| dc.description.abstract | The objective of this study is to exam me the religious motive of the Socio-economic
activities of the Arya Samaji in Nairobi. Lack of information explaining the
basis of these activities has led to distrust and suspicion by outsiders regarding the
underlying motive beneath them. In part, due to the Arya Samaj' s exclusiveness,
outsiders do receive benevolence with suspicion - benevolence and exclusiveness
appear to be contradictory. This study examines the religious motive of these activities
with the hope that this may generate information that may lead to a better
understanding of the benevolence.
Understanding this motive entailed: investigating the basic tenets of the Arya
Samaj as they relate with charity; examining the socio-economic activities of the Arya
Samaj in Nairobi and identifying the religious correlates of the Arya Samaj' s
benevolence. Hypothetically, it was assumed that commitment to charity is
necessitated by political, social and economic environments. Conversely, it is based
on fulfilling religious duties. Using Streng's theory of the relation of religiousness to - cultural situations, this study concerns itself with the socio-cultural modes of
expressing religious phenomena by the Arya Samajists. It relates the dynamics of
religious awareness to social life and conceptual formulations. It therefore attempts to
correlate the devotees' social expression of religious experience with social
compassion.
Collection of this kind. of data entailed the use of certain methodologies.
Firstly, the use of secondary sources helped to shed light on the background
information regarding the Arya Samaj. Secondly, understanding the activities of the
community required the author to examine specific concrete phenomena using direct
observation. Thirdly, the author used participant observation approach to acquire first
hand information on the way some of the facilities are actually utilized by the public
for instance the sports facilities. Fourthly, ethnographic interview method (in-depth
interviews) was employed for. gathering of in-depth information. Lastly, a
questionnaire was administered to those respondents who were not in a position to be
engaged in ethnographic interviews. The data was recorded in a small notebook and
also on tape. The study employed qualitative methods of data analysis with the
correlation between various variables being derived from the number of responses.
The findings of this study identified four spiritual correlates of the Arya
Samaj's acts of charity. Firstly, the Pandit was correlated with charity. He positively
influences the laity to participate in charity. Secondly, the Arya Samaj symbol was
correlated with benevolence. High level involvement in charity signifies conformity to
the symbol. Thirdly, the community's doctrine is conducive to the adepts
participation in social compassion. Those committed to the doctrine are more likely to
take a stand consonant with the welfare of others than the marginally committed
members. Fourthly, participation in charity is one way of expressing the faithfuls
commitment to the community's ethical code as well as an implementation of the
divine will.
This study has contributed a lot to knowledge by enhancing an understanding of
the motive beneath the charitable acts of the Arya Samaj. By and large, they tend to
be based on and motivated by the community's religious ideals. There seems to be no
ulterior motive. This may be the case with other Asian groups.
In spite of this observation, a lot still needs to be done on the Arya Samaj.
Firstly, initiative should be taken to translate the community's literature from Hindi
into English. Secondly, there is need for facilitating seminars and possibly courses
tailored to enhance a pnor understanding of various oriental heritages to potential
researchers.
Thirdly, it may be desirable for potential researchers to adopt a comparative
approach that may extend in either time or space as the situation may possibly demand.
Spatial comparison may entail studying the Arya Samaj in Nairobi and comparing with
other branches in the country for instance Mombasa or even with others outside the
country. The former entails comparing the Arya Samaj today and a few years or
decades back. Fourthly, potential researchers may wish to examine how the different
Asian communities have co-existed in Nairobi.
In conclusion, it can be stated that any oversights emerging from the delivery of
charity notwithstanding, the Samaj I s acts of chari ty are spiritually motivated. | |
