Creation (GOD) and Evolution (Science) – My perspectives

Several days ago  I received an interesting  re-twit by billionaires Sri Vinod Khosla. I have tried to understand the antagonism between these two groups, Creation (GOD) and Evolution (Science), in search for an answer that can bring an ultimate harmony between these groups.

Here is the full twit:

“@vkhosla We have a Presidential candidate with gaps! Please retweet broadly”  #RickPerry : “Evolution is ‘theory’ with ‘gaps’ and “I agree with Perry, God is better choice then Evolution”

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/08/rick-perry-evolution-presidential-race-/1 “

I debated between these two arguments and made my choice. I believe in GOD.

Hindu Rishis were very intellectual and methodical group of Brahmins who collectively gave us the world’s oldest religion, HINDUISM.

It is obvious that they seriously discussed the theory of Creation and Evolution because the story of Vishnu and his ten incarnations is nothing but a theory of Evolution. Evolution may explain the changes in physical forms, however, it does not explain the spiritual form that is the base of every life on this planet. It is therefore, in the end, they decided to remain with the theory of Creation (God), the supreme soul, because it made perfect  sense to them.

Therefore, the Rishis concluded the philosophies of Hinduism and introduced its five core values:

1. God is one and you can worship him by any names. This is the reason why Hinduism accepts all religions of the world.
2. God created this universe; he is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent.
3. The purpose of life is to find Moksha (an union with the GOD), a liberation from the circle of  life and death (theory of reincarnation),
4. Live Dharmic (with Ethics and Morality) life because Karma (action) is the law of cause and effect. Positive actions produce positive effects; negative actions produce negative effects. This karma is cumulative: one accrues karma, positive and negative, not only throughout the course of one’s life, but throughout the course of one’s multiple rebirths. It is karma that determines one’s rebirths.
5. Respect all life because GOD resides in all. Forcing society to practice Ahimsa (non-violence, especially to non-humans) and vegetarianism

Science have tried to convince us that there are some life pieces that has been the result of Evolution, however, it fails to identify each and every piece on this planet to be the product of evolution. Like Governor Rick Perry’s statement “there is a “GAP” in the theory of  Evolution.” It holds no franchise values that can serve the societies needs and  fill their quest of Faith and Hope.

Agree, both theories are created by mankind because no one has seen GOD, except few, and no one can prove for sure that the entire world has been a result of Evolution. In my opinion,  the theory of Creation, GOD, has been universally accepted and practiced for many centuries. It is the most powerful franchise in the world that has provided laws of ethics and morality. It has brought communities together to do good and provided hope for those who became victims of times. No other franchise has done more for the betterment of the societies. It is time we stop resenting its existence.

My mother and father always told me that no matter what happens in life, keep your GOD in front of your life and let him lead you so you can enjoy the journey. Lord Krishna told similar message to Arjuna in Gita.  Gandhiji learned early in his life the power of prayer and faith in GOD. The list can become very long if I include people from all over the world who believes in GOD and have faith in GOD that brings them healing power. I have always found comfort in GOD’s feet and my faith in him is unshakable, just the way my parents had taught me. It is therefore I made my choice based on superiority of these two enterprises. We live in a world where each decision is measured by these fundamental rules:

1. Does the enterprise have customers (followers, Devotees)?
2. Does the enterprise have franchisee (Temples, Churches, Synagogues, and
   Mosques etc.)
3. Is the enterprise profitable (sustainable over long term from
   donations)?
4. Is it beneficial to the society (Laws of Ethics and Morals)?
5. Does it have Global acceptance?

I do not claim that theory of Evolution is wrong, but I do claim that it has GAP. It is an inferior theory to the God’s theory. Such enterprise is non-sustainable and not profitable. In a capitalistic society, I refuse to endorse such theory. It is therefore : “GOD TUSI GREAT HO”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORD KRISHNA”

* I did not include arguments from other religions of the world for the lack of my knowledge and space on this page. Please accept my sincere apologies.

* I also want to thank the webpage where I found the beautiful picture of Krishan and Radha. I lost the track of that page but if I find it, I will give you the link to it. Sorry.

