DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.635#0238
MODERN PROGRESS 225
have thus added to the offerings which enrich the
Brahmin priesthood.
British influence has undoubtedly made for order,
decency, cleanliness, and general sanitation in the city.
But its effect on the foundations of Hindu beliefs is
not very evident in Benares, the Rome of Hinduism,
unless the spirit of exclusiveness which has sprung up
of late years should be regarded as a sign of the
Brahmins' alarm at the increasing influence of Chris-
tianity. When Sherring wrote his Sacred City of the
Hindus, in the middle of the last century, he was
allowed access to the most sacred places, which are
now entirely closed to Europeans, even to the few
who claim admission within the pale of the Hindu
religion.
Benares has not ceased to be one of the great
centres of the intellectual life of India, held in love
and veneration by all Hindus; but the orthodox
Brahmin looks askance at the efforts of Hindu pro-
pagandists, like Swami Vivekananda, who would
strengthen resistance to outside influences by enlarg-
ing the borders of Hinduism.
The Hindu monasteries of Benares are still resorted
to by students from all parts of India, for the education
imparted by Brahmin Pandits, totally ignorant of
modern research, and regarding as worthless all know-
ledge not contained in Hindu sacred literature. On
the other hand, there is the extraordinary spectacle
of a college for Hindus, supported both by Indians
and Europeans, with English men and women ex-
pounding Hindu philosophy and religion to Hindus,
and seeking to re-state the ancient Vedic wisdom on
a basis of modern science.
have thus added to the offerings which enrich the
Brahmin priesthood.
British influence has undoubtedly made for order,
decency, cleanliness, and general sanitation in the city.
But its effect on the foundations of Hindu beliefs is
not very evident in Benares, the Rome of Hinduism,
unless the spirit of exclusiveness which has sprung up
of late years should be regarded as a sign of the
Brahmins' alarm at the increasing influence of Chris-
tianity. When Sherring wrote his Sacred City of the
Hindus, in the middle of the last century, he was
allowed access to the most sacred places, which are
now entirely closed to Europeans, even to the few
who claim admission within the pale of the Hindu
religion.
Benares has not ceased to be one of the great
centres of the intellectual life of India, held in love
and veneration by all Hindus; but the orthodox
Brahmin looks askance at the efforts of Hindu pro-
pagandists, like Swami Vivekananda, who would
strengthen resistance to outside influences by enlarg-
ing the borders of Hinduism.
The Hindu monasteries of Benares are still resorted
to by students from all parts of India, for the education
imparted by Brahmin Pandits, totally ignorant of
modern research, and regarding as worthless all know-
ledge not contained in Hindu sacred literature. On
the other hand, there is the extraordinary spectacle
of a college for Hindus, supported both by Indians
and Europeans, with English men and women ex-
pounding Hindu philosophy and religion to Hindus,
and seeking to re-state the ancient Vedic wisdom on
a basis of modern science.