Cover of Hinduism

Hinduism

A guide to the nature & function of Hinduism. Hinduism is unique among the great religions in that it had no founder but grew gradually over a period of 5000 years, absorbing & assimilating all the religions & cultural movements in India. Consequently it has no Bible or Koran or Dhammapadam to which controversies can be referred for resolution. Many works such as the Vedas, the Upanishads & the Bhagavad-Gita are authoritative but none is exclusively so. As in Christianity there are several Hindu schools of thought. "Hinduism" clearly outlines their common beliefs & particular differences.

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I The nature & principles of Hinduism

1 Introduction

2 The nature & growth of Hinduism

3 Social ideals & values

4 The caste system

5 Customs & festivals

6 Unity & freedom

II Historical evolution of Hinduism

7 The Indus Valley civilization

8 The Vedic age

9 Vedic culture & education

10 Upanishad & the Gita

11 Cultural synthesis & its influence on Indian life

12 Jainism & Buddhism

13 Some other non-Vedic systems

14 Ramayana, Mahabharata & the Puranas

15 The six systems of philosophy

16 Hinduism outside India

17 Bhakti or the devotional school

18 Medieval mysticism of North India

19 The Bauls

20 Present trends

III Extracts from Hindu scriptures

Rigveda

Atharvaveda

Upanishads

Bhagavad-Gita

Audience
adult
Length
short · 176 pages

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