Hinduism is such an ancient religion that it had many types of beliefs and religious practices. Hinduism is composed of innumerable sects and has no welldefined ecclesiastical organization. List of books and articles about hinduism online research. A brief introduction to hinduism augsburg fortress. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You will get your 1st month of bartleby for free when you bundle with these textbooks where solutions are.
Purists refer to it more as sanatana dharma the eternal pathlaw rather than a religion, as it is believed to be a virtuous way of life. But how is hinduism defined, and what basis does the. Hinduism is the worlds oldest extant religion, and with more than a billion followers, it is also the worlds third largest religion. This book is a very good introduction for someone who knows little about the subject and would like to learn more, however for someone who does know a something about. Plus easytounderstand solutions written by experts for thousands of other textbooks. Early hinduism hinduism is a synthesis of the religion brought into india by the aryans c. Varun soni, dean of religious life at the university of southern california, discusses the goals and beliefs of hinduism, the third largest religion in the world. Since 1979 the international magazine hinduism today has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of sanatana dharma. Introduction to hinduism magazine web edition aprilmay. But how is hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have. A very short introduction to the religion of hinduism. A very short introduction 2e very short introductions 2 by knott, kim isbn. Hinduism is a religion that originated in the indian subcontinent. It also contains a full bibliography of all literature.
A comprehensive overview of the worlds oldest religion. Every hindu s goal is to have their soul be united with brahma after several cycles of reincarnation. It is also the most complex in its philosophy and practices and difficult to understand. They were passed on from generation to generation orally for centuries before they were. This book, though small in size, addresses many themes that are. The latter offers extracts from classical and modern sources paralleling and supporting the short introduction. This introduction to hinduism begins by raising the question of how different starting points influence the way hinduism is perceived and understood.
Divali the ganges river banaras hindus holy city sacred cow. Introduction to hindusim belief oprah winfrey network. The guru in hinduism is a person who instructs others in religious matters and worship. The basic scriptures of hinduism, which are collectively referred to as shastras, are essentially a collection of spiritual laws discovered by different saints and sages at different points in its long history. Oxfords very short introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from islam to sociology, politics to classics, and literary theory to history. Hinduismintroduction wikibooks, open books for an open.
Guided by the founder, satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami, the magazines editors, who are initiated monks of the kauais hindu monastery, collaborated with holy men and women and experts around the world in creating graphically rich guides to virtually. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 543 ce, it covered much of the indian subcontinent. Online books on hinduism, hindu religion, hindu culture, shastras, hindu scripture, vedas, upanishad, hindu saints, sages, science and hinduism. Hinduism is practised by eighty per cent of indias population, and by thirty million people outside india.
Each tradition has a long list of hindu texts, with subgenre based on syncretization of ideas from samkhya, nyaya, yoga, vedanta and other schools of hindu philosophy. The hindu philosophy sarvadeva namaskara kesavamprathi gattchathi means that you can worship in any way or form you choose, for all are true paths that lead to god. You need to read a low level introductory book that nevertheless gives a decent overview of hinduism. Engaging and accessible, this book will appeal to laypersons and scholars alike as the most comprehensive introduction to hinduism yet published. Hindus as well as hindus who are living in the west, an introduction to the faith. Find out more see the full list of titles currently available. This leading textbook for world religions is now available in a more concise version. Hinduism today magazine founder, satguru sivaya subramuniyaswami 19272001, well understood the challenges that all religions face in todays world, whether from outside or within. A collection of handselected books on hinduism, chosen on the basis of apparent usefulness and quality. Two types of sacred writings comprise the hindu scriptures. For these reasons alone, this introduction to hinduism was inevitable. Klaus k klostermaier presenting hinduism as a living religion and explaining the variety of practices, scriptures and philosophies that make up what is known as hinduism, this study describes the history and development.
Hinduism is the religion of the majority of people in india and nepal. Online books on hinduism, hindu religion, hindu culture. Pdf hinduism a very short introduction download full. Considered so holy that there are no cults devoted to it. Also known as sanatana dharma or the eternal law, hinduism took birth in the indian subcontinent thousands of years ago and is still followed by more.
