Hinduism A Cultural Perspective

The reference provides an overview of the Hindu religious tradition and describes the essence of the Hindu vision of reality. Provides a historical and analytical discussion of Hindu mythology, art, rituals, and social structure; gives extended portraits of important Hindu thinkers and saints; offers a fuller picture of the role of women in the Hindu religious tradition; shows how the concepts of Dharama and Moksha conflict with one another and how the Hindu tradition insists upon both concepts as essential in fulfilling human destiny. A valuable reference for courses in Asian Religion, Theology, and Asian Philosophy.

Foreword

xi

Preface

xii

PART I. AN OVERVIEW OF THE HINDU TRADITION

1

(82)

Introduction: Varanasi

2

(9)

History

11

(44)

Historical Outline

11

(14)

The Formative Period (2500--800 B.C.E.)

11

(2)

The Speculative Period (800--400 B.C.E.)

13

(2)

The Epic and Classical Periods (400 B.C.E.--600 C.E.)

15

(3)

The Medieval Period (600--1800 C.E.)

18

(4)

The Modern Period (1800 to the Present)

22

(3)

Historical Scenes

25

(14)

Introduction

25

(2)

The Ramayana

27

(5)

The Mahabharata

32

(2)

The Bhagavad Gita

34

(2)

Yudhishthira's Dilemma

36

(3)

Historical Figures

39

(16)

Introduction

39

(1)

Chaitanya

40

(7)

Ramana Maharshi

47

(8)

Dissent within the Hindu Religious Tradition

55

(12)

Introduction

55

(4)

Examples of Dissenting Movements

59

(8)

The Virashaivas

59

(4)

Left-Handed Tantrism

63

(4)

Hinduism and the Arts

67

(16)

Introduction: Art as Revelation

67

(4)

Illustrations of Hindu Art

71

(12)

Two Hindu Temples

71

(8)

Kangra Paintings of Radha and Krishna

79

(4)

PART II. AN ANALYSIS OF THE HINDU TRADITION

83

(104)

Central Hindu Beliefs

84

(27)

Introduction

84

(12)

Karma and Samsara

85

(1)

Dharma: The Temporal Perspective

86

(3)

Moksha: The Eternal Perspective

89

(4)

Reconciliations

93

(3)

Representative Thinkers

96

(15)

Shankara

96

(6)

Gandhi

102

(9)

Worship in the Hindu Tradition

111

(18)

Introduction

111

(6)

Examples of Worship in Hinduism

117

(12)

The Rajasuya Ceremony

117

(6)

Common Worship of the Goddess

123

(6)

Sacred Female Imagery and Women's Religious Experience in Hinduism

129

(23)

Goddesses

129

(5)

The Role of Women

134

(7)

Women's Spirituality

141

(10)

Conclusion

151

(1)

Hindu Social Structure

152

(24)

Introduction

152

(9)

Examples of the Caste System

161

(15)

The Havik Brahmins of Mysore

161

(8)

The Pilgrimage to Pandharpur

169

(7)

Symbols and Structures: A Concluding Analysis

176

(11)

Glossary

187

(3)

Bibliography

190

(5)

Index

195

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Hinduism A Cultural Perspective

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