Evaluate and analyse the contributions of Ramakrishna to the modern development of Hinduism?

For him, there was no one truth. It is the desire to want God that is most important, even more so than the practises of a particular religion. Ramakrishna’s school of though allowed Hindu’s to explore the more mystical and liberal side of Hinduism. It was these ideas that inspired many of his disciples to spread and reinforce many of these beliefs.  

A key disciple was known as Vivekenanda. He became instrumental in bringing Hindu, and specifically , teachings to Western civilization. It was him who implemented nearly all of Ramakrishna’s ideas and was the one who promoted his project.  In 1881, Vivekenenda met Sri Ramakrishna, and shortly thereafter set aside his plans for a legal career and became a sannyasin. Following Ramakrishna's mahasamadhi (final union with God) in 1886, Vivekenanda embarked on a pilgrimage across India, speaking on Vedanta and inspiring thousands of people about what he had learned mainly from Ramakrishna, In 1893, Vivekenanda went to represent Hindus at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, which opened the West to Vedanta and initiated a worldwide interest in Eastern philosophy. His message to the west stated that every religion was true and thus attempted to unite every kind of belief.  He later helped found the  in India and the first Vedanta centres in America and England. This centre devoted itself to social work and relief of suffering and spreading its religious message.  

Another major contribution that Ramakrishna made to the modern development of Hinduism was through Vivekennanda. Yoga made its way to America officially in the 1890's when Swami Vivekenanda addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. It was here, that the west became aware of yoga whether as a meditative or a physical concept.  

Overall much of what Ramakrishna said was not new. His ideas were already present in the religious scriptures such as the Upanishads and Vedas. However, it was his intense spirituality that had a deep impact on everyone he came into contact with, often producing some form of spiritual experience for them. This enhanced development of Hinduism by putting an emphasis onto the mystical link and unity between all religions,. Ramakrishna made a contribution to Hinduism by offering his idea to the Indian and Western community at a time of much needed reform and modernisation for Hindu teachings to survive.

Discuss to what extent if any his contribution enhances development of Hinduism?

Today there are Vedanta centres , and the Ramakrishna Order is the largest spiritual organization in India. These organisations promote Ramakrishna teachings of bhakti and liberation through yoga. To some extent, many would argue although these ideas have not directly affected Hinduism they are a foundation for changes in the future. For example if a Hindu developed his mystical side and practised bhakti worshipped. This would lead to the natural eliminatation of the caste system and ones ego since everything was a manifestation of God and class struggle no longer exists. Thus achieving liberation.

        To a large extent, another feature of his contribution that has enhanced the development of Hinduism is his “middle way” approach. The idea that all religions are connected has an academic appeal for the western minded. It is almost as if his ideas can be easily packaged to meet the western mind. This can be explained by the fact that the west has become more increasingly a multi cultural society and thus Ramakrishna’s ideas fit into this kind of society. His ideas allow for a society with many different beliefs and ideas to live in harmony and spiritual union together since according to Ramakrishna every path is a path to God.  Ideas such as these have allowed Hinduism to be seen from a liberal frame of mind and consequently surviving the attacks of western influence

        However this can be argued by the fact that Ramakrishna’s main idea that all religions in essence are the same has failed to appeal to many followers of theistic beliefs. Such a view reduces the Judeao Christian God to the status of either a deceptive being making claims as to there being "No other God before me" or a misguided deity unaware that He is in fact simply an illusory emanation. At this point Ramakrishna may resort to explaining his experience as just a personal one and not a universal one unlike Moses or Jesus. For these and other reasons this theory of unanimity has been found to do little justification to the modern enhancement of Hinduism.  

To a large extent there are areas of Hinduism that Ramakrishna contributed more significantly too than others. For example, without the inspiration or influence from him, Vivekendanda would not have been able to put Hinduism and its main principles at the forefront with other leading religions. Thus ideas such as Yoga and the need for liberation would not have been introduced into the western world without Vivekennda. This has allowed Hinduism to develop further and evolve over time to suit many different followers and their own beliefs.

        In conclusion I feel that Ramakrishna to a large extent has made little contribution towards enhancing the development of Hinduism, mainly as most of his ideas have failed to reform Hindu thinking. Furthermore, from a Brahmin perspective I believe that his ideas undermine the superiority of Hindu teachings. Although he stated that Hinduism was the mother of all religions, he did not actively promote Hindusim or enhance its own development. More significantly Ramakrishna himself did not affect Hinduism but instead it was his disciple Vivekenanda who put forward theory unanimity.