Hinduism Books

Book SynopsisAhi?sa in the Indic Traditions: Explorations and Reflections, edited by Jeffery D. Long and Steven J. Rosen, examines the diversity of nonviolent (ahimsa-oriented) doctrines originating in the Indic world, both in terms of interpersonal relationships and how they apply to the rest of creation, including animals. This volume engages the voices of scholars from various disciplines and addresses numerous religious doctrines, including those of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and their related sacred texts. The book focuses not only on past scholarship and intellectual modes of understanding nonviolence, but also on living traditions and the practice of modern and post-modern individuals, from Vivekananda to Gandhi to Prabhupada, and their millions of supporters and followers. The volume shows that the implications of ahimsa are staggering, with reference to interpersonal exchange, vegetarianism, animal rights, climate change, and so on.

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring message for all humanity from one of India's most beloved spiritual teachers If Sri Ramakrishna was a leaping flame of spiritual realization, Holy Mother was a steady glowing fire of God-consciousness. To the Master, Sri Ramakrishna, she was the goddess of wisdom in human form. To her disciples she was the Divine Mother herself. To her devotees she was a more real mother than their own earthly mother. To the seekers of truth she was the final word, and to sinners she was the last refuge. —from the Introduction The year 2003 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sri Sarada Devi, the wife and spiritual companion of Sri Ramakrishna. Known affectionately in India and throughout the world as the Holy Mother, she was a rare combination of human and divine qualities, and is an inspiration today to millions who seek spiritual fulfillment. The first American edition of the conversations and teachings of the Holy Mother as recorded by her disciples, both lay and monastic, this fascinating collection brings to life the Holy Mother’s teachings on human affliction, self-control, and peace in ways both personal and profound. It illuminates her role as the power, scripture, joy, and guiding spirit of the Ramakrishna Order and clearly captures her unyielding devotion to God that earned her a reputation as a steady glowing fire of God-consciousness. Translated from the original Bengali by Swami Nikhilananda, a direct disciple of the Holy Mother, these inspiring and detailed conversations offer new insight into the daily life of this endearing and beloved spiritual personality and her message of compassion that continues to influence her devotees in India and throughout the world.

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring message for all humanity from one of India's most beloved spiritual teachers If Sri Ramakrishna was a leaping flame of spiritual realization, Holy Mother was a steady glowing fire of God-consciousness. To the Master, Sri Ramakrishna, she was the goddess of wisdom in human form. To her disciples she was the Divine Mother herself. To her devotees she was a more real mother than their own earthly mother. To the seekers of truth she was the final word, and to sinners she was the last refuge. —from the Introduction The year 2003 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sri Sarada Devi, the wife and spiritual companion of Sri Ramakrishna. Known affectionately in India and throughout the world as the Holy Mother, she was a rare combination of human and divine qualities, and is an inspiration today to millions who seek spiritual fulfillment. The first American edition of the conversations and teachings of the Holy Mother as recorded by her disciples, both lay and monastic, this fascinating collection brings to life the Holy Mother’s teachings on human affliction, self-control, and peace in ways both personal and profound. It illuminates her role as the power, scripture, joy, and guiding spirit of the Ramakrishna Order and clearly captures her unyielding devotion to God that earned her a reputation as a steady glowing fire of God-consciousness. Translated from the original Bengali by Swami Nikhilananda, a direct disciple of the Holy Mother, these inspiring and detailed conversations offer new insight into the daily life of this endearing and beloved spiritual personality and her message of compassion that continues to influence her devotees in India and throughout the world.

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring in-depth look at the nineteenth-century Godman of India and Prophet of Harmony. Sri Ramakrishna, one of the greatest spiritual personalities of our time, is widely recognized as the Prophet of the Harmony of Religions. After perfecting the practice of several religions—including Christianity, Islam and various traditions of Hinduism—he declared, “As many faiths, so many paths.” For the first time, two classic biographies—Dhan Gopal Mukerji’s The Face of Silence (1926) and Swami Nikhilananda’s Sri Ramakrishna (1942)—are brought together to provide a fuller understanding of the life and spiritual significance of Sri Ramakrishna as well as the systems of Indian religious thought intimately connected with him. Pairing legend with fact, memory with history, this unique volume—including an Introduction to Sri Ramakrishna’s God-consciousness by Swami Adiswarananda—succeeds in intimately examining the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and conveying the true story of this great mystic, whose leaping flame of spiritual realization continues to influence the modern spiritual search.

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Book SynopsisChoose the Yoga path that best suits you, and you choose the way to know God. The philosophy of Yoga tells us that the root cause of our sorrows and suffering is loss of contact with our true Self. Our recovery is only possible by reestablishing contact with our innermost Self, the Reality of all realities, and by recognizing that knowledge of Self is our salvation. In this comprehensive guide, Swami Adiswarananda introduces the four spiritual paths of Yoga—Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Raja-Yoga and Jnana-Yoga—and what you can expect as an aspirant on each path. Covering the message and practice of each of the Yogas as well as philosophy and psychology, preparatory practices, common obstacles and ways to overcome them, this accessible book will prove invaluable to anyone wishing to follow a Yoga practice in order to realize the goal of Self-knowledge.Trade ReviewThe Four Yogas: A Guide To The Spiritual Paths Of Action, Devotion, Meditation And Knowledge by Swami Adiswarananda (Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York)is an extensive interpretive collection of the ideals and concepts underlying the spiritual philosophies of Yoga and the true callings of the acceptance of its pathway. Comprehensively exploring the theoretics and ideologies of progressive introspection, and through Yoga, the finding of one's inner-most self. The Four Yogas recognizes both the philosophical and the artistic approach to yoga and provides readers with a plethora of informative commentaries drawn from Karma Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, Raja-Yoga and Jhanana-Yoga. The Four Yogas is very strongly recommended to all readers with an interest in the Hindu religion and wishing to explore a more Yoga-oriented aspect of their spiritual development and practice. * The Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part One: The Way of Karma-Yoga: The Path of Action 1 The Message of Karma-Yoga 11 2 The Philosophy and Psychology of Karma-Yoga 21 3 Karma-Yoga and True Renunciation 31 4 The Practice of Karma-Yoga 41 5 Karma-Yoga for Self-Knowledge 57 6 Obstacles in Karma-Yoga 71 Part Two: The Way of Bhakti-Yoga: The Path of Devotion 7 The Message of Bhakti-Yoga 81 8 The Philosophy and Psychology of Bhakti-Yoga 87 9 Preparatory Practices in Bhakti-Yoga 97 10 Characteristics of the Teacher and the Aspirant 105 11 Spiritual Disciplines in Bhakti-Yoga 115 12 Obstacles in Bhakti-Yoga 135 Part Three: The Way of Raja-Yoga: The Path of Meditation 13 The Message of Raja-Yoga 147 14 The Philosophy and Psychology of Raja-Yoga 155 15 Preparatory Practices in Raja-Yoga 167 16 The Eight-Limbed Practice 171 17 Obstacles in Raja-Yoga 191 Part Four: The Way of Jnana-Yoga: The Path of Knowledge 18 The Message of Jnana-Yoga 203 19 The Philosophy and Psychology of Jnana-Yoga 207 20 The Goal of Jnana-Yoga: Self-Knowledge 213 21 The Practice of Jnana-Yoga 221 22 Meditation for Self-Knowledge 237 23 Two Aspects of Liberation 245 24 Obstacles in Jnana-Yoga 255 Part Five: Conclusion 25 Harmony of the Yogas 263 Notes 269 Glossary 279 Credits 289 Index 291 About the Author 297

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Book SynopsisGuidance for Your Spiritual Journey—from the Wisdom of Yoga and Vedanta “The ultimate goal of life is to discover the divinity within ourselves and in all beings and things. This will lead us to adore our true Self, adore our fellow beings, and adore the world that is but a reflection of Reality. This reunion with the Absolute—the core of our individual being as well as of the universe—is the true meaning of yoga.” —from chapter 13 The yoga way maintains that spiritual quest is not a matter of choice but a vital necessity for total well-being. This comprehensive guide for spiritual seekers of all faiths and backgrounds presents a roadmap to Self-knowledge, the goal of spiritual quest, and shows that reconnecting with the center of your being, your true Self, is real, tangible and attainable. Exploring the route to spiritual fulfillment through the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta, Swami Adiswarananda outlines the meaning of spiritual quest, the nature of and the preparations necessary for the journey and the milestones you will use to chart your progress. He also draws from the sacred texts of these time-tested traditions to address the vital questions that often trouble spiritual seekers, such as: Which spiritual path should I follow? How can I attain liberation? What are the dangers and obstacles on the spiritual path? How do I control the restless mind? Why are there many religions and what is the way to interfaith unity?

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Book SynopsisDiscover how the crown jewel of Hindu teachings can enrich your life and spirituality. Guarded for centuries by saints and ascetics in the forests and mountains of India, the universal principles of Vedanta were deemed too precious to be understood by the masses until Swami Vivekananda first introduced them in the West at the end of the nineteenth century. Today Vedanta’s principles of self-awareness, self-knowledge and self-control are available for anyone who wants to enrich their life by following this ancient tradition. Fusing science, philosophy, meditation and contemplation, these timeless teachings encourage spiritual growth by inviting critical inquiry, encouraging honest doubt and providing realistic explanations of the mysteries of spiritual quest. This comprehensive guide examines in detail the tenets of Vedanta, its relationship to other spiritual paths and its applications for your own spiritual journey, such as: Re-establishing Contact with the Ultimate Reality Acting in the Living Present Awakening Spiritual Consciousness Mastering the Restless Mind Grasping the Essentials Liberating the Soul And much more …

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Book SynopsisA message of love, compassion and the spiritual unity of humankind from one of India’s visionary teachers Vivekananda’s message gives us hope for the future. His love for humanity gave him the mandate for his message, and his innate purity gave him an irresistible power that nobody could match. The same love that was born as Buddha, the Compassionate One, once again assumed human form as Vivekananda. —from the Introduction At the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, a young Hindu monk caused a sensation. At the utterance of his simple opening words—“Sisters and Brothers of America”—the audience broke into spontaneous applause for Swami Vivekananda. What followed was a stunning speech about the validity and unity of all religions. In just a little over a century, Vivekananda’s message has spread throughout the world. In this book for spiritual seekers of all faiths and backgrounds, and for all who yearn for solutions to the ideological conflicts that threaten our world, Swami Adiswarananda presents a selection of Vivekananda’s most profound and inspiring lectures and an intimate glimpse of his life through newspaper reports from the time, personal reminiscences from disciples and others close to him, and impressions of his life and message from world leaders. A chapter by Swami Nikhilananda, founder of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York, offers a fascinating view of Vivekananda’s spiritual mission to America—a mission that brought the ideals of spiritual freedom and spiritual democracy to the forefront of Western religious thought.

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Book SynopsisGuru: The Universal Teacher is a carefully curated selection of articles written by Swami B. P. Puri relating to what the concept of “guru” truly means. Guru: The Universal Teacher is a compilation of articles written by Swami B. P. Puri on the topic of the spiritual master. It is a handbook for those seeking guidance in their quest for a genuine guru, for those wanting to learn more about the foundational concepts of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, or for those simply wanting to deepen their spiritual practice. In Guru, Swami B. P. Puri systematically sets out the qualities and qualifications of both the spiritual teacher and the student disciple. The book describes the proper processes of approaching the spiritual teacher, learning from them, and offering service to them. Guru: The Universal Teacher also explains what students and teachers should avoid in their pursuit of sincere spiritual practice. Firmly rooted in a wealth of ancient Sanskrit and Bengali poetry and accompanied by Swami B. P. Puri’s beautiful and elegant translations and commentaries, Guru: The Universal Teacher will be cherished by those with a keen interest in one of the most vital and often least understood aspects of the spiritual path: the teacher. 

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Book SynopsisThis is a compact yet authoritative history of Hinduism, from its origins over 4000 years ago to the impact of the belief system across the world today. It highlights key figures in Hinduism, including Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva and, in recent times, Vivekanada, Sahajananda Swami and Bhaktivedanta Swami. It focuses on the major historical events that have shaped Hinduism - the Vedic Period and the North Classical Age, the Mughal Empire and the impact of British Rule. Hindiuism is often called the world's oldest living major religion, and this beautifully illustrated history is an excellent introduction to the subject. It opens with a timeline and an account of how Hinduism has spread over time from India, its country of origin, to become a truly global religion. The central section describes the major holy texts, including the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad-gita or Song of God. It ends with an exploration of Hinduism's profound teachings about the self, the law of karma, and the cycle of birth and death. This is the perfect book for anyone wanting to discover the history at the heart of Hinduism.Trade Review"This illustrated encyclopaedia of Hinduism provides a highly readable and comprehensive introduction to Hinduism. Rasamandala Das presents a lively account." (Professor Gavin Flood, Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies)"

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Book SynopsisThis title deals with the Four Paths, Deities, Sacred Places, and Hinduism Today. It is a guide to the philosophy and beliefs of Hinduism, illustrated with over 320 photographs. It explores how Hindu thought and spirituality are expressed though worship, dress, cuisine, philosophy, architecture, story, myth and the performing arts. "This illustrated encyclopedia of Hinduism provides a highly readable and comprehensive introduction to Hinduism. Rasamandala Das presents a lively account." (Professor Gavin Flood, Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies). A magnificent introduction to the world of Hinduism and its vibrant culture, this inspirational book focuses on spiritual practices and those activities that nurture faith, wisdom and communion with the Supreme. It reveals the four main paths of action, knowledge, meditation and devotion, the fascinating array of Hindu deities, and practices that celebrate sacred time and place. The book analyses ways in which Hindus engage with this world through to the present day, and how their spirituality has been expressed and organized. It provides the perfect opportunity for anyone wishing to further explore the compelling faith and culture that is Hinduism.

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Book SynopsisWho we are is not who we think we are. Truth is simpler than mind and deeper than thought. It cannot be learned but only experienced. When at once we awaken, our doubts are alleviated. All is one, beyond time, space, and causation. Such is the direct realization expressed through Advaita Vedanta. Sankaracharya is often called the father of Advaita Vedanta. His hymn Atma Bodha is a classic introduction that brings the pure seeker to liberation. This volume includes Atma Bodha with text and translation, as well as Bhaja Govindam, Hanuman Chalisa, Mahisasura Mardini Stotram, and other devotional favorites. There is no greater joy, and there is nothing more to know. Such is realization of truth. --Atma Bodha, Verse 54

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Book SynopsisThis volume brings together sixteen articles on the religions, literatures and histories of South and Central Asia in tribute to Patrick Olivelle, one of North America’s leading Sanskritists and historians of early India. Over the last four decades, the focus of his scholarship has been on the ascetic and legal traditions of India, but his work as both a researcher and a teacher extends beyond early Indian religion and literature. ‘Religion and Identity and South Asia and Beyond’ is a testament to that influence. The contributions in this volume, many by former students of Olivelle, are committed to linguistic and historical rigor, combined with sensitivity to how the study of Asia has been changing over the last several decades.Trade Review‘The volume is well edited, and the strength of its essays shows it to be more than merely a tribute to a great scholar. Graduate students and advanced undergraduates will profit from individual essays; working scholars will find that there are still great riches to be found in the exploration of seemingly “well-known” texts from ancient India.’ —Herman Tull, ‘Religious Studies Review’Table of ContentsIntroduction: Patrick Olivelle and Indology; Major Publications of Patrick Olivelle; PART I. WORD, TEXT, CONTEXT; The Elusive Snātaka; Who Gets to Live Forever in Ancient India? Rethinking āyus (“life”) in the Rgveda; One Yājñavalkya... Two? On the (Questionable) Historicity of a Literary Figure; A Theologian in a South Indian Kingdom: The Historical Context of the Jīvanmuktiviveka of Vidyāranya; The Rhetoric of Secrecy in the Upaniṣads; PART II. CUSTOM AND LAW; Punishing Puns: Etymology as Linguistic Ideology in Hindu and British Traditions; Matrilineal Adoption, Inheritance Law, and Rites for the Dead among Hindus in Medieval Kerala; Punishing in Public: Imposing Moral Self-Dominance in Normative Sanskrit Sources; PART III. BUDDHISTS AND JAINS AS SELVES AND OTHERS; How the Buddha Dealt with Non-Buddhists; Sacrifice and Asceticism in Early Mahāyāna Buddhism; Text and Image: Identifying Ellora’s Jain Deities; PART IV. (RE)CONSIDERING GEOGRAPHICAL AND CONCEPTUAL BOUNDARIES; Spiritual Practice and Corporate Identity in Medieval Sufi Communities of Iran, Central Asia, and India: The Khalvatī/‘Ishqī/Shattārī Continuum; Digesting the Sacrifices: Ritual Internalization in Jewish, Hindu, and Manichaean Traditions; The Hindutva Underground: Hindu Nationalism and the Indian National Congress in Late Colonial and Early Postcolonial India; Marking the Boundaries of a New Literary Identity: The Assertion of ‘Dalit Consciousness’ in Dalit Literary Criticism; Young Śvetaketu in America: Learning to be Hindu in the Diaspora; List of Contributors