PURPOSE OF LIFE, MY THOUGHTS

I was born Hindu and therefore have been heavily influenced by the core values of Hinduism. According to Hinduism the purpose of life is to attain the ultimate union with the GOD called MOKSHA. Moksha can be attained only by going through the circle of life and death until your soul find the ultimate balance of KARMA that bring freedom from the circle of life and death.

So how do I balance my Karma?

First of all, we need to understand what we are? I did not say who we are for a specific reason. We will discuss that later. What we are, as a life form, has two part scenario, Spiritual and Physical. There is a force beyond our comprehension and we do not know its identity and therefore the World’s major Religion call such force the GOD. Spiritual relationship is easier because it is between two parties, one of them is unseen, the GOD. Historically it has been understood by all civilization that every behavior has a moral obligation to the GOD.

The physical part is something that can be seen, touched, and felt. It is the physical body and its presence that allows us to be part of society. However, the physical bodies must behave, in addition to the moral obligation, according to the teachings of their religious leaders, governmental laws and expectations of their immediate society. That is where each life becomes very complex forcing individual’s Karmas to be unbalanced.

I am convinced that purpose of our life is to balance our Karma. In order to balance our Karma, we need to understand who we are. We are a life form that has to establish its presence in the group of other life forms. Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa were well balanced presence amongst other life forms and Hitler was rather an unbalanced presence. In our family we always discuss the difference between “wants” and “needs”. My parent had taught me to try and balance the two without burdening one over the other. My father was extremely spiritual and had supreme control over sensational and materialistic enjoyment. He had gone deeper into the spiritual ocean of God consciousness and had enjoyed so much spirituality that nothing of this worldly possession had ever competed with it or given him more pleasure.

“The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.”–Bhagavad-gita 2.59

I am convinced that in order to balance Karma, we need to understand the quadratic equation of life. We are happy when our needs are less and spirituality is higher. We are unhappy when our needs are more that turns into greed. Most of us are driven by the short term happiness and always demand more for materialistic and sensational “wants” that only brings temporary joy and eventual greed. I am not implying that we should not have materialistic wants (desires) but simply implying the Gandhian teaching that “there is plenty in this world for every ones need but not enough for one man’s greed”.

Traditionally our physical body has five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. I would like to add the sixth sense that is called “imaginary world” created by our own imaginations. As far back as the 1760′s, the famous philosopher Immanuel Kant proposed that our knowledge of the outside world depends on our modes of perception. In order to define what is “extrasensory” we need to define what is “sensory”. Each of the 5 senses consists of organs with specialized cells that have receptors for specific stimuli. These cells have links to the nervous system and thus to the brain. Sensing is done at primitive levels in the cells and integrated into sensations in the nervous system. Sight is probably the most developed sense in humans, followed closely by hearing.

When we use these senses for spiritual enlightenment, we find happiness. When we use these senses only for sensational and materialistic pleasures, we find temporary enjoyment and ultimate unhappiness. However, when we properly use these senses and balance the two, we find the path of MOKSHA. It is therefore I have concluded that the purpose of my life is to balance the spirituality needs and materialistic wants in my daily life.

Hinduism, my thoughts

  

Sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet is regarded as the spiritual abode of Shiva.

Hinduism is believed to be the oldest of major religions of the world. Hinduism believes that there is only one, all-pervasive Supreme Being who is both immanent and transcendent, bothCreator and Unmanifest Reality, called “Brahman or Paramatma (not to be confused with Brahma of Trinity).” However, it does not advocate the worship of any one particular deity; therefore Hinduism cannot be compared with any particular belief system. Hinduism is a collection of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideas and practices that originated in India that is in continuity and in perpetual evolution even today. Unlike other religions, Hinduism is a way of life (Dharma) focused on Karma, the law of cause and effect, that allows freedom from the circle of life and death, Hindu believes in reincarnation, and eventually a Moksha, an union with the Supreme Being (Paramatma). Hinduism considers all life to be sacred therefore requires every man to practice Ahimsa (not to be confused with non-violence), restrict thinking and speaking of ill words, and killing of any life-form.

Sometimes during the era of the great sages Valmiki and Vyasji, Hinduism redefined Supreme Being and introduced a new concept of Trinity, the most fundamental of Hindu deities, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – creator, preserver and destroyer respectively. The Trinity collectively represents the Only One, the Supreme Being. The sages found it as an easier explanation to common Hindu worshiper.

