Bhagavad Gita - What is it all about?

Everytime I visit Bangalore, India on business trip, without fail, I will go to Forum (just a couple of blocks from my office) to pick up a few books on spirituality. This time round, a new shopping mall (Star Bazaar) has started just next door! Ah, I have not visited India for the last two years, and things do change.

I have always wanted to find a book on the "Bhagavad Gita" except that I have seen it written in multiple volumes! I am a reader, but I am not a crazy reader. This time round, I found one, and interestingly written by a Westerner, by the name of Jack Hawley. It entitles "the Bhagavad Gita, A Walkthrough for Westerners". I am no Westerner, although I cannot deny the influence the west has on me via my English education, my post-graduate stay in Europe and having worked over twenty years in an American transnational company.

The reason I wanted to read this is to understand the Hindu influence on Buddhism, after all Gautama Buddha was Indian. I have this well read Indian colleague, Prashant who provided me with this knowledge which pricks my curiosity to find out about this ancient literature, written over 5,000 years ago.

Indeed as I read it, I realize the influence of this writing on Buddha's teaching. Similar words, such as "dharma, karma, devas.." are used. The big difference is the concept of the "atma" (soul or divinity) which to my understanding is similar to the "mind" concept in Buddhism.

I am now halfway through this book which is less than 200 pages; but offers me insight into the thinking of the Indian culture. I will write a summary when I complete the reading. For now, I am following the conversation between Prince Arjuna who is going to war against his cousin, King Duryhodharna; with his friend, Krishna, who is actually the endless "atma" (you can say "god") . It is a conversation about the philosophy of living, and living a good life, as I entitled my blog. Stay tuned

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