The Encyclopedia of Indian Religions offers a complete overview of Hinduism and all other religions found in India and the Diaspora, such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and so on. It is strongly characterized by two special features, each pertaining to the fact that Hinduism is closely associated with India but has now become global in its reach. In relation to Hinduism in India, it views Hinduism not in isolation but in dynamic interaction, first with other religions of Indian origin and then with religions which did not originate in India but have been a lasting feature of its religious landscape, namely, Islam and Christianity and, to a lesser extent, Zoroastrianism and Judaism. Secondly, the encyclopedia seriously takes into account the phenomenon of Hinduism in the Diaspora. The Indian Diaspora is now beginning to make its presence felt, both in India and abroad. In India, the Indian government annually hosts a Diaspora event called Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), in recognition of the growing importance of the 20 million strong Diaspora. And the role it is playing in the computer software industry around the world is well known. Although not all Indians are Hindus, most are, both in India and abroad. A strong sense of Hindu identity is emerging among diasporic Hindus. This has lead to an increasing amount of research on Hindu traditions and Indian identity, and the relation of Hinduism with other world religions. The Encyclopedia of Indian Religions will fill the need for information and clarification of modern day Hinduism and Hindu history and traditions to Hindus in the Diaspora. Three main aspects of diasporic Hinduism have been kept in mind while preparing this reference work: firstly the active language of diasporic Hindus is English. Secondly diasporic Hindus need a rational rather than a devotional or traditional exposition of the religion, and thirdly they need information and arguments to address the stereotypes which characterize the presentation of Hinduism in the academia and the media, especially in the West. The above is covered in a comprehensive reference work that covers: (1) Hinduism in various parts of the world such as Africa, North America and so on, along with the description of it as practiced in India; (2) the various religious movements of a Hindu hue which have had international impact such as Hare Krishna, and (3) Hindu beliefs and practices as they are being understood and lived out in a modern global environment. And (4), as not all Indians are Hindu, this encyclopedia will contain entries on all religions found in India in the same spirit.

This presentation of Hinduism particularly stresses the intermingling of philosophy and religion within the faith. It hopes to broaden the horizons of the conventional philosophy of religion by adding material drawn from Hindu thought to its scope of interest. By thus juxtaposing the philosophy of religion with Hindu philosophy, the book attempts to move towards a cross-cultural philosophy of religion. This series of books explores contemporary religious understandings of humanity and the universe. It covers the continuing dialogues between religion and philosophy, scepticism and faith and between the different religions and ideologies.

Product Description: Part of the Problem, Part of the Solution unleashes religion's true potential to do good by bridging the modern divide between religion and an ever pervasive secular society, a notion often loathed by individuals on both sides of the religious aisle...read more

A wide-ranging look at Christianity and human rights.

Philosophy of religion as a discipline first arose in Europe; its subject matter has been profoundly influenced by the practices of European Christianity. While Eastern and Western religions subsequently found a place in these studies, one global religious tradition, namely, the primal tradition, remains unrepresented in its discussions. This book examines the significantly different perspectives offered by primal religions on virtually every theme discussed in the philosophy of religion.

Product Description: Renowned scholar of Hinduism, Arvind Sharma, presents a concise and highly accessible introduction to Hindu spirituality, focusing especially on the views of the school of Advaita, or non-dual, Vedanta.

Product Description: A contribution to the methodology of religious studies, this work discusses using comparison to provide mutual illumination among religious traditions while avoiding the problem of assimilating one tradition to another.Comparison is at the heart of religious studies as a discipline and foundational to the field's methodology...read more

Product Description: This is a broad and accessible examination of the origin and evolution of the concept of human rights. While it is often taken for granted that the concept is Western, the book points out that questions of the wisdom of drafting a statement of rights for the entire world based on western values were raised even at the time of the framing of the Universal Declaration of Human rights in 1948 and examines the criticisms of that document that have surfaced in the ensuing years from Asia and Africa that it is not of relevance to their societies...read more

Product Description: Goddesses and Women in the Indic Religious Tradition goes beyond the traditional sources that lie at the basis for determining the position of goddesses and women in India. Following the lead of a hermeneutics of surprise the book identifies, indeed, surprising new material and conclusions; for example the analysis of Vedic rauta ritual...read more

Product Description: Indian philosophy bases itself on three states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Deep sleep, or susupti, plays an important role in Advaita Vedanta, the major philosophical school that advocates a doctrine of pure consciousness...read more

Product Description: Through Her Eyes is a timely and unique account of world religions told from the point of view of a group of preeminent female scholars. In this volume, intended for students and general readers, contributors share with the reader how their particular religious tradition sheds light, in its own unique way, on the concept of religion itself; how it similarly offers insights valuable for the study of religion and what it tells us about being human...read more

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Product Description: They say religion is a personal and private affair. But when a woman believes in a tradition, she has a relationship to that faith beyond her sacred space. Religious traditions' historically poor treatment of women has lead many to question why they believe...read more