Kim Knott: Hinduism, a Very Short Introduction - Essay Example

Kim Knott: Hinduism, a Very Short Introduction Introduction Hinduism is the predominant faith in continental India, particularly in India and Nepal and is considered by many as the oldest religion on earth or ‘eternal way/law.’ However, it is actually a composition of numerous diverse traditions that it has taken up over a long period of time. It comprises of the key traditions such as Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism among many others. Unlike many other religions, Hinduism is unique in the way it is practiced from philosophical or intellectual points of view as compared to having a rigid mutual set of beliefs. In the view of being a composition of different Indian traditions and cultures, it is also unique in the way it has many diverse roots (synthesis) and has no single founder (Elgood, 2004). The Hindu synthesis is deemed to have commenced in the early years of the Christian Era, and co-existed with Buddhism for centuries before gaining an upper hand in the majority of the royal circles in the 8th century CE. This provided a strong foundation on which the faith could be spread from its predominant North India to the South. Its spread to the south was consolidated through the process of Sanskritisation where the communities in the south, or those that were not practicing Hinduism, would incline their traditional social and religious life to the Brahmanic norms (Elgood, 2004). Colonization and dominance of western ideology in the 19th century has made Hinduism to assert itself as an independent and coherent tradition. Many people outside of continental India may not be aware of the history of the religion, and that it is founded on numerous Indian traditions and cultures (Elgood, 2004). The fact that it does not have rigid sets of beliefs may also come as a surprise to many. However, those who practice it have to contend with its diversity while at the same time not having a mutual set of belief to back them. Kim Knott’s View In Hinduism, A Very Short Introduction, Knott expresses his concerns over the nature of the Hindu religion and the impact it has on the people that practice it. Indeed, the publication is a short expression of view that can be cited as credible by many. Since the faith is founded on very many traditions and cultures that were very different, has no mutual beliefs, doesn’t it have any apparent setbacks that it follows have to overcome? It may seem like a revolting view to express, particularly with the knowledge that it has millions of devoted followers. Knott dedicates the initial chapters of the Hinduism, A Very Short Introduction to expounding on the common beliefs of the faith. The diversity of the religion is particularly highlighted in the initial chapters as well. Although the publication is a bit short, it reveals a lot regarding Hinduism right from its beginnings and the ways it has continually emerged as one of the largest faith in the world (Knott, 1998, p 67). As with Hinduism, Knott was smart to lay out a level foundation before expressing his concerns. Knott tackles the topic of divine presence in chapter five of the book, and establishes that the Lord in the Hindu faith manifests in five forms (p. 50). This is an addition to the faith, having multiple gods and goddesses. The introduction will also enlighten one on the fact that the faith is a synthesis of numerous traditions and cultures. It all seems too much for fellows with no mutual beliefs to cling on but use of intellectual and philosophical viewpoints. Does it not point to the fact that the devote followers of Hinduism apprehend the issue of divine presence quite uniquely as compared to other religions. Discussion The Dilemma There are some key factors that can be cited to have aroused the dilemma that Knott tried to take a side on. The diverse nature of Hinduism is arguably one of the most apparent factor. As compared to other religions, Hinduism is by far the most diverse in nature. Its beginnings tell a tale of a faith from the north of India that took an extended time frame to spread to the rest of the region. Its acceptance by many royal families facilitated its spread into other regions, particularly in the south. The only setback is that the regions that the faith spread into already had other cultures and traditions that could not be dropped, they only found ways to accommodate Hinduism (Lipner, 2006). Colonization and westernization of India and the region at large in the 19th century meant that took up a coherent identify, despite the fact that it was not (Knott, 1998, p 67). The diversity of the religion remains, there are many gods and goddesses as a result of the many traditions and cultures that came together. As a result, one believer may hold a distinctive perspective towards the faith as compared to another, despite the fact that they are both in the same religion. Unlike a religion like Christianity, Hinduism does not constitute of mutual beliefs that its followers are supposed to obey. However, it prescribes that intellectual and philosophical points of view should be taken on issues so as to decide on what actions to take. One of the key reasons this is like so is because the faith does not have a common origin/ founder since it is a combination of numerous cultures (Lipner, 2006). Knott (1998, p 50) holds that these uncertainties may cause its followers to view the matter of divine presence a bit differently. Divine Presence The concept of divine presence is used in religion to elucidate the omnipotent attribute of a god and/ or gods to be