The Unveiled Christ of the Indian Gurus- A Study on the Contemporary Gurus' Interpretations of Jesus Christ (Interfaith Treasures Uncovered-9)

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About the Book The book is about the modern Indian gurus' interpretation of Jesus Christ. A number of contemporary Indian gurus and their interpretations of Jesus Christ are studied with special reference to the four modern Indian gurus, namely, Yogananda Paramhansa, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Osho Rajneesh and Sri Ravishankar. Sincere attempt is made to understand how they interpret the person, work and teaching of Jesus, the Christ. Related issues, such as, the origin and development of modern guruism with its distinctive characters, and Jesus in the thought of modern Hindu reformers and Neo- Vedantins are also dealt comprehensively. The reader of this book will meet the 'Unveiled Christ' of the Indian gurus, as Indian spiritual masters revealed the Jesus they knew.

About the Author Rev. Dr. Rodinmawia Ralte is Associate Professor of Religions and Philosophy at Bishop's College. He is also Associate Professor of Religions at the North India Institute of Post-Graduate Theological Studies (NIIPGTS), Kolkata. His previous works include Hindus and Hindutva: Hindu Tolerance, Hindutva Exclusivism, Emergence of Assertive Hinduism (2014); three books in Mizo - India Ram Sakhaw Lian Zual (Major Religions of India - 1997), Kawng Dang a Awm Em? Religious Pluralism Bihchianna (Is There Any Other Way? An Evaluation of Religious Pluralism - 1999), and Hindu Firfiak (Hindu. Fundamentalism-2008). His numerous articles appeared in a number of leading theological Journals in India. He is an ordained Minister of the Baptist Church of Mizoram and is married to C. Laltanpuii and they have three children- Laldinpuia Ralte, Lalruatfeli Ralte and Vanlalawmpuii Ralte.

Preface It is satisfying to write a short "Preface to this book which is part of my doctoral thesis. I want to use this space for expressing my gratitude to some people who have made great contributions towards the publication of this book. I am greatly indebted to the members and leaders of my Church - the Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM) for allowing me to do doctoral studies and shouldering the entire financial burden for my studies. It is largely because of them that this book could be materialized. I give thanks and salutation to my Guru, Prof. K. P. Aleaz under whom I studied Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology in the department of religion at North India Institute of Post Graduate Theological Studies (NIIPGTS), Kolkata. His constant encouragement, academic guidance and support are invaluable to me as I grow towards academic maturity.

I am deeply grateful to Sri Ravishankar, who may be the greatest living guru in terms of worldwide followings and activities, for giving me time to sit with him in a personal interview for my research work. I also thank Swami Smarananda Giri, the General Secretary of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, Ranchi, and Prof. Gangadhar Shastri of Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, the Head of Prashanthi Nilyam Campus, Puttaparthi, AP, for sparing their valuable time in personal interviews and interactions which enriched the contents of this book. I deeply cherish the help I received from Rev. Dr. V. J. John, Professor of New Testament at Bishop's College and NIIPGTS, and a senior colleague of mine. He painstakingly read the whole manuscript, and gave me useful comments and suggestions for improvement. My thanks also go to Mr. Sudhanshu Kanda of Christian World Imprints for taking interest in publishing this book.

I want to record my gratitude to my devoted and supportive wife, C. Laltanpuii, who stood by me in all seasons, and whose presence around me alone is great encouragement and strength, and our three lovely-singing kids- Dindina, Felfeli and Puipuii for their love and support.

Introduction The universality of the person, work and message of Jesus Christ persuades the minds of men and women of all walks of life- both religious and irreligious, the so called 'believers' and 'skeptics", clerics and laypeople, philosophers and realists to advance their understanding of Jesus Christ by interpreting him from biblical and non-biblical sources. Some of these interpretations may look heretical for many and thus a distortion of the authentic and original Jesus, but alternatively, they also serve as an indicator of the multidimensional, multifaceted veracity and inexhaustibility of Jesus Christ himself, and thus these attempts are to be welcomed. Hindu religious reformers and spiritual leaders were and are no exception in this regard. The renascent Hindus, right from the time of Raja Rammohan Roy and down to Mahatma Gandhi, had their way of understanding and interpreting Jesus which is not always congruent with the orthodox Christian Christology.' Likewise, a host of Neo- Vedantins like S. Radhakrishnan, Swami Vivekananda and other leaders of Ramakrishna movement also developed an understanding of Jesus Christ which is substantially different from that of the Christian image of Jesus. All these understandings and interpretations, though faced with opposition from the Christian missionaries, churches, and Christian theologians who identify them as heretical, add new dimensions to an overall understanding of Jesus in India.

One of the most striking features of the modern Hinduism is the emergence of modern gurus and the role they play in the overall religious arena of Hindus and to people of other faiths. Contemporary gurus, within Hinduism and other religions, are significantly different from the traditional gurus.

**Contents and Sample Pages**