Tuesday, February 23, 2010

BRAHMOS: An archaic Brahmo catechism (FAQ) from 1867.

From: Malay Sanyal
Date: Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Subject: [brahmoconferenceorg] An archaic Brahmo catechism (FAQ) from 1867.

EXTRACTS FROM A CATECHISM ISSUED BY A MEMBER OF THE ADI BRAHMO-SAMAJ.
(sourced from Max Muller, so treat with our usual caution)

Q. Who is the deity of the Brahmos?
A. The One True God, one only without a second, whom all Hindu Sâstras proclaim.

Q. What is the divine worship of the Brahmos?
A. Loving God, and doing the works He loveth.

Q. What is the temple of the Brahmos?
A. The pure heart.

Q. What are the ceremonial observances of the Brahmos?
A. Good works.

Q. What is the sacrifice of the Brahmos?
A. Renunciation of selfishness.

Q. What are the austerities of the Brahmos?
A. Not committing sin. The Mahábhárata says, He who does not commit sin in mind, speech, action, or understanding, performs austerities; not he who drieth up his body.

Q. What is the place of pilgrimage of the Brahmos?
A. The company of the good.

Q. What is the Veda of the Brahmos?
A. Divine knowledge. It is superior to all Vedas. The Veda itself says: The inferior knowledge is the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Sama Veda, the Atharva Veda, etc.; the superior knowledge is that which treats of God.

Q. What is the most sacred formula of the Brahmos?
A. Be good and do good.

Q. Who is the true Brahman?
A. He who knows Brahma. The Brihadâra{n}yaka-Upanishad says: He who departs from this world knowing God, is a Brahman

 

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