1 - Introduction and Instructions to Graduating Students | Swami Tattwamayananda

Verses: I.1, I.11. This discourse was given on July 27, 2019 at the Lake Tahoe Retreat run by the Vedanta Society of Northern California by Swami Tattwamayananda.-Triple foundation of Indian philosophy: (1) Upanishads, which form the foundation (2) Gita, which provides the interpretation and (3) Brahmasutras, which provides the logical analysis-Initially, there was one Veda. Vyasa classified into four groups: Rig veda, Yajur veda, Sama veda and Atharva veda. Taittiriya Upanishad belongs to Yajur veda.-Story of Yajnavalkya is discussed in the context of Krishna-yajur-veda and Shukla-yajur-veda.-Each veda has 4 divisions: (1) Samhitas (2) Brahmanas (3) Aranyakas and (4) Upanishads.-Upanishads are the essence of the Vedas and constitute philosophical ideas that are relevant to people from all religions and cultures.-There are 31 anuvakas in Taittiriya Upanishad.-Taittiriya Upanishad starts with a prayer to Vedic deities, such as Mitra, Varuna, Vayu and Indra. All deities are different manifestations of one Absolute Reality. The seeker asks for inner joy and spiritual common sense to pursue the path of truth and dharma.-Lesson 11 is discussed: Instruction from teacher to departing students. Speak the truth and practice dharma. Dharma is the most important value when conducting duties in the world, and is the regulating principle behind artha and kama.-A householder should work hard to earn wealth through proper means for the good of society – that way, he pursues the path of dharma. He should also take necessary actions for self-preservation.-Vivekananda emphasized the harmony of “best of modern technology” and “best of spiritual values”.-Guru-dakshina is discussed. If we get something for free, we fail to appreciate its full value.-An ideal person should respect his parents, teachers and guests with the same reverence as god.-Obligations in ascending order are discussed: (1) to yourself (2) to members of family (3) to society and (4) to ancient sages.-A householder has a duty to teach the next generation. This is his way of paying back the debt to his teachers and ancient sages and preserving the parampara.-Families and societies collapse when there is a lack of sanctity.-Spirituality can be practiced in the midst of secular activities.-Charitable practices, by themselves, are not enough. They need to be complemented by individual sadhana.-A person or country that only receives and never gives back remains a debtor and fails to develop their own resources.-One should refrain from commenting or criticizing Vedic scriptures unless they have learned their essence from a true master.