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Book SynopsisB.R. Ambedkar's Annihilation of Caste is one of the most important, yet neglected, works of political writing from India. Written in 1936, it is an audacious denunciation of Hinduism and its caste system. It offers a scholarly critique of Hindu scriptures, scriptures that sanction a rigidly hierarchical and iniquitous social system. Arundhati Roy introduces this extensively annotated edition in "The Doctor and the Saint," examining the persistence of caste in modern India, and how the conflict between Ambedkar and Gandhi continues to resonate. Roy breathes new life into Ambedkar's anti-caste utopia, and says that without a Dalit revolution, India will continue to be hobbled by systemic inequality.Trade ReviewAnnihilation of Caste has to be read ... No Hindu who prizes his faith above life itself can afford to underrate the importance of this indictment. -- M.K. GandhiMarvellous writing with conceptual clarity and political understanding - something the world should know about. . . Roy's essay has the sharp political thrust one has come to expect from her * Uma Chakravarti, author of Everyday Lives, Everyday Historie *Arundhati Roy's 'The Doctor and the Saint' works both at an emotive and an argumentative level. She manages to convey an intimate and deeply felt sensitivity to the history that produced Annihilation of Caste... A robust edition of an under-appreciated classic. * Satish Deshpande, Professor of Sociology, Delhi University *This edition is truly a remarkable achievement. * Christophe Jaffrelot, author of Dr Ambedkar and Untouchability: *What the Communist Manifesto is to the capitalist world, Annihilation of Caste is to India. -- Anand Teltumbde, author of The Persistence of Caste

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Book SynopsisDaily Bread is the Bible reading guide that aims to help you hear from God as you read the Bible. If you've ever asked the question, 'What possible relevance can this verse have for me today?' or 'What difference does this passage make to my life?' then read on...

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Book SynopsisAt first sight the lives of hermits, living in solitude and committed to a life of prayer and contemplation seems to be a world apart of the active practice of interfaith dialogue. Yet, there is a long tradition of seeking the divine together and thus making a contribution to better mutual understanding and an active contribution to peace between Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism in India.Drawing on his experience of travelling to some of India's holy places, the life and work of writers like Thomas Merton, Charles de Foucauld and Abishaktanda and being himself a Benedictine hermit and Professor of Divinity at the University of St Andrews, Mario Aguilar opens up new possibilities for dialogue between three of the world's major religions in today's world. He shows how his own experience of an eremitic life has brought him into deep communion with pilgrims of other faiths, be it through shared silence or listening to each other's experience, through reading sacred scriptures together, through poetry or interfaith worship that draws on practices and texts from Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.This is a book for all engaged in interfaith dialogue and seeking to explore how spiritualities of silence, contemplation and prayer can make a contribution to peace and harmony in the world today.Trade ReviewIn a culture characterised by incessant noise, Mario Aguilar's celebration of the sound of silence could not be more welcome. This book will not only engage your mind with its thoughtful insights - its prayerfulness and beauty will touch your soul. -- Right Reverend Dr Russell Barr, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of ScotlandIn this heartfelt and personal account, Professor Aguilar takes the reader on a journey into the practice and ideas of the hermit across traditions and his or her understanding of life as a journey to a fulfillment in a higher reality. This is an engaging and highly readable account. -- Professor Gavin Flood FBA, Senior Research Fellow, Campion Hall, Oxford UniversityProfessor Aguilar's book moves across continents and religious traditions with the ease and grace that comes from the depth and empathy of a lifetime's familiarity and study. Whether meeting Buddhists in Chile, Sikhs in India, or Hindus in Scotland we feel the personal friendships and experiences which have inspired him. However, its particular strength and uniqueness is the way he explores the places of the hermit's life as a site of meaning and sacred connectedness. Both those fresh to interreligious dialogue and lifelong practitioners and scholars in the discipline will find fresh insights and perspectives in the pages of this work. -- Paul Hedges, Associate Professor of Interreligious Studies at RSIS, NTU, Singapore and author of Towards Better Disagreement: Religion and Atheism in DialogueIn a world awash with chatter and superficial talk-fests, the choice of solitude and silence is spiritually challenging. Memory lives in silence. God is found there. With a deep and movingly autobiographical thread, The Way of the Hermit creatively probes the contribution of the eremitic life to Christian interfaith encounter. -- Professor Douglas Pratt, University of Waikato & University of BernDigging deep and drawing generously from the wells of experience and expertise, Professor Aguilar throws open the richness of dialogue that happens in the depths of silence and solitude that characterise a life of hermitage. Theologically imaginative and spiritually inspiring, the book recovers the potential of presence, poetry and prayer for dialogue in fresh and fascinating ways. -- The Reverend Dr Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar, Programme Executive, Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, World Council of Churches, SwitzerlandMario Aguilar's personal homage to silence is eloquent, lucid, and simple. Not so much an argument for silence or against words which remain fundamental in every tradition, his meditations witness to his own instinct for silence and his growing solitude as a hermit in the world. The story of a soul, The Way of the Hermit joins the canon of spiritual autobiographies, akin to the monastic journeys of Thomas Merton, Henri Le Saux, and Bede Griffiths. It mirrors the broad interreligious wisdom of Raimon Panikkar, and stands in harmony with a multitude of Hindu and Buddhist experiences in today's world. A contemplative gift, The Way of the Hermit aids us in recovering quiet in today's noisy world. -- Francis X. Clooney, SJ, Director, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University'How great the multitude of truths which the garment of words can never contain!' ~ Baha'u'llahDialogue in silence; speaking without words; this complex book explores the possibility of connection between faiths in the sacred space that silence allows and is a useful addition to the growing literature on interfaith dialogue. -- Dr Maureen Sier, Director of Interfaith ScotlandThis is Aguilar's first book on the eremitic life and how it relates to/enhances his own interfaith encounters, be they virtual or in situ. The broad range of topics he addresses and the variety of literary styles he uses-at times reflective, at times descriptive-can demand patience of the reader, but a patience that is well worth the effort. ..I found his work to be enlightening, informative, reflective, and provocative. He is a true seeker and peacemaker. -- Angela Del Greco, a lay consecrated hermit in the Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud and an Oblate of Saint Benedict * Monastic Interreligious Dialogue *The reader who has had experience of interfaith encounter will delight in this book. The reader whose experience of other traditions is more limited would find it a valuable introduction. Those of us who may feel oppressed by the noise and tumult of the world will find an invitation to an inner silence and an opportunity to explore our own cave of the heart, and the God who dwells therein. In this most valuable volume we may discover clues to intimacy with All in solitariness and the Voice of God in silence. -- Kevin Tingay * The Christian Parapsychologist *Table of ContentsIntroduction. Experiencing Dialogue. 1. Hermits in Christianity and Hinduism. 2. Ordering Time, Space and Meditation Together. 3. Inter-Faith Encounters and Silence. 4. Creating Liturgies for the Absolute. 5. Reading Texts: Upanishads and Bodhisattvas. 6. The Silence of Death. Appendix 1. An Indian Eucharistic Prayer. Appendix 2. Morning Christian-Hindu Prayers. Appendix 3. Evening Christian-Hindu Prayers. Appendix 4. Roman Indian Liturgy (Eucharist). Appendix 5. Christian-Hindu Liturgies (Midday Worship). Appendix 6. Declarations for a Shared Humanity (St. Andrews and India).

