User talk:Yogaraman/Aaiyyanism

Aaiyyanism is a branch of Dravidian (South Indian) Hinduism that is around 3500 years old (said to date to between 1573–1432BC). Its philosophy is similar to mainstream Hindu teachings in that it deals with self-liberation via yogic practises. However it is a relatively small sect of Hinduism and should not be considered as a separate religion but part of the main Hindu philosophical thought.

Its founder is claimed to be Aaiyyan, an incarnation of Shiva, and as such Aaiyyansm is a form of Hindu Saivaism. The main difference between Hindu Saivaism and Aaiyyanism is that Aaiyyanists believe they are separate from the main Aryan Hindu school of thought and belong to a much older school with a Dravidian historical underpinning.

History
The Aaiyyanist claim that their beliefs are 3500 years old but this cannot be verified from a historical standpoint (see criticism below). However, here is a brief history according to the Aaiyyanist historian Govindasawmy Malhotra. The first originator of Aaiyyanism was Aaiyyan - a supposed incarnation of Siva. He taught the 12 rings of Aaiyyan to his first disciple: Dattatriya. The succession of 11 gurus then follows Dattriya. Once the succession of Gurus ended a hierarchical structure of Gurus and Swamis emerge and the first Aaiyyan council meets. The secrecy of Aaiyyanism begins and the sect goes underground.

Structure of the Organisation
The Aaiyyanist Hindu sect has a top down structure with this hierarchy (from top to bottom): Aaiyyani (or Master), Guru, Swami, Acharya, followed by Aaiyyanist followers who are not part of the order. Many of this streams are also subdivided so there are several levels from Acharya to Aaiyyani and it can take several decades to rise up the ranks. Most Hindu Aaiyyanist start learning their religion at home and then are sent to an Aaiyyan school/ashram from the ages of 5 and above. One usually finishes training at the age of around 20 where one is initiated as an Acharya or teacher. One can then choose a school of thought to follow from the numerous divisions of Aaiyyanist thought and philosphy. The largest schools are The Kaaryakartaa School and the Parishaantaa School. The top level priests or Aaiyyani convene yearly to discuss various points on the religion and to create rules and edicts. It should also be noted that the Aaiyyanists are a secret sect. One of their main tenets is non-preaching of Aaiyyanism as an ego-centric act. This even includes disclosing your Aaiyyanist beliefs. Though many people can recognise an Aaiyyanist by their common surnames such as Odayan, Udayan, Udaiyan and Aiyan.

Critique of Aaiyanism
D. Siddharthain critiques Aaiyanism, observing that it is difficult to establish dates for its written sources, and that even if the dates are accepted, the documents "may be of limited relevance to a history of Dravidian Hinduism as a whole". There are further criticisms of Aaiyyanism and this includes the secrecy of the organisation and the regimented hierarchy. This has lead many Aaiyyanist to leave the organisation.

Notable members
Swami VenPuravi Aadhavan - Aaiyyanist scholar, Swami, renunciate and political prisoner.

Books by Aaiyyan Foundation

 * Tikshnapriya Sarasvata. The Shadow. (Trans. By Guru Jnanadipa Bhariri and a new edition by Guru Udaiyan).
 * Vithi Telgu. The Seed.
 * Bhimashankar Dattatriya. The Twelve Rings of Aaiyyan. (Trans. By Guru Jnanadipa Bhariri and a new edition by Guru Udaiyan).
 * Asha Saptrishi.The Journey (A History of Aaiyyanism 1543 BC - 801 BC)
 * Kendra Jnanavajra MarichiThe Aaiyyan Accent To The Veil. (4 AD).