hipkapi – Page 23 – All Roads Lead to Jerusalem

Christian theology and linguistic intuitions: prostitute

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara, Christianity

1. In so far as the suggestion is that the English word ‘prostitute’ does not capture the connotations of the earlier uses of ‘Veshya’, as I said, I agree with…

Colonial Consciousness and Victorian Morality

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara, colonial consciousness, law, normative

1. You suggest that calling Apsaras as “prostitutes in the court of Indra” is an extreme statement. Of course, you would be right if you mean that the English word…

Victorian morality of NRI and middle class Hindus: Prostitution, Adultery

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara, colonial consciousness, normative, NRI, symbolism

1.1. The Indian traditions did not have the same attitude as Christianity towards prostitution or adultery. And the Indians of yesteryears were not defenders of the Victorian (and Christian) morality. Of…

What is the most ideal social security system (safety net)?

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara, colonial consciousness

Let me invite you to do a thought-experiment along with me. Imagine that all human beings seek happiness. Imagine too that they can all achieve this state of being. Because,…

Why Hindus do not eat beef?

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara

[check this paper Beef Bans, Beef Parties and Sacred Cows ] I think there is a simpler answer to why we do not eat beef: “we do not see it as…

Is tradition akin to following moral obligations?

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara, colonial consciousness, normative, practice, tradition

Traditions are inherited practices, which mean two things: they are both transmitted and learnt. The learning occurs through imitation, following instructions, through stories and so on. Consequently, traditions ‘change’ (i.e. undergo…

Are stories symbols?

By hipkapi March 23, 2011 Balagangadhara, stories, symbolism

1. Here is one way of looking at what stories are. They are symbols. What are they symbols of? Well, they could symbolize acts; they could also be symbolically interpreted as…

Achievements of Indology: Esoteric Indian traditions

By hipkapi March 21, 2011 Balagangadhara, enlightenment, experience, indexical, Indian traditions, psychology

A science of cultures is not Atmagyaana or Brahmagyaana. Let me also add that I find a quest for happiness a normal human striving. According to the Indian traditions, experience…

Extended reproduction of religion and revitalization of Indian traditions

By hipkapi March 19, 2011 Balagangadhara, explanatorily intelligible, proselytization, secularization, vibrancy

1. Why did Christianity become a ‘universal’ religion? How did Christians replace the ‘chosen’ people? What was the logic behind the transformation of the Jewish god into God of the…

The dynamic of religion: secularization and proselytization

By hipkapi March 19, 2011 Balagangadhara, explanatorily intelligible, proselytization, secularization

1. Let us begin with the idea that religion is some kind of a system (or structure or whatever you feel like using) that maintains itself. That is to say,…