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Book SynopsisFrom jewellery to meditation pillows to tourist retreats, religious traditions – especially those of the East – are being commodified as never before. Imitated and rebranded as ‘New Age’ or ‘spiritual’, they are marketed to secular Westerners as an answer to suffering in the modern world, the ‘mystical’ and ‘exotic’ East promising a path to enlightenment and inner peace. In Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi, Sophia Rose Arjana examines the appropriation and sale of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam in the West today, the role of mysticism and Orientalism in the religious marketplace, and how the commodification of religion impacts people’s lives.Trade Review‘Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi highlights the hidden costs of what would appear to be positive stereotypes about Eastern religiosity. In doing so, Arjana interrogates cultural colonialism, i.e. the borrowing of other people’s cultures and religions without giving credit to actual persons and institutions… With its comprehensive theoretically informed approach and exciting case studies, I would especially recommend this book for use in undergraduate classes.’ * Religion (Liz Wilson, Miami University) *‘an expansive book, covering the intersection of mysticism and capitalism… illuminating… I would recommend this book in undergraduate classrooms learning about Asian religions and especially the last chapter for a media studies class. This type of sweeping project is difficult to pull off, and Arjana certainly does an admirable job.’ * Politics, Religion & Ideology *‘A wide-ranging overview of the ongoing power and cultural significance of long-standing Western Orientalist tropes about “the Mystic East”. This is an important work for anyone working on Asian traditions and their contemporary appropriation, transformation and commodification.’ -- Richard King, Professor of Buddhist and Asian Studies, University of Kent‘A fascinating and wholly engrossing exploration of how “mysticism”, as we know it in the West, circulates as a modern-day product of colonial structures of power.’ -- Sylvia Chan-Malik, Associate Professor, Departments of American Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, Rutgers University‘Both scholarly and readable, Buying Buddha, Selling Rumi deepens our understanding of the way the West appropriates Eastern religion.’ -- Jeffrey H. Mahan, Ralph E. and Norma E. Peck Professor of Religion & Public Communication, Iliff School of Theology‘Tribal events and mystic tourism in Bali are some of the topics entertainingly and critically described and analyzed by Arjana… The book is not only well researched with many fine examples and convincing arguments to underline the theoretical assumptions of the commodification of Eastern religions in the West; it is also well written and a pleasure to read. Furthermore, it raises some important theoretical, methodological and moral questions that could be the center of good discussions with students… The book is very interesting, well written, highly recommendable and useful for critical discussions.’ -- Journal of Religion, Media and Digital CultureTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Histories of Religion and Mysticism 2 Cultural Colonialism, Muddled Orientalism, and the Mystic Poor 3 Mysticism, Incorporated 4 Hindu Hippies and Boulder Buddhists 5 Rumimaniacs 6 Lost, Star Wars, and Mystical Hollywood Postscript Notes Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis"No new knowledge is required or acquired, Ray. No transcendental experience or higher consciousness needs to be achieved. When the recognition of what you are is seen, nothing at all happens. Why would it? You simply find yourself as you already are." After many years spent searching for the secret to peace, happiness and unconditional freedom, a chance encounter on the ghats of the sacred River Ganges heralds the end of Ray Brooks'™s spiritual journey. Interspersed between humorous and uplifting stories of life in Rishikesh, India are nine thought-provoking conversations between Ray and an unassuming yet extraordinary Anglo-Indian man. Ray'™s long-held spiritual beliefs are exposed and challenged, allowing him to see that his quest for wholeness has been a futile path: just like a shadow that seeks the sun. This book offers no promises or systems of belief. Instead, it clearly points to something that is ever-present yet completely overlooked: the ordinariness and beauty of our natural state of being. And it is only after we acknowledge that simple yet profound truth that our spiritual search will be complete.Trade Review"This beautiful book certainly deserves to be included with the luminaries of spiritual literature. Its essence presents the essential, non-dual understanding of not just the author and his many influences but the foundation of all great religious and spiritual traditions." --Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos, Shakuhachi master/ teacher and recording artist

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Book SynopsisTantra originated in India many centuries ago but it's uniquely placed to help people use real life as grist to the mill for spiritual transformation. The purpose of the book is to articulate what Tantra can be in our modern times and how it can be applied to all aspects of our everyday life. Traditionally Tantra was a path that brought spirituality out of the caves and monasteries and into the life of householders. It didn’t seek to separate sexuality and spirituality and to force people to make a choice but rather to integrate the life of family and relationship with spirituality. This includes sexuality but it’s not all about sexuality, and this is a rare book that applies Tantra to every aspect of life.Living Tantra is a body of work that aims to bring the essence and core message of tantra into relevance for our contemporary life and society as a path of spiritual growth and human development. It’s based on her legendary workshops which book up via word of mouth and attracts attendees from across Europe and North America, especially Sweden, Austria, USA, Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic. The exercises here come out of these workshops and mean that we can benefit from this work in our own homes. The principles of Living Tantra are to use all life, all experience to learn and become more conscious of ourselves and the world around us, to care more for ourselves, each other and the world and to develop greater compassion. Tantra includes everything. It is “the weaving together of all that is”.

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Book SynopsisThe Indian sage Ramana Maharshi (1879- 1950) is perhaps the most widely known Indian spiritual figure of the last century, second only to Gandhi. This new book offers a fresh introduction to the Maharshi’s life and teachings, intending to situate him within the non-dualistic traditions of Hinduism. It also delves into themes and questions particularly relevant to the spiritual crisis and search for meaning that have characterised, in various ways, both the modern and postmodern outlooks. While the Maharshi’s background and frames of reference were traditional, the spiritual resonance of his teachings in today’s world must also be recognised. The sage’s message lies at the intersection of the contemporary search for Self-knowledge, and today’s critical reflections on the foundations and limits of religion. Thus, the book comprises seven chapters that touch upon such central issues as the role of religion in Self-inquiry; the relationship between devotion and knowledge; the role and limitations of traditional forms; and the implications in our postmodern era of both the Maharshi’s emphasis on surrender, and his basic question: ‘Who am I?’ Published in collaboration with GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY Center for International and Regional Studies, School of Foreign Service in Qatar.Trade Review‘Laude explores the life, teachings, and contemporary relevance of Ramana Maharshi, examining how his calls for a spiritual transcendence of the self can fit in with the individualism of the modern world. Richly researched and filled with probing questions, this book has much to offer. Eye-opening.’ -- Shashi Tharoor, Indian MP and author of The Struggle for India’s Soul'In a welcome addition to existing literature on the Maharshi, Indian philosophy and spirituality, Laude displays a broad knowledge of different religious traditions which he usefully relates to the Maharshi’s thought and experiences.' -- Phillip Lucas, Professor of Religious Studies, Stetson University and founding editor of Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions

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Book SynopsisIn the twenty-first century, there has been a seismic shift in Indian political, religious and social life. The country's guiding spirit was formerly a fusion of the anti-caste worldview of B.R. Ambedkar; the inclusive Hinduism of Mahatma Gandhi; and the agnostic secularism of Jawaharlal Nehru. Today, that fusion has given way to Hindutva. This now-dominant version of Hinduism blends the militant nationalism of V.D. Savarkar; the Brahmanical anti-minorityism of M.S. Golwalkar; and the global Islamophobia of India's ruling regime. It requires deep cultural analysis and historical understanding, as only the sharpest and most profoundly informed historian can provide. For two decades, Tanika Sarkar has forged a path through the alleys and byways of Hindutva. She has trawled through the writing and iconography of its organisations and institutions, including RSS schools and VHP temples. She has visited the offices and homes of Hindutva's votaries, interviewing men and women who believe fervently in their mission of Hinduising India. And she has contextualised this new ferment on the ground with her formidable archival knowledge of Hindutva's origins and development over 150 years, from Bankimchandra to the Babri mosque and beyond. This riveting book connects Hindu religious nationalism with the cultural politics of everyday India.Trade Review‘These essays form an acute and timely critique of changes that can affect us all.’ -- Asian Affairs‘Essential reading for anybody concerned with the rise and seeming dominance of Hindutva in India.’ -- Outlook India'Instructive, sobering, and full to bursting with little-known aspects of India's politics. Describing the living tradition of Hindutva using a rich set of archives, the book's greatest strength is Sarkar's depiction of the Hindu Right as a deeply intimate phenomenon.' -- Pallavi Raghavan, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University, and author of Animosity at Bay: An Alternative History of the India-Pakistan Relationship'A brisk tour of the Hindu nationalist organisations at the forefront of the effort to turn India into a Hindu country. These essays are informative and persuasively argued, reflecting the years of painstaking fieldwork that went into them. Sarkar's prose is measured and eminently reasonable, pointing to Hindu nationalism's endless capacity to renew itself and adapt to its surroundings.' -- Pratinav Anil, co-author of India's First Dictatorship

