February 11th
Subhash Kak is someone I admire for his wisdom and his grace. His gently-stated yet mind-blowing insights are a treat to read. For instance, his work on the astronomical codes embedded in the RgVeda, or the analysis of the astronomy of fire-altars, or the mathematics behind the theory of temple construction. As an example of the last, if I remember right, the length:width ratio of the layout of the Angkor Wat temple is the ratio of the longest:shortest diameter of the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the Sun.
Excerpts:
Hinduism and the Contest of Religions
Subhash Kak
Published on Friday, February 11, 2005
These are extraordinary times, given how technology is transforming
the world and the unprecedented migration of people. Different
cultural and religious groups have come in close contact physically,
some for the first time; and television has brought to the home new
images and possibilities. One would have hoped that people would
simply accept cultural and religious diversity; instead, it has become
a great opportunity for the proselytizing religions to gain adherents.
This is happening in the background of the destructive gale of
modernity, whose fury is pointed at all religious traditions.
The efforts of the missionaries have been enormously successful in
many Buddhist countries such as South Korea, where it is estimated
that half the population has embraced Christianity. Missionary efforts
are also strong in other countries of Asia and in Africa. On the other
hand, many intellectuals in the West are adopting Buddhism. Islam is
also gaining converts. It is expected that with the falling fertility
rates of its women and increasing immigration, Europe will be slowly
assimilated into Islam.
India has become a big battleground for harvesting of souls. For some
evangelical groups conversion of India to Christianity is essential
before Christ returns to earth. The religious clash in India is
playing out most strongly in the tribal areas and amongst the poor.
Hindus are reacting by calling for a ban on money-induced conversions
and trotting out their Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi, both of whom
spoke strongly against changing religion....
2 comments:
A couple of years back there was a program on one of the Discovery channels about the Angor Temple, Giza Pyramid and Mayan Temples and how they share an invisible link. The layout/positions of these structures correspond to the night sky of a few thousand years ago.
A couple of years back there was a program on one of the Discovery channels about the Angor Temple, Giza Pyramid and Mayan Temples and how they share an invisible link. The layout/positions of these structures correspond to the night sky of a few thousand years ago.
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