Author: Umesh Patri
Publisher: Intellectual Publishing house
Year: 1987
Language: English
Pages: 215
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8170760054
Description
This extraordinary candid book presents a fresh appraisal of the impact of Indian Scriptures on American Transcendentalism which flourished in New England in the nineteenth century. It draws attention to many aspects of Transcendentalism which has not been adequately discussed so far.
The major premise of the study is that other influences on the Transcendentalists such as Chinese, Persian, Sufi, Arabic, neo-Platonism, German Transcendentalism etc. are of less significance than that of Indian scriptures comprising Hindu and Buddhist texts. In the writings of Emerson, Thoreau and minor Transcendentalists like Alcott, Fuller, Channing, Johnson, Brownson, etc., the influence of Indian scriptures is clearly discernible.
An attempt has been made here to show that Indian scriptures have not only influenced the philosophical thinking of these writers but also their lifestyle and social conduct. It also attempts to show that Transcendentalism was not an isolated movement, but was a part of a cultural renaissance which swept the entire nation in the wake of avid interest and curiosity in ancient lores of other countries.
Transcendentalism, it is suggested here, continues to affect the thinking of Americans intellectual history. This book draws attention to many aspects of Transcendentalism which not been adequately discussed so far.
Contents
Scheme of transliteration
Preface
Acknowledgement
Introduction
Bridging the Gulf
Emerson and the ideal of Vedantic mysticism
Thoreau as a Yankee Yogi
The minor prophets
Conclusion
Select Bibliography
Index