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the space of meeting between two religions that open up when there are honest attempts at interreligious learning. Taking Abhishiktananda and Bede Griffiths as examplars, and the meeting between Advaita Vedanta and Christianity, the nature of the theological movements within this ‹Third Space› are identified, and the resultant hybridities are assessed for their relevance to each tradition. After brief biographical sketches, the author considers how these two monks related to the Indian space and the background of colonial history, and then proceeds to use comparative theology and postcolonial theory to examine their theology. Third Space Theory provides insights into the process of hybridization that is taking place, leading to an appreciation of the importance and challenge in the modern world of Third Spaces of meeting. «Jonathan Smith provides important explorations and reflections on a ‹third space› and the contribution of a postcolonial theology to the understanding of Christianity and Hinduism. It is a fresh and new challenging work on Abhishiktananda and Bede Griffiths.» Professor Mario I. Aguilar, Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics, University of St. Andrews «This is a deeply learned and skilful exercise in interweaving resources of postcolonial theory and interreligious dialogue which highlights the multiple processes of conjunction, disjunction, opposition, and osmosis that dynamically shape the in-between domains of Hindu-Christian engagements». Dr Ankur Barua, Lecturer in Hindu Studies, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge Table of ContentsContents: Abhishiktananda and Bede Griffiths in India – The Space of Meeting – Theology in the Third Space – Analysing the Interreligious Space 1: Comparative Theology –Analysing the Interreligious Space 2: Postcolonial Theory – Analysing the Interreligious Space 3: Homi Bhabha and the Third Space – Space, Tradition and Creation – Supreme Being, Incarnation and Human Beings – The Challenge of the Third Space – Bibliography – Index.

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Book SynopsisMahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest influencers in the world, was himself influenced by trailblazing thinkers and writers like Tolstoy, Ruskin, Thoreau, and others—each one contributing significantly to his moral and spiritual development. Yet only a few people know the most consequential person to have played a pivotal role in the making of the Mahatma: Shrimad Rajchandra. About the unparalleled influence of this person, Gandhi himself wrote: “I have met many a religious leader or teacher… and I must say that no one else ever made on me the impression that Raychandbhai did.” Uma Majmudar, digging deep into the original Gujarati writings of both Gandhi and Rajchandra, explores this important relationship and unfolds the unique impact of Rajchandra’s teachings and contributions upon Gandhi. The volume examines the contents and significance of their intimate spiritual discussions, letters, questions and answers. In this book, Dr. Majmudar brings to the forefront the scarcely known but critically important facts of how Rajchandra “molded Gandhi’s inner self, his character, his life, thoughts and actions.” This Jain zaveri (jeweller)-cum-spiritual seeker became Gandhi’s most trusted friend, as well as an exemplary mentor and “refuge in spiritual crisis.”Trade ReviewMahatma Gandhi in the last century was the most transformational figure. He changed the society and the politics. He had the capacity to shape thought and to influence beyond borders. He gave to the entire world a new kind of philosophy, that of the ineluctable dignity of every man and woman, whether ruled or ruling, free or enslaved, whether white, black, brown or yellow. He called it truth and nonviolence. He called it patriotism, He called it religion. It was Jainism and Rajchandra, who influenced young Gandhi the most. Rajchandra was slightly older than Mahatma Gandhi. He was a Jain saint philosopher, a poet and an author. Gandhi said on Rajchandra “on my life there is such a constant influence of Rajchandra that I cannot describe. I have very deep feelings for him. For years, I have been in search of highly religious people. So far I have not found another person who could equal him. He possessed knowledge, renunciation, and devotion and was free from pretense, factionalism, passion and jealousy. He had a divine power.” This wonderful book draws deeply upon the powerful wisdom of the Jain tradition and of Rajchandra and provides a fascinating and detailed account of the relationship, discussions, correspondence and the influence that Rajchandra had on Gandhi. At a time of religious and ethical crisis in the life of young Gandhi, it was Rajchandra who provided him the timely, unbiased advice and guidance. -- Sulekh C. Jain, author of An Ahimsa Crisis You DecideTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionChapter 1- Mohandas Gandhi in London: His First Acquaintance with ReligionsChapter 2 - Barrister Mr. Gandhi and Poet Rajchandra: Their First Meeting in MumbaiChapter 3 - Shrimad Rajchandra: A Many-faceted Diamond of a ManChapter 4 - What Cast a Spell on GandhiChapter 5 - Gandhi: Up, Close and Personal with RajchandraChapter 6 - Rajchandra as a Thinker and Reformist: Impact of His Views on GandhiChapter 7 - The Influence of Jainism on Gandhi: Major Precepts, Practices, and TheoriesChapter 8 - Brahmacharya: Rajchandra and GandhiChapter 9 - Gandhi from South Africa: “Rajchandra, My Refuge in Religious Crisis”Chapter 10 - Gandhi and Rajchandra: A Multi-petaled RelationshipChapter 11 - Ruskin, Tolstoy, and Thoreau: The Impact of Their Books on Gandhi Chapter 12 - Who Won the Battle for Gandhi’s Soul: Tolstoy, Ruskin, or Rajchandra?Chapter 13 - What is Satyagraha and Who Sowed the Seed Principles?Chapter 14 - Final WordAppendix I - Gandhi’s Questions and Rajchandra’s AnswersAppendix II - Excerpts from Rajchandra’s Major Writings with CommentsBibliographyAbout the Author

