1286 VEDANTA

Modern Vedanta


Main article: Hindu revivalism

The term "modern Vedanta" is sometimes used to describe the interpretation of Advaita Vedanta given by Swami Vivekananda of the Ramakrishna order of monks. He stressed that:

• Although God is the absolute reality, the world has a relative reality. It should therefore not be completely ignored.

• Conditions of abject poverty should be removed; only then will people be able to turn their minds toward God.

• All religions are striving in their way to reach the ultimate truth. Narrow sectarian bickering should therefore be abandoned, and religious tolerance should be practiced — between different Hindu denominations, as well as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc.