Prabuddha Amerika - Short

Transcription

1 Prabuddha Amerika - Short Introduction Title Swamiji on India's awakening SRk ब रह म कक ण डलल नन What about America? SV America a country of destiny Best years of his life here Spoke much about America Not yet awakened, but awakening Story of Swami Vandananandaji's advice to Swami T. Nivedita on SV's thought going underground for 150 yrs. What is America? Answer seems obvious As is often the case, not so Why not? Geographical definition of a country Relatively stable Boundaries of Germany, India, China, etc. changed Political Political nation-state is modern phenomenon England retained identity even during long French rule Russia has radically altered political system, still Russia Neither political nor geographic identity = heart of identity Cultural identity Prabuddha Amerika, p.1 of 5

2 Most countries, like Scandinavia Yugoslavia, USSR, Iraq, Syria US and England and France and China Linguistic identity Religious identity Ireland Israel European Union: common Christian heritage Racial identity Mass migrations now A country's identity, then, seems fragile Depends on stability of several identifying characteristics In unstable world, threatened Again, what is America? Geographical? From 13 colonies to 50 states Addition of Western states changed country dramatically Hawaii was quite a stretch, geographically and culturally Puerto Rico 51st? Still, geographically, it is relatively stable Some who claim it is a Christian country Why it isn't 10 Commandments in court houses Linguistic unity Some want English only Not going to happen, nor is it necessary Cultural unity White Europeans Prabuddha Amerika, p.2 of 5

3 That is gone, never to return though that heritage has contributed immensely, and will continue Slave trade Wave after wave of immigration Native Americans And yet, there is something recognizably American Children of immigrants Noticeable even among early colonists de Tocqueville noticed characteristics still visible Swamiji, seeing immigrants coming, raising their heads Case of Chinese woman charged with murder after suicide attempt Swamiji's thought on what makes a nation Idea India Has a life of its own If it dies, nation degenerates and dies America This idea combined with idea of individuality of organized bodies of life पपथवव तवयय धपतय ललकय दवव त व ववषणणनय धपतय त व च धयरय मयव वनतयव पववततरव कण र चयसनमत Ramayana story of Hanuman's leap to Sri Lanka There he is struck with wonder at what he sees: That city of the King of the Rakshasas which Hanuman entered, was illuminated by the light of its glowing edifices;... it looked like a handsome lady of perfect and well-decorated form, whose garments were constituted of the shine of precious gems studded everywhere; ear pendants [constituted] of cow-pens; and breasts, of [the city's] mechanical workshops. So far, Valmiki may just be using personification Prabuddha Amerika, p.3 of 5

4 But Valmiki continues: The presiding deity of that city (Sri Lanka), assuming her real form as a woman, saw the powerful Hanuman, the son of the Wind-god, entering into the city. Standing before [him] she produced a terrific sound, and gazing at him, said: 'You... monkey! Why have you come here? Speak the truth if you want to save your life... It will be impossible for you to penetrate into this city of Lanka which is protected on all sides by Ravana's troops... I am the very embodiment of the city of Lanka, and I am protecting it with great vigilance.' <Footnote: Ramayana, pp > Not a mere poetic device here Everything has a controlling consciousness or deity So again, what is America? An idea Equality Not so removed from our experience I'm not just collection of cells So with a city, nation, earth Buddhists said, parts are real, unity behind the parts unreal Hindus said the unity is more real than the parts, until final unity Innate dignity of each Freedom of the individual Participatory governance Opportunity for all A living being First for white males only Why strict Constructionist view of Constitution is primitive First of all, we can't get into founders' heads Great and true insights reveal increasing significance and application Prabuddha Amerika, p.4 of 5

5 Is America awakened, Prabuddha? Again, awakening Swamiji saw that America's ideals essentially spiritual Spirituality only sure basis Why Felt that America was a country of destiny Best place to spread his ideas from Said once: One morning in the Himalayan town of Almora the Swami "launched off into a glowing prophetic forecast of how America would yet solve the problems of the [common man]--the problems of freedom and cooperation " [Complete Works of Nivedita] Conclusion What will an Awakened America look like? Recognition of the innate divinity of all Basis of equality Recognize the responsibility inherent in Freedom The ideal of Kaivalya balanced by ideal of Ekatva Delight in the spiritual depths of everything Prabuddha Amerika, p.5 of 5