Very short introduction to hinduism books are there

Feb 24, 2000 hinduism is practised by eighty per cent of indias population, and by thirty million people outside india. I think this would be a helpful first text in a comparative religions course. What would be the best books to read, if i want to learn. Very basic introduction tovery basic introduction to hinduism.

She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism such as the centrality of the veda as religious texts, the. A very short introduction offers an overview of this major religion. A comprehensive overview of the worlds oldest religion swami bhaskarananda. Very short introductions discover vsis from oxford now. 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. Preface hindu gods and goddesses are everywhere in india, hidden within gorgeous temples and small wayside shrines, depicted in intricate stone carvings, looking out benevolently from advertisements, calendar prints, and film posters, and captured on market stalls and in shop windows in jewellery and small sculptures. I am using this book in a very short course on hinduism and buddhism and paired it with the damien keown, vsibuddhism. Hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of indias population, and by some seventy. Oprah winfrey network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. The vedas are the very first scriptures of hinduism. Klostermaier oneworld, oxford these books are academically sound and very readable.

A very short introduction examines the book of mormon primarily in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its. A very short introduction asks if there is more to. What are the best books to read for an in depth introduction. The books are concise introductions to particular subjects, intended for a general audience but written by experts. A very short introduction admirably attempts to do. These three books will take your knowledge from beginner level to in depth. 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. Access to the complete content on very short introductions online requires a subscription or purchase. Oprah winfreys heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the. Hinduism book san francisco public library bibliocommons. This book, though small in size, addresses many themes that are.

Hinduism is the worlds third most popular religion, with around 750 million followers. 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. She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism such as the centrality of the veda as religious. You need to read a low level introductory book that nevertheless gives a decent overview of hinduism. A very short introduction to hinduism by kim knott oxford university. Hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of indias population, and by some seventy million people outside india. But how is hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have. They have a large number of different sects hindson and caner 262265.

Of all the basic books on hinduism, this rather thin volume of 160 pages is the most balanced introduction to the religion. Scholars regard hinduism as a combination of different indian cultures and traditions, with diverse roots. In this very short introduction, kim knott offers a succinct and authoritative. 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. 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. Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias population, and by ab. Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of indias population, and by about 30 million people outside india. Very short introductions vsi is a book series published by the oxford university press oup. 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. 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. Covers all aspects of hinduism its key texts, beliefs, and practices, both in the past.

Hinduism starts with 3 trimurti, or deities and ends with over. In this very short introduction, kim knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and. Hinduism is practised by eighty per cent of indias population, and by thirty million people outside india. 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.

Click download or read online button to buddhismaveryshortintroductionveryshortintroductions book pdf for free now. An introduction to hinduism gavin flood or a very short introduction to hinduism kim knott. Discover a new topic or subject with these intelligent and serious introductions written by authors who are experts in their field. In this very short introduction, kim knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of. They are woven into the fabric of life in indian villages and cities, and.

May 25, 2009 a very short introduction to the religion of hinduism. Find out more see the full list of titles currently available. Covers all aspects of hinduism its key texts, beliefs, and practices, both in the. If the indus valley civilization 3rd2nd millennium bce was the earliest source of hindu traditions, then hinduism is the oldest living religion on earth. 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. Arguably, the very nature of hinduism as a religion, and even religion itself, is challenged by this interrelationship. The very short introductions series from oxford university press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. Hinduism worldview hinduism is a panetheism belief system in which there are over 330 million different deities. Hinduism starts with 3 trimurti, or deities and ends with over 330 million different gods hindson and caner 262265. A very short introduction ebook written by kim knott. Vedas, as described by the scriptures, were given by god. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read hinduism. A very short introduction very short introductions.

