What do you think?
Rate this book
A Survey of Hinduism
The third edition of this well-regarded introduction to Hinduism adds new material on the religion’s origins, on its relations with rival traditions, and on Hindu science.
715 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 1994
14 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 5, 2019
First published in 1989, this venerable volume has been in circulation for some time. So has its author Klaus Klostermaier, who earned a philosophy phD in Rome 1961 and another on Indian history in Bombay 1969. He was a Catholic priest, missionary to India, and advisor to the Vatican. If his past affiliations are relevant, they seem to have only heightened his regard for Hinduism.
Klostermaier was a professor of religion at secular universities for 30 years, and author of more than 50 books. He reads in 8 languages including Sanskrit, Pali and Hindi. Writing as an outsider about the culture and beliefs he cites many Hindu scholars, although not exclusively. He is sympathetic and respectful, but mostly uncritical in his examination of the social and sectarian milieu.
The survey is divided into four major areas. Part I is "Sources and Worldview" on the scriptures and beliefs of followers of Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti. Part II "Three Paths to Liberation" views the various approaches of works, knowledge and devotion. Part III covers the "Structural Supports" within society. Part IV focuses on interactions with "the Other" religions and political movements.
Klostermaier had studied Hindu culture for three decades when this was written. He seems intent to share all he learned and leave nothing out. At times the text is difficult to decipher. Extensive Sanskrit vocabulary obscures his intended meaning. Things that could be said simply are cloaked in esoteric terms, while the arcane dogma of heterodox sects is afforded little explanation.
The book delves deeply into Hinduism as religious and philosophical phenomena. Its academic tone detracts from understanding practical aspects of the faith. For those with passing interest or limited time this may not work well. In over 500 pages of text many topics are covered, and the scope is nearly encyclopedic. It is still a worthwhile effort, if only for a narrow audience.
Klostermaier was a professor of religion at secular universities for 30 years, and author of more than 50 books. He reads in 8 languages including Sanskrit, Pali and Hindi. Writing as an outsider about the culture and beliefs he cites many Hindu scholars, although not exclusively. He is sympathetic and respectful, but mostly uncritical in his examination of the social and sectarian milieu.
The survey is divided into four major areas. Part I is "Sources and Worldview" on the scriptures and beliefs of followers of Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti. Part II "Three Paths to Liberation" views the various approaches of works, knowledge and devotion. Part III covers the "Structural Supports" within society. Part IV focuses on interactions with "the Other" religions and political movements.
Klostermaier had studied Hindu culture for three decades when this was written. He seems intent to share all he learned and leave nothing out. At times the text is difficult to decipher. Extensive Sanskrit vocabulary obscures his intended meaning. Things that could be said simply are cloaked in esoteric terms, while the arcane dogma of heterodox sects is afforded little explanation.
The book delves deeply into Hinduism as religious and philosophical phenomena. Its academic tone detracts from understanding practical aspects of the faith. For those with passing interest or limited time this may not work well. In over 500 pages of text many topics are covered, and the scope is nearly encyclopedic. It is still a worthwhile effort, if only for a narrow audience.
April 14, 2017
"Survey" is a good introduction to the breadth of Hinduim, assuming you don't mind consulting the glossary frequently until you've picked up some Sanskrit vocabulary. This is probably inevitable—the early chapters *have* to be sprinkled with terms not yet discussed in order for Klostermaier to discuss their subject matter in any depth. If you bear with him for a while, though, your picture of the whole will become populated enough that you no longer have to puzzle over every paragraph. (In the meantime, the glossary is rather good.)
Some other things I *don't* like about "Survey":
1. Klostermaier's prose isn't great. Dubiously constructed sentences occur with some frequency. The clunkiness isn't helped by his tendency to write in a "depth-first" style—pursuing specific tangents before giving broad overviews.
2. He's more opinionated than I'd like in an introductory text. This is visible from the beginning in his exposition of the Aryan invasion controversy, in which he comes down rather unsubtly in favor of newer theories that support a domestic origin for the Rgveda as early as 4000 BCE (as opposed to older ones that put it around 1500 BCE). Elsewhere (and I apologize for the vagueness of this) it's hard not to notice how much of a presence and personality he is in the book, how much his individual perspective and those of the authors he cites shape the way he writes about his subject matter. I'm not entirely unhappy with the result, but it does stick out uncomfortably in places. (Personally, I was annoyed whenever he made a statement to the effect that Hindu/Indian logical analysis or science touch on truths that Western thought has not grasped—*especially* when he talks about math, ugh—but this is mostly an aesthetic response on my part and might not bother others. De gustibus etc.)
