But how is hinduism defined, and what basis does the. One can believe a wide variety of things about god, the universe and the path to liberation and still be considered a hindu. One can believe a variety of things about god, the universe and the path to liberation and still be considered a hindu. She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism 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 importance of epics. Hinduism is practised by nearly 80 per cent of indias population, and around 70 million people outside india. It has no founder, no uniform dogma, no hierarchical priesthood, no direct revelation, and no rigidly described moral code. A very short introduction very short introductions the vedas.
So if after reading it, you have not been satisfied, then please ask one of the meditation teachers or one of the monks. Hinduism is widely practiced in south asia mainly in india and nepal. It also contains a full bibliography of all literature referred to. A religious medallion and chain, often an image of the hindus favorite deity. When i was in india in late 1990s for a business trip, indian people and their living were very shocking to a ignorant foreigner like me. It is rather hinduisms, because there isnt one religion called hinduism, but there is a multiplicity of religions within what we call hinduism, a parliament of religions. Read the slides to answer the questions on the sheet in front of you.
Hinduism a very short introduction pdf epub download. It took me a long time to wade through it, but i learned a great deal. In spite of its humble title a very short introduction, it is over ambitious to cover various aspects of hinduism religious tenets, history, the title was much engaging and enticing. This is a short description of the basics of vedic culture and its philosophy. Hinduism flows from the misty past some 6000 to 7000 years ago. It is generally believed to have originated around 2000 bc to 1500 bc. Jul, 1996 excellent and very scholarly introduction to hinduism, though to tell the truth it was a bit dense for a beginner. Hinduism embraces a great diversity of beliefs, a fact that can be initially confusing to westerners accustomed to creeds, confessions, and carefullyworded belief statements.
Many people do not know quite what it is, and it is often described incorrectly by many who are not a part of it. Buddhism in a very small nutshell the life of the buddha the buddha was born an ordinary. A very short introduction very short introductions comedy. Hinduism a brief overview of the development of hinduism. Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias population, and by about 30 million people outside india.
Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias population, and by about 30 million people. Hinduism is defined and described in a variety of ways, as the following items indicate. 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. Introduction to hinduism hindus in the west are sometimes invited to give a talk explaining their religion at a local college, schoolroom, interfaith group or even a christian church. Scholars regard hinduism as a combination of different indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots. Hinduism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. Below we offer a pdf which you may download and print out. Introduction to hinduism presbyterian mission agency.
This book by jayaram v presents a thorough and scholarly understanding of the basic and essential aspects of hinduism from. A very short introduction very short introductions study guide questions and answers. Hinduismintroduction wikibooks, open books for an open world. We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us. The process by which hinduism came to be constituted as an object of european study is often taken to be the most egregious example of the invention of a religion through the reification of.
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. The flow of hinduism can be divided roughly into major periods of change and development. In this very short introduction, kim knott combines a. The first stage is that of the student, where one learns to lead a disciplined, pure life, devoted to the acquisition of knowledge, to. Very basic introduction tovery basic introduction to hinduism.
The short historyprovides a chronological overview of the development of hinduism from its beginnings till now. Hinduism embraces a diversity of beliefs, a fact that can be initially confusing to westerners accustomed to creeds, confessions, and carefullyworded belief statements. This very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to the integration of buddhism into daily life. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non. Hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of indias population, and by some seventy million people outside india. 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 it is the oldest practised religion in the world and has the third largest following after christianity and islam it has over a billion practising followers, 90% of whom live in south. You may also copy the text from the web page to format for.
Hinduism is the oldest of all religions practised in the todays world. Even those who are quite familiar with hinduism could undoubtedly profit from reading it. The latter offers extracts from classical and modern sources paralleling and supporting the short introduction. 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. A very short introduction very short introductions kafka. Summary of hinduism beliefs meaning of name hinduism, from the persian hindu sanskrit sindhu, literally river. Religion in africa is multifaceted and has been a major influence on art, culture and philosophy. Today, hindu communities are to be found in almost every country on earth. Oct 18, 2015 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. Introduction to hinduism 9 to enable people to pursue these four goals, hinduism recognizes four stages of a persons life. These symbols, evolved by a very ancient civilisation, were assimilated by the aryan immigrants in slow stages their earliest literary work, the. The vedas are composed in a form of archaic sanskrit and are traditionally. A very short introduction very short introductions the hebrew bible as literature.
Comparing and contrasting hinduism with christianity. For more on syndicated hinduism see romila thapars syndicated hinduism in g. A very short introduction very short introductions discussion and chapter questions and find buddhism. There is a huge pantheon of hindu gods and goddesses, although the educated hindus with whom i spoke generally viewed the hindu deities as representing different aspects of one supreme. A very short introduction kim knott oxford university. The earliest and best known reference to the introduction of christianity to. History and gods ultimate guide to the hindu religion, gods, rituals and beliefs hinduism beliefs and practices book 1 an introduction to hinduism introduction to religion hinduism. 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. Hinduism middle school world history and world geography. A very short introduction by damien keown words such as karma and nirvana have entered our vocabulary, but do we really understand their meaning. 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.
Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias. Very short introductions publisher series librarything. The tendency to overlook this diversity is the common first step to a faulty perception of the religion. Hinduismintroduction wikibooks, open books for an open. Items added to this series should be moved to the series a very short introduction. It is also the most complex in its philosophy and practices and difficult to understand. Hinduism, and the various systems of hindu thought. A very short introduction to the religion of hinduism. Norman solomons succinct audiobook is an ideal introduction to judaism as a religion and way of life. A very short introduction very short introductions the ancient near east. Hindus are a collection of liturgical and sacrificial verses called the vedas. 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. Written and assembled from sources by stephen knapp. Both hinduism and judaism represent a long evolution of complex.
Vedic hinduism is a contradiction in terminis since vedic religion is very different from what we generally call hindu religion, at least as much old hebrew religion is from medieval and modern christian religion. It is a very complex system with many different and even contradictory belief systems within itself and hence i prefer hinduisms. Hinduism is also known by the names sanatanadharmaand vaidikadharma. Most of them are very scholarly and recount the doctrines in a clinical manner, sometimes without any insight. In this very onefathom long body, along with its perceptions and thoughts, do i proclaim the world, the origin of the world, the cessation of the world, the path leading to the cessation of the world. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is the third. Posted by admin on march 5, 2008 in hinduism 2 comments. The third edition includes chapters on the origins of hinduism as well as its history of relations with buddhism, christianity, and islam. Hinduism and buddhism a very brief introduction mrs. Today, with about 900 million followers, hinduism is. 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. Mahatma gandhi ebooks, free download gandhi ebooks at one click. Christianity, islam, buddhism, hinduism and judaism. In a very real sense, this grand tradition can be defined and understood as ten thousand faiths gathered in harmony under a single umbrella called hinduism, or sanatana dharma.
Free ebooks an introduction to hinduism introduction to. The creation story also indicates a definite ending to this created order. 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. The key principles, beliefs and concepts of hinduism. Hinduism is practised by eighty per cent of indias population, and by thirty million people outside india. Introduction to hinduism magazine web edition aprilmay.
Sep 30, 2015 hinduism and buddhism a very brief introduction mrs. Christianity offers its followers an explicit account of the creation of the world and of human beings. Hinduism is not born of the teachings of particular prophets. Hinduism is a term used to designate a body of religious and philosophical beliefs indigenous to the indian subcontinent. James lochtefeld the illustrated encyclopedia of hinduism. Comparing and contrasting hinduism with christianity creation. It is the oldest practised religion in the world and has the third largest following after christianity and islam. Forster states in his novel a passage to india, hinduism, so solid from a distance, is riven into sects and clans which redirect and join. Forster states in his novel a passage to india, hinduism, so solid from a. Hinduism in the 20th century and beginning of 21st 2.
A very short introduction very short introductions at. Hinduism and buddhism a very brief introduction youtube. Im going to start todays lesson by reading you a story. Hindu philosophy internet encyclopedia of philosophy. Hinduism is the oldest living religions of the world.
A formal process takes place when a person joins a hindu community. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, and hindus refer to it as sanatana dharma, the eternal tradition, or the eternal way, beyond human history. Key preoccupations of hinduism today include the centrality of the veda as religious texts. In addition to surveying the nature and development of judaism, this very short introduction outlines the basics of practical judaism its festivals, prayers, customs, and various sects. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion, according to many scholars, with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years.
Hinduism is a religion that originated in the indian subcontinent. A very short introduction very short introductions. A short note on the short history of hinduism while it may be that the religious streams now grouped together under the rubric of hinduism are ancient, the word hindu was not applied to them. 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. A very short introduction combines an overview of a major religion with analysis of the challenges facing it in the twentieth century. Unreached people groups who call themselves hindu b. It is not based on a set of dogmas preached by a particular set of teachers. May 25, 2009 a very short introduction to the religion of hinduism. The dhamma the dhamma is good in the beginning, good in the middle and good in the end.
However, vedic religion is treatable as a predecessor of hinduism. In addition to surveying the nature and development of judaism, this very short introduction. A very short introduction is indeed very short, perhaps too short to do more than scratch. Excellent and very scholarly introduction to hinduism, though to tell the truth it was a bit dense for a beginner. Hinduism has existed in africa mainly since the late 19th century. She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism such as the centrality of the veda as religious. Hindus call their religion sanatama dharma, eternal religion or eternal truth.
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. Gandhi ebooks english gandhi ebooks hundreds of mahatma gandhi ebooks for free download in pdf, epub and mobi formats. Hinduism is an incredibly complex religion, probably because it is the product of thousands of years of different cultures belief systems being folded together. The ancient indians were not interested in history as such, which is simply the records of kings and merchants written by the victors.
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