On Being a Hindu Monastic: Personal Journeys

This year, HDS is hosting two Hindu Swamis, Swami Chidekananda of the Ramakrishna Order, and Swami Sachidananda of the Arsha Vidya Gurukul. Both Swamis quickly became cherished members of our community, in the classroom, in community activities, and at religious services.
During this event, participants heard the two swamis talk personally about their choice for monastic life, sharing with us insights into their personal journeys as swamis, and reflecting on what it means to be a monastic in the twenty first century.
This event took place March 20, 2024.
Learn more: hds.harvard.edu/

Пікірлер: 40

  • @TUTUL6666
    @TUTUL66662 ай бұрын

    This was an amazing and enlightening conversation on how spiritual life can transform us. It's rare to have an Indian American born (Swami Chidekananda) in America coming to spiritual life and like Buddha giving it all up for God realization. In India its so common BUT it is completely rare for Indian- Americans born here, You did an amazing presentation and I was inspired by you life and ideals. This is what we call the best of West and East. Thank you.

  • @ritanarayanan1489

    @ritanarayanan1489

    2 ай бұрын

    check a program by the same school 4 years back of three other monastics. One Brahmacharini is an Indian American with the Chinmaya Mission.

  • @avi2125
    @avi21252 ай бұрын

    Thanks to HDS and Prof Clooney for these amazing interactions. These monks are from v v strong Vedantic traditions! If I am not wrong Swami Sachidananda is offering Ashtavakra Gita classes online right now (also available on YT)...🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

  • @bhattacharya6774
    @bhattacharya67742 ай бұрын

    Fantastic elaboration of pilgrimage mindset!! Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful!! My pranam the revered Monks .

  • @vrishik1
    @vrishik12 ай бұрын

    Inspiring to hear the talks by the swamis. Its so pleasant to hear, just proves that pursuing this path in life is not a function of age. We should explore what truth is when our body is full with power and energy

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    Each is right inplace.

  • @swamivedantanandapuri1322
    @swamivedantanandapuri13222 ай бұрын

    Pranaam🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • @rajukunjukrishnan472
    @rajukunjukrishnan4722 ай бұрын

    Pranam 🙏

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    It rocksit.

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    In play. Right.

  • @AC108
    @AC1082 ай бұрын

    The kingdom of heaven is within.

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    Without sound.

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    For IT.

  • @bhattacharya6774
    @bhattacharya67742 ай бұрын

    MOTTO IS -- WORK IS WORSHIP .

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    It suggest no, axx says go.

  • @Joy.Sri.Ramakrishna
    @Joy.Sri.Ramakrishna2 ай бұрын

    I hope you understand that monks do not represent Hinduism, unlike in other traditions with origins in India. Hinduism is lot more comprehensive, vibrant, and alive. Monastic life constitutes a small fraction of Hinduism. Monks are not supposed or expected to teach, they are supposed to realize the teachings first. They have taken on the teaching and representational role in order to exercise social and political power, as remnants of Pre-Shankara Buddhist monastic practices in India. Most Hindus see through this today. I hope an institution like Harvard Divinity School appreciates this. 🙏🙏

  • @sumitdutta7043

    @sumitdutta7043

    2 ай бұрын

    Yes but these things changed with Shri Ramkrishna's advent, his chief disciple (whom you hate) changed every thing.

  • @kanchankini1064

    @kanchankini1064

    2 ай бұрын

    Whether person realised or not how one can recognize that? Through only his teaching what depth of knowledge he has ? Does devdutta realised buddha is realised one ? Does Governor of judaa realised Jesus is son of God who ordered his crucifixion , does duryodhana ,shishupal realised who was krishna ? None of the above realised them as a God now word is worshipping them as a God With very limited knowledge u can't judge a person or rHindu dharma 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  • @Joy.Sri.Ramakrishna

    @Joy.Sri.Ramakrishna

    2 ай бұрын

    @@kanchankini1064 You are absolutely right, it is very difficult to recognize a realized person. Hinduism is fundamentally an "individualistic" tradition with focus on ones individual karmic account and individual practices. Those teachings are based on the truths realized by the Rishis, like science today. Unlike Buddhism where one relies on commentaries in Hindu tradition one relies on the spiritual practice. The cults like Mondukya Non-dual vedanta have used the bogus idea of "Oneness" to subjugate the Hindu society , particularly the women. Fortunately they have been more or less rejected from our tradition. Do you understand that this bogus idea of "oneness" is fundamentally upside down emptiness, and most anti-American and most anti-Indian as it wants to destroy our individual choice and Individuality.

