Ideological Foundation

SAGE in essence teaches vaishnava ideology. The fundamental tenets of this philosophy are:

1. We seek everlasting happiness. Nevertheless, the world in which we currently live in, does not support this life-style. Instead it offers us old-age, diseases, and death.
2. The answer clearly is not by improving our quality of life, or extending it by a few years. We seek a more permanent solution. We need to be born in the perfect world with the perfect body where we can 'live happily ever after.'
3. To this end, we set about to gradually evolve our consciousness. This is the key, as our level of consciousness at the time of death determines our next life. Thus, to be born in the perfect eternal world all we have to do is be qualified by consciousness at the time of death. Basic steps to evolve consciousness are:
4. Steer clear from activities that accrue bad karma. No sense in being bogged down by excess bad karma baggage. You can do without it; the change in your life style isn't going to be more than 5 or 10%.
5. Curtail the mind's run away desires. Again, no sense in led to destruction by any one of your runaway senses. Moderation is the operative world here. Here again, this isn't going to cramp your life style by more than 5 or 10%. Indeed, often you are being goaded here by big business houses rather than you yourself desiring it. Why let the profit at your expense?
6. Focus on the God. The aim is simple. At the time of death, we have to achieve near cent percent God Conscious. This might seems tedious, but look at it this way. Like it or not, we are falling in love with a person, pet, career, or even inanimate objects such as a car or something. So, why not consciously divert this energy to awaken your dormant 'love of God?' You gain is incalculable.

The above ideology is firmly grounded in realism and has been upheld in the Indian sub-continent for thousands of years.

The Gaudiya Sampradaya

. . . > Madhva (1119 AD) > Lord Chaitanya (1486 AD) > Rupa, Svarupa, Sanatana (1486 AD) . . . > Bhaktivinoda (1838 AD) > Bhaktisiddhanta (1874 AD) > Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896 AD)

Sripad Madhav Acarya (1119AD) is credited for introducing the concept of 'Dvaita' which clearly establishes the distinction or existence of two realities: that of the Supreme Lord and that of dependent realities.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486AD) endorsed Sri Madhavendra Puri concept of love, and indeed exponentially magnified it. He also improved upon Madhava Acharya's 'Dvaita' and gave us the ideology of 'acintya-bhedabheda-tattva' or 'inconceivable and simultaneous oneness and difference.'

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Associates

Regarding his theological improvements, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (who was a scholar of superlative distinction and considered an incarnation of Sri Krishna himself) says:

"From Madhva Acarya I will take two essential teachings: his complete rejection and defeat of the Mayavadi philosophy and his service to the deity of Krishna, accepting Him as an eternal spiritual personality.From Ramanuja Acarya, I will accept two teachings: the concept of devotional service, unpolluted by karma and jnana, and service to the devotees. From Vishnuswami's teachings I will accept two elements: the sentiment of exclusive dependence on Krishna and the path of raga-marga, or spontaneous devotion. From Nimbarka, I will take two very important principles: the necessity of taking shelter of Srimati Radharani and the high esteem of the gopi's love for Krishna."

Similar sentiments with regards to ideological overlappings were echoed by Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as well: 'We Gaudiya Vaishnavas follow Srila Ramanuja's philosophy to a large extent. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives the identification of jiva soul as the eternal servant of Krishna and is situated as marginal potency of the Lord based on the philosophy of acintya-bheda bheda-tattva. This is most similar to Visistadvaita vada of Sripada Ramanuja. It is like a combination of nyaya sruti and smrti prasthans. The Bhagavad-gita supports the Vedanta Sutra brahma-sutra-padais caiva. hetumadbhir viniscitaih. (BG. 13:5.)To conclude, what you receive in these pages are not home-spun philosophies of the author. These pages deliver the bona fide teachings of a parampara that have been revered and upheld for thousands of years. It has the stamp Sripad Madhava, Ramanuja, Vishnuswami, Nimbarka, Madhavendra Puri, and final approval of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is emphatically not new-age, made-to-order spiritualism.

Dedication

SAGE, all its efforts, are dedicated to our Spiritual Master:

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Praphupada