| Awaken Bharata |
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| Books By David Frawley |
| HINDU DHARMA AND THE CLASH OF CULTURES | |
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the other hand, the Western intellectual tradition as a whole,
emphasizing freedom of science and inquiry into the external world,
is more tolerant and a potential ally with yogic spirituality and
the open pursuit of truth on all levels. This is perhaps because of
its roots in Greco-Roman traditions, which like the Hindu were
pluralistic and non-dogmatic. There can easily be a positive
dialogue between yogic spirituality and Western science, such as
would be difficult with Western religious groups. But this
progressive and tolerant side of Western intellectual culture
is usually wedded to a commercialism that turns it into a force of
exploitation of both man and nature. Hence its ability to truly
represent freedom and the individual remains compromised unless it
allies itself with a higher spiritual force. This is what the Hindu
tradition can impart to it.
If we look at China we see that it does not offer any real spiritual or intellectual challenge to the West but mainly an economic or possible military threat. The indigenous culture of China has been greatly reduced by communism. In this regard China appears more Western than indigenous in its modern culture. The idea of renascent Chinese Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism threatening Western cultural ascendancy appears remote and will probably develop very slowly. However it may prove something of an ally with Hindu Dharma because it shares many of the same principles and concerns, and is bound to arise eventually. Therefore along with India, its Hindu culture and yogic traditions may be included related spiritual traditions of Buddhism and Taoism of East Asia. With these can be added allied native, traditional and Earth based religions like those of pre-Christian Europe and the Native Americans, which have similar pluralistic, spiritual and ecological world views. |
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