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India: A Civilization of Differences: The Ancient Tradition of Universal Tolerance
A collection of Daniélou's writings that builds a bold and cogent defense of India's caste system
• Looks at the Hindu caste system not as racist inequality but as a natural ordering of diversity
• Reveals the stereotypes of Indian society invented to justify colonialism
• Includes never-before-published articles by the internationally recognized Hindu scholar and translator of The Complete Kama Sutra (200,000 copies sold)
In classical India social ethics are based on each individual's functional role in society. These ethics vary according to caste in order to maximize the individual's effectiveness in the social context. This is the definition of caste ethics.
The Indian caste system is not a hierarchy with some who are privileged and others who are despised; it is a natural ordering, an organizing principle, of a society wherein differences are embraced rather than ignored. In the caste system it is up to the individual to achieve perfection in the state to which he or she is born, since to a certain extent that state also forms part of a person's nature. All people must accomplish their individual spiritual destinies while, as members of a social group, ensuring the continuity of the group and collaborating in creating a favorable framework for all human life--thereby fulfilling the collective destiny of the group. The notion of transmigration provides an equalizing effect on this prescribed system in that today's prince may be reborn as a woodcutter and the Brahman as a shoemaker.
In A Civilization of Differences , Daniélou explores this seldom-heard side of the caste debate and argues effectively in its favor. This rare collection of the late author's writings contains several never-before-published articles and offers an in-depth look at the structure of Indian society before and after Western colonialism.
• Looks at the Hindu caste system not as racist inequality but as a natural ordering of diversity
• Reveals the stereotypes of Indian society invented to justify colonialism
• Includes never-before-published articles by the internationally recognized Hindu scholar and translator of The Complete Kama Sutra (200,000 copies sold)
In classical India social ethics are based on each individual's functional role in society. These ethics vary according to caste in order to maximize the individual's effectiveness in the social context. This is the definition of caste ethics.
The Indian caste system is not a hierarchy with some who are privileged and others who are despised; it is a natural ordering, an organizing principle, of a society wherein differences are embraced rather than ignored. In the caste system it is up to the individual to achieve perfection in the state to which he or she is born, since to a certain extent that state also forms part of a person's nature. All people must accomplish their individual spiritual destinies while, as members of a social group, ensuring the continuity of the group and collaborating in creating a favorable framework for all human life--thereby fulfilling the collective destiny of the group. The notion of transmigration provides an equalizing effect on this prescribed system in that today's prince may be reborn as a woodcutter and the Brahman as a shoemaker.
In A Civilization of Differences , Daniélou explores this seldom-heard side of the caste debate and argues effectively in its favor. This rare collection of the late author's writings contains several never-before-published articles and offers an in-depth look at the structure of Indian society before and after Western colonialism.
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2005
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Alain Daniélou
63 books57 followersAlain Daniélou :
1935-1948, études du sanskrit, philosophie, théologie, musique dans les écoles traditionnelles hindoues à Bénarès ;
1948-1954, professeur à l'université hindoue de Bénarès ;
1954 1956, directeur de la bibliothèque de manuscrits et des éditions sanskrites d'Adyar à Madras;
1956-1963, membre de l'Institut français d'indologie et de l'Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient ;
1963-1977, directeur de l'Institut international d'études comparatives de la musique à Berlin et Venise.
1935-1948, études du sanskrit, philosophie, théologie, musique dans les écoles traditionnelles hindoues à Bénarès ;
1948-1954, professeur à l'université hindoue de Bénarès ;
1954 1956, directeur de la bibliothèque de manuscrits et des éditions sanskrites d'Adyar à Madras;
1956-1963, membre de l'Institut français d'indologie et de l'Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient ;
1963-1977, directeur de l'Institut international d'études comparatives de la musique à Berlin et Venise.
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November 17, 2020
This book deserves some harsh criticism. For all that it is concise and understandable, summarizing some of the basic principles of Indian castes and concepts like "dharma," it is almost offensive in how little attention is given to the impoverished, prostitutes, or Untouchables.
Part of why I say that is because while I was doing my research, I checked out this book alongside "Ants Among Elephants." This book by Danielou is a series of essays written by a Frenchman who emigrated to India and decided he loved it so much, he would convert to Hinduism. The book's forward explains how the author was given the status of Shudra, as a foreigner. Curiously, the forward also tries to say that Danielou had such a keen eye for pointing out injustice and class warfare in countries outside of India.
This is bizarre. Within the essays themselves, Danielou is dismissive about the lives of prostitutes, suggesting that they are happy to do their part to allow men to channel their eroticism outside of marriage. Or that boy prostitutes are thrilled to be able to play the parts of female characters in plays.
...
There was a startling lack of compassion for the under classes. Danielou, a white foreigner, made dismissive arguments at the idea of anyone trying to end the caste system, arguing that this would be tantamount to trying to end a family.
In contrast, the author who wrote "Ants Among Elephants" was a native-born Indian woman who grew up Untouchable, and she spent the entire book describing the discrimination and poverty that her family faced over the course of decades. Hearing the description of sexual assault and slavery from a native, contrasting against this cavalier acceptance of the situation from a foreigner, made Danielou seem particularly naive.
Part of why I say that is because while I was doing my research, I checked out this book alongside "Ants Among Elephants." This book by Danielou is a series of essays written by a Frenchman who emigrated to India and decided he loved it so much, he would convert to Hinduism. The book's forward explains how the author was given the status of Shudra, as a foreigner. Curiously, the forward also tries to say that Danielou had such a keen eye for pointing out injustice and class warfare in countries outside of India.
This is bizarre. Within the essays themselves, Danielou is dismissive about the lives of prostitutes, suggesting that they are happy to do their part to allow men to channel their eroticism outside of marriage. Or that boy prostitutes are thrilled to be able to play the parts of female characters in plays.
...
There was a startling lack of compassion for the under classes. Danielou, a white foreigner, made dismissive arguments at the idea of anyone trying to end the caste system, arguing that this would be tantamount to trying to end a family.
In contrast, the author who wrote "Ants Among Elephants" was a native-born Indian woman who grew up Untouchable, and she spent the entire book describing the discrimination and poverty that her family faced over the course of decades. Hearing the description of sexual assault and slavery from a native, contrasting against this cavalier acceptance of the situation from a foreigner, made Danielou seem particularly naive.
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