{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": 2011 }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 323 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00347-4a46f05cdd2a08c5015c.webp" ], "chunk_title": "The Christukula Ashram", "chunk_data": "158. THE CHRISTUKULA ASHRAM (1921 A.D.)\nOne of the best known of the Christian ashrams established following the First World War is the Christukula Ashram of Tirupattur in North Arcot District. It was started by Dr. S. Jesudason and Dr. Ernest F. Paton in 1921. Writing some years later, Dr. Jesudason explains the rationale, origins and ideals of the ashram. Dr. Savarirayan Jesudason, Ashrams, Ancient and Modern. Their Aims and Ideals, pp. 36-51.", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "S. Jesudason", "Ernest F. Paton", "Savarirayan Jesudason" ], "places": [ "Tirupattur", "North Arcot District" ], "event": "The Christukula Ashram was established at Tirupattur by S. Jesudason and Ernest F. Paton.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Christian Ashrams", "Institutions" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 323 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00347-4a46f05cdd2a08c5015c.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Writing from Personal Experience", "chunk_data": "In writing about this Ashram, we have felt it necessary to refer to personal experiences in order to make things clear, in the confidence that those for whom the pages are meant will understand the spirit in which they are written.", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Savarirayan Jesudason" ], "places": [], "event": "Savarirayan Jesudason explains that the account refers to personal experiences to clarify the spirit of the ashram.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Memoir" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 323, 324 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00347-4a46f05cdd2a08c5015c.webp", "raw\\pages\\00348-26e3a45b786219ab9ded.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Christianity Divided by Race", "chunk_data": "During the years immediately preceding the last dreadful war, many professing Christians seemed to recognize their kith and kin only in those of their own particular colour or race or nationality, or even in those only of their own particular little sect or denomination. With the nations of Europe all armed to the teeth, suspicious and defiant of one another, and with the Christian people blinded by this spirit of self-seeking isolation, it required no great prophet to foretell the bursting at any moment of the conflagration that involved almost every nation of the world. The organized churches that should have exercised a ministry of reconciliation and understanding, were carried away, and too often used as tools for war propaganda. The memory of those dreadful years is still vivid to every one, but although the eyes of many have been opened and some are filled with a new idealism of peace and reconciliation, the world seems to be now in an even worse plight. For the war has in most cases increased the materialistic outlook on life, opened up new channels for exploitation, and led to the discovery of new and more dreadful weapons of destruction.", "time": { "start_year": 1914, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1918, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1914–1918, during and after the First World War" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Europe" ], "event": "The First World War exposed Christian divisions, turned churches toward war propaganda, and intensified materialism, exploitation, and the development of destructive weapons.", "tags": [ "War", "Christianity", "Peace" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 324 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00348-26e3a45b786219ab9ded.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Disillusionment with Organized Religion", "chunk_data": "There has been in almost every nation a turning away from organized forms of religion, as many really good people seem to have lost hope of the Christian Church as a vital force for bringing about the regenerated society they look for, or even for overcoming the forces making for war, hatred, and oppression.", "time": { "start_year": 1918, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "Post-1918" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "People in many nations turned away from organized religion because they had lost faith in the Christian Church's power to regenerate society and resist oppression.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Society", "Christianity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 324 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00348-26e3a45b786219ab9ded.webp" ], "chunk_title": "The Name Christian Shunned", "chunk_data": "Because of its false associations, the very name 'Christian' is shunned by many who are Christlike in their life...", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "Many people who lived Christlike lives avoided the name Christian because of its false associations.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Religion", "Society" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 324 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00348-26e3a45b786219ab9ded.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Eastern Longing for Freedom", "chunk_data": "The Eastern nations are impatiently longing for the birth of a new freedom, both in their internal social order, and in the removal of those political and commercial disabilities imposed upon them by the more aggressive civilizations of the west arrogating to themselves a superior and dominating position...", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Eastern nations", "Western nations" ], "event": "Eastern nations sought social freedom and the removal of political and commercial disabilities imposed by dominant Western civilizations.", "tags": [ "Politics", "Colonialism", "Freedom" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 324 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00348-26e3a45b786219ab9ded.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Opposition to Race and Caste Barriers", "chunk_data": "Then again during these days the consciences of many have been stirred by the cruelty and injustice of colour and caste barriers. We see the results of these not only in international relationships, but wherever the different races are competing in civic, social and economic relationships. Sadder still, these false standards are often assumed as legitimate even within the Christian Church, as if they were part of a divine order and that for the sake of peace and efficiency it is good that the different groups be kept apart without allowing any dangerous intermingling...", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "Christians confronted the injustice of racial and caste barriers in international society and within the Church.", "tags": [ "Social Justice", "Caste", "Race" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 324, 325 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00348-26e3a45b786219ab9ded.webp", "raw\\pages\\00349-92218af94a1b9fb1f763.