I use this word on occasion, and figure its time for a more detailed explanation. Sampradaya is something like ghee. You boil everything down until that is all there is remaining. Here are some random thoughts, not well organised.
So a sampradaya is the narrow view, but not one in disrespect to other views, just narrow enough so that meditation, philosophy, and worship, are disciplined, one-pointed, and not wavering outside of that particular esoteric practice and philosophy. Philosophically, the idea is to narrow it down so that there are no contradictions remaining ... whatsoever. So people of one sampradaya, but more particularly one monastic community, are often said to be of one mind. The physical bodies operating within that one mind are varied but the mind is one.
Sampradaya is the heart of Hinduism, for without it, the sages wouldn't have been able to toss out all the extraneous stuff to get to what they got ... nirvikalpa samadhi. So another comparison is the magnifying glass when used to light a fire. The energy, the will is all on one goal, on one path, and within that you get the heat.
Most Hindus are more generalist than any one sampradaya and many Hindu Gurus are more generalist, have written books, but have little time for one on one personal teaching. In the sampradaya system, The Guru knows each sishya by name, and its a one on one tutorial practically. Individual needs are both recognised and met.
Surviving sampradayas and the paramparas within them are also Guru lineages, many reaching back in unbroken succession to the Vedic era. The Satgurus of sampradays are living, not deceased, and will always appoint a successor. Many make that very crystal clear before any mahasamadhi event. There are many, each different than the next. Most are quite small, practically by definition, certainly by necessity. They rarely advertise or promote, and are really a number of Guru-shishya relationships. In sampradaya the teaching is clear. When in doubt, ask the Guru. This is the Hindu way ... at least within the many valid oness still thriving.
So a sampradaya is the narrow view, but not one in disrespect to other views, just narrow enough so that meditation, philosophy, and worship, are disciplined, one-pointed, and not wavering outside of that particular esoteric practice and philosophy. Philosophically, the idea is to narrow it down so that there are no contradictions remaining ... whatsoever. So people of one sampradaya, but more particularly one monastic community, are often said to be of one mind. The physical bodies operating within that one mind are varied but the mind is one.
Sampradaya is the heart of Hinduism, for without it, the sages wouldn't have been able to toss out all the extraneous stuff to get to what they got ... nirvikalpa samadhi. So another comparison is the magnifying glass when used to light a fire. The energy, the will is all on one goal, on one path, and within that you get the heat.
Most Hindus are more generalist than any one sampradaya and many Hindu Gurus are more generalist, have written books, but have little time for one on one personal teaching. In the sampradaya system, The Guru knows each sishya by name, and its a one on one tutorial practically. Individual needs are both recognised and met.
Surviving sampradayas and the paramparas within them are also Guru lineages, many reaching back in unbroken succession to the Vedic era. The Satgurus of sampradays are living, not deceased, and will always appoint a successor. Many make that very crystal clear before any mahasamadhi event. There are many, each different than the next. Most are quite small, practically by definition, certainly by necessity. They rarely advertise or promote, and are really a number of Guru-shishya relationships. In sampradaya the teaching is clear. When in doubt, ask the Guru. This is the Hindu way ... at least within the many valid oness still thriving.
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