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Book SynopsisMahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest influencers in the world, was himself influenced by trailblazing thinkers and writers like Tolstoy, Ruskin, Thoreau, and others—each one contributing significantly to his moral and spiritual development. Yet only a few people know the most consequential person to have played a pivotal role in the making of the Mahatma: Shrimad Rajchandra. About the unparalleled influence of this person, Gandhi himself wrote: “I have met many a religious leader or teacher… and I must say that no one else ever made on me the impression that Raychandbhai did.” Uma Majmudar, digging deep into the original Gujarati writings of both Gandhi and Rajchandra, explores this important relationship and unfolds the unique impact of Rajchandra’s teachings and contributions upon Gandhi. The volume examines the contents and significance of their intimate spiritual discussions, letters, questions and answers. In this book, Dr. Majmudar brings to the forefront the scarcely known but critically important facts of how Rajchandra “molded Gandhi’s inner self, his character, his life, thoughts and actions.” This Jain zaveri (jeweller)-cum-spiritual seeker became Gandhi’s most trusted friend, as well as an exemplary mentor and “refuge in spiritual crisis.”Trade ReviewMajmudar (Spelman College) retells the "pilgrimage of faith" (p. 59) of Mohandas Gandhi (1869–1948) as he evolved into the Mahatma, contributing to the vast array of books advancing diverse studies of influences on his spiritual quest. In particular, Majmudar highlights the exemplary power of Rajchandra Mehta (1867–1901), a didactic poet, savant, and jeweler. Mehta personally interacted with young Gandhi for less than two years (1891–93) on Ghandi's return from London to Bombay (today Mumbai) and before his departure for South Africa. Thereafter, they corresponded until Mehta’s early death, although only three of their letters survive. Throughout, Majmudar argues that Mehta, whose mother tongue was the same Gujarati with a Kathiawadi accent as Gandhi’s, quickly became Gandhi’s "friend-cum-advisor and teacher supreme on the path of Truth" (p. 29). Mehta’s Jain religious beliefs and non-violent practices reinforced those that Gandhi absorbed from his own Vaishnava Hindu family. While Majmudar acknowledges that Mehta’s influence was "deep and invisible," she characterizes it "like an underground sprinkler system penetrating the deepest layers of [Gandhi’s] soul" (p. 76). Readers interested in the influences of Jainism or Mehta on Gandhi’s spiritual development will find Majumdar’s book informative. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. * Choice *In Gandhi and Rajchandra: The Making of the Mahatma. (Lexington Books), Dr. Uma Majmudar walks the reader through the life and times of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, exploring his transformation through various influences in his life, Srimad Rajchandra in particular. Through her comprehensive research and analysis, she convincingly presents the profound impact of a Jain zaveri (jeweler)-cum-spiritual seeker upon Gandhi, who “molded Gandhi’s inner self, his character, his life, thoughts and actions.” . . . Dr. Majmudar’s earnest efforts in highlighting this exceptional bond only enhances and elevates an evergreen, ever-relevant study of the Mahatma and his principles. * NRI Pulse: Home of the Indian-American Family *Mahatma Gandhi in the last century was the most transformational figure. He changed the society and the politics. He had the capacity to shape thought and to influence beyond borders. He gave to the entire world a new kind of philosophy, that of the ineluctable dignity of every man and woman, whether ruled or ruling, free or enslaved, whether white, black, brown or yellow. He called it truth and nonviolence. He called it patriotism, He called it religion. It was Jainism and Rajchandra, who influenced young Gandhi the most. Rajchandra was slightly older than Mahatma Gandhi. He was a Jain saint philosopher, a poet and an author. Gandhi said on Rajchandra “on my life there is such a constant influence of Rajchandra that I cannot describe. I have very deep feelings for him. For years, I have been in search of highly religious people. So far I have not found another person who could equal him. He possessed knowledge, renunciation, and devotion and was free from pretense, factionalism, passion and jealousy. He had a divine power.” This wonderful book draws deeply upon the powerful wisdom of the Jain tradition and of Rajchandra and provides a fascinating and detailed account of the relationship, discussions, correspondence and the influence that Rajchandra had on Gandhi. At a time of religious and ethical crisis in the life of young Gandhi, it was Rajchandra who provided him the timely, unbiased advice and guidance. -- Sulekh C. Jain, author of An Ahimsa Crisis You DecideThe lay Jain spiritual teacher Shrimad Rajchandra profoundly influenced many of Gandhi’s beliefs and practices, from celibacy in marriage to ideas about non-violence. This book provides an absorbing, readable introduction to Gandhi and Rajchandra’s relationship. -- Ellen Gough, Emory UniversityTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionChapter 1- Mohandas Gandhi in London: His First Acquaintance with ReligionsChapter 2 - Barrister Mr. Gandhi and Poet Rajchandra: Their First Meeting in MumbaiChapter 3 - Shrimad Rajchandra: A Many-faceted Diamond of a ManChapter 4 - What Cast a Spell on GandhiChapter 5 - Gandhi: Up, Close and Personal with RajchandraChapter 6 - Rajchandra as a Thinker and Reformist: Impact of His Views on GandhiChapter 7 - The Influence of Jainism on Gandhi: Major Precepts, Practices, and TheoriesChapter 8 - Brahmacharya: Rajchandra and GandhiChapter 9 - Gandhi from South Africa: “Rajchandra, My Refuge in Religious Crisis”Chapter 10 - Gandhi and Rajchandra: A Multi-petaled RelationshipChapter 11 - Ruskin, Tolstoy, and Thoreau: The Impact of Their Books on Gandhi Chapter 12 - Who Won the Battle for Gandhi’s Soul: Tolstoy, Ruskin, or Rajchandra?Chapter 13 - What is Satyagraha and Who Sowed the Seed Principles?Chapter 14 - Final WordAppendix I - Gandhi’s Questions and Rajchandra’s AnswersAppendix II - Excerpts from Rajchandra’s Major Writings with CommentsBibliographyAbout the Author

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book-length study of the thought of Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), who became well known during his lifetime as the exponent of a dynamic spirituality of integral transformation, which he set forth in an extensive body of writings in both prose and poetry, mostly in English but also in his native Bengali. He held that all fields of human endeavor can be venues of spiritual transformation when founded in aspiration and contemplative practice. He is noted not only as a spiritual teacher but also as an advocate of peace, a composer and musician, an artist and a sportsman who created innovative programs promoting self-transcendence and understanding between people of all cultures and walks of life. This study of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy refers to these diverse activities, especially in the biographical first chapter, but is mainly based on his written works. The book’s aim is to give to the reader a straightforward and unembroidered account of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy. It makes every attempt to allow Sri Chinmoy to speak for himself in his own words, and thus provides ample quotation and draws on his poetic works as much as on his other writings. Trade ReviewKusumita Pedersen has done all of us a service by providing such a clear and coherent account of the thought of Sri Chinmoy, meticulously documented, that it is destined to remain the reference point for his philosophy for decades. -- Arvind Sharma, McGill UniversityThis work by Kusumita Pedersen is the first academic introduction to the remarkable life and teachings of Chinmoy Kumar Ghose. With great erudition she distills the philosophical vision underlying Sri Chinmoy’s treasury of writings, showing how it is part of the Bengal Renaissance in the tradition of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Aurobindo, and Tagore, as well the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. What emerges is an inspired presentation of Sri Chinmoy’s evolutionary cosmology and psychology, where the soul’s journey is likened to an inner mounting flame that ascends to union with the divine Peace, Light and Bliss of the Supreme, and then descends for creative manifestation and total world-transformation. Strongly recommended! -- Steve Odin, University of HawaiiThe quality of this intellectual work is profound and enlightening.…It reveals the breadth and depth of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophical thinking.…Gives the impartial seeker an insight into the great mind and heart and spirit of Sri Chinmoy.…Expands our grasp of some of the ultimate questions of our time. A must for anyone who wants to understand Sri Chinmoy. -- Sushil Mittal, James Madison UniversityTable of ContentsChapter One: From Shakpura to the WorldChapter Two: GodChapter Three: Creation and EvolutionChapter Four: The Soul’s Journey Chapter Five: Knowledge and RealizationChapter Six: LoveChapter Seven: Acceptance and Transformation

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book-length study of the thought of Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007), who became well known during his lifetime as the exponent of a dynamic spirituality of integral transformation, which he set forth in an extensive body of writings in both prose and poetry, mostly in English but also in his native Bengali. He held that all fields of human endeavor can be venues of spiritual transformation when founded in aspiration and contemplative practice. He is noted not only as a spiritual teacher but also as an advocate of peace, a composer and musician, an artist and a sportsman who created innovative programs promoting self-transcendence and understanding between people of all cultures and walks of life. This study of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy refers to these diverse activities, especially in the biographical first chapter, but is mainly based on his written works. The book’s aim is to give to the reader a straightforward and unembroidered account of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy. It makes every attempt to allow Sri Chinmoy to speak for himself in his own words, and thus provides ample quotation and draws on his poetic works as much as on his other writings. Trade ReviewKusumita Pedersen has done all of us a service by providing such a clear and coherent account of the thought of Sri Chinmoy, meticulously documented, that it is destined to remain the reference point for his philosophy for decades. -- Arvind Sharma, McGill UniversityThis work by Kusumita Pedersen is the first academic introduction to the remarkable life and teachings of Chinmoy Kumar Ghose. With great erudition she distills the philosophical vision underlying Sri Chinmoy’s treasury of writings, showing how it is part of the Bengal Renaissance in the tradition of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Aurobindo, and Tagore, as well the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. What emerges is an inspired presentation of Sri Chinmoy’s evolutionary cosmology and psychology, where the soul’s journey is likened to an inner mounting flame that ascends to union with the divine Peace, Light and Bliss of the Supreme, and then descends for creative manifestation and total world-transformation. Strongly recommended! -- Steve Odin, University of HawaiiThe quality of this intellectual work is profound and enlightening.…It reveals the breadth and depth of Sri Chinmoy’s philosophical thinking.…Gives the impartial seeker an insight into the great mind and heart and spirit of Sri Chinmoy.…Expands our grasp of some of the ultimate questions of our time. A must for anyone who wants to understand Sri Chinmoy. -- Sushil Mittal, James Madison UniversityTable of ContentsChapter One: From Shakpura to the WorldChapter Two: GodChapter Three: Creation and EvolutionChapter Four: The Soul’s Journey Chapter Five: Knowledge and RealizationChapter Six: LoveChapter Seven: Acceptance and Transformation

