Buddhism as the pinnacle of Ancient Indian morality: Tagore and Vivekananda interpreting the figure of Buddha

VA van Bijlert

doi:10.4324/9780429316531-3

Buddhism as the pinnacle of Ancient Indian morality: Tagore and Vivekananda interpreting the figure of Buddha

VA van Bijlert

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Two major figures in modern Bengali and Indian culture, Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda have expressed their views on Biddha and Buddhism. This article shows how Vivekananda gradually became less appreciative of Buddhism whereas Tagore showed an increased sympathy for Buddhism. Vivekananda clearly tried to interpret Buddhist doctrine as an inferior version of Vedanta but he still expressed the greatest admiration for the moral stature of Buddha. For Tagore Buddha represented the best of Indian moral culture.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Culture as Power
Subtitle of host publication	Buddhist Heritage and the Indo-Japanese Dialogue
Editors	Madhu Bhalla
Place of Publication	Abingdon Oxon
Publisher	Routledge
Chapter	1
Pages	25-48
Number of pages	24
ISBN (Electronic)	9780429316531, 9781000329476, 9781000329575, 9781000329520
ISBN (Print)	9781032045863
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429316531-3
Publication status	Published - 2021

Keywords

Buddhism, Japan, India, Culture, Vivekananda, Tagore, East Asian Art

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10.4324/9780429316531-3

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abstract = "Two major figures in modern Bengali and Indian culture, Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda have expressed their views on Biddha and Buddhism. This article shows how Vivekananda gradually became less appreciative of Buddhism whereas Tagore showed an increased sympathy for Buddhism. Vivekananda clearly tried to interpret Buddhist doctrine as an inferior version of Vedanta but he still expressed the greatest admiration for the moral stature of Buddha. For Tagore Buddha represented the best of Indian moral culture.",

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ER -

Buddhism as the pinnacle of Ancient Indian morality: Tagore and Vivekananda interpreting the figure of Buddha

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