Historical Dictionary of Hinduism - Hardcover

Sullivan, Bruce M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810833271 ISBN 13: 9780810833272

Publisher: Scarecrow Press, 1997

Synopsis

With a history of over three and a half millennia, and over 800 million adherents, Hinduism is one of the world's largest and most diverse religious traditions. The Historical Dictionary of Hinduism presents the Hindu religious tradition's major events, individuals, texts, sects, and concepts in the context of its historical development through various periods. In addition, sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, the rituals performed as religious practices, the manifestations of Hindu religious sensibilities in biography, art, the caste system of social organization, mythology, and the theories of salvation developed through the history of Hinduism are also presented. A pronunciation guide to Sanskrit and Tamil, and a chronology of the history of Hinduism are included.

Those who study Hinduism will find the bibliography, organized under ten topical headings and including primary and secondary sources, particularly useful for their research.

About this title

About the Author

Bruce M. Sullivan is Professor of Religious Studies and Asian Studies at Northern Arizona University. He has published several articles in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Asian Theatre Journal, Literature & Theology, and International Journal of Hindu Studies.

Review

The entries are well written and assume no knowledge of Hinduism. The most difficult concepts are explained with refreshing lucididty....The author...has created an excellent source of information on Hindu religion and culture. This source is recommended for all academic and medium and large public libraries. It is a significant contribution to religion and multicultural collections. (Arba)

...will help users who are not immersed in Hindu concepts and practice to synthesize ideas and place them in proper context...invaluable to those readers who want to learn more about Hindu thought. (Rettig On Reference)

...a marvelously useful book...Sullivan has the gift of presenting clear definitions in lucid prose and a keen sense of important points needed to explain the overall importance of a topic for Hinduism...Sullivan has masterfully selected terms for inclusion. Each entry is clearly presented and gives evidence of his deep scholarship. Highly recommended for all academic collections. (Choice)

...a compact, convenient resource for those doing research or reading on Hinduism...may well serve as a core work in a small academic library... (Rusq)

This is a commendable volume..a valuable contribution to general works about Hinduism...both the specialist and non-specialist should find something of interest... (Journal Of Contemporary Religion)

...valuable information...a welcome reference tool for undergraduates and the general public. Libraries will--and must--buy it. Many individuals will also want it. (Religious Studies Review)

The breadth and usefulness of the volume is attested by its inclusion of English terms for subjects pertaining to Hinduism, as well as Sanskrit ones...This dictionary will serve its prosepective users very well. (The Quest)

Edition details

• Publisher: Scarecrow Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0810833271
• ISBN 13: 9780810833272
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368