Dictionary

Brahmanism en · PROPN

Etymology

From brahman + -ism or brahmin + -ism. Introduced in 1816 as Brahmenism by George S. Faber (OED).

Meanings

1. The principles and religious practice of the Brahmins, aspects of Hinduism as practiced by the Brahmin caste of India.
2. Historical Vedic ritualism, contrasted with Shramana traditions.
   • Alongside Brahmanism was the non-Aryan Shramanic culture with its roots going back to prehistoric times. 1972, Cromwell Crawford, review of L. M. Joshi, Brahmanism, Buddhism and Hinduism, Philosophy East and West
3. The conduct or attitudes ascribed to the social or cultural elite within a given society.
   • I am sorry to say that I have found it uphill and exasperating work trying to impose Joyce on such “intellectual” people, or people whose opinion carries weight as I know, in London. … There is a strong body of critical Brahminism, destructive and conservative in temper, which will not have Joyce. July 9, 1919, letter from T.S. Eliot to John Quinn

Forms

Translations (2)

fi brahmalaisuus (principles and religious practice of Brahmins) · fi brahmalaisuus (Vedic ritualism)