Text and Context in Dialogue

Compliments and criticism for Voice of Bhakti

Dear Sir,

Finally I took some time to look at the May issue of Voice of Bhakti Vol. 2, No. 2, May 2003.

I was somewhat uncomfortable with the tone of your reply to Val Inchley's letter (e.g.: The shocking thing to me?), I still got more uncomfortable with the tone of H.L. Richard?s article, but when I read your book review of Maharjan's Comparative Study I got really angry!

Why such a negative approach? Why attacking and belittling almost everything? The book may have its shortcomings (I have not seen it; my focus is on Buddhism, when something similar written by a Nepali Christian will appear, I probably will read it), but this is no way to react to such a brave attempt of a Nepali Christian to come to throw some light on Hinduism.

Here some comments on some of your remarks and Richard's article:

• the "Absolute Being" one wonders... : in my experience many ordinary folk (Hindu and Buddhists) have such a concept; for some it seems to sort of co-exist with all the gods and goddesses, and worship of people; but others have said to me that that's what they see behind these visible tokens. Hearing people talk about it, it reminds me of Eternity in their Hearts. You are probably right that they will not articulate it in Vedic terms - but they do talk about it in their own terms.
• The suggestion what Maharjan should have talked about instead really seems out of place to me. Can't you ask her yourself why she rings the bell every morning, etc.? In my experience most people are just very happy to explain.
• Regarding Richard's article: in many ways I agree with the points he is making - but why all this polemic, attacking and tearing down? And proclaiming things as new insights, which have already been discussed for decades? I just don't like this approach!

To sum it up: write/ publish in an attitude of tolerance and building up, and not of polemisation, belittling, attacking, tearing down other people's viewpoints and writings. We have enough of that in the secular world in the West and here in Nepal. In a Christian Journal I would expect to see a more tolerant and positive attitude. Yes, uncovering some misconceptions may have a place too, but it should not be the primary aim of such a journal, and there are different ways of doing it. Strengthening, encouragement, comfort and edification are the key words in 1 Cor. 14. How about taking these as guidelines?

Cordially,
Anna Maria Hari
Presently research scholar with the Linguistic Dept. of T.U., Kirtipur

Dear Sir,

I do appreciate having received the Voice of Bhakti papers and have read them with great interest. They seem to me to present a clear, logical, question-raising approach to some of the fundamental issues of contextualised theology that the church here, as well as expatriates, need to grapple with. As a small example, my church on Saturday celebrated Teej with a service taken completely by the women, including the preaching, with typical Nepali singing and dancing items. It was a lovely contextualisation, probably rare among the churches here. At the same time, my Newari neighbours don't celebrate Teej at all.

The article on the new paradigm for understanding Hinduism as a civilisation is most helpful. I am living currently with a Hindu family. My host is a lawyer, having studied in Japan for 3 years and is very devout, yet open in his religious practice. We have had many discussions of faith issues. To him the whole differentiation of Hinduism and Buddhism is incomprehensible. I have given him the article to read and will be very interested in his response. However 2 things arise.

• There are some pretty complex terms, which may be beyond his English capacity and I wondered whether VOB is available in Nepali yet. I have noted your wish for this and wonder if it will include all articles or a selection only.
• In the context of the melting pot of Nepal, particularly Buddhist Lalitpur, I'd be interested in articles not so much taken from the Indian context, but addressing specifically local issues of Buddhist and Buddhist/Hindu thought, beliefs and Nepali cultures.

I have another Brahmin friend, thoughtful and contemplative, who said to me recently I'm half a Hindu, half a Christian. He has been reading Scripture, is most impressed by Jesus' historicity and power, and rejecting some of his own religious practices of fasting, etc. I am sure his beliefs are very inclusive, and the ideas of Christ-bhaktis are most relevant. But how are they to be worked out in practice? Pressures and misunderstandings by family, charges of hypocrisy by other Christians, the risks of syncretism, growth to maturity - all need to be dealt with. I anticipate further issues. The Lord bless your efforts,

In Him,
Mary Edgar

Editor: At present we regret that there is no Nepali version of Voice of Bhakti.

Enquiries

Dear Sir

I have recently come across the first three editions of VOB and was most impressed. Have there been further editions and if so, how can I access these?

Sincerely,
John Barclay
Australia.

Dear Sir,

Around this time of Dasai, I wonder what particular issues your readers are facing as believers relating to their Hindu families, neighbours, and friends? Do any of them have testimonies as to how they have coped with these difficulties? I look forward to hearing some response.

Yours,
R.F. Henwood
Tansen

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your journal. It is useful and easy to use. Is there subscription information for this journal? Is it available only online?

Corinne Armstrong
William Carey International University
Pasadena
USA

Voice of Bhakti welcomes interaction with its readers. Please e-mail us at info@bhaktivani.com. There is no subscription charge for Voice of Bhakti. If you would like to make a contribution towards the cost of the journal, however, please pass the amount to the editor or your distributor in a clearly marked envelope. All gifts will be acknowledged.

info@bhaktivani.com
. bhakti, nom. devotion, love, loyalty