Personal Testimony of Life Ping (Translation of Famous Chinese Classics)

Author: [India] Rabindranath Tagore
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1992-08-01
Features: The papers published in this book are on the subject of elucidation. I have not used philosophical sermons or explored them from an academic perspective—perhaps this is more suitable for me. I grew up in a family that regarded the Vedas as daily worship, and my father set an example for me long ago. Throughout his long life, my father maintained a close relationship with the divine, but he did not neglect his responsibilities to the world, nor did he reduce his strong interest in worldly affairs. Therefore, I hope these papers will provide Western readers with an opportunity to encounter the ancient spirit of India, which is reflected in our scriptures and still manifests in our lives today. The importance of a person's words is not judged by their words but by their spirit—the spirit that emerges alongside the growth of life in history. We understand the true meaning of Christianity by observing its various aspects in contemporary life—it may be different from early Christianity in many important ways. For Western scholars, India's great religious scriptures may seem to have only nostalgic and archaeological interest, but for us, they hold vital importance. We cannot help but feel that when the mummies of human thought and aspirations are displayed in marked cabinets, they lose their significance despite being preserved under the guise of erudition. The living language born from the experience of great souls can never be fully explained by any logical system; it can only be illustrated through individual life experiences and enriched with mystery in their new discoveries. The poems of the Upanishads and the teachings of Buddha have always been my spiritual wealth, giving me infinite vitality. I have embodied them in my own life and words, as nature holds a unique meaning for me; similarly, I expect others to verify it for themselves. And my personal proof will surely have its value because it is personal. Perhaps I should also add that these articles were compiled in a continuous form for ease of publication. Some of the views were selected from several Bengali essays, where I used to discuss with my students at my school in Bolpur, Bengal. The translations I used were made by my friends Babu Shadish, Chandra Roy, and Babu Ajit Kumar Chandra. The essay "In Action, to Witness" in this collection was translated from the Bengali essay "Karma Yoga" by my nephew Babu Surendranath Tagore. On this occasion, I express my gratitude to Professor James H. Woods of Harvard University, whose fair evaluation encouraged me to complete this collection and read most of it before I went to Harvard. I also thank Mr. Ernest Rice for his help, who enthusiastically suggested revisions and proofreading. Regarding the pronunciation of Sādhanā, it should be emphasized on the ā, which is the broad sound of this letter.