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Book SynopsisDrawing on both textual and archaeological evidence, this study offers an integrated approach to scholarly debates on monasteries and guru relics in South India between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. This study analyzes the role of the guru in the development of Hindu monastic orders, from centers of education to institutions of traditional authority. Focusing on the complex socio-religious context of the whole-body icon, the author analyzes the relic as a nexus of contradictions surrounding sacredness and death.Trade ReviewIn her praiseworthy work, Nalini Rao integrates archival, archaeological, and textual references to historically ground the contribution of the monastic institutions in Karnataka. With her innovative research, Dr. Rao highlights how the monasteries kept traditional knowledge and practices alive in medieval times. In the wake of cosmopolitan spirituality, this study is timely, not only because it traces the monasteries’ struggles to keep traditional education vibrant, but also because it traces the historical origins of several contemporary guru movements. -- Sthaneshwar Timalsina, San Diego State UniversityNalini Rao skillfully examines three distinct types of maṭha: those dedicated to the Advaita teachings established by Śankarācārya, others devoted to the Viśiṣṭādvaita teachings of Rāmānuja, and a third group created in the Dvaita spirit of loving devotion to the family of Śiva or the many incarnations of Vishnu. She presents the first scholarly analysis of the vṛndāvana, the distinct structure that houses in salt the uncremated remains of a revered teacher whose breath and soul have departed the body. This book is highly recommended as an example of the importance of material culture in understanding religion. -- Christopher Key Chapple, Loyola Marymount UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: Hindu Monasteries in a Socio-religious Context Chapter Two: Beginnings and Growth of Saiva Monasteries Chapter Three: Vedānta Mathas: Development, Identity, and PatronageChapter Four: The Icon and Relic of the Guru Chapter Five: Multivalent Symbolism of the VrndavanaChapter Six: Conclusions

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Book SynopsisDrawing on both textual and archaeological evidence, this study offers an integrated approach to scholarly debates on monasteries and guru relics in South India between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. This study analyzes the role of the guru in the development of Hindu monastic orders, from centers of education to institutions of traditional authority. Focusing on the complex socio-religious context of the whole-body icon, the author analyzes the relic as a nexus of contradictions surrounding sacredness and death.Trade ReviewIn her praiseworthy work, Nalini Rao integrates archival, archaeological, and textual references to historically ground the contribution of the monastic institutions in Karnataka. With her innovative research, Dr. Rao highlights how the monasteries kept traditional knowledge and practices alive in medieval times. In the wake of cosmopolitan spirituality, this study is timely, not only because it traces the monasteries’ struggles to keep traditional education vibrant, but also because it traces the historical origins of several contemporary guru movements. -- Sthaneshwar Timalsina, San Diego State UniversityNalini Rao skillfully examines three distinct types of maṭha: those dedicated to the Advaita teachings established by Śankarācārya, others devoted to the Viśiṣṭādvaita teachings of Rāmānuja, and a third group created in the Dvaita spirit of loving devotion to the family of Śiva or the many incarnations of Vishnu. She presents the first scholarly analysis of the vṛndāvana, the distinct structure that houses in salt the uncremated remains of a revered teacher whose breath and soul have departed the body. This book is highly recommended as an example of the importance of material culture in understanding religion. -- Christopher Key Chapple, Loyola Marymount UniversityThe role of ascetics and ascetic institutions in India has been fundamental. While there have been some good books written about these in English, Nalini Rao’s material and presentation style here is both significant and unique, due to her intimate understanding of South Indian archaeology, history, anthropology, and religious culture. Her source materials are extensive and varied, and her success in integrating these adds to the value of what she makes available to her readers. -- Ramdas Lamb, University of Hawai'i at ManoaTable of ContentsIntroduction: Hindu Monasteries in a Socio-religious Context Chapter Two: Beginnings and Growth of Saiva Monasteries Chapter Three: Vedānta Mathas: Development, Identity, and PatronageChapter Four: The Icon and Relic of the Guru Chapter Five: Multivalent Symbolism of the VrndavanaChapter Six: Conclusions

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Book SynopsisIn The Hindu Self and its Muslim Neighbors, the author sketches the contours of relations between Hindus and Muslims in Bengal. The central argument is that various patterns of amicability and antipathy have been generated towards Muslims over the last six hundred years and these patterns emerge at dynamic intersections between Hindu self-understandings and social shifts on contested landscapes. The core of the book is a set of translations of the Bengali writings of Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899–1976), and Annada Shankar Ray (1904–2002). Their lives were deeply interwoven with some Hindu–Muslim synthetic ideas and subjectivities, and these involvements are articulated throughout their writings which provide multiple vignettes of contemporary modes of amity and antagonism. Barua argues that the characterization of relations between Hindus and Muslims either in terms of an implacable hostility or of an unfragmented peace is historically inaccurate, for these relations were modulated by a shifting array of socio-economic and socio-political parameters. It is within these contexts that Rabindranath, Nazrul, and Annada Shankar are developing their thoughts on Hindus and Muslims through the prisms of religious humanism and universalism.Table of ContentsPrefaceChapter One: Hindus and Muslims in Unpartitioned Bengal: Affinities and AntagonismsChapter Two: Partitioned Lands: Rabindranath Tagore, Nazrul Islam, and Annada Shankar RayChapter Three: Rabindranath Tagore: Translated TextsChapter Four: Nazrul Islam: Translated TextsChapter Five: Annada Shankar Ray: Translated TextsChapter Six: ConclusionReferencesAbout the Author

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Book SynopsisIn Kali in Bengali Lives, Suchitra Samanta examines Bengalis’ personal narratives of Kali devotion in the Bhakti tradition. These personal experiences, including miraculous encounters, reflect on broader understandings of divine power. Where the revelatory experience has long been validated in Indian epistemology, the devotees’ own interpretive framework provides continuity within a paradigm of devotion and of the miraculous experience as intuitive insight (anubhuti) into a larger truth. Through these unique insights, the miraculous experience is felt in its emotional power, remembered, and reflected upon. The narratives speak to how the meaning of a religious figure, Kali, becomes personally significant and ultimately transformative of the devotee’s self.Table of ContentsPart I: Framing Religious Experience in Theory and Indigenous BeliefChapter 1: Interpreting Kali: A History, and Western Perspectives Chapter 2: Indigenous Epistemology: Revelatory Knowledge as Valid Chapter 3: On Narrative: Autobiographical Recollection, Interpreting the Miraculous ExperiencePart II: Narratives of experienceChapter 4: Devotional Practices and ExperiencesChapter 5: Alokebabu, Kali Devotee: A Guru as His Disciples see HimChapter 6: Bani’s Many Gurus: Her Spiritual Journey to Receiving Kali Chapter 7: Experiences Associated with Devotional Practices Chapter 8: Sacrificial Offering to Kali, Experiences of Well-being and Calamity

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Book SynopsisIn Kali in Bengali Lives, Suchitra Samanta examines Bengalis’ personal narratives of Kali devotion in the Bhakti tradition. These personal experiences, including miraculous encounters, reflect on broader understandings of divine power. Where the revelatory experience has long been validated in Indian epistemology, the devotees’ own interpretive framework provides continuity within a paradigm of devotion and of the miraculous experience as intuitive insight (anubhuti) into a larger truth. Through these unique insights, the miraculous experience is felt in its emotional power, remembered, and reflected upon. The narratives speak to how the meaning of a religious figure, Kali, becomes personally significant and ultimately transformative of the devotee’s self.Table of ContentsPart I: Framing Religious Experience in Theory and Indigenous BeliefChapter 1: Interpreting Kali: A History and Western PerspectivesChapter 2: Indigenous Epistemology: Relevatory Knowledge as ValidChapter 3: On Narrative: Autobiographical Recollection, Interpreting the Miraculous ExperiencePart II: Narratives of ExperienceChapter 4: The Guru as Conduit for Kali/Sakti, Disciples’ ExperiencesChapter 5: Alokebabu, Kali’s Devotee: A Guru as His Disciples See HimChapter 6: Bani’s Many Gurus: Her Spiritual Journey to “Receiving” KaliChapter 7: Devotional Practices and ExperiencesChapter 8: Sacrificial Offerings to Kali, Experiences of Well-Being and CalamityConclusion

