Hinduism A Cultural Perspective

by Kinsley, David R.

• ISBN13: 9780133957327
• ISBN10: 0133957322
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-02-17
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

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