SreeNarayanaGuru

[manu]

Hi all,

a)What are the Guru's views on relegious conversions?
b) Did Guru encourage religious reconversions?

Thanks
Manu

[gopu]

Hi all,

a)What are the Guru's views on relegious conversions?

Sree Narayana Guru had a discussion about relegions conversion with Mahatma Gandhi at the Sivagiri Mutt on 13, March 1925.
Gandhi wanted to impress upon the Narayana Guru the need to stop the conversion of low caste Hindus to other relegions. He is reported to have said:

The caste Hindus and the low caste Hindus are both the sons of Hinduism. The caste Hindu is the elder brother who shoulders responsibility, and he therefore exercises certain privileges. The low caste Hindu is his younger brother who is to be cared for. If the elder brother turns out to be somewhat rough and aggressive that should not make the younger brother a runaway from his mother--Hinduism

Sree Narayana Guru did not agree with Gandhi's reasoning and said:

If a Hindu has no belief in his religion and has belief in another religion, it is good that he embraces the religion in which he believes. Such a conversion will help Hinduism in getting rid of a non-believer, and the religion to which the man gets converted will have the benefit of adding one more believer to it. Moreover the man will be benefited with love and sympathy which he will get from his fellow-believers. There is nothing wrong in such conversions.

[prasadjbp]

It doesn,t mean that Guru encouraged religious conversions !!!

[gopu]

yes you are right...

[sugathan]

Gandhi was against conversions. But Guru was not. It does not mean that he encouraged conversions. He neither encouraged nor discouraged. It may appear difficult to understand.

Guru wanted to give freedom to people to choose their religion. He wanted to give oppertunity for all to learn all religions and then allow them to take a decision. People should be given freedom to choose one or remain without joining any.

Finally Guru made one thing clear. There will not be any need for coversion - because all religions are equally good. When Chacko, a student, wanted to becom e a Hindu, he said,'no'. Guru asked Chack to live as a good christian. He asked a muslim student to live as a good muslim.

Guru said, 'oru matham'. There is no real difference between religions. Matham ethaayaalum manushyan nannaayaal mathi. He did not mean that religion will make man good. He said, ' you must always try to be good, otherwise you may become bad'.

[gopu]

Very valuable information,Now a days people are not understanding the exact meaning of wht guru said and speaking,People should understand the meaning in deep and speak.
Thanks for the post

Gopu