The Early Modern Jesuit Attitude Towards Hindu and Ethiopian Strains of Asceticism (Jesuit Studies, 41)

This book presents an early modern Jesuit attitude towards Hindu and Ethiopian strains of asceticism. At the text, it is possible to perceive that the descriptions of both, the yogis and the Ethiopian renunciates, were marked by ambivalence. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: The Early Modern Jesuit Attitude toward Hindu and Ethiopian Strains of Asceticism 1 A Comparative View of Jesuits and Ascetics Chapter 1 Historical Background to the Jesuit–Eastern Ascetic Encounter 1 The Missions and the Portuguese Padroado of the East 2 The Jesuit Experience in India and Ethiopia 3 The Jesuit Approach to Asceticism: in Search of Symmetry 4 Hindu Ascetism Chapter 2 Understanding Ethiopian Asceticism 1 Interest in the Origins of Ethiopian Asceticism 2 Description and Assessment of the Ethiopian Ascetic 3 The Danger of Relaxing Ascetic Norms 4 The Virtues of the Virgin and the Question of Who Is a Good Christian 5 Conclusion Chapter 3 Jesuits and Yogis: Description and Ambivalence 1 The Visual Impact of Yogis 2 Yogi as Role Model (Imitatio yogii) 3 The Excesses of the Renunciants 4 Conclusion Chapter 4 Confronting Yogis and Ethiopian Monks 1 Doctrinal Errors and “Inadequate” Biblical Exegesis of Ethiopian Monks 2 Degenerate Christianity 3 Conclusion Chapter 5 Another Polemical Front: Faith, Healing, and Medicine 1 Exorcisms and Healing 2 Salvation through Images, Relics, Crosses, and Amulets 3 Volatility, Social Tensions, and Natural Disasters 4 The Allure of Shrines 5 Conclusion Chapter 6 Jesuit Ambitions to Convert Ascetics 1 The Motivations of Converts and the Genuine Conversion Dilemma 2 “Conversion of the Heart”: the Jesuit Approach to the Evangelization of the Yogis 3 The Conversion of Ethiopian Monks 4 Coercion, Intimidation, and Punishment 5 Fake Catholics 6 Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography Index "The book presents an early modern Jesuit attitude towards Hindu and Ethiopian strains of asceticism. The Jesuits' descriptions of both the yogis and the Ethiopian renunciates were marked by ambivalence. While critical of these ascetics, the missionaries also pointed out admirable facets of their comportment. In both the Society of Jesus' positive and negative impressions, there are also glaring ethnocentric views that shift the spotlight onto the other's flaws. Like many historical cases, these perceptions evolved into a sort of inverted mirror image of the self that revealed differences between the European Catholic and the native renunciate"-- Provided by publisher This book presents an early modern Jesuit attitude towards Hindu and Ethiopian strains of asceticism. The Jesuits'descriptions of both the yogis and the Ethiopian renunciates were marked by ambivalence. While critical of these ascetics, the missionaries also pointed out admirable facets of their comportment. In both the Society of Jesus'positive and negative impressions, there are glaring ethnocentric views that shift the spotlight onto the other's flaws. Like many historical cases, these perceptions evolved into a sort of inverted mirror image of the self that revealed differences between the European Catholic and the native renunciate.