04-15-2007, 12:45 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I guess, experts can expound on the concept more.
A few things need to be answered for a Hindu narrative to come out.
- An understanding of the theological conflicts between Hinduism and the monotheistic faiths
- An accurate understanding as to why, Hinduism failed to resist the onslaught of the monotheistic faiths
- The consititutional, social and political impediments to the evolution of the Hindu faith, as a way of life in the contemporary context
- What needs to be done for a course correction
- What are the eventual goals of the Hindu narrative in the social and political and geo-political context
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I would add another component (if it was not implied in the above items): Hindus' self definition, awareness and understanding (Different from who is a hindu, open ended and inconsequential question). The answer to this has been imposed and dictated by outside that have had theological and ideological underpinnings in casting a stereotype. Well meaning hindus and social reformers too have internalized such orientalist/missionary/etc narratives and created highly idealized "concept" of Hinduism to dispute the negative portrayals. In this idealized and highly romantic hinduism, everything else one sees in daily lives of ordinary hindus (including images, temple worships etc) was degenerate and superstitious. The narrative being talked about here, should also address that and in that I see "conflicting" piece of it. It is ok, if this narrative does not construct a convenient, homogenized, acceptable to 'others" story. Our purpose is different, as shaurya and shiv have put across quite cogently.
JMT.
A few things need to be answered for a Hindu narrative to come out.
- An understanding of the theological conflicts between Hinduism and the monotheistic faiths
- An accurate understanding as to why, Hinduism failed to resist the onslaught of the monotheistic faiths
- The consititutional, social and political impediments to the evolution of the Hindu faith, as a way of life in the contemporary context
- What needs to be done for a course correction
- What are the eventual goals of the Hindu narrative in the social and political and geo-political context
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I would add another component (if it was not implied in the above items): Hindus' self definition, awareness and understanding (Different from who is a hindu, open ended and inconsequential question). The answer to this has been imposed and dictated by outside that have had theological and ideological underpinnings in casting a stereotype. Well meaning hindus and social reformers too have internalized such orientalist/missionary/etc narratives and created highly idealized "concept" of Hinduism to dispute the negative portrayals. In this idealized and highly romantic hinduism, everything else one sees in daily lives of ordinary hindus (including images, temple worships etc) was degenerate and superstitious. The narrative being talked about here, should also address that and in that I see "conflicting" piece of it. It is ok, if this narrative does not construct a convenient, homogenized, acceptable to 'others" story. Our purpose is different, as shaurya and shiv have put across quite cogently.
JMT.