This is the paper I submitted for my online course through the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.
Our tutor Dr. Nicholas Sutton has not been well, so we waited a long time before others could read and grade our papers. Here were the comments on my paper:
This is a well written essay that demonstrates considerable research and a clear understanding of essential differences between Hindu and Christian identity, understandings and practice.
Your writing is well structured and reflective and you make interesting and relevant comparisons between each.
Just a few points to help improve the academic quality of your writing.
When using sanskrit terms, (dharma, smriti, sruti) explain their meaning when they are first introduced in your essay.
Be careful about recognising diversity in Hindu traditions without equally recognising the range of diversity in Christian tradition.
Your conclusion is a little weak and would improve with a drawing together of your ideas here.
You raise an interesting point on ‘vicarious atonement‘ contrasted with the idea of karma from Ram Swarup. However there are salvationist parallels in devotional Hindu traditions too, particularly the Vaishnava traditions with their emphasis on the grace and mercy of the deity as requisite for making any progress in spiritual practice.
It’s not the same as the idea of original sin and atonement in Christianity but chp 12.6-7of the Bhagavad Gita offers a idea of Krishna as saviour when He says He is : ‘the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death’. It is not always about working out ones own destiny in Hinduism.
You rightly point out that dharma is a more nuanced code of ethics than the 10 commandments, but there are some parallels of moral code too within Hindu tradition recommended for all.
In the yoga traditions we find recommendations for observances or prohibition of certain behaviours.(yama and niyama).
In the Bhagavad Gita too we have many lists of behaviours suitable to a Godly man (ch 16) a man in knowledge (13) a man fixed in understanding (ch 2) or a devotee of Krishna (chp 12). Often these over-lap and include qualities like truthfulness, compassion for all living creatures, feedom form anger, forgiveness, etc..
Overall a good essay and an enjoyable read!
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