Two Old Faiths. Sir William Muir
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Sir William Muir, J. Murray Mitchell
Two Old Faiths
Essays on the Religions of the Hindus and the Mohammedans
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4057664642929
Table of Contents
RECONSTRUCTION—MODERN HINDUISM.
HINDUISM IN CONTACT WITH CHRISTIANITY.
THE RISE AND DECLINE OF ISLAM.
WHY THE SPREAD OF ISLAM WAS STAYED.
LOW POSITION OF ISLAM IN THE SCALE OF CIVILIZATION.
THE HINDU RELIGION.
Outline of the Essay Introduction The Vedas Philosophy, and Ritualism Reconstruction—Modern Hinduism Contrast with Christianity Hinduism in Contact with Christianity
THE RISE AND DECLINE OF ISLAM.
Outline of the Essay Introduction The Rapid Spread of Islam Why the Spread of Islam was Stayed Low Position of Islam in the Scale of Civilization
THE HINDU RELIGION.
OUTLINE OF THE ESSAY.
The place of Hinduism—which is professed by about a hundred and ninety millions in India—among the religions of the world, and its great antiquity, are pointed out.
The comparative simplicity of the system contained in the Vedas, the oldest sacred books of the Hindus, its almost entire freedom from the use of images, its gradual deterioration in the later hymns, its gradual multiplication of gods, the advance of sacerdotalism, and the increasing complexity of its religious rites are set forth.
The philosophical speculation that was carried on, the different philosophical schools, the Buddhist reaction, its conflict with Brahmanism, its final defeat, and its influence on the victorious system are discussed.
The religious reconstruction represented by the Puranas, their theological character, the modern ritual, the introduction and rise of caste, and the treatment of women are then considered.
A contrast is drawn between the leading characteristics of Hinduism and those of Christianity, and the effect of Christian ideas on modern Hinduism is exhibited. The history of the Brahmo Somaj under Keshub Chunder Sen is given at some length.
THE HINDU RELIGION.
INTRODUCTION.
The system of religious belief which is generally called Hinduism is, on many accounts, Hinduism deserving of study.eminently deserving of study. If we desire to trace the history of the ancient religions of the widely extended Aryan or Indo-European race, to which we ourselves belong, we shall find in the earlier writings of the Hindus an exhibition of it decidedly more archaic even than that which is presented in the Homeric poems. Then, the growth—the historical development—of Hinduism is not