Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
con cept s
pract i ce
lifest yle
t radi t i on
m or e i n fo
Most Hindus today still adhere to traditional teachings and practice passed down via the four
Concepts
main communities. What has been termed "modern Hinduism" has grown largely out of a
Practice
number of quite radical reform movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Lifestyle
Tradition
Historical Perspective
These movements had a relatively small number of followers and by no means replaced or
superseded the major traditional forms of Hinduism. Some specific reform movements, like the
Arya Samaj and the Ramakrishna Mission, still continue to be influential.
The reform movements largely emerged from the growing contact that Hindu thinkers had with
Western thought, culture and religion. Below are the four most important movements and the
Shaivism
Shaktism
Socio-Political Movements
Leaders
Leaders
Devendranatha Tagore was greatly influenced by the western philosophy of Locke and Hume.
He tried to reform the Brahmo Samaj but lacking support eventually left. Keshab Chandra Sen
Extras
joined the Samaj in 1857 and initially worked with Tagore. But later disagreeing with Tagore's
ideas, he left to establish his own movement.
Today the Brahmo Samaj has but a few thousand members and little visible influence on the
Hindu community. It failed to fulfil the hopes of those who saw the future religion of India as a
blend of Christianity and Hindu metaphysics.
the seeds for the many political parties that desired to re-establish Hindu rule in India. The Arya
Samaj is still an active organisation, both world-wide and in the UK. Its members agree to follow
its "Ten Principles" and worship largely through havan (the sacred fire ceremony) and recitation
of the Gayatri-mantra.
Gandhi's "Satyagraha"
Mohandas Gandhi (18691947) is probably the best
known Indian of the twentieth century He was primarily
an educator and reformer. His ultimate aim was to reestablish Ramarajya, the reign of Lord Rama or, in
more Western terms, the "kingdom of God on Earth."
He, was opposed to British oppression and particularly
the way Indian cotton was sent to Manchester and the
clothes returned for sale in India. He tried to free his
country from this unhealthy economic dependence and
campaigned for India's independence from British Rule.
His means to do this was satyagraha grasping the
truth based on ahimsa (non-violence), with an
unswerving faith in God. He followed many orthodox practices and was particularly fond of the
Bhagavad-gita. He often referred to the "still small voice within." He is most well known for his
support of the untouchables. He died at the hands of an assassin, disappointed with the
partition of his beloved India.
Common Misunderstandings
Mahatma Gandhi was opposed to the system of varnashramadharma and proposed a
totally classless society
Although Gandhi fought against the rigid and exploitative caste system, he maintained a strong
conviction in the need for dividing society according to the four varnas and four ashrainas. He
sought to bring the untouchables (Dalits, as they are now usually called) within the shudra
varna. For this reason, he differed with Ambedkar, who proposed a totally classless society.
Quotes
"My patriotism is not an exclusive thing. It is all-embracing and I should reject that patriotism
which sought to mount the distress or exploitation of other nationalities."
"The truest test of civilisation, culture and dignity is character, not clothing."
Mahatma Gandhi
Home Concepts Practice Lifestyle Tradition Extras About/Contact
"Heart of Hinduism" is Copyright: ISKCON Educational Services, 2004