  • @Joy.Sri.Ramakrishna

    @Joy.Sri.Ramakrishna

    2 ай бұрын

    @@sumitdutta7043 I do NOT hate Vivekananda. He preached a false theory mixed with his mental fabrications. And he deceived his Guru to project himself as GOD. I am just letting the world know...this is about time. If I did not do that I won't be true to myself. 🙏🙏

  • @snigdhodebsinha2089

    @snigdhodebsinha2089

    2 ай бұрын

    If everyone stops conveying the philosophical core of Vedanta , then how would it be conveyed? Who will convey ? How will it transmit ? Who will do it ? The monks are , in general , the best practitioners of any path , because they are trying to put the teachings into practise ,unlike many householders.

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    + atma.

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    Sarva look rik rigtbsim. Right ear hers yes.yes.

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    Acc says 1.mwho cares.

  • @animesh7296
    @animesh72962 ай бұрын

    These monks and sadhus are the reason for loss of Kshatriya nature among hindus. Untill they teaches that all religion are the same, stay away from them.

  • @vrishik1

    @vrishik1

    2 ай бұрын

    It may not be practical for daily life currently, but its at different level. For e.g. if you read some good old stories in our mythology, even Kings / Kshatriyas don't touch their swords after sunset. Everyone is just doing their duty, but after sunset, just become peaceful and be happy. Of course, its not applicable in current Yuga, there are many waiting to just taking advantage of such beautiful concepts. But this is what is the beauty of our civilization, it has always welcomed different approaches of reaching the same truth.

  • @sumitdutta7043

    @sumitdutta7043

    2 ай бұрын

    Well Swami Vivekananda taught that too. ramkrishna Paramhamsa also said that, that being said if we are not kshatriya enough to protect us then that is our fault not the philosophy's fault. At some higher level they are same, but in theology they can differ very much. take what is good from every religion and leave the rest. One can love the good of every religion along with remainnig well grounded in ones own religion too. This is what is needed. Nowwhy Prophet Muhammed said some cr*p in Quaran, you will find a great answer in Swami Vivekananda's Raja Yoga book.

  • @nandinimitrabanerjee2032

    @nandinimitrabanerjee2032

    2 ай бұрын

    @animesh7296 Re Kshatriya nature: It's very easy to put the blame on someone else instead of taking responsibility upon oneself, isn't it? We can teach others only by setting an example ourselves. Re: All religion are same: NO... All religion are not same. The GOAL of all religion is the same. The path enumerated/prescribed in all religion are all different otherwise it would be only one religion. Please STUDY Swami Vivekananda's Complete works. A crystal clear indepth delineation of Sanatan Dharma (aka Hinduism) and all other spiritual, social, economic, moral etc concepts are clearly outlined there.

  • @Anshu.24383

    @Anshu.24383

    2 ай бұрын

    Beautiful reply🎉​@@sumitdutta7043

  • @bhattacharya6774

    @bhattacharya6774

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@nandinimitrabanerjee2032yes ,this nosey people have least capacity of defending themselves, which is the duty of all perfect Grihasta ( householders ),but criticize the Monks instead ( which are miniscule in numbers& who are devoted mainly in spiritual matters only ).

  • @ThomasRuf-dc3lx
    @ThomasRuf-dc3lx5 күн бұрын

    Sarvas hut.

  • @baztel5561
    @baztel55612 ай бұрын

    Swami Vivekanada will be disappointed with these monks who couldn’t answer basic philosophical questions

  • @sumitdutta7043

    @sumitdutta7043

    2 ай бұрын

    What question?

  • @TUTUL6666

    @TUTUL6666

    2 ай бұрын

    It appears you know nothing (@baztel5561), let me repeat nothing about Swami Vivekananda and philosophy. At the heart of Swamiji's philosophy, is knowing you are the Atman, which empowers one with strength, love and Truth. And the Swamis clearly manifest this with their words and stories. The real question is would Swamiji be disappointed in you. And I say "Yes, yes he would.'

  • @didimani9639

    @didimani9639

    2 ай бұрын

    Reply to @baztel5561 comment: There was only one semi-philosophical question in the entire talk: "What does God mean to you," and the Swamis both answered it well: They answered that God philosophically can be seen from different angles, including Advaita (the Atman without form and without qualities ), Visistadvaita (pantheistic and immanent), Dvaita (dualistic)...and beyond...the problem with people like you is that you are uneducated and incapable of supporting your arguments...hence, you spout off conclusory statements without evidence...Dude, before commenting, first learn to watch and listen...then think...and then write...let alone Swami Vivekananda, if I were your parents, I would be disappointed in you.

  • @bhattacharya6774

    @bhattacharya6774

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@TUTUL6666exactly. But Swamiji would even have discarded such people ,who are so disrespectful!!