‘Christian Sannyāsa: Dual Belonging or a Bridge too far?’

The French Catholic priest Henri Le Saux (1910 – 1973, later known as Swami Abhishiktananda), presents an interesting case-study in dual-belonging. Theologically formed in the early 20thcentury to see Hinduism and other religions as presenting a ‘lesser truth’ than that found in Christianity, he would have his categories swept aside by an encounter with the ageing mystic seer Ramana Maharshi (1879 – 1952) in Tamil Nadu in the 1950s. The rest of Le Saux’s life and ministry was spent subsequently trying to reconcile these two visions: of traditional Roman Catholicism and advaita Hinduism. The chapter looks at the possibility of Christian sannyāsa concentrating on the life and writings of Le Saux. It begins with a summary of the understanding and meaning of sannyāsa within its Indian context before analysing the life and teachings of the Swami, reflecting on the theological implications of his work for both Christians and Hindus alike. It concludes with a critique of his position from the contemporary standpoint before essaying the possibilities of this form of life within the Christian context based upon conversations and interviews with contemporary Indian Christian practitioners.