Each deity has a consort. Creator Brahma needed knowledge, therefore Saraswati, Goddess of Knowledge, became his consort. Preserver Vishnu needed wealth, therefore Laxmi, Goddess of Wealth became his consort and Destroyer Shiva needed Strength, therefore Parvati, Goddess of Shakti (Strength) became his consort.

Today, Hindu worships three main deities, Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti. Their followers are known as Vaishnava, Shivaism and Shakti-ism. Both, Vishnu and Shakti have been associated with Avatars (not to be confused with re-incarnation) to give platform to the section of Hinduism that worship Father God and Mother God.

Hindu also worships other forms of God, such as Ganesha, an elephant headed God, Hanuman, a monkey God. At some point in Hinduism, the sages wanted to stop killing of life-form other than human. Therefore they introduced non-human, from animal kingdom, life-forms with each deity to protect them. Killing of protected life-forms would have angered the relative deity and could have brought curse on the killer. Such message was much powerful that forced the Hindu to practice Ahimsa.

Hindu cremate their body after death because according to Hinduism the human body is made of five part, earth, water, fire, air and ether. The human body becomes lively when soul enters and becomes dead when soul departs. The body has no other function but to provide temporary housing for the soul and therefore by cremating the body the organic remains become part of the nature. One bigger advantage of cremation is that it destroys any diseases a person had prior to death, it brings closure to the family and it does not require large cemeteries.  

Hinduism must be very old if we consider arguments from Arun K. Bansal and Prof. N.S. Rajaram. According to their theory, Lord Krisha was born July 21, 3228 BC. Lord Krishna is the eight Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Does that mean Hinduism predates all other theories? What is interesting is the story of Bhimketka paintings,  that dates back to 30,000 years. In the epic of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the exact birth date is recorded for Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. We know now that in order to have such calendar, one must possess knowledge of stars position and movements in space, science to confirm such movements, and mathematics to calculate such complex information. What kind of knowledge they had? How long did it take them to finalize their calculation that is an absolute fact even today?

Photo courtsey of: wikipedia

Interesting reading about Hinduism by Huston Smith:  

Vishnu’s Avatars

Lord Vishnu in the form of Boar, third Avatar

It is my personal opinion that the Hinduism introduced the concept of Trinity during the time of either Valmiki or Vyasji, the great sages who wrote Ramayana and Mahabharata. The concept of Vishnu’s Avatars undoubtly reflects the modern day Theory of Evolution. Did the sages explore the possibilities of Evolution vs. Creation?

Lord Vishnu is prominent as the Preserver of the universe. Vishnu’s restoring, shielding and conserving powers have been apparent in the world in a sequence of ten mortal incarnations known as Avatars. The avatars appear in order to balance the effect of good and evil upon the earth. It is believed that nine avatars have already descended, three in non human form, one in hybrid form and five in human form. Of the ten universally recognized avatars, nine have already appeared whereas the tenth is yet to appear. These ten avatars are also known by the name of Dasha Avatar of Vishnu.

All the Avatars are mortal form of Lord Vishnu, who himself is eternal, consistent and undeniable. The Dasha Avatar of Vishnu are briefly discussed here:

1. Matsya Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of Fish
The first avatar, Matsya, was taken by Lord Vishnu at the end of the Satyuga (last age), when a flood destroyed the world. Through this avatar, he saved humanity and the sacred Veda text from the flood.

2. Kurma Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of Turtle
The second avatar, Kurma, was taken in the Satyuga (last age) to help the Devas and to obtain the amrut (nectar) of immortality which was also sought after by the Asuras (demons). He helped in creating the world by giving support of his back through this avatar.

3. Varaha Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of Boar
The third avatar, Varaha, was taken at the end of the last flood in the Satyuga, when Bhoomi Devi (Earth Mother) sank to the bottom of the ocean. Vishnu, in the form of varaha, dived into the ocean and raised the goddess out of the ocean, supported by his two tusks.

4. Narsimha Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of Half – Man and Half – Lion
The fourth Avatar, Narsimha, was taken in the Satyuga (last age) to kill a tyrant demon king. Narsimha is the only avatar which was Hybrid in form being half human and half animal.

