Namachivaaya Vaaazhga! Vannakkam This is the first of a series of refutations of the Oneness Movement/Oneness University and their idea of Oneness as per my studies of Saiva Sithaandham thus far under our Guru, Thiru Thiagarajan Govender, who is the only properly trained and qualified South African Tamil and Saiva Sithaandha Scholar/Leader. I say this as a fact and not out of any bias or fanaticism. If anyone wishes to correct me on this, you are welcome to, with valid proof. This refutation is done with the intention of making the Saiva community aware of such non-Saiva teachings that have entered into Saiva organisations. The main work used in this refutation is the revised edition of Guruswaamigalls Subramanniyam as published by the Saiva Sithaandha Thirupanni Mandram with English Translations and Saiva Sithaandha interpretations by Thiru Thiagarajan Govender. This edition, if read and understood, serves as a good overview of the Saiva Religion and Sithaandha Philosophy. Those wishing to obtain a copy of this edition may contact Swami Sankarananda on 0786679609. I have previously posted articles which expose the malicious intentions behind the founding of the Oneness Movement and the negative impact that it has had on the psychological state of many hopefuls around the globe. I posted those articles for the good of the public, as well, who need to keep their defenses up to individuals who act as agents to the Oneness Movement here in SA and/or charge a fee to give ‘Deeksha’, which has been claimed to relieve the desperate of their states of misery and depression. One individual has confirmed that he was in the process of being coaxed to attend one of these Deeksha giving gatherings for R500 a week. It must be realised that it is dangerous for one, not qualified in psychology, to attempt to help or resolve the psychological issues of an individual, let alone a group. There are professionals who are qualified and have extensive experience in the field of psychology. If anyone is suffering from psychological stresses, it is advised that they consult a professional in that field. Do not put your mental wellness or money in the hands of one who is not a professional in the field as this will lead to further depression and deterioration of mental health. As Saiva Sithaandham delves into a detailed study of the self (soul/Pasu) and the mental sheet, which is an effect of Maayai and is classified under Bondages (Paasam), over time, this assists in bringing about an understanding of experience and contributes towards mental stability. However, such an understanding does not come easily and is achieved with much study and worship. SAIVA SITHAANDHA (SITHANTHA) VERSUS ONENESS - Post 1. WHAT IS ONENESS? What is this World Changing Phenomenon that is helping people of all faiths and paths move into higher states of consciousness? – onenessuniversity.org/ THE MARKETING TACTICS BEHIND THE ABOVE STATEMENT Idea 1: World Changing The use of words World Changing gives a sense of popularity. Something that is huge. Most of the world wants to be part of the in crowd and live large. It starts from initial school days. You dont want to be alone and have people look at you strangely, whisper to each other and giggle, dont you? So, come join us, the superior popular ones and avoid being looked-down upon, says the subconscious message embedded in the Oneness introduction. GURUSWAAMIGALL’S COMMAND ON HOW WE ARE TO AFFECT THE WORLD How are Saivites to affect the world? Guruswaamigall was very clear about this, as we see in the following lines: Part 1 1. தேவாரம் செகமெல்லாம் பாட அருளாய் Lord, kindly bestow Divine Grace upon me to sing the Thehvaaram (sung by Thirunyaana Sambandhar, Thirunaavukkarasar and Sundharamoorthy) throughout this world. 2. போதத்தில் போதம் சிவஞான போதம் உலக முழுதுமே போதியுங்கள் - சர்வ காருண்யன் Propagate Meikannda Dhehvar’s Sivanyaana Bohdham, which is the greatest of all teachings, throughout the world. Whilst Saiva Sithaaandham respects all paths, it does not accept all paths. If this is argued against, reason must be given as to why Guruswaamigall attempted to curb Christianity. Furthermore, even though Guruswaamigall asks that all religions come together and worship, He asks them to come together and worship Sivaperumaan. Saiva Sithaandham accepts only the Thirukkurrall, the 12 Saiva Thirumurraigall and 14 Sithaandha Saathirangall as Its Primary Scriptures; all other works that It accepts must be in keeping with the Primary Scriptures, down to the letter. The Thirukkurrall is for general living in the world but contains in it hidden ideas and instructions for the path of liberation. The Thirumurraigall are Devotional in nature praising the Forms of Sivaperumaan and Devotees. The Saathirangall are Philosophical in nature conveying the Experience of the Wisdom imparted by Sivaperumaan. The Thirukkurrall and Thirumurraigall must be interpreted according to the Sivanyaana Bohdham. The Thirukkurrall has 1330 couplets. The Sivanyaana Bohdham is the first work of the Saathirangall. Most of the works of the Saathirangall are based on the Sivanyaana Bohdham. The Sivanyaana Bohdham is 12 sentences long but a commentary written by Thiru Meikannda Dhehvar, Himself, is included, explaining those 12 sentences. However, as this commentary was extremely difficult to understand by, considering the Sivanyaana Bohdham contains the most subtle ideas, an explanation was written by Thiru Sivanyaana Munivar. Over time, even this became difficult to digest. A Short Commmentary and a Long Commentary of the Explanation were thereafter written by Thiru Thuthukudi Po. Muthaiyaa Plllai. Even to prepare for a study of this, a study of works like Padhi Pasu Paassam and Sithaandha Thelliviyal