On a mission to rebuild the Shankara Samadhi Sthal

[feathers]

On a mission to rebuild the Shankara Samadhi Sthal - The Hindu

An 11-member team travelling from Kalady to Kedarnath with the aim of reconstructing Shankaracharya's samadhi mandir

Months after Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi mandir near the holy Kedarnath temple got swept away in the devastating flash floods in Uttarakhand last year, a group of spiritual exponents have embarked on a nationwide journey in a bid to reconstruct the structure.

The New Delhi-based Faith Foundation started its journey from Kalady in Kerala, the birthplace of Adi Shankara, on February 14 with the aim of reaching Kedarnath on June 16, the day the tragedy rocked the Himalayan region last year.

'Mission Kalady to Kedar,' a road journey touching holy centres associated with Adi Shankara, including Jammu and Kashmir and Assam in India and Pashupati Nath in Nepal, will collect holy soil for the recreation of the Shankara Samadhi Sthal and re-installation of two idols with spiritual dignity, Col. (Retd.) H. Ashok Kini, who heads the 11-member team, told The Hindu during a visit to the Nithyananda Ashram here as part of the mission.

Ahead of planning their journey, the team members had last year visited the four Maths (monasteries) — Sringeri Sharda Math in Karnataka, Govardhana Math in Odisha, Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand, and Dwarka Math in Gujarat — set up by Shankaracharya.

They also met the Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand and Kerala twice to brief them about their travel plans, Col. Kini said, adding that the leaders had lauded their initiative.

"Our endeavour is to accord a spiritual touch to the Samadhi Sthal and support the Uttarakhand government initiative by giving assistance to rebuild a befitting memorial for the great sage of our nation and create awareness of resuming the pilgrimage to help contribute towards the State's economy, which relies on pilgrim tourism," Col. Kini, who was part of the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka and took part in the Kargil war, said.

"We should give due importance to the planning of the entire Himalayan region by involving scientists, environmentalists, and spiritual leaders, and invest money in such a way that takes care of both the pilgrimage and the tourism," Col. Kini, who hails from Kanhangad, said.

The team was arranging visits to schools and colleges during the journey to impress upon the students the need to plant at least one sapling on their birthday, besides delving into the philosophy of Adi Shankara, Col. Kini, who was former comptroller of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, said.

 

[Srinivas_K]

Sankaracharya has seen the spread of Islam as a threat and tried to unify Hindus and tried to make Hinduism more appealing during the golden ages of Hinduism. He suggested some changes like worship 5 GODS and all.

On a mission to rebuild the Shankara Samadhi Sthal - The Hindu

An 11-member team travelling from Kalady to Kedarnath with the aim of reconstructing Shankaracharya's samadhi mandir

Months after Adi Shankaracharya's samadhi mandir near the holy Kedarnath temple got swept away in the devastating flash floods in Uttarakhand last year, a group of spiritual exponents have embarked on a nationwide journey in a bid to reconstruct the structure.

The New Delhi-based Faith Foundation started its journey from Kalady in Kerala, the birthplace of Adi Shankara, on February 14 with the aim of reaching Kedarnath on June 16, the day the tragedy rocked the Himalayan region last year.

'Mission Kalady to Kedar,' a road journey touching holy centres associated with Adi Shankara, including Jammu and Kashmir and Assam in India and Pashupati Nath in Nepal, will collect holy soil for the recreation of the Shankara Samadhi Sthal and re-installation of two idols with spiritual dignity, Col. (Retd.) H. Ashok Kini, who heads the 11-member team, told The Hindu during a visit to the Nithyananda Ashram here as part of the mission.

Ahead of planning their journey, the team members had last year visited the four Maths (monasteries) — Sringeri Sharda Math in Karnataka, Govardhana Math in Odisha, Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand, and Dwarka Math in Gujarat — set up by Shankaracharya.

They also met the Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand and Kerala twice to brief them about their travel plans, Col. Kini said, adding that the leaders had lauded their initiative.

"Our endeavour is to accord a spiritual touch to the Samadhi Sthal and support the Uttarakhand government initiative by giving assistance to rebuild a befitting memorial for the great sage of our nation and create awareness of resuming the pilgrimage to help contribute towards the State's economy, which relies on pilgrim tourism," Col. Kini, who was part of the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka and took part in the Kargil war, said.

"We should give due importance to the planning of the entire Himalayan region by involving scientists, environmentalists, and spiritual leaders, and invest money in such a way that takes care of both the pilgrimage and the tourism," Col. Kini, who hails from Kanhangad, said.

The team was arranging visits to schools and colleges during the journey to impress upon the students the need to plant at least one sapling on their birthday, besides delving into the philosophy of Adi Shankara, Col. Kini, who was former comptroller of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, said.

 

[feathers]

Sankaracharya has seen the spread of Islam as a threat and tried to unify Hindus and tried to make Hinduism more appealing during the golden ages of Hinduism. He suggested some changes like worship 5 GODS and all.

I think Sankaracharya was warning Hindus of all the sects to stop being far from the true religion or else the wrath will fall on them and it resulted in the invasions by other nation. Sankaraacharya was jagatguru and Jagatgurus thinks in term of spirituality which is beneficial for the whole world and humanity.