Since my university has floods book, im going to check that one out first as well as what else they got. Feb 29, 2016 hinduism is practised by nearly eighty per cent of indias population, and by some seventy million people outside india. The spiritual side of hinduism has appealed to nonhindus too, raising the question of whether hinduism remains a religion solely for those born into indian families and hindu castes, or whether it is now a missionary religion. Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, very short introductions. Introduction is not a convenient definition for the book because the notions. A very short introduction combines an overview of a major religion. Buddhismaveryshortintroductionveryshortintroductions download buddhismaveryshortintroductionveryshortintroductions ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format. A very short introduction to the religion of hinduism. This book fulfills its promise as a very short introduction to hinduism. Klostermaier writes with an unusual combination of sympathetic insight and intellectual rigour.

The very first of the sacred books of vedic culture, in fact the oldest books on earth, are called the vedas. The section on a short introduction to hinduism summarises and abstracts from the same publications chapter on introducing hindus in the uk pp. Very short introductions vsi is a book series published by the oxford university press. Many of these scholars are in fact hostile to the very subject. Hinduism is widely practiced in south asia mainly in india and nepal. Very short introductions discover vsis from oxford now online. Most books available on hinduism in bookshops in the west today are written by non. Hinduism, major world religion originating on the indian subcontinent and comprising several and varied systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. Rivers, rocks, trees, plants, animals, and birds all play their part, both in mythology and everyday worship. 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. Hinduism provides you with an engaging window into the roots of a faith that is perhaps the most diverse of all, and which rejects the notion that there is one path to the divine. Jan 08, 2017 these three books which stands as a pillar. A very short introduction very short introductions book 3. She discusses key preoccupations of hinduism such as the centrality of the veda as religious texts, the role of brahmins, gurus.

Its also home to a wealth of gods, terms, and practices such as karma, krishna, yoga, and guru that have found a home in western lives and language. In this very short introduction, kim knott offers a succinct and authoritative overview of this major religion, and analyses the challenges facing it. It is the oldest practised religion in the world and has the third largest following after christianity and islam. Read the slides to answer the questions on the sheet in front of you. Buddhism a very short introduction new books in politics. 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. Most of them are very scholarly and recount the doctrines in a clinical manner, sometimes without any insight. Browse in arts and humanities very short introductions.

There were sections where i thought the introduction was too short, but a book of this length must of necessity disappoint readers, and then point them to other works of greater detail. Oct 25, 2015 oprah winfrey network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Otherwise you will have difficulty in understanding hindu. There s a very short introduction to sport, much as there s a very short introduction to philosophy, but while you can also read books in the series on epicureanism, existentialism. These and other questions about the identity of hinduism are discussed in chapter 9. Offers a succinct and accessible introduction to one of the worlds major religions. A very short introduction asks if there is more to agnosticism than merely the absence of belief. A very short introduction kim knott oxford university.

Hinduism is a religion that originated in the indian subcontinent. Over the course of hinduisms 5,000year journey, youll explore the pantheon of hindu gods and goddesses. Book on hinduism, hindu religious beliefs and practices. Browse in religion very short introductions online. 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. There are also, in addition, a range of other texts, including the dharma shastras, or law books and the prasthanavakyas, a range of literature which include, for example, the esoteric tantras.

Although the name hinduism is relatively new, having been coined by british writers in the first decades of the 19th century, it refers to a rich cumulative tradition of texts and practices, some of which date to the 2nd millennium bce or possibly. The story of hinduism, youll come to see, is the story of very nonwestern traditions such as arranged marriages and the caste system that have survived and thrived for thousands of years. You will have to read a lot to understand hinduism. Download complete list of books in this arts and humanities collection. Hinduism is practised by nearly 80 per cent of indias population, and around 70 million people outside india. The author also considers the challenges posed to hinduism at the end of the twentieth century as it spreads far beyond india, and as concerns are raised about issues such as dowry, death, caste prejudice, and the place of women in hindu society. The word veda came from the root word vid meaning to know. Hinduism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It is perhaps the best book for someone who has no prior knowledge of the religion, a stable stepping stone for the student of religious studies, and an eyeopener for the practicing hindu.