Vivekananda

Question 1

Give five facts about vivekananda

Answer 1

1. He was a disciple of Ramakrishna who brought his ideas into the public eye. 2. He was originally a member of the brahmo samaj, but after a spiritual experience with Ramakrishna, began following him. 3. He achieved samadhi which inspired him to spread his views to others. 5. He combined the thinking of Roy and Ramakrishna.

Question 2

What were his four key messages?

Answer 2

1. The divine was present in all people. 2. All people should be treated equally as god exists within all people. 3. All religions are interpretations of the same ultimate reality, we should be tolerant to all. 4. A balance could be struck between the science of the west and spiritually of the east.

Question 3

How did vivekananda see science?

Answer 3

He was influenced deeply by it and thought that it was possible to make advaita philosophy compatible with western science.

Question 4

What else did vivekananda think about science?

Answer 4

He saw the vedas as timeless and impersonal laws, just like scientific laws. The advaita teaching on the realization of knowledge of Brahman is a method for the discovery of spiritual facts, just as science discovers scientific facts.

Question 5

What did vivekananda do at the world parliament of religions in 1893?

Answer 5

Here he put forward his ideas of religious tolerance and forced the west to take Hinduism seriously. He presented Hinduism as the ultimate religion, as it already preached tolerance and unity.

Question 6

How did vivekananda see caste?

Answer 6

He was not against it and saw it as natural order. However, he opposed the oppression and discrimination within it, he saw this as evil.

Question 7

How did vivekananda see idol worship?

Answer 7

He defended it and said that those who criticized it should look at the success of Ramakrishna. However, worshipping god as formless is the superior type of worship.

Question 8

What were vivekananda’s views on women?

Answer 8

He saw the neglect of women as one of the key reasons behind India’s downfall. He believed the message of the holy mother was crucial to the uplift of women.

Question 9

What are the Ramakrishna math and mission?

Answer 9

1. They are worldwide non political spiritual organizations whcih carry out humanitarian services. 2. They were first set up by vivekananda in 1897 and are inspired by the Vedanta ideas of renunciation and service. 3. Devotees at the math and mission serve millions of people, irrespective of race, caste and gender.

Question 10

What do the Ramakrishna monks dedicate themselves to?

Answer 10

1. Helping society through proving eduction, healthcare and reform. 2. Realization of the advaita Vedanta. 3. Devotion to Ramakrishna. 4. Spreads the view of the unity of religions. 5. For one’s own salvation and the welfare of the world.

Question 11

How has the movement helped with women’s equality?

Answer 11

It set up a monastic order of women called the Sri Sarada Math in 1954. In 1960 they formed the Ramakrishna Sarada mission to carry out spiritual, social and charitable servies amongst the women and children.

Question 12

Explain the movement’s influence across the world

Answer 12

It has 187 centers across the world, in india, the USA, Russia, the uk, South Africa and in many more countries.

Question 13

Give two points showing the movement’s influence

Answer 13

1. The emphasis it has on tolerance has great appeal amongst western liberal ideas and is still popular today. 2. The ideas allow for an Indian national identity, but also have room for other traditions and beliefs.

Question 14

Give another two points showing the influence of the movement

Answer 14

1. Followers see Hinduism as a world religion. 2. The movement grew after his death and is one of the most influential hindu movements.

Question 15

What were the consequences of vivekananda’s actions at the world parliament of religions?

Answer 15

He made the west take it seriously and attacked the idea of missionaries coming to india to convert people, instead he preached how spirituality needed to be about service to mankind. He stayed in the west and founded the Vedanta society in 1895.