VAISHNAVAS OF ISKCON AND THE PROTECTION OF THEIR OWN IDENTITY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DISCUSSIONS ON HINDUISM
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Abstract
The article describes the main methodological difficulties in Hindu Studies and looks at the Bhagavad Gita as it is book trial in Tomsk (Russian Federation) in 2011–2012 as the case-study of actuality and practical significance of theoretical bases and statements of the discipline. Among the groups of methodological problems extracted by the authors (identity, terminological, classificatory and practical) the first one is the most up to date. It concerns with the questions of identification of essential features of Hinduism, the reasons to embrace numerous cults and traditions of India into one religion, to find the “Hinduism nucleus” and the time of its emergence and deve-lopment. Article also points out two approaches for studying Hinduism – centralist and pluralist, analyzing strengths and weaknesses of both.
On Bhagavad Gita as it is book trial and other events connected to the trial the numerous principal questions were discussed. The main one was about International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) attachment to Hinduism and Indian culture in general. During the discussion the argument about non-Vedic origin of Krishna’s cult was refuted. This argument leaves outside Hinduism not only ISKCON, but whole five hundred years old tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It was found out why it is incorrect to ask whether Bhagavad Gita as it is and Bhagavad Gita are different books or one and the same book and deconstructed many stereotypes about Hinduism and Hindu people like the stereotype that to be a Hindu a person has to be born in Hindu family or the one that caste system is the essential feature for Hinduism. The discussions at the Court and during the conference proved that the centralist approach in Hindu Studies is more productive in the social practice. The trial not only provoked Vaishnavas of ISKCON to defend their identity but also led to better understanding of ISKCON connection with the tradition of Hinduism and its role in Indian culture.
How to Cite
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Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Gita as it is, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Hinduism, Indology, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Vaishnavism
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