present with human beings. In most religions, gods are commonly understood to be in a position to interact with the world, particularly with humans in a way that they possess an influence in their lives. Most religions further elucidate the character of their gods as being omnipresent and telepathic. In Hinduism, Brahman is the omnipresent attribute of the creator taken to manifest itself within every human as ‘light’ (Frazier, 2011). Most other religions have a similar concept, only a bit less complicated in that it only a single or just a few gods are involved. In Hindu India and other places like Nepal where Hinduism is the predominant faith, great rivers are named for goddesses; the ocean and the earth are considered the Mother, the mountains her breasts, the trees her arms, the plants her nourishment, and the sky her lover. It is all very elaborate with the link between the natural world and the gods being very close. Although there may be similarities between this religion and other, what stands out in this case are the many gods that are involved. Kali, Lakshmi, Gayatri, Kamala, Parvati, Aditi, USAs, Devi, Shakti, Saraswati are all names of Mother as God. There is a sun goddess, a goddess of dawn and another of starlit nights. There is a goddess of wisdom and aging, a goddess of wealth and beauty, a goddess of learning and of speech. There is a goddess of all-devouring time and a goddess of destruction. They are all the Mothers. The Mother is considered to be the aggregate total of the energy in the universe. Although present-day India is mainly patriarchal, throughout contemporary, historical, and pre-historical times Hindus have never ceased worshipping Mother as well as the Father (Ray, 2004). The connection between the natural world to the gods in Hinduism may be taken to mean that there is always a way to interpret the divine presence that is unique to the religion as compared to other religion (Ray, 2004). With the apprehension of the work above, it makes sense to think of how challenging it might be for the believers to understand the world around them through Hinduism. Contradicting Views When the original form of Hinduism was interfered with by westernization, the faithful took a defensive posture by making it as if they were one even though it was apparent that they were divided. The same can be cited to have happened when Knott decided to cite that the diversity of Hinduism might influence how individual believers hold divine presence in faith with many gods and goddesses. This is why the view aroused much interest. Many Hindus took it as an attempt to qualm their faith, particularly because it is very unique. Many scholars and individuals show interest in Hinduism since it stands out among most religions for being very unique, and believers take it as their responsibility to protect their faith. However, it is quite clear that Knott does not take sides on the matter, but instead tries to understand how the exclusivity of the faith affects its followers. As a response, it may actually affect the believer's perspective significantly, but only because the faith does not have pillars to prop these perspectives; in the form of rigid beliefs. What it means Although it may seem like a good course, understanding, faith has always been a sensitive issue. This is probably the reason why Knott is keen not to take a side in his book despite the fact that he was prompted to bring up the issue. Since the concept of divine presence has much to do with beliefs and the nature of the gods in an individual religion, it would make perfect sense to state that the multiplicity of gods and goddesses in the Hindu religion influences how the followers understand it. But it would also cause an uproar and seem insensitive to try to understand what man is not supposed to, more so from the viewpoint of the Hindu devotees. The manner in which Knott phrases the question is as if each religion clearly understands divine presence, but the many gods and goddesses in Hindu faith is a hindrance for them to do the same. It is most likely that this is not what Knott meant, but it is what many Hindus may take from it. In short, it may provide a better understanding of the faith, but at the same time arouses some ethical concerns. Conclusion One of the most unique aspects to each religion is how its followers understand divine presence. Religions are mostly built around the relation that god and/ or gods relate to the natural world and also with humans. How believers understand the divine presence tells a lot about the religion (Frazier, 2011). In the Hinduism, A Very Short Introduction, Knott is trying to understand the Hindu faith which brings up the concept of divine presence. There is much that is known about the faith, yet much remains unknown as well. This is like so because it is a religion that leave each follow to make up their own judgement and beliefs to some extent. It is a very diverse religion that has been shaped by many forces such as time and westernisation. References Elgood, H. (2004). Exploring the Roots of Village Hinduism in South Asia. World Archaeology, 36 (3), 326-342. Frazier, J. (2011). The Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. Knott, K. (1998). Hinduism, A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lipner, J. J. (2006). The Rise of "Hinduism"; Or, How to Invent a World Religion with Only Moderate Success. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 10 (1), 91-105. Ray, H. P. (2004). The Apsidal Shrine in Early Hinduism: Origins, Cultic Affiliation, Patronage. World Archaeology, 36 (3), 343-359. Read More