All scripture is given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. Religious texts of india introduction to hindu scriptures culture. Further, the book is intended to work on several levels. Our page talks all about the history, facts, theories, concepts, myth and truths about the hindu. Chopra molded religion into blockbuster mega drama and took the limelight of indian tv by storm. The belief system in the hindi religion is outlined from. Hindu theology is mainly the study and doctrine of the worship and adoration of six forms of the godhead as ganesa, devi durga, lakshmi, sarasvati, siva, vishnu, surya and skanda. To a hindu, hisher faith is the means to the one truth and only one among many equally valid ways. Traditionally, people are born in a certain caste, or class, and they can never change that.
This holy book is written in the sanskrit language. You may access the seminary level course on this subject by dr. Learn chapter 3 hinduism world religion summary with free interactive flashcards. Who are the main hindu religious officials or specialists. The oldest text of the religion today known as hinduism is unable to be verified by date, but was written somewhere between 1500500 bce. I understand hinduism does not have a founder of the religion, and it does not have a socalled formal religious text like bible or alquran. Sanskrit is the language of most canonical texts, but many subsidiary texts are written in the. Hinduism does not possess a single holy book like bible in christianity and quran in islamic dharma.
Choose from 500 different sets of chapter 3 hinduism world religion summary flashcards on quizlet. I am a hindu, why should i consider becoming a christian. There are different sects of hinduism, but they all admire the ancient scriptures called vedas. All are available for purchase on click book images for details. However, some texts say that the first human to receive the sacred texts is manu. It was a hard act to follow, but a new generation of independent producers. Religion, especially hinduism, have had a major impact on indian society and culture. If it was complete, then there would have been no room for more religions to prosper. In the 6th century bc, developed in india the yoga movement. Hindu texts are manuscripts and historical literature related to any of the diverse traditions.
Summary of hinduism beliefs meaning of name hinduism, from the persian hindu sanskrit sindhu, literally river. Hinduism believes this supreme being is without form, personality, or. A chief aim of this book is to introduce the serious undergraduate and the reflective layperson to the phenomenon of religious hinduism. Because hinduism is an amalgam of popular religious traditions developed over thousands of years, the term official as opposed to unofficial can only be applied loosely. A collection of handselected books on hinduism, chosen on the basis of apparent usefulness and quality. Sure, there are a few sects within hinduism that believe the deities are literally real, but the vast majority believe in that deities, just like humans and all of creation, are connected and manifested by a supreme being. The neohinduism is based on ramakrishna and represents the unity of all religions. Tantric practices cross religious boundaries, and manifest themselves in aspects of hinduism, jainism, and buddhism.
Hindus consider their religion timeless and claim that it has existed forever. This harmony is most evident in remote places like this, and i hope it does not loose its unique character in the ruthless urban advance. In former times dominated the god of war and intolerance indra. The making of of a religious naturalist by chet raymo the little book of atheist spirituality by andre comtesponville religious naturalism today.
A wholly original exposition of hinduism, it focuses on hindu religious psychology and behaviour rather than the mythology, dogmas, and rituals as. The shruti refers to the body of most authoritative, ancient religious texts, believed to be eternal knowledge authored neither by human nor divine. Hindus have received their religion through revelation. Hinduism consists of many different groups who worship different dieties. 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. They got their present form between 1200200 bce and were. A rare inside look at the worlds most venerable and vibrant religion, revealed in fortysix illustrated journeys into an intriguing realm of temples, deities, yoga, philosophy, gurus, tolerance and family life. Religionfacts does not necessarily endorse the contents of these books. Hindus call their religion sanatama dharma, eternal religion or eternal truth. Hinduisms response to competing faiths has been to absorb them, rather than attack them. There is no central ancient text that succinctly sums up the religions basic tenets, no single leader that hindus can call the founder of their faith. Rivers, rocks, trees, plants, animals, and birds all play their part, both in mythology and everyday worship. Providing detailed descriptions of the beliefs, rituals, history, and organization of the worlds eight major religious traditions, including judaism, christianity, islam, buddhism, hinduism, confucianism, taoism, and shinto, this fully revised and updated edition is an easytouse comparative guide for anyone seeking basic religious literacy.