Klaus k klostermaier this book is a clear, accessible and comprehensive presentation of hinduism as a living faith, a religion that boasts over 800 million adherents. A very short introduction admirably attempts to do. A very short introduction is indeed very short, perhaps too short to do more than scratch to surface of a topic as complex and varied as the religion of hinduism. A very short introduction ebook written by kim knott. It is not based on a set of dogmas preached by a particular set of teachers. Hinduismintroduction wikibooks, open books for an open world.
Challenging western postmodernist models, asian survey 33 1993. Hinduism as both a global religion and a form of nationalism are discussed. The hindu religion is the oldest religion of the five major religions, which are islam, christianity, judaism, buddhism, and hinduism major world religions, 2006. After reading this book you can take it to the next level and explore further hinduism or,if you choose not, you can rest assured that the basic knowledge you. What would be the best books to read, if i want to learn.
The book introduces the main topics about hinduism and is. A very short introduction by kim knott available from. Hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of indias population, and by some seventy million people outside india. Feb 24, 2000 hinduism is practised by eighty per cent of indias population, and by thirty million people outside india. The books are concise introductions to particular subjects, intended for a general audience but written by experts. In this very short introduction, kim knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of hindus and hinduism, and considers the ways in which it has been affected by colonialism and modernity. Flood traces the development of hindu traditions from ancient. This book by jayaram v presents a thorough and scholarly understanding of the basic and essential aspects of hinduism from. Most hindus believe all humans and living creatures possess a soul, which is a reflection of god, and that the soul is reincarnated over many lifetimes. This volume looks at the antiquity, definition and significance of hinduism, its scriptures, main beliefs, methods of worship, gods and goddesses and way of life.
Offers a succinct and accessible introduction to one of the worlds major religions. The flow of hinduism can be divided roughly into major periods of change and development. Klostermaiers a short introduction to hinduism after reading kim knotts hinduism a very short introduction. You will have to read a lot to understand hinduism. Hinduism has been described as a tradition having a complex, organic, multileveled and sometimes internally inconsistent nature. In this very short introduction, kim knott combines a succinct and authoritative overview of a major religion with an analysis of the challenges facing it in the twentieth century. It considers the impact of changes in technology, flourishing social media, and the challenges facing it in. The ancient indians were not interested in history as such, which is simply the records of kings and merchants written by the victors. She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism such as the centrality of the veda as religious. A very short introduction offers an overview of this major religion, discussing key topics such as the centrality of the veda as religious texts, the role of brahmins, gurus, and storytellers in the transmission of divine truths, and the cultural and moral importance of epics such as the ramayana. May 25, 2009 a very short introduction to the religion of hinduism. A short introduction oneworld short guides klostermaier, klaus k. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read hinduism.
Flood traces the development of hindu traditions from ancient origins and the major deities to the modern world. Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias population, and by ab. A very short introduction very short introductions book online at best prices in india on. The canon of books and poems that define hinduism were written in sanskrit and are of ancient origin. Otherwise you will have difficulty in understanding hindu. Around 1750 bc aryan invaders from central asia settled in north west india and introduced their own religious.
In this very short introduction, kim knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of hindus and hinduism, and considers the ways in which it has been. Very short introductions vsi are a book series published by the oxford university press oup. Hinduism is also known by the names sanatanadharmaand vaidikadharma. All are available for purchase on click book images for details. In this very short introduction, kim knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of this major religion, and analyses the challenges facing it in the twentyfirst century. In this very short introduction, kim knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of hindus and hinduism, and considers the ways in. Excellent introduction to hinduism indeed a very short, but still excellent introduction to hinduism. These pocketsized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly.
Hinduism introduction part 2 hinduism introduction. Hinduism is the oldest living religions of the world. This book by jayaram v presents a thorough and scholarly understanding of the basic and essential aspects of hinduism from both historical and theological perspectives. Hindu scriptures comprise a vast corpus of literature. The philosophical maxims of vedic literature have stood the test of time, and the vedas form the highest religious authority for all aspects of hinduism and are a. Hinduism teaches that there is no particular way or book to reach god or heaven.
