Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Discuss briefly the western ideas.
• Discuss at least two Indian Saints who propagated modern ideas without compromising on Indian Ethos.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction

• Western idea, sometimes equated with Western civilization, is a term used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, belief systems, political systems, and specific artifacts and technologies that have some origin or association with Europe.

Body

• Indian Saints who showed modern outlook:
  • Swami Vivekanand:
    • He introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the world stage during the late 19^th century.
    • He established Ramakrishna Mission in 1987, named after his Guru Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa. The institution did extensive educational and philanthropic work in India.
    • Core values of Swami Vivekanand’s Philosophy:
      • Ethics
        • Morality in both individual life and social life is mostly based on fear of societal censure.
        • But Vivekananda gave a new theory of ethics and new principle of morality based on the intrinsic purity and oneness of the Atman.
        • Ethics according to Vivekananda was nothing but a code of conduct that helps a man to be a good citizen.
        • We should be pure because purity is our real nature, our true divine Self or Atman.
        • Similarly, we should love and serve our neighbours because we are all one in the Supreme Spirit known as Paramatma or Brahman.
      • Rationality:
        • He did not discard reason in favor of faith.
        • He recognized intuition or inspiration as a higher faculty than reason. But the truth derived from intuition had to be explained and systematized by reason.
  • Buddha:
    • Core values of Buddha’s Philosophy:
      • To avoid the two extremes of indulgence in worldly pleasure and the practice of strict abstinence and asceticism.
      • He ascribed instead the 'Madhyam Marg' or the middle path which was to be followed.
      • According to him everyone was responsible for their own happiness in life, stressing upon the individualistic component of Buddhism.
    • Main teachings:
    • To encapsulating in the basic concept of four noble truths or ariya-sachchani and eightfold path or astangika marg.
    • Four noble truths:
      • Suffering (dukkha) is the essence of the world.
      • Every suffering has a cause – Samudya.
      • Suffering could be extinguished – Nirodha.
      • It can be achieved by following the Atthanga Magga (Eight-Fold Path).
    • Eight-Fold Paths: It consists of various interconnected activities related to knowledge, conduct, and meditative practices.
      • Right view
      • Right intention
      • Right speech
      • Right action
      • Right livelihood
      • Right mindfulness
      • Right effort
      • Right concentration

Conclusion

• Swami Vivekananda belonged to the 19th century, yet his message and his life are more relevant today than in the past and perhaps, will be more relevant in future.
• The Buddhist teachings inculcate compassion, calmness & composure, joy among humans and they can help maintain a sustainable balance between man and nature.
  • The ultimate goal of Buddha’s teaching was the attainment of nibbana which was not a place but an experience, and could be attained in this life.