O. Bordilovska, PhD in History, Dr. habil. (Politics), Associate Prof.
The Institute of International Relations
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2018.136.1.01
THE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION: SINCE ANCIENT TIME TO CURRENT STAY
One of the world’s oldest civilizations India is an unique one, with uninterrupted tradition for centuries. It has given birth to four religions – Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, which are known mainly due to the principles of peaceful coexistence and non-violence. Geography, history, ethnic and linguistic variety and social structure, together with religious principles shaped this amazing civilizational pluralism, which required tolerance. Exactly these values will shape the conduct of the Republic of India after independence, both in internal and external affairs. Author deals with this continuity of civilizational values and also examines the challenges to this extremely traditional civilization in contemporary Indian development.
Key-words: Indian civilization, traditional values, tolerance, unity in diversity, Gandhian way, ahimsa, vasudhaiv kutumbakam.
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