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Longing for Fellowship in Christ", "chunk_data": "It was for such a deeper personal experience of the life in Christ and the fellowship of love and the power for service springing out of it that we among many others were longing and still long and strive. There had also been growing in us both a strange longing for friendship with members of other races as we met few of such and began to realize something of the supra-national character of the kingdom of God, in which there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, East nor West, Black nor White. Many were sharing with us in these ideals and aspirations and yet we knew the practical realization of them could only come as we made real attempts corporately, in little groups, to set out on the path even when we could see but a step or two ahead, in the faith that, as we strive to be true to the light already given, fresh light and better ways will be made clear to us...", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "The founders sought deeper life in Christ, fellowship across racial boundaries, and collective efforts to realize the universal character of God's kingdom.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Fellowship", "Racial Equality" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 325 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00349-92218af94a1b9fb1f763.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Rejecting War through Community", "chunk_data": "So much for the establishment of the ideals which had been moving us. We felt that war was utterly opposed to Christ's teaching and we as his followers could not take part in it under any circumstances. But we hoped that by our working together we might be able to do something towards putting these ideals into actual practice...", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "The ashram's founders rejected participation in war and hoped to embody Christ's ideals through communal work.", "tags": [ "Religion", "War", "Pacifism" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 325 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00349-92218af94a1b9fb1f763.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Marriage and Diverse Callings", "chunk_data": "For the great majority of the people the natural and the right thing is the married life and God has wonderfully ordained that man should co-operate in his creative work through the bringing up of children as members of His great family on earth, and hence the home is so sacred that it must have their first thought and devotion. There are others whose gifts and calling are for a different mode of life. To some rare few of these the presence of God is so real that without depending on any human companionship they go everywhere as wandering prophets or Sadhus of the Kingdom; for others their fullest life purpose can only be fulfilled in loving comradeship in a group of those likeminded with themselves, devoting their whole life and energies for the fulfilment of a God-given vision.", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "The ashram's vision recognized married family life as the ordinary calling while also affirming celibate and communal vocations devoted to God's work.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Family", "Vocation" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 325 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00349-92218af94a1b9fb1f763.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Permanent Ashram Membership", "chunk_data": "Jesus made this plain when he said that some had made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of God, (Matt. XIX., 11 & 12) and His own life on earth is the best example. For some of these who seek to fulfil their mission in life in such an intimate comradeship, the permanent membership of the ashram family is intended. We fully realized that permanent membership under these conditions could not be lightly undertaken, as it could only come about through growing personal understanding and love resulting from the bearing and sharing together of the joys and sorrows, failure and successes of the common life and service.", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus" ], "places": [], "event": "The ashram proposed permanent membership for people called to intimate communal service, requiring shared experience, understanding, and love.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Community", "Vocation" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 325 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00349-92218af94a1b9fb1f763.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Temporary Ashram Residents", "chunk_data": "So we also welcome those who desire to come for shorter periods for one or two years, whether they come with the purpose of later permanently joining the ashram family, or whether because of their other circumstances or obligations they can only be with us temporarily. These of course are not expected to make any decision as regards property or marriage, but share for the time being in the common life of the family.", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "The ashram welcomed temporary residents for one or two years without requiring decisions about property or marriage.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Community", "Ashram Life" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "1921. The Christukula Ashram", "page_numbers": [ 325 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00349-92218af94a1b9fb1f763.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Four-Year Membership Discernment", "chunk_data": "In any case we felt we should not ask any to make a decision to join permanently until they have been at the ashram for at least four years. We also hope and expect that after having been in the ashram for one year, some may be led to definitely enlist themselves as probationers, i.e., those who are trying their", "time": { "start_year": 1921, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1921, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1921 AD" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [], "event": "The ashram required at least four years before permanent membership and envisioned one-year residents becoming probationers.", "tags": [ "Religion", "Community", "Membership" ] } } ] }