Inasmuch as I
also believe like Devanandan that the future of discipling India for Chriat
rests with the ashram approach, I consider the following important factors in
developing the ashram model in Tamil Nadu.
1. The
relationship between Church and Christian ashrams
2. The underlying principles of an ashram
3. The key concepts relevant to the ashram ideal
4. The experiments of significant Hindu and
Christian ashrams in modern India
5. The experiences of Jewish and Christian
communities
6. The supporting ministries of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church.
Although the
ashram ideal belongs to Indian tradition, it is not totally foreign Christian
traditions. Therefore, I have described
some Jewish and Christian communities in order to show that an ashram model is
in accordance with Christian tradition.
Ashram
and Church
A correct understanding of what an ashram is
and how it differs from the church is essential for developing an ashram model
suitable for Tamil Nadu. Christians in
the West and even in India have no proper understanding of an ashram. In fact, many Christians believe that the
ashram model belongs only to Hinduism or Hindu cults. Therefore, Christians in India did not
respond positively to the idea of starting Christian ashrams when they were
first proposed seventy years ago.
However, after Vatican II (1962-65) the
ashram ideal gained ground in India.
Catholic ashrams began to increase in number after the 1969 seminar on
"The Church in India Today" which emphasized the need for ashrams for
the renewal of spirituality in the church.[1] Yet, in spite of these encouraging
beginnings, there is still only uncommitted interest in Christian ashrams on
the part of the Church, religious orders, and individual Christians.[2] This is partly due to lack of understanding
about the nature of the ashram, its relationship with Hinduism, its function in
the society, and its role in the mission of the Church.
Ashram
The Sanskrit word "ashram" means
(A = from, shram = work)[3]
withdrawal from the world of work. It
refers to a place or community which is engaged in spiritual pursuit. Ashram is sometimes defined as a place of
peace in the forest, or a community of disciples with a guru, as well as a way
of life. The ashram is an open concept
with fluid boundaries and definitions; therefore, I would like to present some
descriptions in order to illustrate the essential qualities of ashrams.
In ancient India, during the Vedic period
between 800-500 B.C., ashrams were located in forests, or in secluded areas on
the banks of rivers surrounded by beautiful scenery. Here, the rishis lived with their
disciples for spiritual pursuit and medical research. These ashrams were described as
"laboratories for religious experiment" and "spiritual
power-houses."[4]
Traditionally, ashrams were the centers for
disciple making as discussed earlier.
People came to the ashrams in search of gurus who could guide them in
attaining salvation, or enlightenment through various sadhanas. Even today, gurus and ashrams are increasing
in number in order to meet the spiritual needs of Indians as well as others
coming from the West in search of meaning and purpose in life.
Ashrams were also centers of learning and
training. In the Vedic period, the
ashrams served as schools similar to the schools of the prophets found in the
Old Testament. Young men from noble
families came to the ashrams for education and training[5]
concerning the duties of life, then returned to society to live as responsible
citizens. The Vanaprasathis, who
retired from society after obtaining a wealth of experience, prepared the brahmacharies
for a life of responsibility in the society.[6] Presently, ashrams are not religious schools
as such; some of them, especially the Ramakrishna order, operate schools as
part of their service to the community and do follow the government curriculum.
Traditionally,
ashrams were not formally organized institutions with a rigid structure; they
were not dependent on other institutions.[7] They had no formal constitution, power
structure, laws, or written contracts.
However, they had certain operating principles and goals. A guru was the center and the heart of the
ashram. He directed all the activities
of the ashram and the ashramites responded to him with obedience and
humility. By his simple and pious life,
the guru was able to exert a great influence on those under his discipleship.
The ashrams in modern India are established
by the gurus and now have a simple structure due to government
regulations. Since the ashrams own
property, the government requires a board of trustees to handle the financial
affairs. Although the guru is still the
sole head of the ashram, he acts through the board of trustees[8]
regarding secular matters relating to the ashram. The succession of leadership is left to the
guru who often names one of his disciples as head of the ashram before he
dies. If he dies before naming his
successor, it would become necessary for the trustees to appoint one of the
disciples as guru, in which case a power struggle for leadership could develop
between the disciples.[9]
An ashram is an open community and does not
recruit members like other organizations.
It is open to rich and poor, and people of all castes and colors. People come to an ashram of their own
freewill to learn about God and live a spiritual life. Some might stay there for a few years and
then return to their native places with new spiritual energy to serve
others. Visitors might visit for few
days and share in the life of the ashramites.[10]
Modern Hindu ashrams, while preserving the
old ashram ideals, have adapted to the present conditions and needs of
life. For instance, some of them are
located within cities or in urban areas.
In addition to their spiritual goals, they also promote social,
cultural, and educational services as well.
Christian
Ashram
What is a Christian ashram? The leaders of the Christian ashram movement
have defined Christian ashrams in terms of the objectives they had in mind. Therefore, there is no single definition for
Christian ashrams. R. Pierce Beaver,
Professor of Missions at the University of Chicago Divinity School, found it
difficult to explain what a Christian ashram was even after visiting several of
them for a three-month period. However,
he defined Christian ashrams as follows:
An ashram
is an ascetic community characterized by fellowship, mutual bearing of burdens,
common worship, silent meditation, intercession and study, living a close
family life under a rule of discipline to the glory of God, to the service of
the most needy and to the communication of the gospel. It is one form of the Indian holy life
baptized into the service of Jesus Christ and his Church.[11]
This definition seems to contain all the major principles
of a Christian ashram and presents a fair description of it.
Christian ashrams are similar in many ways
to Hindu ashrams, but in certain aspects they are different. Christian ashrams are well-organized
institutions. Some of them depend on
local churches, mission organizations, and individual Christians for financial
support. This section of the paper
summarizes only their major differences.
Unlike Hindu ashrams, Christian ashrams, in
general, are not centered around a visible guru. They believe Christ is the sadguru
(true guru). However, each Christian
ashram has a leader known as acharya who is looked upon for spiritual
guidance. He operates the ashram with
the consensus from the ashramites and is respected by his disciples as their
spiritual leader, but not revered as guru.
Social service is another essential part of Christian
ashrams; traditional Hindu ashrams do not engage in social service, since their
major emphasis is on the spiritual life.
However, recently some modern Hindu ashrams have begun some social work
in the community. Among Christian
ashrams, Protestant ashrams do more social services than do Catholic ashrams.
Another major difference between Hindu and
Christian ashrams is the communication of the gospel. A Christian ashram is a communicating
community, not just a community living for itself. It has the task of communicating the gospel
and discipling others to follow Jesus.
Christian ashramites want to tell the world not only who God is,
but also what He has done in Christ.
They do it by word and deed, living separate as a Christian community
while still being related to the Church.
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