 

[vram]

I think Sankaracharya was warning Hindus of all the sects to stop being far from the true religion or else the wrath will fall on them and it resulted in the invasions by other nation. Sankaraacharya was jagatguru and Jagatgurus thinks in term of spirituality which is beneficial for the whole world and humanity.

both of you are confusing...wasn't majority of Adi Shankara's teaching related to showing the prominence of the vedic satana Dharmic way of living when compared to the buddhist teachings of non entity during a time when the Buddhist teaching where very popular?? I remember reading the that the advaita Vedanta was the primary teaching and arguement principles against buddhist scholars of that age who where his primary opponents...
Islam was not even born or present in Indian Subcontinent at that time???

 

[Srinivas_K]

both of you are confusing...wasn't majority of Adi Shankara's teaching related to showing the prominence of the vedic satana Dharmic way of living when compared to the buddhist teachings of non entity during a time when the Buddhist teaching where very popular?? I remember reading the that the advaita Vedanta was the primary teaching and arguement principles against buddhist scholars of that age who where his primary opponents...
Islam was not even born or present in Indian Subcontinent at that time???

Sankaracharya is seen as a man who revived Hinduism and also tried to strengthen Hinduism against faiths which originated in foreign lands. He lived in 7 th century and at that time Islamic conquests are happening.

 

[vram]

Sankaracharya is seen as a man who revived Hinduism and also tried to strengthen Hinduism against faiths which originated in foreign lands. He lived in 7 th century and at that time Islamic conquests are happening.

But not in India...and also buddhism was not from foreign lands but from India only...

 

[Srinivas_K]

But not in India...and also buddhism was not from foreign lands but from India only...

please explain the bold part.

Adi Shankaracharya
800 AD Bharat:
Buddhism had spread far and wide. Jainism had also found many followers in Bharat. (The rulers of North like: Mauryans, Kushans, Harshavardhan were Buddhists. Most of the rulers of South and Rajasthan were followers of Jainism.) The followers of Sanatana Dharma, were engrossed in Vedic rituals. Many schools of thought like: Shaktas, Ganapatyas, Sauras had sprouted. In this chaos the teachings of Vedas were vanishing rapidly. With so many conflicting sects, the religious integrity in Bharat was lost.
At this juncture, Adi Shankaracharya revived Sanatana Dharma. He effectively turned back the wave of Buddhism and Jainism and established Hinduism firmly in Bharat. His works on religion and philosophy pointed out the unique features of our ancient religion. The Hinduism known today is as re-established by Adi Shakaracharya. It would not be incorrect to say that the Hindus were able to survive the wave of Muslim invasion only because of Adi Shankaracharya.

Adi Shankaracharya - Come, let us create a Mahan Bharat.

 

[feathers]

both of you are confusing...wasn't majority of Adi Shankara's teaching related to showing the prominence of the vedic satana Dharmic way of living when compared to the buddhist teachings of non entity during a time when the Buddhist teaching where very popular?? I remember reading the that the advaita Vedanta was the primary teaching and arguement principles against buddhist scholars of that age who where his primary opponents...

Adi Shankara was working to bring all the hindu sects to return back under one fold as all were too much divided and fighting among themselves and there was opposition from Buddhists and jains as they were in power during that time.

 

[feathers]

Sankaracharya is seen as a man who revived Hinduism and also tried to strengthen Hinduism against faiths which originated in foreign lands. He lived in 7 th century and at that time Islamic conquests are happening.

Brother Srinivas, Adi Shankara was working for the revival of Hinduism but it was at the expense of Buddhism and Jainism as they were in power. The Arab conquest was stopped long before the Birth of Adi Shankara , you can check the time line at time Abbasid were in power during the life time of Adi Shankara .

 

[warriorextreme]

Sankaracharya has seen the spread of Islam as a threat and tried to unify Hindus and tried to make Hinduism more appealing during the golden ages of Hinduism. He suggested some changes like worship 5 GODS and all.

on the contrary Adi Shankaracharya's mission was to stop buddhism from spreading further...many foreign & local rulers had accepted buddhism...
One should research why Adi shankaracharya was called as Prachanna Buddha(Buddha in disguise).

 

[Srinivas_K]

Check out my link and my post.

 

[sydsnyper]

But most of his emphasis was on the Advaita philosophy, which grew and branched off in many directions turning into a bountiful tree with many enlightened teachers whose teachings people still relish.

Sankaracharya is seen as a man who revived Hinduism and also tried to strengthen Hinduism against faiths which originated in foreign lands. He lived in 7 th century and at that time Islamic conquests are happening.

 

[Srinivas_K]

But most of his emphasis was on the Advaita philosophy, which grew and branched off in many directions turning into a bountiful tree with many enlightened teachers whose teachings people still relish.

Advaita Philosophy and also he wanted to make Hinduism an organized religion.

 

[feathers]

Advaita Philosophy and also he wanted to make Hinduism an organized religion.

You mean Santana Dharm which is more for bringing back the teachings of Rig Veda.