5. Vamana Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of a Dwarf
The fifth avatar, Vamana, appeared in the Tretayuga in order to destroy Bali, the king of demons. He came during a huge ceremony conducted by the king and cleverly asked for just three feet of land, measured by his own small feet. Vamana covered whole of the earth and the heaven, subduing Bali into his feet.

6. Parshurama Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of a Brahmin
The sixth avatar, Parshurama, appeared in the Tretayuga to destroy the warrior caste. When the kings of the earth became despotic and started to harm people and saints in the forest, Vishnu incarnated as Parshurama and destroyed all the kings who were harassing the people.

7. Rama Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of the King
The seventh avatar, Rama, the prince and king of Ayodhaya, appeared in the Tretayuga, to rescue Sita with his loyal servant Hanuman and his brother, Lakshmana, and killed the demon Ravana. Lord Rama became one of the most popular gods in the Hindu religion.

8. Krishna Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of a Cowherd’s Boy
The eighth avatar, Krishna, along with his brother Balarama, appeared in the Dwaparyuga to kill the demon king, Kansa. Lord Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Krishna told the epic poem Bhagavad Gita to the warrior Arjuna ,in which he acclaimed : ”Whenever Dharma, or the situation of law and order, is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, law and order, and to protect the Sadhus or saints and to destroy the evil elements of the society.”

9. Buddha Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the Form of Buddha
The ninth avatar, Mahavira Buddha, appeared in the Kalyuga, to teach the lesson of following a middle path in life. ”Buddha” means ‘the enlightened one’. He taught that all sorrow comes from attachments and desires, so it’s better to curb all attachments in order to remain happy.

10. Kalki Avatar – Lord Vishnu in the form of Horse
The tenth Avatar, Kalki, (“Eternity”, or “time”, or “The Destroyer of foulness”), is yet to appear on the earth. And it is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist.

Courtsey of :  http://www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/gods/vishnu/vishnu-avatar.html

Farewell Father (Bapu-Bapuji-Father)

It was early morning of Christmas 2010. Beautiful powdery snow had fallen during night covering the ground in pure white color. My sisters and their family had gathered at our house for Christmas celebration. December 25^th was picture perfect day, just like it has been described in the Christmas stories.

It was Sunday, January 2, 2011 when my sister Indu and her husband Mohanlal visited my father.

Since that day, Bapuji begin to say things that were divine. Somehow he knew that his death is near and his telephone conversation with my sister, Indu, was absolutely precise and to the point that his Swaminarayan Lord had come to visit him and had assured him that all the preparations are in place and that the Lord had dispatched two sadhus (saint) to take him home.

Bapuji begin to have chest pain on Monday, January 3, 2011. Dr. Thatti came to visit him and only then we found out that he may have suffered heart attack. Bapuji was transferred to Williamson Medical Center for further checkup. The emergency room’s attending physician had stabilized my dad when I went to see him. I found my dad very cheerful, peaceful and fully alert. The cardiologist suggested that we do angiogram in the morning.

At about 9:47pm my dad called me and told me to take good care of myself and our family, that he was very appreciative of the hospital staff who took special care of him. He was thankful to them and our family members for taking care of him during his golden years following my mom’s death on March 16, 2002.

At about 1:00am, I received a call from the hospital that my dad’s heart had stopped working. I along with my wife, Lata and my son, Vivek, went to the hospital and bid farewell to my loving father at 1:51am, Wednesday, January 5, 2010. My Daughter, Zarna, stayed home in case of emergency and was brought to the hospital later.

My dad was a divine person, living a lifestyle based on BHAKTI (DEVOTION) and RIGHTOUSNESS. He never hated or spoke ill words for anyone. He never eat or wore new cloths without first offering to his Lord Swaminarayan.

In his final moments, such discipline brought peace and comfort to his soul. Most importantly, it brought special joy to all who came to know him. Sadhu Sobhitswaruppswami and his bhajans during the funeral brought peace to our soul, especially mine. I know that is exactly the way BAPUJI would have preferred.

Bapu, I am so glad that you gave me a privilege to be your son. I wish and pray you will give me the same opportunity in my next life. Please bless me so I can learn to live with your BHAKTI and RIGHTOUSNESS.

