Knowledge
The Sacredness of Knowledge
An aspect very unique to Hindu culture is the sacredness of knowledge.
The practical reason for the sacredness, I think is because with knowledge comes awareness, and with that comes understanding and empathy, and with that comes genuine compassion. We’ve all seen what happens when certain religions ask their followers to show compassion, but the compassion is pretentious. Unless you’re a monk of high calibre it’s not easy give genuine compassion.
Ignorance results in lack of awareness, lack of understanding and empathy, and lack of compassion, and results in prejudices and conflicts of all sorts.
When Swami Vivekananda was asked by a Christian priest, whether Hindus had the concept of Evil, he replied, “No, we call it Ignorance”.
The Science of Knowledge
The study of knowledge was a sacred science. The six darshanas (systems of Indian philosophical thought) are just mind-boggling in their depth of exploration on the nature and means of acquiring knowledge – steeped in epistemology, psychology, logic, and metaphysics.
Knowledge and Science
India had its share of excellence in applied sciences (alternative medicine, architecture, ship building, textiles, organic farming, commerce, metallurgy, etc.). But as for science itself, the Hindu’s goal was not in the application of knowledge for material progress, but in the spiritual enrichment of their lives, and is reflected in their dance, music, arts, poetry, literature, spirituality, and philosophy.
While the West always asked the question “Now what can I do with this knowledge? (i.e. material application/progress)”, the Hindus asked “How can I advance the understanding of my true nature, the nature of the universe, and my place in it, even further?”.
Even a simple question as “Now what can I do with this knowledge” (or pausing to entertain any of their insights) was a trap that Hindu yogis could not afford to get caught in. To entertain such thoughts would be to stop all progress and to fall into a bottomless pit (the deeper the knowledge/insight, the greater the binding force of “what can I do with it”, the deeper the well).
Knowledge and Society
Also, the approach towards acquiring knowledge (through yoga) gives something that modern science doesn’t train you in: compassion, responsibility, and humility. A society acquiring knowledge at the blinding pace that it is today, that outstrips man’s evolution/maturity to keep up with it, can only result in disaster.
Let’s take gun powder and martial arts for instance. While the Chinese had it for centuries, it was the West that weaponized it within a very short span of time. Even with the availability of firearms, many loyal Samurai for example, refused to take part in it, even if it meant their own extinction (preferring their skill and training in their martial arts, and the spiritual development that came with it). That also shows a fundamental difference between East and West in the treatment of knowledge. The former for mastery of the spiritual development and mastery of their self, and the later for conquering (and mastery over others!).
Knowledge and Religion
Hinduism is probably the only ancient culture whose roots are grounded on intellectual thought, reasoning, and deep insights arising from yoga – much more than any dogma or doctrinal beliefs. In contrast Christianity and Islam for centuries have stifled scientific progress – those who dared to challenge the doctrine where persecuted – subject to witch hunts, crucified, burnt alive, or guillotined. Even today, the Church interferes with the progress of science – as in the theory of evolution. And Islam which censors itself by banning books (and even policing free speech) that offers the vital critical thinking necessary for progress.