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Neo-Vedanta

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Also known as neo-Hinduism, Hindu modernism, Global Hinduism, Hindu Universalism

Neo-Vedanta, also called neo-Hinduism, Hindu modernism, Global Hinduism and Hindu Universalism, are terms to characterise interpretations of Hinduism that developed in the 19th century. The term "Neo-Vedanta" was coined by German Indologist Paul Hacker, in a pejorative way, to distinguish modern developments from "traditional" Advaita Vedanta.

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Encyclopedic overview

44 sections
Contents
  • Definition and etymology
  • History
  • "Greater Advaita Vedanta"
  • Unification of Hinduism
  • Influence of yogic tradition
  • Company rule in India and Hindu reform movements
  • Company rule in India
  • Hindu reform movements
  • Major proponents
  • Ram Mohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj
  • Vivekananda (1863–1902)
  • Gandhi
  • Sarvepalli Radhakrisnan
  • Philosophy
  • Politics
  • Nationalism
  • Social activism
  • Religion
  • Unity of Hinduism
  • Universalism
  • Vedanta and (qualified) nondualism
  • ''Sruti'' versus "experience"
  • Smarta tradition
  • Influence
  • Vedanticisation
  • Diversity and pluralism
  • Hindu inclusivism – Hindutva and "Dharmic religions"
  • Inclusivism and communalism
  • Influence on Western spirituality
  • Appraisal and criticism
  • Appraisal
  • Criticism
  • Criticism of neo-Hinduism label
  • Criticism of Paul Hacker
  • Neglect of inherent development of religions
  • The "myth of Neo-Hinduism"
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • Sources
  • Printed sources
  • Web-sources
  • Further reading
  • External links

Neo-Vedanta, also called neo-Hinduism, Hindu modernism, Global Hinduism and Hindu Universalism, are terms to characterise interpretations of Hinduism that developed in the 19th century. The term "Neo-Vedanta" was coined by German Indologist Paul Hacker, in a pejorative way, to distinguish modern developments from "traditional" Advaita Vedanta.

Scholars have repeatedly argued that these modern interpretations incorporate Western ideas into traditional Indian religions, especially Advaita Vedanta, which is asserted as central or fundamental to Hindu culture. Other scholars have described a Greater Advaita Vedānta, which developed since the medieval period. Drawing on this broad pool of sources, after Muslim rule in India was replaced by that of the East India Company, Hindu religious and political leaders and thinkers responded to Western colonialism and orientalism, contributing to the Indian independence movement and the modern national and religious identity of Hindus in the Republic of India. This societal aspect is covered under the term of Hindu reform movements.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Neo-Vedanta” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.