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Pontifical University St. Patrick’s College Maynooth Co. Kildare Ireland HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY: EXPLORING THE THEOLOGICAL BASIS FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND HINDUISM IN INDIA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MIND OF VATICAN II, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE THEOLOGICAL METHOD AND CHRISTOLOGY OF HENRI DE LUBAC Joseph M.K. Varghese A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Theology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Theology Supervisor: Revd Dr Noel O’Sullivan November 2019 DEDICATED TO His Grace, Archbishop Joseph Powathil, a Pioneer in Inter-religious Dialogue in India, who introduced me to the Documents of Vatican II, especially Nostra Aetate & My late sister, Teresa Varghese, who was such an inspiration to me II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to offer my sincere appreciation and gratitude to numerous people who, so willingly, assisted me as I worked on this project. At the outset, let me acknowledge my wholehearted indebtedness to my thesis guide, Revd Dr Noel O’Sullivan, for his valuable advice, thoughtful guidance, constructive criticism, and unflagging support from beginning to end of this research. I am also indebted to the administrative staff of the Pontifical University of Ireland, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and the Faculty of Theology who offered me opportunities and constant assistance during my studies. I record my appreciation of support from the Library Staff at the National Library of Ireland, St. Ephrem Ecumenical Research Centre, Baker Hill, India, St. Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavthoor, Kottayam, and Good Shepherd Seminary, Kunnoth, Kerala. I owe sincere gratitude to His Grace, Mar Joseph Powathil, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, one of the foremost pioneers in inter-religious dialogue in India, who always remains an inspirational and driving force in my theological journey. I must also thank my present Archbishop, His Grace, Mar Joseph Perumthottam, who sent me for higher studies in England and Ireland, for his continued support. Let me record my deepest gratitude to Most Revd Dr Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry for his exceptional support and ongoing encouragement both in my research project and ministry. Deepest thanks to Fr Seamus Kelly and the parishioners of St. Patrick’s Parish Dungiven. I am grateful for the constant support of the Syro-Malabar Church in Ireland. The encouragement, concern and prayers of my beloved parents, Mr. Mathew Varghese and Mrs. Annamma Varghese, loving siblings and their families are much appreciated. In total fulfilment, to my heavenly Father, who called, inspired and guided me all the way, I express with heartfelt sincerity, Deo Gratias. III ABBREVIATIONS AA : Apostolicam Actuositatem AAS : Acta Apostolicae Sedis AASS : Acta Apud Sanctam Sedem AF : Ecclesia in Africa AG : Ad Gentes ANF : Anti-Nicene Fathers ASS : Acta Sanctae Sedis CBCI : Catholic Bishops' Conference of India CD : Christus Dominus CD : Cantate Domino CDV : Commentaries on the Documents of Vatican II CM : Corpus Mysticum DCE : Deus Caritas Est DH : Dignitatis Humanae DJ : Dominus Jesus DR : Divini Redemptoris DV : Dei Verbum DzH Denzinger, Heinrich EN : Evangeli Nuntiandi EA : Ecclesia in Asia FABC : Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference GE : Gravissimum Educationis GS : Gaudium et Spes HE : Historie et Esprit IMC : International Missionary Council LG : Lumen Gentium LS : Laudato SI NA : Nostra Aetate NMI : Novo Millennio Ineunte OE : Orientalium Ecclesiarum OT : Optatam Totius IV PG : Patrologia Graceca PL : Patrologia Latina RD : La Revelation Divine RH : Redemptor Hominis RM : Redemptor Missio SC : Sacrosanctium Concilium SF : Sensus Fidei Summa ST : Summa Theologiae US : Ubicumque et Semper WCC : World Council of Churches V TABLE OF CONTENTS Page. No DEDICATION II ACKNOWLEDGMENTS III ABBREVIATIONS IV TABLE OF CONTENTS VI GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1 INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT 1 Introduction 19 1.1 Defining Inter-Religious Dialogue 19 1.1.1 Dialogue: An Element and Expression of Human Nature 21 1.1.2 Characteristics of Dialogue 22 2 The Church and Inter-Religious Dialogue 24 2.1 Positive Approach to Other Religions and Living Dialogue 26 2.1.1 Searching for Harmony Through Inter-Religious Dialogue 26 3 Religion Shaped by Culture 27 4 Recognising Differences 28 5 Vatican II: A Turning Point in the Christian Attitudes Towards Developing Inter-Religious Dialogue 30 5.1 Nostra Aetate Inaugurates a Greater Openness to Other Religions 32 6 Inter-Religious Dialogue and EvangeliZing Mission 35 6.1 Mission: Proclamation and Dialogue 36 6.2 Inculturation 39 6.2.1 Inculturation: A Lengthy Process 40 7 Inter-Religious