I bid you farewell Bapuji, may you find happiness in AKSHARDHAM with LORD SWAMINARAYAN and your life partner and my MOTHER, DHANUBA.

Merry Christmas

Last week Penelope Trunk wrote on her blog about “Why Christmas Is Destroying Corporate America”. She claims that Christmas celebration at workplace alienates employees and squashes diversity. She also claims that forcing people to take Christmas off is discriminatory and Jewish ornaments on Christmas trees are offensive.

I was born in India and practitioner of Hinduism. I came to USA in 1972 and made this country my home. I had learnt four languages including English that made my transition in American society very easy. It is therefore I also believe that American children should learn minimum of four languages before the completion of middle school.

I was exposed to all religions during the early years of my life and have developed a great amount of respect for all religions, especially their festivities. I believe in inclusivity of all religions and their festivities in our culture. Religion and their festivities provide FAITH and HOPE that plays an important part in every society. Every year my family and I have enjoyed the celebration of Christmas and its festivities. We have never been alienated by its affiliation with Christianity. I do not know the religious affiliation of Penelope Truck, but I am really alienated by her suggestions that we as an American should stop celebrating Christmas because we are a nation of diversity.

Separation of church and state does not mean that we exclude all religious based activities. We should not promote activities or teachings that take away rights of GOD loving people. As a GOD loving person, I disapprove the notion of exclusivity and disrespect for each other’s religion because in the end that will destroy the civilization and this society will become a land of violators of GOD’s teachings.

What is more disturbing is that media provides opportunities to these kinds of weird suggestions, good people do nothing about it or they are shut by the pressure from investors/donors and massive foolhardy protestors and eventually an empty headed legislator propose an amendments to the constitution where celebrating CHRISTMAS becomes offensive to the diversity and therefore must be banned.

Welcome to the land of the free. Merry Christmas, HO HO HO!

Thanksgiving, Hindu Style

 

On Thursday, we were invited by Binny auntie for Thanksgiving dinner party. Binny and Brij are younger than me; however I like to call her Binny auntie because not only she is beautiful outside but more beautiful inside. Her caring personality reminds me of auntie’s love. So in great honor I like to call her auntie.

My son, Vivek (www.VivekSurti.wordpress.com), enjoys gourmet cooking and is a great food blogger. My parents are vegetarian and strict follower of BAPS. I believe in God but have my own value systems. My son has been raised with both value systems. So until now we always had our Thanksgiving dinner Hindu style, meaning all vegetarian meal in the name of Thanksgiving. We all sat down together for the dinner, prayed to the Lord for the blessings and enjoyed our evening.

Last year he asked me and Lata if he can prepare a true American Thanksgiving dinner including cooking turkey. Upon our permission, a turkey was cooked for the first time in our house along with typical complementary dishes. It was first non-vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner in the Surti’s house. The sad part was my DAD had to eat alone because he is vegetarian and does not approve eating non-vegetarian meal. My MOM passed away in March of 2002. If she was alive, I doubt we would have dared to cook non-vegetarian meal in the house.

So, the Surti family has made some compromises. Lata, who was non-vegetarian when I married her has become vegetarian and does not prefer non-veggie meal. Zarna (www.Zarna.Com), my daughter has been vegetarian by personal choice for long time. I am the only person in the house who gives company to my son even though I consider myself vegetarian but occasionally enjoy non-vegetarian meal.

We don’t question whether it is right or wrong to have adopted the American dietary options that is against the Hindu teachings. We don’t try to justify our behaviors by claiming that Hindus do not follow each and every teachings of Hinduism and therefore we have the right to choose. We have adopted the festivities of the land we now called our own. What is important is not what you eat but how you become a good citizen of the country and its society by truly following the path of righteousness.

At Binny auntie’s house, there were friends of multi culture and plenty food choices, vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian. We all sat together and enjoy the dinner, the evening was just wonderful. Thank you Binny auntie and Brij uncle.

However, I missed my MOM and felt guilty that I did not eat my Thanksgiving dinner with my DAD.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends. Life is like the oceanic waves (Sagarki Laharen), just dive in and enjoy! What will become of a Sagar (ocean) without his Laharen (waves)?