Hinduism has its own liberation theology (or philosophy). It has its roots in understandings of liberation (moksha) and release (mukti) in classic Hinduism. This article is a survey of the ideal of liberation in life (jivanmukti) as found in the thought of the Vedanta philosopher Shankara, in the Shaiva Siddhanta beliefs and devotional practices of South India, and in the social ethic of Swami Vivekananda and Mohandas Gandhi. Evaluations by contemporary Indian theologians suggest points of encounter between Hindus and Christians holding liberation theologies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
The Bhagavadgita, translated by SastriShakuntala Rao, 1959Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
2.
BhattacharyyaKalidas1977“The Meaning and Significance of Social Revolution and of the Idea of Progress in Hegelian, Marxian and Indian Philosophies of History,”Contemporary Indian Philosophies of History, ed. by MahadevanT. M. P.CairnsGrace E., Calcutta: The World Press, 61–92.
3.
CarmodyDenise L.CarmodyJohn T.1983Eastern Ways to the Center: An Introduction to Asian ReligionsBelmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Pub. Co.
4.
ChatterjiPritibhushan1969“The Concept of Liberation and Its Relevance to Philosophy: An Advaita Approach,”Indian Philosophical Annual, 5:67–75.
5.
DevanandanPaul D.1983Paul D. Devanandan, Vol. 1 Edited by WietzkeJoachim, Madras: Christian Literature Society.
6.
ElwoodDouglas J. (ed.) 1980Asian Christian Theology: Emerging ThemesPhiladelphia: Westminster Press.
JesudasanIgnatius1984A Gandhian Theology of LiberationMaryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books.
9.
KappenSebastian1977Jesus and FreedomMaryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books.
10.
MahadevanT. M. P.1968SankaracharyaNew Delhi: National Book Trust India.
11.
MahadevanT. M. P.1969“The Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi,”Indian Philosophical Annual, 5:95–106.
12.
MahadevanT. M. P.1974Invitation to Indian PhilosophyNew Delhi: Heinemann.
13.
NamboodiryC. P. M.1969“Freedom and Liberation,”Indian Philosophical Annual, 5:48–55.
14.
PandeyaR.C.1966“Jivan-mukti and Social Concern,”Indian Philosophical Annual, 2:119–124.
15.
PanikkarRaimundo1981The Unknown Christ of HinduismRev. ed.Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books.
16.
RajuP. T.1971The Philosophical Traditions of IndiaLondon: George Allen and Unwin.
17.
SamarthaStanley J.1974The Hindu Response to the Unbound ChristMadras: Christian Literature Society for the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society.
18.
SamarthaStanley J.1982Courage for Dialogue: Ecumenical Issues in Interreligious RelationshipsMaryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books.
19.
ThomasM. M.1971Salvation and HumanisationMadras: Christian Literature Society.
20.
ThomasM. M.1975Man and the Universe of FaithsMadras: Christian Literature Society for the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society.
21.
ThomasM. M.1977“Some Trends in Contemporary Indian Christian Theology,”Religion and Society, XXIV, 4 (Dec. 1977), 4–18.
22.
TroeltschErnst1931The Social Teachings of the Christian Church (2 vols.) New York: Macmillan.
23.
ValiaveetilChacko1980Liberated Life: Ideal of Jivanmukti in Indian Religions Specially in Saiva SiddhantaMadurai: Arul Anandar College.
24.
VasudevKasthuri1969“The Metaphysical Basis of Ghandian Political Philosophy,”Indian Philosophical Annual, 5:188–195.
25.
VeezhinathanN.RamachandranT. P.1966“The Social Concern of the Jivanmukta,”. Indian Philosophical Annual2:125–130.
26.
VivekanandaSwami1971The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 8 vols., 12th ed.Calcutta: Advaita Ashrama.
27.
WarrierA. G. Krishna1981The Concept of Mukti in Advaita VedantaMadras: University of Madras.