Dialogue - A Duty of All 42 8 Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Indian Context 43 VI 9 Towards a Theological Method for Mission and Dialogue in the Indian Context 45 9.1 India on the Road to Dialogue 46 9.2 Voice of FABC in the Development of Dialogue 51 10 Contemporary Trends in Indian Christology 51 11 Christian Interpretations of Christ in India 52 11.1 Spiritual-Contemplative Approach 53 11.2 The Intellectual-Theological Approach 53 11.3 Socio-Political Approach 54 12 Hindu View of Christ 55 13 The Need for Definitive Steps 57 14 Observations of Inter-Religious Dialogue in the Indian Context 59 15 Conclusion 60 CHAPTER 2 INVESTIGATION OF HENRI DE LUBAC’S THEOLOGICAL RESEAR HMETHOD AS A MEANS OF ESTABLISHING DIALOGUE BETWEEN HINDUISM AND CHRISTIANITY 1 Introduction 61 1.1 Biographical Outline of Henry de Lubac SJ. (1896 - 1991) 61 1.2 Theology in the Early Twentieth Century 64 1.3 Significance of de Lubac 65 2 De Lubac's Theological Method 68 2.1 Return to the Sources 70 2.1.1 The Two Companion Principles of Lubacian Methodology 72 2.2 The Principle of Auscultation 73 2.3 Truth is Catholic 75 3 Henri de Lubac's Theology 77 4 De Lubac's Theology Revisited 82 5 Nostra Aetate at the Centre of Inter-Faith Dialogue 82 6 De Lubac and Buddhism 84 6.1 Aspects of Buddhism 86 6.2 Buddhism Charity 86 VII 6.3 Buddhist and Christian Iconography: shared symbols 89 6.4 Different Manifestations of Christ and the Buddha 91 7 Conclusion 96 CHAPTER 3 FUNDALMENTAL BELIEFS OF HINDUISM 1 Introduction 97 1.1 Hinduism: Religious and Social Context 98 1.1.1 Origin and Meaning of Hinduism 100 2 Scriptures of Hinduism 102 2.1 Sruti 102 2.1.1 Veda-Samhitas 103 2.1.2 Brahmanas 103 2.1.3 Aranyakas 104 2.1.4 Upanishads 104 2.2 Smrti 106 2.2.1 Ithihasas: Mahabharata, (Bhagavad-Gita), and Ramayana 107 2.2.2 Puranas 108 3 The Hindu Philosophical Systems (Saddarsanas) 109 4 Concepts of 'God' in Hinduism 109 4.1 Brahman: Nirguna and Saguna 110 4.2 God as Paramatman, Bhagavan and Isvara 112 4.3 Trimurti (Forms of the Divine): Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva 113 5 Concept of Man (Atman) and his Relationship with Brahman 115 6 Concept of World and Principle of Maya 117 7 Important Hindu Concepts Asrama, Dharma, Rta, Karma and Samsara 118 8 The Concept of Caste (Catur-varna) 120 9 Hindu Understanding of History 122 10 Hindu Understanding of Liberation 122 10.1 Three Paths (Margas) of Liberation 123 11 Role of Guru in the Path of Liberation 125 12 Hinduism as a lived and living religion today 128 VIII 12.1 Hindu Worship and Art 131 13 Hinduism in Kerala 133 14 Conclusion 134 CHAPTER 4 CONVERGENCE AND DIVERGENCE BETWEEN HINDUISM AND INDIAN CHRISTOLOGY 1 Introduction 136 Section A: The Interface Between Hinduism and Christianity. Literature Review 137 1.1 Hindu Scholars of its Renaissance Movement 137 1.2 Other Hindus who have Spoken about Christ from a Hindu Perspective 139 1.3 Christian Scholars of Hinduism 141 Section B: The Interface between Hinduism and Christianity With Respect to Avatar: Literature Review 146 2 About Avatar 144 2.1 Christ as the Perfect Avatar 146 2.2 Christ as Full Avatar 147 2.3 Christ as One of the Avatars 148 2.4 Christ as Isvar-Avatar 148 3 Christ as Avatar Encompassing Divinity and Humanity 150 3.1 Vengal Chakkarai: Jesus, Avatar par Excellence 150 3.2 Critical Evaluation of the Avatar-Christology of V. Chakkarai 154 4 Christ as the Only True Avatar: A. P. Appasamy 154 4.1 Critical Evaluation of the Avatar-Christology of Appasamy 158 5 Noel Sheth: Hindu Avatars and Christian Incarnation 159 5.1 Critical Evaluation of the Avatar-Christology of Sheth 161 6 Modern Hindu Scholars on Avatara and Incarnation 163 7 Convergent, Divergent and Surpassing Elements; an Overview and Comment 166 7.1 Convergence 166 7.2 Divergence 166 IX 7.3 Surpassing 167 8 Language, Culture and Theology; Convergence and Divergence 167 9 Panikkar on the concept of Jesus as “Avatar” 168 10 Conclusion 170 CHAPTER 5 A CHRISTOCENTRIC DIALOGUE WITH HINDUISM 1 Introduction 172 1.1 The Centrality of Christ in Our Dialogue with Hinduism 173 2 The Uniqueness of Christ in the Indian Context 173 3 HelleniZation of Christianity 177 4 The Council of Nicaea 179 5 HelleniZation and the Asiatic Mindset 180 6 Understanding Scripture in Context 181 7 Titles Attributed to Jesus in the Gospels 183 7.1 The Gospels, a Composite Picture of Jesus 185 7.2 Jesus Stands as the Unique Model 186 7.3 Jesus is for all and Especially the Poor 187 8 The Functional Uniqueness of Jesus in Respect to Hindu Figures 188 8.1 Jesus on the Cross Provides a New Face for God 119 8.2 Jesus; Uniqueness in Evoking Divine Presence and His Revelatory Function 193 9 Jesus is "Historically Real" 194 10 The Forgiving God 195 11 The Presence of Grace: Comparative understanding in Hinduism and Christianity 196 12 Christian Salvation Differs from Hindu View of Liberation 197 13 Henri de Lubac Revisited 199
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