Hindu MegatrendsAs formulated in the January, 1989, Hinduism Today article
We celebrate the passing of our first decade of publication with a compendium
of tens, the cosmic number in Hindu thought. There are ten incarnations of
Vishnu, ten cardinal directions, ten Yamas and Niyamas, ten Tirumurai
scriptures, ten orders of Vedantin monks, ten braids in Siva's hair and ten
vital energies. In this spirit, here are ten major trends, ten influential
institutions and ten outstanding individuals. It's been a fascinating period of
dynamic change for Hindus everywhere. We have reported it all, the good and the
not-so-good, major stories and mundane. One thing is certain: With nearly 700
million Hindus all going through our personal and collective karmas, there will
be no lack of interesting news and stories in the years ahead. No one can
report on it all, but we look forward to continuing the effort!
1. Hindu Meekness to Hindu Pride
Though Swami Vivekananda began this trend a hundred years ago, even up to
recent times Hindus were afraid to identify themselves as Hindus, or as members
of a particular Hindu sect. Through the effort of many people and
organizations, Hindu pride and self-confidence have replaced the self-doubt and
timidness instilled during centuries of foreign rule. Native dress becomes
fashionable.
2. Village to Global Awareness
Hindus have lived outside of India in countries such as South Africa or Fiji
for over a century, but only now are we reaching beyond a limited village
worldview, achieving a global consciousness and establishing worldwide
communication. Among other results of this trend, Hindus are taking a prominent
place among the other world religions in every forum.
3. East Only to East and West
Not only have our people moved from East to West, but our Hindu truths have
found welcome homes in many corners of Western life. The civil rights movement,
the health/vegetarian movement, the ecumenical movement, the "New Age" movement
and the concern for the environment are all deeply affected by Hindu thinking.
Subtle Hindu ideas find their way into mainstream world thought.
4. Men Only to Men and Women
Reflecting a global trend among all nations, Hindu women are rapidly becoming
more involved at all levels of Hindu religion. Some are influential religious
leaders; others are instrumental in running large Hindu organizations. Hindu
women are joining the work force and confronting "feminist" issues from an
Eastern point of view. They no longer tolerate unfair treatment, such as forced
marriages, abuse by their husbands or economic disadvantage.
5. Temple Decline to Temple Revival
Ever since the last Hindu kings lost power, Hindu temples and our priesthood
have deteriorated. Right now, we are rediscovering their intrinsic value and
religious necessity. Not only are new temples being built in many places
outside of India, old temples in India are being renovated and the problems of
the priesthood addressed. Likewise, other traditional family observances, e.g.
samskaras, are being revitalized.
6. Introverted to Extroverted
Responding to internal pressure and outside threats, Hindus creatively reach
out to help and serve others. Various forms of institutionalization and
ministry reflect stronger Hindu social consciousness. Our introverted village
awareness has extroverted, leading to aggressive (and occasionally violent)
solutions to our challenges and difficulties.
7. Limited Tools to Great Resources
Increased literacy in India and the need to teach Hinduism in multi-religious
environments in other countries all lead to the development of sophisticated
teaching tools--childrentos courses, Hindu schools and universities, academies
for art, dance and music, Hindu encyclopedias, Sanskrit studies and more.
Talented western scholars provide unexpected resources with unbiased and
in-depth studies of Hinduism.
8. Colony to Superpower
India is emerging as the world's newest superpower. This augments Hinduism's
new-found strength and unity, just as the success of western countries lent
strength and authority to Christianity in the past.
9. Agricultural to Technological
Rapid technological advancement in Asia permanently transforms India and thus
Hinduism. India's mastery of nuclear power, space and computers will bring
modern conveniences into even remote areas of India with unprecedented speed,
bypassing some stages of development experienced in other parts of the world.
The broadcasting of the Ramayana throughout India is just one example of how
this affects Hinduism.
10. Major Blows to Fewer Setbacks
Sporadic abandonment of Hindu ideals causes localized setbacks, but nothing
such as we've suffered in the past. The occasional adoption of violence to
achieve some ends is the most obvious compromise of our ideals. Other negative
trends include the neglected religious education of children in the West (which
has possibly caused the loss of an entire generation); the failure to encompass
the inevitable intermarriages outside Hinduism; and the tendency to give up the
vegetarian ideal. External hazards may continue along the lines of the failed
attacks upon us by "anti-cult" movements and the worldwide confusion caused by
non-Hindu Rajneesh.
MEGATRENDS is a term coined by futurologist John Naisbett in 1982 to name the
major underlying forces that are transforming society and shaping the future.
To formulate these ten Hindu megatrends, we solicited the advice of the
following prominent Hindu religious leaders, scholars, priest and business
people. Each contributed to our analysis, however, the final conclusions as
given above are the responsibility of Hinduism Today alone: Swami Bhasyananda,
Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Illinois; Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Arsha Vidya
Pitham, Pennsylvania; Swami Parvati Devyashram, Sri Rajarajeshwari Peetham,
Pennsylvania; H.H. Sri Swami Satchidananda, Integral Yoga Institute, Virginia;
Pundit R. Ravichandran, priest, California; Mr. Vidyasagar Anand, Chairman,
European Council of Hindu Organizations, United Kingdom; Dr. Mahesh Mehta,
President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Massachusetts; Dr. S.M. Ponniah,
Advisor, Malaysia Hindu Sangum; Dr. David Knipe, Professor of
South Asian Studies, University of Wisconsin; Dr. Seshagiri Rao, Professor of
Hindu Religion, University of Virginia; Dr. H. Daniel Smith, Professor of
Religion, Syracuse University, New York; Mr. Arvind Ghosh, publisher, Texas;
Mr. Srikumar Poddar, businessman, Michigan.
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