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Article MASONIC PHILOSOPHY. ← Page 8 of 9 →
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Masonic Philosophy.
running commentary , to which are added the annotations of another writer , named Koumarila , whose reputation is of the highest order . He is particularly designated by the title of Grand Master , and in the religious traditions of the Hindoos , is the most decided antagonist of those heretic sects" who reject the authority of the Vedas .
These " Soutras Mimansas are classed into twelve parts , distributed through sixty chapters , and these chapters are again divided into sections , illustrating cases of conscience and particular examples . The object of these aphorisms , and of the commentaries annexed to them , is to determine the exact sense of the Vedas , in order to arrive at a perfect knowledge of our moraland religious duties .
The method pursued by the commentators is that of a minute and didactic analysis , logically divided into five parts : —1 . The subject or matter which requires illustration ; 2 . The doubt which arises upon that matter , and the question to be solved ; 3 . The first side of the argument , or the first solution which naturally presents itself to the mind ; 4 . The correct answer , or the orthodox solution ; 5 / The relation or connection of the true solution with the solutions
obtained from other cases previously put and illustrated . These connecting links embrace the harmony of the whole system , and serve as an arrangement for one regular code . As the object of the " Mimansa" is to render a true definition of the duties prescribed for man , the first thing to be considered is the authority upon which those duties are sanctioned . According
to the doctrine of this school , that sanction can only be found in verbal communication , which must be either human or divine , indicative or imperative—if human , or indicative , it would also be relative , as " do this in such a manner ; " but if divine , or imperative , it would necessarily . be positive , as in a passage of the Vedas , where the Great Architect says , " Let there le light , and light immediately
suffused the earth" Again , this verbal communication always partakes of the Divine essence , since the association which links an articnlated sound to a sense is not conventional , but original and perpetual . The word is found in the Vedas as a primordial and supernatural revelation from Grod to man , and the duties of the latter are to be enforced by prayer , and precept .
As additional testimony to the truth of this revelation , and of equal authority with it , according to the Vedas , are the traditions of the ancient sages and holy saints , well versed in the knowledge of the sacred writings . These taken together form the basis of the interpretation of all civil and religious duties . Every case is examined and determined by general principles—it is a philosophy of law .
In the doctrine of the practical Mimansa are to be found some curious regulations for the performance of self-sacrifice or voluntary immolation , which have led to that species of religious suicide upon , the funereal pile pervading the ancient customs of India ; but we must not confound the fanatical practices of living interments , of prostration under the chariot-wheels of idols , and of burning of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Philosophy.
running commentary , to which are added the annotations of another writer , named Koumarila , whose reputation is of the highest order . He is particularly designated by the title of Grand Master , and in the religious traditions of the Hindoos , is the most decided antagonist of those heretic sects" who reject the authority of the Vedas .
These " Soutras Mimansas are classed into twelve parts , distributed through sixty chapters , and these chapters are again divided into sections , illustrating cases of conscience and particular examples . The object of these aphorisms , and of the commentaries annexed to them , is to determine the exact sense of the Vedas , in order to arrive at a perfect knowledge of our moraland religious duties .
The method pursued by the commentators is that of a minute and didactic analysis , logically divided into five parts : —1 . The subject or matter which requires illustration ; 2 . The doubt which arises upon that matter , and the question to be solved ; 3 . The first side of the argument , or the first solution which naturally presents itself to the mind ; 4 . The correct answer , or the orthodox solution ; 5 / The relation or connection of the true solution with the solutions
obtained from other cases previously put and illustrated . These connecting links embrace the harmony of the whole system , and serve as an arrangement for one regular code . As the object of the " Mimansa" is to render a true definition of the duties prescribed for man , the first thing to be considered is the authority upon which those duties are sanctioned . According
to the doctrine of this school , that sanction can only be found in verbal communication , which must be either human or divine , indicative or imperative—if human , or indicative , it would also be relative , as " do this in such a manner ; " but if divine , or imperative , it would necessarily . be positive , as in a passage of the Vedas , where the Great Architect says , " Let there le light , and light immediately
suffused the earth" Again , this verbal communication always partakes of the Divine essence , since the association which links an articnlated sound to a sense is not conventional , but original and perpetual . The word is found in the Vedas as a primordial and supernatural revelation from Grod to man , and the duties of the latter are to be enforced by prayer , and precept .
As additional testimony to the truth of this revelation , and of equal authority with it , according to the Vedas , are the traditions of the ancient sages and holy saints , well versed in the knowledge of the sacred writings . These taken together form the basis of the interpretation of all civil and religious duties . Every case is examined and determined by general principles—it is a philosophy of law .
In the doctrine of the practical Mimansa are to be found some curious regulations for the performance of self-sacrifice or voluntary immolation , which have led to that species of religious suicide upon , the funereal pile pervading the ancient customs of India ; but we must not confound the fanatical practices of living interments , of prostration under the chariot-wheels of idols , and of burning of