 

[Srinivas_K]

You mean Santana Dharm which is more for bringing back the teachings of Rig Veda.

Yes, He also worked to reduce the superstitions. He also revived Sanskrit.

 

[feathers]

Yes, He also worked to reduce the superstitions. He also revived Sanskrit.

You mean he made religion easy. Is it because of his reviving that in parts of Karnataka there are some villages were sanskrit is spoken ?

 

[Srinivas_K]

You mean he made religion easy. Is it because of his reviving that in parts of Karnataka there are some villages were sanskrit is spoken ?

Hinduism is a complex religion, since there are multiple faiths and practices. Each person has his own deity and multiple types of worship. Sankaracharya tried to give some clarity based on Vedas.

Adi Shankara, set up first of four Maths in Sringeri , Karnataka on the banks of the sacred Tunga, – the other three were later set up at Joshimath (north), Dwarka (West) and Puri (East).

Chaos pervaded all through India in the matter of religion and philosophy. Sect after sect, such as Charvakas, Lokayathikas, Kapalikas, Shaktas, Sankhyas, Buddhas and Madhyamikas sprang up. The number of sects rose as high as seventy-two and there was constant conflict between sects. There was superstition and bigotry. Darkness prevailed over the once happy land of Rishis, sages and Yogins. Such was the state of the country at the time which just preceded the Avatara (incarnation) of Sankaracharya.
The existence of Vedic Dharma in India today is due to Sankara. The forces opposed to Vedic religion were more numerous and powerful at the time of Sankara than they are today. Still, single-handed, within a very short time, Sankara overpowered them all and restored the Vedic Dharrna and Advaita Vedanta to its pristine purity in the land. The weapon he used was pure knowledge and spirituality.

Adi Shankaracharya - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

 

[feathers]

Hinduism is a complex religion, since there are multiple faiths and practices. Each person has his own deity and multiple types of worship. Sankaracharya tried to give some clarity based on Vedas.

Adi Shankara, set up first of four Maths in Sringeri , Karnataka on the banks of the sacred Tunga, – the other three were later set up at Joshimath (north), Dwarka (West) and Puri (East).

I think religion are never complex its the followers who make it complex. can you tell me more about the clarity which Sankaracharya gave on the basis of vedas

 

[Srinivas_K]

I think religion are never complex its the followers who make it complex. can you tell me more about the clarity which Sankaracharya gave on the basis of vedas

Reply you soon .....

 

[Srinivas_K]

I think religion are never complex its the followers who make it complex. can you tell me more about the clarity which Sankaracharya gave on the basis of vedas

Hinduism is like modern day science, Every Rishi and prominent people contributed to the ideas and concepts. Unlike most of the religions Hinduism do not put a lid on out of box ideas and thoughts citing some religious practices or scriptures. This also made it complex to understand some of the core concepts since there are various interpretations. Shankaracharya tried to simply this.

The major difference between the other religions and Hinduism is that Hinduism encourages common people to become rishis and find their own way to attain Moksha. Hinduism believes in "reincarnation".

Moksha ursuit of liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, loss of the egoistic self, and union with Brahman (it is called Heaven in some religions, being with GOD or union with GOD)

Brahman : Almighty

The Upanishads (Singular: Sanskrit: उपनिषत्, IAST: Upaniṣat, IPA: [upəniʂət̪] Plural: Sanskrit: उपनिषदः) are a collection of Vedic texts which contain the earliest emergence of some of the central religious concepts of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. They are also called Vedanta.

Upanishads consists of the works done by rishis and poets through out the ages dating back to 800 B.C on wards.

The authors of the Upanishads were many, but they were not solely from the priestly caste. They were poets prone to flashes of spiritual wisdom, and their aim was to guide a few chosen pupils to the point of liberation, which they themselves had attained.

Even though Upanishads consists if various teachings and concepts, they all agree with some common concepts like

1) The concepts of 'karma' (action)

2) 'samsara' (reincarnation)

3) 'moksha' (nirvana)

4) The Atman (Atma)

5) The 'Brahman' (Absolute Almighty)

Shankaracharya stressed the above concepts and there by eliminating some of the superstitions all across India. He also interpreted Upanishads and also advocated the importance of Vedas.

Regarding his philosophy of Advaita vedanta,

"The quintessence of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism) is to reiterate the truth of reality of one's essential divine identity and to reject one's thought of being a finite human being with a name and form subject to earthly changes."

He interpreted this based on "The Brahman" (Almighty concept). Here dualism means considering Almighty and humans are different. Sankaracharya advocates monism, there by stressing that Almight and human are the same and there exists a divine identity in every human.
Every thing either being or non being originates from Brahman (almighty) and posses divine identity.

The quintessence of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism) is to reiterate the truth of reality of one's essential divine identity and to reject one's thought of being a finite human being with a name and form subject to earthly changes.Through intense practice of the concept of Advaita, ego and ideas of duality can be removed from the mind of man.

This is a beautiful concept, if one practices Advaita and believes in divine identity he will certainly reject the finate human identity and there by eliminating ego from the mind of human. "It is like every thing is done ALMIGHTY and I am also a part of that play".