Text to Tech: Bridging the Hermeneutical Gap in Hindu Theological Education through Mobile Learning
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Abstract:
Background of study: The global higher education landscape is undergoing profound disruption due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, demanding comprehensive integration of digital technology. Hindu religious education faces unique challenges in bridging the gap between complex ancient sacred texts and the learning styles of Generation Z students. Limited physical access to Purana literature at IAHN Tampung Penyang Palangka Raya exacerbates this challenge.
Aims: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness, obstacles, and transformative impact of implementing the Śiva Purāṇa mobile application as a digital learning medium. The scope of the study includes pedagogical, technical, and academic cultural analysis in the context of religious higher education.
Methods: The research uses a qualitative descriptive design with a case study approach. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with lecturers and students, and document analysis during one academic semester. Data analysis was conducted using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña.
Results: The implementation proved effective, characterized by high user acceptance and a shift in learning culture. The application successfully overcame the obstacle of physical book scarcity, changed classroom interaction patterns to be more dialectical, and supported the ubiquitous learning model.
Conclusion: The digitization of sacred texts through the “Text to Tech” approach is not merely a modernization of tools, but a vital hermeneutical bridge that democratizes access to theological knowledge without diminishing its sacredness.
Keywords: Digital Hinduism, Digital Transformation , Hindu Religious Education , Mobile Learning , Śiva Purāṇa
Copyright (c) 2026 I Ketut Agus Muliana, I Kadek Suartama
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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