting centuries of interaction and mutual influence.
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Is there a specific aspect of these traditions that interests you more?
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