written by, Dr. Thiru C. Arunivadivehl Mudaliyaar is required. As the Subramanniyam is based on these works, to gain a proper understanding of the Subramanniyam, these works need to be studied. As the Oneness Movement does not recognize these works, which Guruswaamigall and all Saiva institutes recognize, as their Scriptures, this immediately disqualifies the Movement as a Saiva organization. Its chief teachings and practices are therefore not accepted by Saivam. The Movement clearly does not promote Thirumurraigall as Guruswaamigall has instructed and as is part of Saiva Tradition. As Dhehvaaram is part of the Thirumurraigall, the singing of all the Thirumurraigall is included in point #1. The singing of the Thirumurraigall is traditionally done as a recital which includes an explanation, which, in SA, requires a sound understanding of both Tamil and English. I will address this in Part 2. This is not a practice of the Oneness Movement, either. It is then clear that the Oneness Movement will not agree with this instruction by Guruswaamigall. The Thirumurraigall and the Saints of Saivam are not even mentioned by the Oneness Movement. It is therefore clear that they do not accept the Thirumurraigall and Saiva Saints, as Guruswaamigall did. To date, the Thirumurraigall verses number at 18349. The Oneness Movement believes that divine grace is being transfered during the process known as Deeksha Blessing or Oneness Deepening. If this is truly Divine Grace, as Guruswaamigall is asking Sivaperumaan to Bestow Divine Grace so He could Recite Thirumurraigall around the world, the Bestowing of Divine Grace results in the ability to recite Thirumurraigall. For this, Knowledge of Tamil - the language of the Thirumurraigall - and Pannisai - the Musical Tradition of the Thirumurraigall - are required. There have been no reports of those giving or receiving Deeksha having gained such knowledge of Tamil and Pannisai therefore they do not possess the ability to recite Thirumurraigall. Therefore, it is not truly Divine Grace that is being transferred. As Guruswaamigall commanded that the Dhehvaaram be sung throughout the world, He commanded that the Sivanyaana Bohdham be preached throughout the world. This is so because the Wisdom imparted via the Saathirangall is the Foundation for the Love expressed via the Thirumurraigall. As with the Dhehvaaram-Thirumurraigall connection, a mention of the preaching of the Sivanyaana Bohdham will include a propagation of all the works contained in the Saathiram. Furthermore, as there are works written for us to properly understand the Sivanyaana Bohdham, these works will also be included in point #2. Are the Oneness Movement preaching Sivanyaana Bohdham? No. Definitely not. In fact, their fundamental idea of Oneness, which teaches that there is only ONE entity, goes against even the first Soothiram of the Sivanyaana Bohdham which makes reference to three different existences, Padhi (God), Pasu (soul) and Paasam (Bondage). Guruswaamigall has made mention of Padhi, Pasu and Paasam in the Subramanniyam. As Meykannda Dhehvar states that this is what the Wise say, and as Guruswaamigall propogated the spreading of the teachings of the Sivanyaana Bohdham throughout the world, and as this is definitely not what the Onenenss Movement are promoting throughout the world, Guruswaamigall, as per His command, does not view the Oneness Movement as an organisation of Wisdom. Without Wisdom there is no Enlightenment. According to the teachings of Guruswaamigall, the Oneness Movement will never be able to confer True Enlightenment given their current beliefs. Paragraphs of all the relevant Saiva Philosophical Works number in their thousands. In closing of Part 1: The name that Guru Swaamigall kept for His organisation, Saiva Sithantha Sungum, clearly tells us the purpose for which the organisation was founded to serve. Teaching and practicing the ideas and methods of the Oneness Movement, or any other school of thought or non-Saiva organisation, in an organisation that holds Guruswaamigall as Master, is like living in an oasis but trekking everyday into the desert to dig in search of water. Conclusions arrived at: 1. Whilst Guruswaamigall embraces the Saiva Thirumurraigall, the Oneness Movement does not even acknowledge the Thirumurraigall. 2. Whilst Guruswaamigall embraces the Sithaandha Saathirangall, the Oneness Movements fundamental teaching is not in keeping with the Sivanyaana Bohdham. 3. The Oneness Movement in no way can be classified as a Saiva organisation. 4. The Oneness Movement will not agree with the commandments of Guruswaamigall. 5. Guruswaamigalls teachings will not support the ideas and traditions propagated by the Oneness Movement. 6. Guruswaamigall teaches that the descent of Divine Grace gives one the ability to sing Thirumurraigall, traditionally, and as none who received Deeksha blessing have this ability, it is not Divine Grace that is being transferred. 7. Oneness Movement, as per Guruswaamigall, lacks in True Wisdom and therefore cannot confer True Enlightenment. 8. In order to sing Dhehvaaram properly, a study of Tamil and Pannisai is required and Dhehvaaram needs to be studied. 9. In order to propagate Sivanyaana Bohdham throughout the world, a study and understanding of the Sivanyaana Bohdham is required. 10. Besides having all that is sufficient in our religion to know, study and practice, we have the Greatest work, therefore, theres no need to go looking elsewhere nor a need to introduce the practice of outside ideas into Saiva Organisations. If such is done, it shows that the one doing so lacks a basic study of Guruswaamigalls teachings. Naadhandraall Vaazhga!
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:04:24 +0000