Among the vast body of indian sacred texts there are stories, prayers and teachings analogous to parts of the bible. One of the most obvious examples of this is the caste system. Therefore, in some sense, he is understood to be the founder of the tradition. All about hinduism is intended to meet the needs of those who want to be introduced to the various facets of the crystal that is hinduism. The hindus have received their religion through revelation, the vedas. Hinduisma fellowship of faiths and a federation of philosophies. A summary of hinduisms historical and theological themes. These are the most ancient religious texts which define truth for hindus. Beginning with british philology in the colonial period, hindu studies has been practiced largely by westerners, due in part to the lack of a distinct department for religion in indian academia. Hinduism in the modern world presents a new and unprecedented attempt to survey the nature, range, and significance of modern and contemporary hinduism in south asia and the global diaspora. The book, which was first published in 1947, has now been rearranged in a more convenient form, with useful additions here and. The rebirth of a forgotten alternative by jerome a.
Since the 1990s this has caused some dissent from hindus, raising questions in academia about. Hinduism world religions book vocabulary flashcards quizlet. This book attempts to provide a description and interpretation of the religion of the hindus as practised and experienced by them. Lipner is a recognised authority on hinduisms polycentric emphasis, and his book is based on a lifetime of research and personal experience of his subject. Hinduism isnt the worlds oldest living religion, because hinduism is defined not as one religion, but as any religion that originated in the hindu river valley. Hinduism is not a religion in the normal sense, but it is a set of traditions and beliefs evolved over a long period of time. Wendy doniger, a professor of history of religion at university of chicago, is a prizewinning author of book, the hindus. Hindu religious literature is divided into two main categories. Hindu texts are manuscripts and historic literature related to any of the diverse traditions within hinduism. Hinduisms oldest sacred text, a collection of hymns. Hindus the library of religious beliefs and practices. What makes up hindu religion tri state hindu temple. Hindu studies is the study of the traditions and practices of the indian subcontinent, especially hinduism. Contrary to popular understanding, hindus recognise one god, brahman, the eternal origin who is the cause and foundation of all existence.
There is no established founder of the religion and neither is there an official canon of sacred texts or scripture. Book on hinduism, hindu religious beliefs and practices. Does hinduism have any official books like the bible. Hinduism is a vastly complex phenomenon, a world religion with a history of over three thousand years. Organized to reflect the direction of recent scholarly research, this volume breaks with earlier texts on this subject by seeking to overcome a misleading dichotomy between an elite, intellectualist. For hindus, belief in god is the starting point in a persons spiritual journey. Some of the discussions may be found to be intellectually exacting. Since 1979 the international magazine hinduism today has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of sanatana dharma. The sacred depths of nature by ursula goodenough when god is gone everything is holy. Despite the fact that hinduism has a remarkable presence in the world it is a majority religion in india practiced by about 80% of its total population, the national religion of nepal, a minority faith in sri lanka, bangladesh, and pakistan, and has considerably big diasporas in southeast asia, america, and europe ironically, it is very difficult to define. A booklet of key facts for year 34 pupils to complete about hinduism. These are direct intuitional revelations and are held to be apaurusheya or entirely superhuman, without any author in particular.
Julius lipners hindus is widely recognised as essential reading for everyone wishing to understand one of the worlds great religious traditions. The vedas are scriptures that the hindu people use as a guide to daily and religious life. Television indias bold new religious tv less than 15 years ago, great movie makers like b. Comparing hinduism and christianity kids of courage. An alternative history, which was published in 2009. The book contains 270 pages and is divided in 57 small easytoread chapters, containing authentic information about all the important aspects of hindu religion, culture, and philosophy. The holy book in the hindu religion is known as the vedas. God and religious tolerationhinduism wikibooks, open. Comparing hinduism and christianity is difficult, in part, because hinduism is a slippery religion for westerners to grasp. Brahmans priests are at the top of the social caste system and at the very bottom are the socalled. Hinduism holy book important books and writings of hinduism.
These texts are written in sanskrit and are nearly 3000 years old. Selected lists of books on hinduism, hindu scriptures, tradition, astrology, methods of worship, way of life, symbolism, mythology, sects, and more. Hinduism is a combination of traditional indian practices and also a history of thousands of years. It represents limitless depths of profundity, a rich history, and an elaborate theology. Popular hinduism books meet your next favorite book. The main feature of hinduism is therefore its religious diversity. This is affirmed by virtually all traditional hindus, and those who reject its authority such as buddhists and jains are regarded as unfaithful to. To an observer, hinduism appears to flow in many directions at once, filled with mystery and seeming contradictions. The worlds religions chapter ii, hinduism, summary.