HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY

The volume Hinduism and Christianity focuses mainly on the dialogue between the two religious traditions to which the author belonged from birth and to which he remained faithful throughout his life, while not presuming to study exhaustively their many dimensions. Their relationship may be likened to that of two lovers who speak different languages. They love each other and, through this love, they have found out that they share the same goal and want the same thing. Yet when they try to speak they cannot understand each other. Each one must first learn the language of the other. They may not say the same thing, and certainly they do not say ‘the same thing’ in the same way. Each of them has a perception of something that deeply touches both, without being able to express it. But they can love each other, help each other, find common ground in practical life, be patient and begin to learn about each other.
Today, after centuries of separation, Christianity and Hinduism are coming together again and are attempting to share their respective experiences. Christians may see their destination in the future, Hindus in the present, but each see it in terms of the complete, realised human person.
The book has two sections, the first of which features one of Panikkar’s most well-known writings, The Unknown Christ of Hinduism.
The central theme, which has frequently been misunderstood, is the as yet unknown aspect of Christ which is present not only in Christianity but also in other religions, and that these may therefore help to give us a more universal vision.
The second section is dedicated to the ecclesiology of India as an example of interculturation and describes various aspects of the encounter between these two religions.

INDEX OF ORIGINAL TEXTS IN VOLUME VII

Introduction. Original article: “In Christ There is Neither Hindu nor Christian: Perspectives on Hindu-Christian Dialogue”, in C. Wei-hsun Fu and G.E. Spiegler (ed.), “Religious Issues and Interreligious Dialogues”, Greenwood, New York 1989, pp. 475-490.

The Unknown Christ of Hinduism, based on the completely revised edition by the author Il Cristo sconosciuto dell’induismo, Jaca Book, Milano 2008. First edition: The Unknown Christ of Hinduism, DLT, London 1964.

“The Integration of Indian Philosophical and Religious Thought”, in «The Clergy Monthly Supplement», May 1958, pp. 64-68.

“The Mystery of Worship in Hinduism and Christianity”. Or. ed. Le mystère du culte dans l’hindouisme et le christianisme, Cerf, Paris 1970.

“The Problem of Justice in Hind¥-Christian Dialogue”. Or. ed. El problema de la justícia en el diàleg hindú-cristià, in VV.AA., Religions de la terra i sacralitat del pobre. Aportació al diàleg interreligiós, Claret (col. Cristianisme i Justícia), Barcelona 1997, pp. 107-135.

“Confrontation between Hinduism and Christ”, in «New Blackfriars», LX, 584 (January 1969), pp. 197-204, intended by the author as a possible introduction to The Unknown Christ of Hinduism, revised edition, Bangalore 1983.

“Ekklesia and Mandiram. Two Symbols of Human Spirituality” [Foreword], in «Studies in Formative Spirituality», XI, 3 (November 1990), pp. 277-284.

“The Distorted Face of the Church in India. God of the Poor and the Poor of God”. Or. ed. “Das verzerrte Gesicht der Kirche in Indien”, in R. Panikkar, Kerygma und Indien, Reich, Hamburg 1967, pp. 19-27.

“Indic Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism from the Perspective of Interculturation”, in K. Pathil (ed.), Religious Pluralism, ISPCK, Delhi 1991, pp. 252-299.

“The Dream of an Indian Ecclesiology”, in G. van Leeuwen (ed.), Searching for an Indian Ecclesiology, ATC, Bangalore 1984, pp. 24-54.

“Indian Theology. A Theological Mutation”, in Theologizing in India, M. Amaladoss, T.K. John, G. Gispert-Sauch (ed.), TPI, Bangalore 1981, pp. 23-42.