Swedish Scholar Recognizes Bhaktisiddhanta's Unique Contributions

Traditional and modern Hinduism have an extensive monotheistic (belief in one God) branch that in many ways can be compared with the Christian notion of the person and a personal relationship to God. This is in spite of the the fact that Hinduism is often portrayed as being characterized by spiritual non-dualism and polytheism, or the belief in multiple gods.

This is the result of new research in religious studies at the University of Gothenburg.

The research focuses on the Indian religious reformer Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (1874-1937), who was a key figure for a number of modern religious institutions such as the Hare Krishna movement.

In his research, Ferdinando Sardella presents the theory that Sarasvati's philosophy and religious vision were permeated by the concept of a spiritual or non-material personhood. It motivated and inspired his struggle against the limitations of the caste system and the religious dominance of the brahmin orthodoxy, as well as his vision for a spiritual reform of the modern world.

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