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Symbolism––or Idolatry?- Swami Kriyananda |
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Few Hindus are conscious of the depth of prejudice many Westerners hold toward the term, “idol worship.” The guide in a Hindu temple may announce blithely to his group of tourists, “Now, over there you see people worshipping the idol of Siva”; he has no idea that he has opened up a Pandora’s box of negative connotations. That glazed look in some of their eyes wouldn’t be there if he’d used other words: “image,” perhaps, instead of idol, and “praying before” instead of worshiping. |
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For Westerners, even if they never go to church, know that the Bible condemns idolatry. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” is the Lord’s commandment to Moses; and, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing. . . . Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor serve them.” The perpetrators of such acts are described as people “who hate me.” |
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© “The Hindu Way of Awakening: Its Revelation, Its Symbols” by Swami Kriyananda, published by Jaico Publishing House, 121, MG Road, Mumbai 400 023. Reprinted with permission. |
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