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Thread: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

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    The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Vanakkam Everyone,

    During my sophomore year in high school, I took a course on World History, and we used a textbook titled The Earth and Its Peoples. I did some Googling, and found a PDF version of their chapter on India and Southeast Asia. This covers the entire history of Sanatana Dharma, from the Vedic Period to the Gupta Empire.

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Vannakkam YYCUSM: Just wondering ...

    What was the ethnicity/world view of the author/authors? (Eurocentric?)

    What language was it written in? (I'm guessing English?) If so, how does this demonstrate, bias?

    Where did the religious, cultural, or geographic bias mainly fall? (Don't fool yourself. There is ALWAYS bias.)

    Who was the intended audience?

    Why was the book written?

    Which humans and ethnic groups were not considered, and which were given more attention that would probably be seen as fair?

    (Just as an example, often 'comparative religion' books or classed will take Christianity apart with its various denominations, and then have one small chapter on 'Eastern faiths' at the back.

    I feel these are fair questions to ask before reading any herstory book.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    It is always enlightening to learn different POVs. Our esteemed guests expose us to so much new material about ourselves. What a treat. I am so thankful to them for pointing us in this direction and helping us increase our awareness. It indeed is a joy to read about SD from birth, to infancy, through adolescence to adulthood. What a glorious account!

    Then again, I might change my opinion on the whole thing, if I actually read the write-up at the link provided.
    Last edited by Believer; 25 November 2010 at 05:30 PM.

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Believer, sometimes I really don't know when you're being sarcastic.

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    Vannakkam YYCUSM: Just wondering ...

    What was the ethnicity/world view of the author/authors? (Eurocentric?)

    What language was it written in? (I'm guessing English?) If so, how does this demonstrate, bias?

    Where did the religious, cultural, or geographic bias mainly fall? (Don't fool yourself. There is ALWAYS bias.)

    Who was the intended audience?

    Why was the book written?

    Which humans and ethnic groups were not considered, and which were given more attention that would probably be seen as fair?

    (Just as an example, often 'comparative religion' books or classed will take Christianity apart with its various denominations, and then have one small chapter on 'Eastern faiths' at the back.

    I feel these are fair questions to ask before reading any herstory book.

    Aum Namasivaya
    Thiru Eastern Mind,

    This chapter comes from a history textbook that is widely used in American schools. When I took history in high school, I eagerly flipped to the chapter on "Ancient India" to see what Western historians were writing about us. I was shocked to learn that Western accounts of Hindu history were vastly different from my own ideas about Hindu history.

    Then again, my ideas about Hindu history were mostly shaped by what I saw on TV serials of the Ramayana and Mahabharata...

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    namaste,

    Quote Originally Posted by TTCUSM View Post
    Then again, my ideas about Hindu history were mostly shaped by what I saw on TV serials of the Ramayana and Mahabharata...
    Any idea how 'western accounts' of Hindu history were shaped?


    Migration of Indo-European peoples
    into northwest India
    ca. 1000 B.C.E. Indo-European groups move into the...


    The theory of migrating europeans has been debunked. No one buys that nonsense now a days.
    satay

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    namaste TTCUSM.

    Quote Originally Posted by TTCUSM View Post
    Then again, my ideas about Hindu history were mostly shaped by what I saw on TV serials of the Ramayana and Mahabharata...
    Shape it further by reading about it such links as:
    http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichi...ical_chart.htm
    http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichi...icles/53.3.htm

    so you can counter any nonsense that you happen to face about Hindu history, dharma and culture.
    रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
    ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥

    To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.

    --viShNu purANam

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Quote Originally Posted by saidevo View Post
    namaste TTCUSM.



    Shape it further by reading about it such links as:
    http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichi...ical_chart.htm
    http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichi...icles/53.3.htm

    so you can counter any nonsense that you happen to face about Hindu history, dharma and culture.
    Thiru Saidevo,

    I am very well aware of the fact that Western accounts of Hindu history are inaccurate. However, I still believe that it would be a good idea for us to read them. That way, we won't get any surprises when dealing with non-Hindus.

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Quote Originally Posted by TTCUSM View Post

    I am very well aware of the fact that Western accounts of Hindu history are inaccurate.
    Vannakkam TTCUSM: This is exactly the reason why I wouldn't read them if I have prior knowledge of the bias. Whether you like it or not, some of what you read sinks in. This is just the way the mind operates. So there is a weakening of the mind. It works just like the cancer of Christianity in India. Slowly, but surely. There is first a foothold in the door such as a small doubt in the existence of our Gods. You plant a seed and it grows. That's how evangelism works, and its a well thought out tactic. First learn the language, then dress like those who are to be conquered. It's slow and insiduous, tricky and deceptive. Reading alternative and negative history is exactly the same tactic. We need to print a few million copies of magazines like Hinduism Today in all the major languages of India. We also need to print a few million copies of pamphlets that glorify Hinduism for what it is: the greatest, oldest, purest, most amazingingly peaceful philosophy and way of life on the planet. We need a few million more entitled "Beware the Missionaries Deceptive Tactics!" The lowering of the eyes, and saying "I'm a Hindu," in some ashamed way has to stop. Stand up and be proud instead of trying to find 'other' foreign ideas like alternative histories written by those who are a threat, that incringe on this beauty. We should all say "I'm a Hindu!" in a similar outward expression as the pompous lawyer who does it because he's actually insecure, but with us its because we KNOW in our hearts that the Truth is inside.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: The Historical Development of Sanatana Dharma

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    The lowering of the eyes, and saying "I'm a Hindu," in some ashamed way has to stop.
    +1

    That will not happen until we stop this misconceived notion of 'all paths lead to the same God' and other frivolous junk that goes with this thinking. This drags Hinduism down to the same level as some other dictatorial social control creeds, which in some circles pass as 'religions'. As much as I respect and adore our Hindu Acharyas, some of them become unwitting enablers for foreign missionaries to trample us, by softening Hinduism for them. In their personal quest for spirituality; the greater good of all Hindus and the good of the Hindu nation is totally ignored. Is it selfishness? Who knows, but it sure is not visible to the practitioner, for he is too busy after his personal liberation. That leaves every man and woman to fend for him/her-self. Oh my dear/respected Acharyas, why are you leaving the common man behind? Or, maybe the common man is not ready for them yet.
    Last edited by Believer; 27 November 2010 at 02:54 AM.

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