The late
Catholic Benedictine monk, Bede Griffiths explores the possiblities for
interreligious
dialogue between
Catholicism /
Christianity and
Vedanta /
Hinduism . From his ashram,
Shantivanam in
Tamil Nadu India , Griffths examines Hindu,
Judaic and Christian revelations. He describes
revelation as it has been experienced by
Hinduism ,
Judaism and
Christianity . Griffiths' central point is that Hinduism, an Eastern religious system, appeals to a right hemispheric brain way of understanding the world. This means that the colors, the innumerable gods and goddeses, the tendency toward universal acceptance of other faith
traditions, a more holistic vision of reality defines Hindu philosophy.
Christianity and
Judaism , although born in the Middle East, are marked by their rationalistic, distinguishing and linear theological systems. These characteristics are hallmarks of the brain's left hemisphere functions and by Western civilization as a whole.
Ultimately, Griffiths argues that, for purposes of
interreligious dialogue , both types of religious thinking are necessary and that without each other, it is as if a human brain is not whole, as if the many gifts offered by the three deeply developed religious traditions would be left to wither on their altars, sacrificed by division and war. All humanity then, would suffer. Its possibilities for spiritual, humane progress and peace unrealized. Interreligious