Religion paper
Malikbinn
HinduismToday.pptxHinduism Today
Movements, Missionaries & Politics
Mohandas (Mahatma/”Great Soul”) Gandhi
Father of the modern non-violence movement
Influenced by Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
In turn, he greatly influenced ML King’s philosophy of non-violent resistance to segregation/Jim Crow
Both Gandhi & King died as martyrs, following in the footsteps of Lincoln
Vivekananda & the Modern Interfaith Movement
Spoke at the first Parliament of Religions, Chicago, in 1893
Inspired the global interfaith movement
Subsequent parliaments have been held in Chicago (1993), Capetown, S. Africa, Melbourne & Toronto
American spiritual (transcendental) poets very influenced by Vivekananda: Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Emerson, Walt Whitman
Transcendental Meditation
Founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1960s
Claims that daily meditation (e.g., 20 minutes twice daily) could enhance physical, mental, & spiritual health
Widely practiced throughout world
ISKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Brought to USA in 1965 by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, a modern Hindu missionary
Advocated a monastic life style (vegetarianism, study, meditation) with chanting:” Hare Krisha, hare Rama”
Quite aggressive proselytizing/missionary activity
Rebirth of Hindu Political Identity
Hindutva (Hinduness), the attempt to equate Hinduism entirely with Indian religion
Fostered by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Indian recently passed law denying immigration rights to Muslims from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, etc. seeking to become Indian residents
Many Indians (esp. Muslim citizens) consider the law unconstitutional
India’s Supreme Court takes the classic view of Indian/Hindu tolerance & respect (see Fisher, p. 118)
