Reading your comments, two reactions to mind (as conveyed first below) followed by a response.
1. If idea of unity is seen as a challenge within Hinduism and possibly stunting its full expression, such a lack of unity can be seen among other religions too (In terms of visible, and a few times, violent, among the various denominations within such religions). May I add - disputes are present even among Physicists too 😂. Presence of disputes is a natural outcome within any domain but the key question is not whether disputes happen but how they are resolved. And resolution is based on a common framework of priori truths (say, those contained within the Vedas), then we should be fine with disputes too - presence of disputes does not negate unity. To add - physical congregation of the kind we see at the Ram temple or the Kumbh Mela across all denominations within Hinduism also may be seen as an expression of congregational unity - can it not?
2. How do we understand the term "inclusivity"? The Hindu idea of inclusivity (unlike other religions) is a kind of inclusivity that is aligned to Truth. That is why it is always common in any commentary written to Hindu Gurus to include lines from Bible, Quran, Lao Tze, Milepa and even from modern Science. If we reflect on Advaitic inclusivism, it gives space to Vishishtha, Dwaita and other expressions except placing them in the form of a hierarchy of thought - and in the realm of thought, nothing is excluded, as it should be.
The problem statement is therefore absence of consensus on definition of Hinduism - and this remains a gap. Open any webpage that attempts to define Hinduism and the differences in definition of basics of Hinduism are visible to all. Instead of vacillating between a binary of "Hinduism exists" (but keep the definition ambiguous or keep it a free for all) or "Hinduism does not exist", given the way the world is organized, it may be sensible to attempt to work out a common definition and work to get consensus among all Hindus rather than throw baby out of the bathwater.
Let me put forth a definition (not as a scholar but as a practitioner) as a starting point for further deliberation - it is important to use our own terminology instead of translating everything. I believe this definition can be acceptable to all denominations within Hinduism too as a starting point (apologies for poor language which is owing to my own knowledge limitations):
1. Brahma Chaitanyam is the only Truth - nothing else exists. Both masculine (representing Sat and Chit) and feminine (representing Ananda) are comprised within this Truth.
2. Universe or Vishwa is an expression of Brahma Chaitanyam. Diversity comes from interplay of Triguna and Pancha Bhuta present within Mula Prakriti (primordial raw material) projected by Brahma Chaitanya
3. Every object, visible or invisible, living or non-living, is imbued with Brahma Chaitanyam.
4. Universe runs on principle of Dharma, Karma and Devata Vyavastha. Presence of Avidya keeps beings from living life connected to their own Brahma Chaitanya.
5. Yoga provides the way to remain connected with Brahma Chaitanyam while engaging with the world of experiences.
I am sure every Hindu denomination will not have a problem to align with the above. Additionally, each denomination may have sub-points that take the above and add their own nuance/ speciality/ approach. Unity in Diversity....
The above definition will be both a uniting aspect of all strands of Hinduism but equally, will distinguish Hinduism from other religions (or domains) quite clearly. Time has come (and probably gone) to work towards arriving at a common consensus definition and once this is flashed in all web-pages, books, etc and drilled into from childhood, the 300-year old problems that you have indicated will hopefully get set aside.
Reading your comments, two reactions to mind (as conveyed first below) followed by a response.
1. If idea of unity is seen as a challenge within Hinduism and possibly stunting its full expression, such a lack of unity can be seen among other religions too (In terms of visible, and a few times, violent, among the various denominations within such religions). May I add - disputes are present even among Physicists too 😂. Presence of disputes is a natural outcome within any domain but the key question is not whether disputes happen but how they are resolved. And resolution is based on a common framework of priori truths (say, those contained within the Vedas), then we should be fine with disputes too - presence of disputes does not negate unity. To add - physical congregation of the kind we see at the Ram temple or the Kumbh Mela across all denominations within Hinduism also may be seen as an expression of congregational unity - can it not?
2. How do we understand the term "inclusivity"? The Hindu idea of inclusivity (unlike other religions) is a kind of inclusivity that is aligned to Truth. That is why it is always common in any commentary written to Hindu Gurus to include lines from Bible, Quran, Lao Tze, Milepa and even from modern Science. If we reflect on Advaitic inclusivism, it gives space to Vishishtha, Dwaita and other expressions except placing them in the form of a hierarchy of thought - and in the realm of thought, nothing is excluded, as it should be.
The problem statement is therefore absence of consensus on definition of Hinduism - and this remains a gap. Open any webpage that attempts to define Hinduism and the differences in definition of basics of Hinduism are visible to all. Instead of vacillating between a binary of "Hinduism exists" (but keep the definition ambiguous or keep it a free for all) or "Hinduism does not exist", given the way the world is organized, it may be sensible to attempt to work out a common definition and work to get consensus among all Hindus rather than throw baby out of the bathwater.
Let me put forth a definition (not as a scholar but as a practitioner) as a starting point for further deliberation - it is important to use our own terminology instead of translating everything. I believe this definition can be acceptable to all denominations within Hinduism too as a starting point (apologies for poor language which is owing to my own knowledge limitations):
1. Brahma Chaitanyam is the only Truth - nothing else exists. Both masculine (representing Sat and Chit) and feminine (representing Ananda) are comprised within this Truth.
2. Universe or Vishwa is an expression of Brahma Chaitanyam. Diversity comes from interplay of Triguna and Pancha Bhuta present within Mula Prakriti (primordial raw material) projected by Brahma Chaitanya
3. Every object, visible or invisible, living or non-living, is imbued with Brahma Chaitanyam.
4. Universe runs on principle of Dharma, Karma and Devata Vyavastha. Presence of Avidya keeps beings from living life connected to their own Brahma Chaitanya.
5. Yoga provides the way to remain connected with Brahma Chaitanyam while engaging with the world of experiences.
I am sure every Hindu denomination will not have a problem to align with the above. Additionally, each denomination may have sub-points that take the above and add their own nuance/ speciality/ approach. Unity in Diversity....
The above definition will be both a uniting aspect of all strands of Hinduism but equally, will distinguish Hinduism from other religions (or domains) quite clearly. Time has come (and probably gone) to work towards arriving at a common consensus definition and once this is flashed in all web-pages, books, etc and drilled into from childhood, the 300-year old problems that you have indicated will hopefully get set aside.