RongzomFan

How Colonialism changed Hinduism

Recommended Posts

Great academic article. Must read.

 

http://www.otago.ac.nz/religion/staff/articles/prehistory.pdf

 

 

The promotion of Advaita Vedanta by a small group of European influenced Hindus is one direct legacy of colonialism.

 

The construction of caste is another direct legacy of colonialism.

 

Oh really? Then why does the author conclude that:

 

 

Nevertheless we are still a long way from being able to form the sort of conclusions about the nature of European depictions of Hinduism prior to the establishment of British colonial rule that would allow us to demonstrate causal connections between colonial power and the nature of European knowledge of Hinduism

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The hyperspecific topic of the paper has nothing to do with the author identifying 5 areas of colonial influence on Hinduism at the beginning of the paper, which include Advaita Vedanta and caste.

Edited by alwayson

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The author is not saying Advaita Vedanta is not a legitimate Hindu system.

 

But the promotion of it as the pinnacle of Hindu philosophy by a small number of European influenced Hindus is a legacy of colonialism.



I would argue that the tantric systems based on Samkhya are the real pinnacle of Hinduism.

Edited by alwayson

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites