This revision reflects recent developments and events in India. In particular, a new Part has been added entitled "The Meeting of East and West in India" which contains a new chapter on Mahatma Gandhi. There is also a new chapter on the position of women in Hinduism. In addition to the added chapters, the entire book has been rewritten with many new illustrations and maps.
This book provides a comprehensive survey of the Hindu tradition, dealing with the history of Hinduism, the sacred writings of the Hindus, the Hindu worldview, and the specifics of the major branches of Hinduism--Vaisnavism, Saivism, and Saktism. It also focuses on the geographical ties of Hinduism with the land of India, the social order created by Hinduism, and the various systems of Hindu thought. Klostermaier describes the new development of Hinduism in the 19th and 20th centuries, including present-day political Hinduism and the efforts to turn Hinduism into a modern-world religion.
A unique feature of this book is its treatment of Hinduism in a topical fashion, rather than by chronological description of the development of Hinduism or by summary of the literature. The complexities of Hindu life and thought are thus made real to the reader. Hindus will recognize it as their own tradition.
Klaus K. Klostermaier is Professor of Religion at the University of Manitoba.
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Photographs
Preface to Second Edition
Note on Pronunciation and Use of Sanskrit Words
Introduction Part I. Hinduism: Development and Essence
1. India and the West 2. The History and Development of Hinduism 3. Hindu Dharma: Orthodoxy and Heresy in Hinduism 4. Revelation and Scripture in Hinduism 5. Itihasa and Purana: The Heart of Hinduism 6. The Bhagavadgita 7. The World of the Hindu 8. The Many Gods and the One God of Hinduism
Part II.Trimarga:The Three Hindu Paths to Liberation
9. The Path of Works: Karmamarga 10. Purity and Merit: The Twin Concerns of Karmamarga 11. The Hindu Sacraments: The Samskaras 12. The Path of Knowledge: Jnanamarga 13. Atman and Brahman: Self and All 14. Karma, Vidya, Moksa: Liberation from Rebirth 15. The Path of Loving Devotion: Bhaktimarga 16. Lord Visnu and His Devotees 17. Siva: The Grace and the Terror of God 18. Devi: The Divine Mother 19. Mudalvan, Murugan, Mal: The Great Gods of the Tamils Part III. The Structural Supports of Hinduism
20. The Divine Presence in Space and Time: Murti, Tirtha, Kala 21. The Hindu Social Order: Caturvarnasramadharma 22. The Professional Religious: Samnyasa 23. Stridharma: The Position of Women in Hinduism 24. Hindu Structures of Thought: The Saddarsanas 25. Hindu Logic and Physics: Nyaya-Vaisesika 26. Hindu Psychology and Metaphysics: Samkhya-Yoga 27. Hindu Theology, Old and new: Purva Mimamsa and Vedanta Part IV. The Meeting of East and West in Modern India
28. Hindu Reforms and Reformers 29. Mahatma Gandhi: A Twentieth-Century Karmayogi 30. Hindu Nationalist Politics and Hinduism as A World Religion
