One of the famous intellectuals in the West had the following things to say about Hinduism Dr. Arnold Joseph Toynbee (1889-1975) the great British historian. His massive research was published in 12 volumes between 1934 and 1961 as `A Study of History. Author of several books, including Christianity: Among the Religions of the World and One World and India. Toynbee was a major interpreter of human civilization in the 20th century. It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not to end in self-destruction of the human race. At this supremely dangerous moment in human history , the only way of salvation is the ancient Hindu way. Here we have the attitude and spirit that can make it possible for the human race to grow together in to a single family. The tolerance of Hinduism was recognized by Toynbee, who on many occasions contrasted the exclusivity of the Jewish religion, based on the Jewish belief that the Jews are the chosen people with the large tolerance of the Hindus and Buddhist. This plague of exclusiveness, he claims, was inherited by both the Christians and Muslims: hence their lamentable record. (source: Concordant Discord - By R. C. Zaehner p 22-23). “So now we turn to India. This spiritual gift, that makes a man human, is still alive in Indian souls. Go on giving the world Indian examples of it. Nothing else can do so much to help mankind to save itself from destruction.” (source: Greater India - By Arun Bhattacharjee inside cover). ‘‘There may or may not be only one single absolute truth and only one single ultimate way of salvation. We do not know. But we do know that there are more approaches to truth than one, and more means of salvation than one.’’‘‘This is a hard saying for adherents of the higher religions of the Judaic family (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), but it is a truism for Hindus. The spirit of mutual good-will, esteem, and veritable love ... is the traditional spirit of the religions of the Indian family. This is one of India’s gifts to the world.’’ (source: Britannia Perspectives - Quoted By T. V. R. Shenoy in Secularism is not for Hindus alone). Toynbee predicted: At the close of this century, the world would be dominated by the West, but that in the 21st century India will conquer her conquerors. (source: Spiritual Heritage of India - By Swami Prabhavananda Vedanta Press 1997). India is a whole world in herself; she is a society of the same magnitude as our Western society. (source: Civilization on Trail and the World and the West - By Arnold Toynbee Meridian Books. p. 257). In 1952, Toynbee had observed: “In fifty years, the world would be under the hegemony of the USA, but in the 21st century, as religion captures the place of technology, it is possible that India, the conquered, will conquer its conquerors.” (source: Power of the Indian mind: our heritage & asset - by Jagmohan - tribuneindia - editorial - Sunday February 23 2003). India is not only the heir of her own religious traditions; she is also the residuary legatee of the Ancient Mediterranean Worlds religious traditions. Religion cuts far deeper, and, at the religious level, India has not been a recipient; she has been a giver. About half the total number of the living higher religions are of Indian origin. (source: One World and India - By Arnold Toynbee Indian Council for Cultural Relations New Delhi. 1960 p 42 - 59). Toynbee explains his position in clear terms: In our spiritual struggle, he says I guess that both the West and the world are getting to turn away from man - worshipping ideologies - Communism and secular individualism alike - and become converted to an Oriental religion coming neither from Russia nor from the West. I guess that this will be the Christian religion that came to the Greeks and the Romans from Palestine, with one or two elements in traditional Christianity discarded and replaced by a new element from India, I expect and hope that this avatar of Christianity will include the vision of God as being Love. But I also expect and hope that it will discard the other traditional Christian vision of God as being a jealous god, and that it will reject the self-glorification of this jealous gods chosen people as being unique. This is where India comes in, with her belief that there may be more than one illuminating and saving approach to the mystery of the universe. (source: East and West: Some Reflections - By S. Radhakrishnan p.128). What Tonybee, said of Hindu philosophy of life and its culture is very thought-provoking. He wrote: “We witness such unique mental approach and consciousness among Indians as may help humanity progress like a family unit. If we do not wish to perish in this atomic age, we have no other alternative left.” “Today, the western scientific progress has physically united the world. It has not only got rid of the ‘space’ factor, it has also equipped the various countries of the world with deadly arms. But they have not yet learnt the art of knowing and loving one another. If we want to save humanity at this most critical juncture, the only option is the Indian approach.” “ India has a perception of life-force and has a vital role to play in the performance of human conduct, which will be beneficial not only to India but to the whole world in the present sorry state of affairs.” Column of temples at Chandravati (image source: Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan: or the Central and Western Rajput States of India - By Colonel James Tod). Watch Scientific verification of Vedic knowledge
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 16:35:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015