The article deals with the relationship between faith and rational knowledge in modern Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It is shown that the position of modern Vaishnavas regarding revelation and critical knowledge is defined in the books of the reformer of Gaudiya Vaishnavism Bhaktivinoda Thakur. The positions of modern teachers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism – Bhaktivendanta Sadhu Swami and Dandi Maharaja are explained, the importance of their position for the development of interreligious dialogue in modern conditions is shown. The points of contact between (...) Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Christianity in matters of understanding time, eternity, revelation and rational cognition are shown. (shrink)

Bhakti Saṃgraha or ‘Collection of Devotions’ composed by Ācārya Pūjyapāda (alias Ācārya Devanandī; circa 5th century CE) comprises a set of devotions (bhakti) in form of chaste and melodious Sanskrit hymns. Incidentally, the Most Worshipful Ācārya Kundakunda (circa 1st century BCE) had earlier composed his ‘Daśa Bhakti’ in Prākrit. The reading of devotions (bhakti) is essential to tread the difficult path to liberation. This great work by Ācārya Pūjyapāda is an essential reading for the ascetic (sādhu, muni) as well as (...) the householder (śrāvaka). It not only helps the soul acquire merit (puņya) but, more importantly, saves it from engaging in evil tendencies and pursuits. The devotions pertain, among others, to Lord Jina, the Supreme Beings, the Scripture, the Perfect Conduct, the sacred adobes of attainment of liberation of the Arhanta, and the Nandīśvara dvīpa. This collection includes ‘Śāntyaştaka’ (hymn in praise of the sixteenth Tīrthańkara, Lord Śāntinātha). (shrink)

The academic approach involves a critical attitude towards the sacred text and comparative work with interpretations emerging in other traditions. However, ISKCON Vaishnava literature is based on the authority of spiritual teachers. This creates a barrier between secular scholars and Vaishnavas, so ISKCON needs its philosophy with the system of concepts, methods, and principles of critical thinking to overcome this barrier. The first attempt to create such a philosophy was undertaken by Vaisnava sanyasi Bhaktivedanta Sadhu Swami, the author of (...) the book “Code of Absolute: Way to the perfect mind”. It was the first philosophical book in Russian in the ISKCON tradition. The article considers asymmetric dialectics as a philosophical methodology by Sadhu Swami concerning sacred texts as well as human’s attitude to life. (shrink)