Comments on: On Faith

By: Krsangi dasi

Krsangi dasi — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:29:27 +0000

This blurring of faith and belief has contributed considerably to the development of the dominant kanistha adhikari expression of Christianity, in which mere belief in doctrine characterizes the faithful.

I thought this was a very interesting and insightful point. We who have come to Gaudiya Vaishnavism from a Christian background sometimes tend to get the two paths mixed up a bit. In my experience the Christian view of God and spiritual life really is quite rigid and static, but like it is said in this article, we as Vaishnavas should strive to be flexible and dynamic.

By: Gauravani dasa

Gauravani dasa — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:01:43 +0000

Yes, very powerful.

Prabhupada gave his fledgling disciples much to hold on to [...] Belief in his system carries with it the potential to nourish faith.

Is it correct to say that this system gives us the association of, and service to, an uttama adhikari (Prabhupada), without which faith would remain tender?

If belief fuels actions dictated by logic (intellect) then does faith fuel actions dictated by the heart?

In order words, does the faith that fuels trans-rational action (sadhana) have some basis in spiritual experience? And that spiritual experience is possible with the system instituted by the uttama adhikari?

I also pray as Prema-bhakti does.

By: Prema-bhakti

Prema-bhakti — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:01:19 +0000

This is a very powerful article. It is a relevant commentary on the state of affairs in the contemporary Gaudiya world as well as being very urgent and bold in its assertions that we must become madhyamas and culture firm faith while in the association of advanced Vaisnavas. This is the path of serious progress. One must embrace the descending path and avoid aparadha. I love this line from the article, “Vaishnavism is a feeling. If you have the feeling, you recognize it wherever and in whatever package it presents itself.” I pray for my Gurudeva’s mercy to conceptualize and practice Vaisnavism in this way.

By: Gauridas

Gauridas — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:18:36 +0000

Thinking out loud:

The meaning of the terms faith and belief appears to be largely open to interpretation. On top of this we may question if these terms even work for us philosophically? I am only aware of the two terms in devotional literature: ‘sraddha’ and ‘nistha’ which could well mean (dependent on the interpretation of the English terms) faith and belief; if the meaning is taken to be ‘trust’ and ‘consolidated trust’ i.e. belief. Again such terms could be used in reference to inner conviction or dogmatic acceptance; it just depends in what context we choose to use them and what we decide they should mean.
But I do truly appreciate the point you are making and I think that the deciding factor in progress is when the faith (sraddha) shifts at the appropriate time from the book (vidhi) to the region of the heart, whereupon and as Sridhar Maharaja uses the term, it all becomes ‘intuitive’ (raga).

kind regards and respects

Gauridas