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisHinduism in Five Minutes provides an accessible and lively introduction to common questions about the practices, ideas, and narratives commonly identified as Hindu. Suitable for beginning students and the general reader, the book offers more than 70 brief essays on a wide range of fascinating questions about Hinduism and its study, such as: How did Hinduism begin? How many gods / goddesses do Hindus worship? Which scriptures are important in Hinduism? Why are many Hindus vegetarian? What is the role of women in Hindu rituals? What do Hindus believe? What is caste, and why are some people treated differently because of it? How do Hindus celebrate festivals like Holi? Is yoga Hindu? What makes arranged marriage appealing to some Hindus? Do you have to be Indian to be a Hindu? Each essay is written by a leading authority and offers succinct, insightful answers along with suggestions for further reading, making the book an ideal starting point for classroom use or personal browsing.Table of ContentsPreface Steven Ramey General questions Is Hinduism a religion or something else? Prea Persaud, University of North Carolina What are the primary ideas in Hinduism? Brian K. Pennington, Elon University What is the ultimate purpose or goal of Hinduism? Varun Khanna, Swarthmoe College Beginnings What is the creation story in Hinduism? Gil Ben-Herut, University of South Florida Where and when did Hinduism originate? Thomas B. Ellis, Appalachian State University Where does the name Hinduism come from? Will Sweetman, University of Otago Where did the concept of caste begin? Gil Ben-Herut Development Are there different denominations like Christianity? Vincent Burgess, Cornell University What are the regional differences in Hinduism across India? Bhakti Mamtora, Wooster College How does someone become a guru? Antoinette E. DeNapoli, Texas Christian University Does violent extremism exist in Hinduism? Jimi Wilson, University of North Carolina, Greensboro Texts and Stories How many ‘sacred texts’ does Hinduism have? Steven Ramey What are the Vedas? Varun Khanna What is the Bhagavad Gita? Vincent Burgess Gods and Goddesses How many gods are in Hinduism? Vasudha Narayanan, University of Florida Which deities are most popular? Vasudha Narayanan What does each god represent? Thomas B. Ellis Personal practices What are the daily practices that Hindus try to follow? Bhakti Mamtora What does someone have to believe to be a Hindu? Richard S. Weiss, Victoria University of Wellington Do Hindus still have arranged marriages? Susan Prill, Juniata College Why do Hindus not eat beef? Will Sweetman Rituals and Worship Are there any ceremonies that Hindus hold very sacred? Thomas B. Ellis How is caste determined? Maharshi Vyas, University of California What does worship in Hinduism look like? Katherine C. Zubko, University of North Carolina, Asheville Hindus in relation to non-Hindus How do Hindus live in Muslim countries like Pakistan, if any do? Jürgen Schaflechner, Freie Universtät Berlin What is the main difference between Hinduism and the more popular religions in America? Michael J. Altman, University of Alabama What do Hindus think about Christianity? Collin Sibley, University of California Current Issues What are some values taught to children? Varun Khanna Do you have to be Indian to be a Hindu? Collin Sibley How do Hindus respond to environmental issues? Vincent Burgess Do men and women have equality in Hinduism? Antoinette E. DeNapoli What is the Hindu response to people who identify as LGBTQ? Maharshi Vyas Why does Hinduism seem to have spread less around the world than other major religions? Prea Persaud

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Book SynopsisThis introductory text points to some of the diverse tapestries of Hindu worldviews where scriptural revelation, logical argumentation, embodied affectivity, moral reasoning, and aesthetic cultivation constitute densely interwoven conceptual threads. It begins with an exploration of some classical iterations of the quest for a fundamental ontology amidst the diversities of the everyday world. This quest is often embedded in both a diagnosis of the human condition as structured by suffering and a therapy for recovery from worldly fragmentation. A crucial aspect of this therapeutic structure is the analysis of the means of knowledge and the categories of reality, since in order to know the nature of the world one must proceed along truth-tracking routes. Such dynamic mind-world encounters are mediated through language, and Hindu philosophical texts extensively discuss the motif of whether or not deep reality can be comprehended through linguistic structures. These philosophical exercises also shape reflections on themes such as aesthetics, social organization, the meaning of life, and so on. As Hinduism increasingly migrates to western locations through practices of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, and along with sensibilities relating to vegetarianism, ecology, and pacifism, we encounter multiple translations of these classical motifs relating to the self, language, and consciousness.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: Conceptual Constellations Chapter 1: Unity and its Concrete Multitudes Chapter 2: Knowing the Roots of Reality Chapter 3: Therapies for Liberation Chapter 4: Finding a Home in the World Chapter 5: Multiple Modes of Morality Conclusion: Reorienting the Mind’s Compass

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Book SynopsisThis introductory text points to some of the diverse tapestries of Hindu worldviews where scriptural revelation, logical argumentation, embodied affectivity, moral reasoning, and aesthetic cultivation constitute densely interwoven conceptual threads. It begins with an exploration of some classical iterations of the quest for a fundamental ontology amidst the diversities of the everyday world. This quest is often embedded in both a diagnosis of the human condition as structured by suffering and a therapy for recovery from worldly fragmentation. A crucial aspect of this therapeutic structure is the analysis of the means of knowledge and the categories of reality, since in order to know the nature of the world one must proceed along truth-tracking routes. Such dynamic mind-world encounters are mediated through language, and Hindu philosophical texts extensively discuss the motif of whether or not deep reality can be comprehended through linguistic structures. These philosophical exercises also shape reflections on themes such as aesthetics, social organization, the meaning of life, and so on. As Hinduism increasingly migrates to western locations through practices of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, and along with sensibilities relating to vegetarianism, ecology, and pacifism, we encounter multiple translations of these classical motifs relating to the self, language, and consciousness.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: Conceptual Constellations Chapter 1: Unity and its Concrete Multitudes Chapter 2: Knowing the Roots of Reality Chapter 3: Therapies for Liberation Chapter 4: Finding a Home in the World Chapter 5: Multiple Modes of Morality Conclusion: Reorienting the Mind’s Compass

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Book SynopsisSouth Asian Goddesses and the Natural Environment is a multidisciplinary collection of 11 essays ranging from the pre-Vedic to the modern era and incorporating research on Hindu, Buddhist and tribal cultures. The authors ask whether the worship of goddesses, strongly linked to fertility rituals, might have mitigated the ecological decline of South Asia in the pre-British and post-colonial eras.The manifold powers of the Devi, whether nurturing or destructive, could be constructed as companions to the unstoppable forces of Nature. This binary paradigm, however, is misleading. For millions of South Asian people, the Devi is Nature and Nature is She. Amongst scholars, the connections between the South Asian Goddesses and the natural environment have been debated and contested for centuries. This collection of essays, the last of a trilogy on the Devi or iconic female by Australian scholars and their collaborators, interrogates the paradoxes of worshipping the feminine divine and yet ignoring the natural environment that validates Her existence. Historical and cultural sources, many of them in Sanskrit, point to the Devi-Nature complex but in ignoring the role of human agency, appear to exonerate society from taking responsibility for the ecological devastation manifested throughout the South Asian region. The Devi is omnipotent but in the role of the nurturing Mother she will not intervene if we remain passive. South Asian deities teach us to respect the environment, a necessary but insufficient condition for compelling us to behave in a manner that respects the wonders of the universe.

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Book SynopsisA fascinating read for scholars and general readers alike, 'Class and Religion in Ancient India' highlights the interdependence between the class structure and the Vedic and Brahmanical form of religion in ancient India. It seeks to demolish the myth that religiosity and spirituality were the distinctive characteristics of ancient Indian civilization. The author demonstrates that religion was a superstructure of class relations used primarily by the ruling class and the state to perpetuate a predatory class structure based on exploitation and oppression.Table of ContentsAcronyms and Abbreviations; Introduction; Class Formation in Vedic Society; Social Origins of Advaita Philosophy; Political Sociology of Bhagavadgita; Class Dynamics, Time Cycles and Avatar; State and Counter-Revolution; Bibliography; Index

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