The Truth of the Being and the Becoming in Madhvācārya
The Theo-Centric Journey of the Ātman from Bhakti to Mukti through Prasāda: A Christian Interpretation
Description:
My research work falls into the area of Indology. In this work I will deal with the 13th century Indian philosopher Madhvācārya, the founder and the chief proponent of Dvaita Vedanta. My work focusses on his concepts of God, soul and world, concepts of loving devotion and God’s grace. And I try to find out the points of comparison in the teachings of Madhva with the Christian teachings. Thus my thesis is a humble attempt to understand whether a dialogue between Vaiṣṇavism and Christianity is possible in this time of religious fanaticism. I would like to find out if Madhva gives a platform where these two Faiths can meet together as there are many common points between Vaiṣṇavism and Christianity; at the same time without yielding in important and essential points of the respective convictions.
Today there is a rapid growth in secularisation and atheism. Nevertheless, a good number of people in the world in general and in India in particular do believe that God is a significant factor in their lives; He is the goal or end of their lives. Every being has to depend on him for its existence and sustenance. And ultimately it is through him that one attains liberation. India is the birthplace of four of the world’s major religions, namely, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. And it is also true that there are lot of atrocities done in the name of these religions, though no religion teaches violence.
In this time of the widespread injustice in the name of religions prevalent in many parts of the world, the inter-religious and communal rivalries and the degradation of moral and religious values my hope is that if taken in true spirit it can perhaps open a way for dialogue with each other giving due respect to the respective faiths and not looking down upon the other with contempt, which, in turn will make this world a better place to live in harmony.