Namaste

[ConsAreLiars]

If this word is unfamiliar read through the whole of: http://www.flex.com/~jai/articles/namaste1.html

A month ago or so I had the opportunity to tell Art Wolfe of my admiration for his work: http://www.artwolfe.com/ . A rushed interchange (he's very 'type A' type) and he thanked me back. Well, I
found myself "replying" with the Namaste gesture - not thought out but in retrospect perfectly expressive of my feelings at the time.

(I spent a year in and around India many, many years ago, but had not, as best I recall, used this gesture since them.)

Several months ago, a (Chinese? Buddhist?) convenience store operator
responded with a similar gesture when I pointed out an error in my favor in the cash register tally. Made me feel good.

Today I listened to one of Seattle's treasures, a street musician named Jonny Hahn, ( http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/neighbors/fremont/hahn.html ) at the Folklife Festival (a wonderful event where folks of all racial and national origins come together to hear music from all cultures performed by musicians of all ethnicities). I updated my CD collection by buying two of each of his last two CD's (the dupes for a close friend) and expressed my admiration for his work. He responded to me with the Namaste sign, and again I felt honored in return.

Well, today's lesson reminded me that there are cultures, and subcultures, not deformed by corporatist/capitalist ideology. in which respect is not a zero-sum game. Not sure of the point of all this, but today Jonny Hahn reminded me of something important.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. We need more "Namastes" in America...

What do you think would happen if we offered this greeting to those corporatists and capitalists that we so love to despise? If they understood the meaning of Namaste, would they respond in kind? Would they find themselves suddenly shedding their materialistic cloaks and becoming simply, wonderfully human?

I wonder.

[vajraroshana]

2. Namaskar.....

I read through the first article.

"Namaskar" is what I always get greeted with after doing/saying "namaste".

I used to think it was the "answer" greeting back after you say "namaste", but, like the post suggests, it's probably one of the more common ways of saying the same??

[vajraroshana]

3. Namo, etc.....

When I first became a Buddhist about 18 years ago, we always took refuge with the "short" formula: Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya, Namo Sanghaya.

Then about 10 years ago someone informed us that the correct Sanskrit was: Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya, Namah sanghaya.

Small difference, but we all changed, even the Tibetan lamas. Now, everyone in the greater buddhist community has changed to the "correct" "namah sanghaya".

And then I also go to temples that are Theravadin that don't use Sanskrit, rather "Pali." And it's a different chant altogether, something closer to the English: I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dhamma, I take refuge in the sangha.

Namo: "diversity"!!!

I see it in it's various forms as a tremendous amount of respect paid to the Triple Gem, or to others as well. A sweet but very meaningful gesture.

[ConsAreLiars]

4. I interpret Namaskar more

as an expression of solidarity (we are all together in this struggle).

Looked around. A quote from http://www.chez.com/namaskar/intro.htm
"NAMASKAR, the name attributed by the meeting of 18 June 2000 to the newly created sabha, represents the umbrella under the shade of which the diaspora of the Hindu faith should expect protection, understanding, support, encouragement and a moral uplift. The act of two hands joining together to offer prayers should represent collective effort for the overall moral uplift of humanity and perseverance for inner peace, so important for social peace, justice and freedom."

As such, it seems to add a bit to the person(soul) to person(soul) exchange of respect implied by "Namaste."

[vajraroshana]

7. Yeah

I think however it's said, it's a beautiful expression; Buddhist, Hindu, or secular humanist; it's a wonderful way to greet/acknowledge someone.

Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

Namaste.

[jukes]

5. A similar story...

i'm a long time martial artist.

several days ago, a korean gentleman served me @ the deli counter in a chain grocery. As he handed me my parcel, our eyes met and, w/o thought, we both bowed; @ just the correct angle for the circumstances.

i haven't entered a dojo or kwoon for years.

i wasn't trained in a korean art; hawaiian & later chinese.

yet we communicated a mutual respect that few in this country can grasp.

[ConsAreLiars]

6. Yes. This is what I was trying to get at.

This US culture has no equivalent to the slight (mutual) bow of the head or the "reverential salutation" of Namaste. The good-hearted among us may hug and put our arms around one another as an expression of affection and personal solidarity. We may shake hands as a contractual act or high five as a celebration of common victory. But we do not have a simple gesture that conveys the same meaning and attitude toward the other as is carried in these examples. This is something we still need to learn from our elders.

[Bhaisahab]

8. In India, "Namaste" is used as you would use "Hello.."

It originated way back in the vedic ages, and is extensively used in public life. I believe the Buddhists and early Hindu empires took the sign to South East Asia from here.
My cynical take is that a "Namaste" with folded hands works well as physical contact is avoided in this way, which nicely fits into the caste biases we have in India.

[ConsAreLiars]

9. Yes

When I was there I didn't give it much thought, other than being a standard greeting. I suspect that there were lots of secondary meanings about status and such carried in subtle variations in body language, including outright disrespect.

But still, occurring here in the contexts described, I think I now understand better part of what is missing in US interpersonal interactions.

(I loved India for many reasons, but not blindly.)

[Bhaisahab]

10. if you coming here anytime, let me know...

.. i promise you a good time, a good pad, and some kick-ass weird experiences :)

[ConsAreLiars]

11. Maya really has me in her clutches now.

I've lived and traveled through many places, but South Asia, from Kathmandu to Hikaduwa and most places in between is the one region that I feel "homesick" about. My travels there (about a year) were done at ground level (2nd class trains, busses, even a little hitch-hiking, and I always stayed in low-income hotels, some hostels, a sleeping bag on a beach, or at a temple or occasionally a home) but it was always as an "outsider." Maybe I'll be able to take you up on the offer in a few years. As for "a good time, a good pad, and some kick-ass weird experiences," I suspect I only scratched the surface the first time through.