An introduction to hinduism is a highly readable and authoritative conspectus on this great religionan introduction to hinduism will surely find a much wider audience, for scholars of comparative religion, indologists, and nonspecialists in their distinctive ways will certainly find this handsome book well worth reading. This book is a very good introduction for someone who knows little about the subject and would like to learn more, however for someone who does know a something about hinduism and would like to learn more it is a little. Hinduism is a conglomeration of religious, philosophical, and cultural ideals and practices that originated in india thousands of years before the birth of christ. Hinduism is the oldest of all religions practised in the todays world. This period is considered as the golden age of india by some historians. In this very short introduction, kim knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of hinduism and its key beliefs. She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism such as the centrality of the veda as religious texts, the role of brahmin. Oprah winfrey network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Hinduism is an ancient religion with diverse traditions such as vaishnavism, shaivism, shaktism and others. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. A very short introduction and millions of other books are available for instant access. This book is written by a westerner who is a practicing hindu, to give non.
Hinduism is a religion from the indian subcontinent. Kandiah sivaloganathans a brief introduction to hinduism, is a handy tool for all those who yearn to understand the philosophy behind one of the worlds oldest religions hinduism. It is also the most complex in terms of its philosophy and practices and difficult to understand. It is generally believed to have originated around 2000 bc to 1500 bc. A very short introduction kim knott oxford university.
So immense in variety is the hindu tradition and so. Covers all aspects of hinduism its key texts, beliefs. It is the oldest practised religion in the world and has the third largest following after christianity and islam. Hinduism is not born of the teachings of particular prophets. Discover a new topic or subject with these intelligent and serious introductions written by authors who are experts in their field. I found an introduction to hindusim a fascinating read, so much so that i found myself staying up past my bedtime to finish it. They are the original scriptures of hindu teachings, containing spiritual knowledge encompassing all aspects of life. Patrick peritore, environmental attitudes of indian elites. Free ebooks an introduction to hinduism introduction to.
This book provides a muchneeded thematic and historical introduction to hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in india. The gupta empire was an ancient indian empire existing from the midtolate 3rd century ce to 543 ce. Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias population, and by about 30 million people outside india. Its purpose is to give an over view with as few technical terms as possible and without too much detail. In this second edition she considers new issues facing hindus such as the politicization of hinduism in india, the increasing impact of hindu nationalism, and the rise and fall of sectarian hindu movements. Religionfacts does not necessarily endorse the contents of these books. A very short introduction and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Provides a clear, wellorganized, concise overview of the history, religious practices, gods, philosophical schools, and of various other aspects of hinduism. Its interesting to note that the book noted hinduism is the oldest religion in the world. Introduction hinduism stands for the faith and the way of life most of the people who live in india. Very short introductions discover vsis from oxford now online. Discovering the true source of happiness intro to advaita vedanta part 1 duration. Many of the features of introduction to world religions are retained in this volume but with focus on the religious traditions themselves. Hinduism introductions, anthologies and dictionaries.
The hindu religion is filled with traditions and beliefs closely linked with other practices such as meditation and yoga. Klostermaier, 9781851681631, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The book introduces the main topics about hinduism and is dense in content. Hinduism flows from the misty past some 6000 to 7000 years ago. Hinduism does not have a unified system of belief encoded in a declaration of faith or a creed, but is rather an umbrella term comprising the plurality of religious phenomena of india. It also exists among significant populations outside of the sub continent and has over 900 million. Very short introductions discover vsis from oxford now. Jul, 1996 this book provides a muchneeded thematic and historical introduction to hinduism, the religion of the majority of people in india. Part of the very short introductions series from the oxford university press, this is an authoritative overview of the religion with analyses of the. Introduction to hinduism varun soni, dean of religious life at the university of southern california, discusses the goals and beliefs of hinduism, the third largest religion in the world. Its two most general features are the caste system and acceptance of the veda as the most sacred scriptures. A very short introduction very short introductions. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative yet always balanced discussions of the central issues in a given.
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