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On Hinduism
What is Hinduism? Historians, teachers, scholars, and gurus have disagreed for centuries—and continue to disagree. One reason is because Hinduism—the world’s oldest continuously extant major religion—is not a single faith with a static set of beliefs and a single sacred scripture. It is actually a mixture of faiths that have evolved from the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent—a universal faith that is open to interpretation and evolving scientific truth, and one that deeply respects individual thought.
In this, her latest book, Gajjar has striven for clarity in her explanations while recognizing the immense complexity of the subject matter. “In a sense,” she writes, “On Hinduism is an opinion about an opinion. Religions are beliefs and opinions about the universe, about humankind, about birth and death and matters of the spirit. Hinduism itself is a widely held belief system and this work is a true account of what Hindus believe.”
On Hinduism is a comprehensive account of contemporary Hinduism, a religion that for many justifies place and existence. The author skillfully weaves together history, philosophy, science, mythology, literature, and biography to give even the novice a strong framework to understand the depth and importance of Hinduism. The book is both an historical and a philosophical account, grounded by the deep reflections of an important mind.
In this, her latest book, Gajjar has striven for clarity in her explanations while recognizing the immense complexity of the subject matter. “In a sense,” she writes, “On Hinduism is an opinion about an opinion. Religions are beliefs and opinions about the universe, about humankind, about birth and death and matters of the spirit. Hinduism itself is a widely held belief system and this work is a true account of what Hindus believe.”
On Hinduism is a comprehensive account of contemporary Hinduism, a religion that for many justifies place and existence. The author skillfully weaves together history, philosophy, science, mythology, literature, and biography to give even the novice a strong framework to understand the depth and importance of Hinduism. The book is both an historical and a philosophical account, grounded by the deep reflections of an important mind.
- GenresReligion
197 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 16, 2014
This is a horrible whitewashing of Hinduism for Western eyeballs.
It stands in a tradition of about 200 years or so of such. That is less well known than the attempt to gussy up Buddhism for Western eyeballs. But calling Hinduism "monotheism" is about as true as calling Buddhism "just a psychology."
That said, Gajjar talks around or ignores the main stumblig blocks of Hinduism. That includes:
1. If this world, and therefore, physical actions in it, are illusory, how can there be any such thing as karma? Isn't it too illusory? (Arguably, that could be seen as a version of Buddhist satori, but that's not the angle I'm taking.)
2. If we can't remember past lives, how does karma work? (Actually, in another satori-like moment, if past lives did exist, shouldn't we try harder to forget them, in a form of detachment?)
3. Assuming that the mind is embodied and physically based, how can we know the physical world is illusory since the mind is thus also illusory?
Meanwhile any book purporting to explain Hinduism with NOT ONE MENTION OF KALI gets 1-starred on that grounds alone.
It stands in a tradition of about 200 years or so of such. That is less well known than the attempt to gussy up Buddhism for Western eyeballs. But calling Hinduism "monotheism" is about as true as calling Buddhism "just a psychology."
That said, Gajjar talks around or ignores the main stumblig blocks of Hinduism. That includes:
1. If this world, and therefore, physical actions in it, are illusory, how can there be any such thing as karma? Isn't it too illusory? (Arguably, that could be seen as a version of Buddhist satori, but that's not the angle I'm taking.)
2. If we can't remember past lives, how does karma work? (Actually, in another satori-like moment, if past lives did exist, shouldn't we try harder to forget them, in a form of detachment?)
3. Assuming that the mind is embodied and physically based, how can we know the physical world is illusory since the mind is thus also illusory?
Meanwhile any book purporting to explain Hinduism with NOT ONE MENTION OF KALI gets 1-starred on that grounds alone.
August 13, 2016
This important book discusses the origins and progress of Hindu beliefs through millenia and their relevance today. It is a perfect vehicle for anybody seeking to understand how monotheism, scripture, yoga, mythology, karma and tradition are intertwined in Hindu minds.
Read in full, On Hinduism gives a faithful overview and interpretation of the multiple aspects of Hindu religion. It presents a clear picture of Hindu philosophy, practice and spirituality. Read in part, it can clear up questions you might have about Hindu belief and Hindu way of life. Excerpts from holy texts enhance many explanations. The glossary and detailed index are good reference tools.
On Hinduism stands on its own, but also makes an excellent companion to Irina Gajjar's Sanskrit-to-English translation entitled The Gita: A New Translation of Hindu Sacred Scripture. While the beauty of this translation lies in the fact that interpretation is left to the reader, On Hinduism offers opinions and generally accepted views on how Hindus view God and life.
Read in full, On Hinduism gives a faithful overview and interpretation of the multiple aspects of Hindu religion. It presents a clear picture of Hindu philosophy, practice and spirituality. Read in part, it can clear up questions you might have about Hindu belief and Hindu way of life. Excerpts from holy texts enhance many explanations. The glossary and detailed index are good reference tools.
On Hinduism stands on its own, but also makes an excellent companion to Irina Gajjar's Sanskrit-to-English translation entitled The Gita: A New Translation of Hindu Sacred Scripture. While the beauty of this translation lies in the fact that interpretation is left to the reader, On Hinduism offers opinions and generally accepted views on how Hindus view God and life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews