The European Distortion of Indian Traditions
The main thesis of Martin Fárek's publication is the assertion that although orientalist or religious studies seemingly present undistorted, even objective interpretations of Indian traditions, in reality, these are distorted images that primarily refer back to the researchers' own European culture. The conceptualisation of religion has been a key topic of discussion in Europe for centuries, and it is mainly through this lens that India is still viewed. However, the theoretical framework for the analysis of religion remains based on the implicit assumptions of Christian thought. Close examination reveals the extent to which orientalism and other humanities are still influenced by this originally theological framework. In his analysis, the author builds on current international discussions and the work of renowned researchers, primarily the research programme of S. N. Balagangadhara. Fárek's study presents the results of original research into several key topics: the problems with interpreting Indian traditions as religious, which gave rise to so-called Hinduism, Buddhism, and others. Another noteworthy topic is the European treatment of India's past, which is reflected in the unending debates about whether Indians originally had a historical consciousness.
The author also brings new insights from the current international discussion on the theory of the arrival of the Aryans in India. He also addresses the controversial interpretations of the work of the important reformer Ram Mohan Roy. The work is a stimulating and undoubtedly provocative study for Indologists, religious scholars, theologians, historians, as well as for anthropologists and those interested in the history of thought.
