Religion and Economic Activity in India: An Historical Perspective

Abstract

Abstract. It is suggested that there has been and continues to be, a deep interrelationship between religious thought and economic activity in India. This claim is evaluated, first in the context of ancient India (the Mauryan empire), where self‐reliance was stressed, both economically and religiously, In the context of medieval India, the ossification of the once flexible caste system had profound economic implications. Based on this historical perspective, it is contended any attempt to understand the economic realities of contemporary India must also take account of its religious realities.

Religion and Attitudes to Corporate Social Responsibility in a Large Cross-Country Sample

“…Hinduism is the oldest of the major world religions and is one of the most diverse. 4 For a Hindu the goals of life concern not only moksha, or spiritual freedom, but also artha, or material well-being (Dehejia and Dehejia, 1993;Uppal, 1986). Two other aspects of Hinduism may also affect economic attitudes.…”

“…Since it has a wide variety of cults, sects and philosophies, it has no unified doctrine or philosophy from which prescriptions about economic issues can be clearly established. 5 Whilst this system was abolished in India after independence in 1947, elements remain that still affect aspects of Hindu culture (Dehejia and Dehejia, 1993). 6 Buddhism is better understood as a philosophy with associated rituals rather than as a religion per se since the Buddha is not considered as a god but rather as a very special person who was first to achieve perfection and enlightenment, Nirvana, through the practice of reflection and meditation.…”

An analysis of business ethics in the cultural contexts of different religions

“…Hinduism is one of the most outstanding religions in terms of the effect on business ethics, but this effect has been scarcely analyzed until recently. For a Hindu, life objectives do not have to do only with moksha , or spiritual liberty, but also with artha , or material welfare (Dehejia & Dehejia, 1993). The ancient mechanisms of religious application based on Hinduism emphasize the importance of applying ethical principles to all life facets (Kanagasabapathi, 2007).…”

The evolution of business ethics in India

“…There is a strong interrelationship between religious thought and economic activity in India (Dehejia and Dehejia, 1993;Fernando, 2009). Confucian and Hindu religious traditions have inspired most of the key tenets of the Asian ethical base.…”

“…Evolution of business ethics in India Dehejia, 1993;Agarwala, 2001;Sharma, 2009). Indian companies tend to adhere to a lower standard of business ethics in their organizational infrastructure than their western counterparts (Biswas, 1998;Kanagasabapathi, 2007).…”