And some things I *did* like:
1. The copious references, notes, and recommendations for further reading. I added a bunch of books to my to-read list based on these. I especially appreciate his pointers to translations of Sanskrit texts. Also he uses endnotes, which I think is the appropriate choice in this case.
2. Likewise, his liberal use of quotations/paraphrases from primary sources—no doubt a luxury of the book's length. These work well in the chapters on bhakti movements (devotional songs etc.) and in the chapter on Vedānta (Brahmasūtra commentaries).
3. The book gives ample space to popular Hinduism and Hinduism as currently practiced—it's a world away from being all Vedas and Upanishads, all the time. There are chapters on the epics and Purānas, the Samskāras, and one each on how Hinduism has dealt with Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. (I would've been interested in a similar chapter about Jainism, but one can't have everything.)
Although I haven't read it entirely, "The Strides of Vishnu" by Ariel Glucklich seems like it might make a good (and short) pairing with "Survey". But I'd also be content just to read Klostermaier and follow his breadcrumbs to more detail and other viewpoints on the topics that interest me.
Some other things I *don't* like about "Survey":
1. Klostermaier's prose isn't great. Dubiously constructed sentences occur with some frequency. The clunkiness isn't helped by his tendency to write in a "depth-first" style—pursuing specific tangents before giving broad overviews.
2. He's more opinionated than I'd like in an introductory text. This is visible from the beginning in his exposition of the Aryan invasion controversy, in which he comes down rather unsubtly in favor of newer theories that support a domestic origin for the Rgveda as early as 4000 BCE (as opposed to older ones that put it around 1500 BCE). Elsewhere (and I apologize for the vagueness of this) it's hard not to notice how much of a presence and personality he is in the book, how much his individual perspective and those of the authors he cites shape the way he writes about his subject matter. I'm not entirely unhappy with the result, but it does stick out uncomfortably in places. (Personally, I was annoyed whenever he made a statement to the effect that Hindu/Indian logical analysis or science touch on truths that Western thought has not grasped—*especially* when he talks about math, ugh—but this is mostly an aesthetic response on my part and might not bother others. De gustibus etc.)
And some things I *did* like:
1. The copious references, notes, and recommendations for further reading. I added a bunch of books to my to-read list based on these. I especially appreciate his pointers to translations of Sanskrit texts. Also he uses endnotes, which I think is the appropriate choice in this case.
2. Likewise, his liberal use of quotations/paraphrases from primary sources—no doubt a luxury of the book's length. These work well in the chapters on bhakti movements (devotional songs etc.) and in the chapter on Vedānta (Brahmasūtra commentaries).
3. The book gives ample space to popular Hinduism and Hinduism as currently practiced—it's a world away from being all Vedas and Upanishads, all the time. There are chapters on the epics and Purānas, the Samskāras, and one each on how Hinduism has dealt with Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. (I would've been interested in a similar chapter about Jainism, but one can't have everything.)
Although I haven't read it entirely, "The Strides of Vishnu" by Ariel Glucklich seems like it might make a good (and short) pairing with "Survey". But I'd also be content just to read Klostermaier and follow his breadcrumbs to more detail and other viewpoints on the topics that interest me.
February 7, 2017
No one book can grasp the complexity and history of Hinduism. Having lived in the SubContinent, I realse many Indians dislike any non Indian attempts at description.
However, this book goes a long way to grasp the inticacies and history of Hndu thought that even many of my Indian friends hae not considered. This is not a shallow gloss, but will give an sincere student of Hindi thought a grasp of the ancient texts over time whatever his heritage.
However, this book goes a long way to grasp the inticacies and history of Hndu thought that even many of my Indian friends hae not considered. This is not a shallow gloss, but will give an sincere student of Hindi thought a grasp of the ancient texts over time whatever his heritage.
January 2, 2009
This is a great and comprehensive introduction to the study of Hinduism. It makes quite clear that there is not just one "Hinduism," but many. Different margas (paths/disciplines) are examined in detail. This is a great place to start if you're looking for an area of further study within the Hindu tradition--eg. the yogamarga, bhaktimarga, or karmamarga. I highly recommend it.
May 27, 2025
There were a number of factual errors unrelated to Hinduism. Hopefully there weren't factual errors about Hinduism too!
November 19, 2014
Credit to the author for extensive research and representation of this behemoth and complex religion. However I took a freaking long time to read through this book, not sure if there is anything the author could've done to address the dry, slow, dead beat story. But its literally a history text book dedicated to Hinduism, so you cant really expect it to be entertaining.
I personally did get some interesting insights from this book, but then again it is not your everyday read.
I personally did get some interesting insights from this book, but then again it is not your everyday read.
Want to read
April 26, 2011Borrowed from James (6-2010).
September 16, 2012
A very good overview of the hindu tradition, its diversity and change, past and present.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews