Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines (Guenon, Rene. Works.)

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Summary: A great work full of profound insights into metaphysics
Review: The main thrust of the book is on the nature of traditional principles and the metaphysical knowledge that is based on true universal principles. In the second part of the book termed `The General Character of Eastern Thought', Guenon gives an extensive exposition on Tradition and Metaphysics and brings out the essential characteristics of Eastern philosophy and mentality and the ways in which it differs from the modern western outlook. Guenon has chosen the Hindu tradition in order to exemplify the fundamental principles of a spiritual tradition that embraces a complete and universal metaphysics.
Guenon devotes the third part of the book to the exposition of the Hindu doctrines, where some of the questions he addresses concern the nature and the role of the Veda, the laws of Manu, the principles of caste system, essential characteristics of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, and the six orthodox `schools' (darshanas, that represent, as Guenon describes, the principal points of view within the Hindu doctrine). Guenon manifests great understanding of Hindu doctrines. I have grown up in India and have spent many years studying Hinduism, especially the Vedanta. It would be hard to find another writer who expounds, for example, the principles of dharma and the related concept of caste system in such perfection. Very often, with recent thinkers, both western and Indian, there is a confusion between what constitutes true principles and how those principles were practiced in society. For example, the caste system gradually came to be practiced as a hereditary system, and many fail to realize that this was not how it was originally conceived of and such a practice actually was a distortion of the original principle. It is very difficult to find holes in Guenon's arguments and exposition. He writes with great care, taking into account all the subtleties and possibilities of a given idea or conception.
His style of exposition of Hindu doctrines is very different as compared to Hindu teachers like Sri Ramakrishna, for example, whose presentation is filled with parables to bring out the essential characteristics of human nature and its divine roots, and where the bhakti (devotional) aspect is strongly emphasized. That is, the exposition of Hindu teachers serves more as a teaching guide in terms of putting into practice the spiritual ideas on a day to day basis. While Guenon's main focus is on the metaphysical perspective. A thing to note though is that the metaphysical perspective connected to spiritual traditions that Guenon expounds is intrinsically connected with the state of one's being. This metaphysics, Guenon explains, constitutes an intuitive, or immediate knowledge (intellectual intuition), as opposed to the discursive and mediate knowledge that belongs to the rational order. Such metaphysics affirms the fundamental identity of knowing and being; the very nature of intellectual intuition is such that the knowledge of metaphysical principles go hand in hand with self-realization. In terms of expounding the metaphysical principles of spiritual traditions and their applications at different levels of human sphere, this book is unique in its scope and depth, for it brings out with great perspicuity the intellectual, universal basis of religio-spiritual outlook.
Guenon's works present a conception of the cosmos and man that is based on a very deep and comprehensive understanding of the nature of Reality. It is his encompassing, multiply layered and highly subtle vision that allows him to make essential connections between various ideas of Hindu thought, and other spiritual traditions, into a complete whole reflecting the intrinsic nature of reality, from the most profound to the more grosser manifestations. I would also strongly recommend other works of Guenon. They are filled with extremely rich, extraordinary insights, which would greatly expand (both in breadth and depth) one's outlook. His works are extremely valuable, for someone like me, who is attempting to understand what order of reality modern science describes and what aspects it leaves out. Guenon's insights and analysis of traditional spiritualities have an immense potential to provide in modern times a wholesome and a complete conceptual framework to counter the profane, piecemeal theories of today that only give a very fragmented view of reality.



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Summary: Aqui, a porta de entrada ao verdadeiro espírito oriental .
Review: Curiosamente, René Guénon não gostou nada do título deste que foi seu primeiro livro, "batizado" por seu editor francês ; em conversa com amigos, confessou que achou-o excessivamente acadêmico, capaz de desestimular muitos interessados que, no entanto, estariam perfeitamente aptos a compreendê-lo e tirar o melhor proveito. Na verdade, este livro constitui uma introdução não apenas ao estudo das doutrinas hindus, mas a todas as doutrinas orientais autênticas, tanto é verdade que aproximadamente ¾ da obra tem alcance geral e apenas uma de suas 4 partes é dedicada exclusivamente às doutrinas hindus propriamente ditas. O pensamento oriental difere muitíssimo do ocidental moderno, sendo em vários aspectos - nos fundamentais principalmente - inteiramente oposto. Para que tenhamos verdadeiramente aproveitamento, é necessário antes de tudo que compreendamos nossas próprias raízes, que remontam ao Cristianismo e, a partir daí, verificar os pontos em comum com as doutrinas orientais que, até a Idade Média, constituíam verdadeira identificação naquilo que é fundamental para ambas. No entanto, a partir do Renascimento o Ocidente iniciou um processo de afastamento com velocidade crescente, baixando os olhos do céu para a terra, isto é, renegando a própria religião a um segundo plano, em favor do "progresso material", passando então a predominar cada vez mais o ponto de vista laico individualista e materialista.Chegado a este ponto, é quase incompreensível ao ocidental moderno tudo o que diga respeito à essência mesma do espírito oriental autêntico. O segundo passo de aproximação é a compreensão do significado profundo e exato de alguns conceitos fundamentais, tal como : Metafísica, Doutrina, Religião, Filosofia, Ciência, Tecnologia, Materialismo. Guénon nos explica o que deve se entender pelo termo "Tradição", as diferenças entre Religião e doutrinas iniciáticas e seus respectivos domínios ; as características do simbolismo, a diferença entre exoterismo e esoterismo. Após esta necessária preparação, somos introduzidos às Doutrinas Hindus propriamente ditas, um universo de sabedoria cuja magnitude e magnificência nos arrebata de imediato, através de uma exposição de René Guénon magistral e clara ao mesmo tempo. O alcance desta obra magnífica foi amplamente reconhecido , especialmente por sábios orientais, como " o primeiro ocidental contemporâneo que verdadeiramente compreendeu e transmitiu ao Ocidente o espírito das doutrinas orientais autênticas." O Instituto René Guénon de Estudos Tradicionais, há vários anos leciona temas orientais fundamentados na obra de René Guénon e nosso curso básico, chamado "Olhar Oriental", é quase inteiramente baseado neste livro, que é uma verdadeira porta de entrada para o espírito do Oriente. Recomendamos, na sequencia desta leitura, do mesmo autor, "Oriente e Ocidente", "A Crise do Mundo Moderno" e "O Reino da Quantidade".

Luiz Pontual IRGET

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Summary: The best door to know the real East.
Review: Surprisingly, René Guénon didn't approve the title of this that was his first book, "baptized" by his French editor; in chat with friends, he admitted that considered it excessively academic, capable of keeping away many persons that could be perfectly capable of understanding it.

Actually, this book not constitutes only an introduction to the study of the Hindu doctrines, but to all the authentic oriental doctrines. Approximately ¾ of the work brings a general approach about the basis of traditional knowledge and one of its 4 parts is dedicated exclusively to the hindus doctrines.

The oriental thought differs of the modern Occidental thought, being in the fundamental aspects entirely opposite. If we want this knowledge to be useful to us, it is first of all necessary that we understand our own roots, that remount to the Christianity and to verify the points in common to the oriental doctrines that, until the end of the Mediun Age, wore the true fundaments of both.

However, starting from the Renaissance the Occident began a process of increasing separation from these basis, lowering the eyes from the sky to the earth, that is, renagating the own religion to a second plan, in favor of the "material " progress, the individualism and the materialism. At this point, it is almost incomprehensible to the modern Occidental everything concerning the essence of the authentic oriental spirit.

The second step is the understanding of the deep and exact meaning of some fundamental concepts, just as: Metaphysics, Doctrines, Religion, Philosophy, Science, Technology, Materialism. Guénon explains to us the meaning of the term "Tradition", the differences among Religion and Iniciatic Doctrines and its respective domains; the characteristics of the symbolism, the difference between exoterism and esoterism.

After this necessary preparation, we are introduced to the Hindu Doctrines, an universe of wisdom whose magnitude and magnificence snatches us immediately, through a magistral explanation, clear and deep at once.

The reach of this magnificent work was recognized thoroughly, especially orientals, that said to be Guénon "the first contemporary Occidental that truly understood and transmitted to the Occident the spirit of the authentic oriental doctrines".

The Institute René Guénon of Traditional Studies, (www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/9638) from several years teaches oriental themes based in René Guénon's work. Our basic course, called "The Oriental Sight", it is almost entirely based on this book, that is a verily entrance door for the spirit of the East. We recommend, in the sequence of this reading, of the same author, "East and West", "The Crisis of the Modern World" and "The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times ".