A Level Religious Studies: Significant Social Developments in Hinduism

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering pluralism, inclusivism, exclusivism, Hindutva, Neo-Vedanta, and Gandhi's Sarvodaya movement.

Neo-Vedanta

A modern branch of Hindu thought that interprets the Vedas in light of science and modern ideas, viewing God as transcendent and unknowable, seeing all religions as valid paths to God, and rejecting caste, child marriage, and sati.

Hindutva

Literally 'Hinduness'; an exclusivist ideology arising as a backlash against Western imperialism and materialism that seeks to replace secular government with a Hindu state (Hindustan) based on the Vedic past and varnashramadharma.

Pluralism (Diana Eck)

The active accomplishment and collective agreement that the coexistence of diverse groups with distinguishing beliefs and practices within the same society is positive and essential for the thriving of the whole.

Nan Panthas

A Hindu concept viewing all other religions as 'innumerable paths for spiritual realisation,' making the choice of religious path a matter of personal preference.

Sarva Dharma Sambhava

The Hindu principle that all religions are equally worthy of respect, equality, and truth (sat).

Ishtadeva

Literally 'cherished divinity'; a worshipper's chosen or favourite deity, prominent in the Smarta and Bhakti traditions, allowing individuals to worship the divine form that personally inspires them.

Purusharthas

The four chief aims of human life recognized in Hinduism that integrate secular and religious duties: Dharma (duty/righteousness), Artha (wealth/economic security), Kama (pleasure/desire), and Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Nirguna and Saguna

The two theological conceptions of the divine in Hinduism: Nirguna refers to God as formless, transcendent, and without attributes, while Saguna refers to God manifested with distinct form, qualities, and attributes.

Purush Sukta

A Vedic creation hymn that describes an inherent pluralism where distinct types of human spiritual consciousness function as interdependent body parts essential to the cohesive thriving of society.

Sarvodaya

A Sanskrit term meaning 'universal uplift,' 'progress of all,' or 'the welfare of all,' adopted by Gandhi in 1908 from John Ruskin's work to define his socio-political philosophy of radical equality and collective flourishing.

Unto This Last

A tract on political economy by John Ruskin, given to Gandhi in South Africa in 1904, whose principles of the dignity of all labor and communal welfare formed the foundational inspiration for Sarvodaya.

Simple Living and High Thinking

Gandhi's ethical motto reflecting the principle that the earth provides enough for human need but not human greed, advocating freedom from limitless acquisition of wealth and luxury.

Bread Labour

A concept derived from Leo Tolstoy and championed by Gandhi asserting that every member of society must perform productive physical work to earn their daily subsistence and uphold the dignity of labour.

Vinoba Bhave

A prominent follower of Gandhi who led the post-independence Sarvodaya Movement, launching projects to foster village self-organisation during the 1950s and 1960s.

Bhoodan and Gramdan Movements

Land-reform and village-level initiatives led by Vinoba Bhave and Sarvodaya workers in the 1950s and 1960s to encourage voluntary land redistribution and communal self-sufficiency.

Sarvodaya Mela

An annual commemorative festival celebrating Gandhian Sarvodaya ideals, initiated on the first anniversary of the immersion of Gandhi's ashes and held at Srirangapathna and Tirunavaya.

RSS and VHP

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishva Hindu Parishad; non-political, volunteer Hindutva movements that provide social services such as schools and hospitals while also being linked to militant exclusivism and intercommunal violence.

Varnashramadharma

The traditional Vedic social framework detailing duties based on class and stage of life, advocated by Hindutva groups as the basis of an ideal, orderly Golden Age society.

Arya Samaj

A Hindu reform movement founded by Dayananda Sarasvati that is historically associated with early exclusivist discourse and the ideological roots of Hindutva.

Inclusivism

A religious approach that recognizes all religions as genuine human efforts to experience the divine spirit present in all people, often prioritizing interfaith harmony and social justice.