Hinduism is a grand mosaic of many denominations, philosophies, rituals, festivals, temples, holy places, sadhus and scriptures. Thus, it is often referred to by many scholars as a family of religions. Within these rich diversities, one can perceive common threads that bind Hinduism into a fascinatingly profound religion subscribed to by nearly one-sixth of humankind.
Hinduism: An Introduction, informs readers about the spiritual, cultural and social heritage of Hinduism. It introduces the reader to Hinduism through many different lenses. As a great service to beginners and students, this book explores some of the most prominent philosophies and theologies, customs and traditions, scriptures and spiritual luminaries, avatars and deities, histories and geographies of the vast religion of Hinduism.
Sadhu Vivekjivandas presents Hinduism from many different perspectives: he articulates Hindu conceptions of history and time; he explains the categories, role, and respect given to different scriptures; he even introduces the reader to prominent Hindus, ancient and modern, who were either great devotees or significant reformers. He addresses controversial, scholarly topics, such as the Aryan invasion theory, with well-researched, traditional Hindu views. At the same time, he holds the readers hands through a walk across India, where he points out Hinduism's sacred places and practices. His delicate balance of scholarly and lived Hinduism and of discussions of aesthetics and philosophy make this the perfect book for beginners and students of Hinduism.
Hinduism: An Introduction is attractive, with over 700 beautiful color photographs and illustrations, and expansive, consisting of more than 700 pages over two volumes.
Volume 1 features a brief history of Hinduism, the core beliefs of Hinduism, as well as exposition on sacred texts, various denominations, temples, holy men and women, sacred places and rivers, festivals, rituals, and sacred symbols and objects.
Volume 2 expounds on the Hindu spiritual life, great devotees of Hinduism, sages and thinkers of ancient India, Hindu perceptions, Hindu ways of life, Hindu reformers, the varnashrama system, appreciation of Hinduism abroad, Hindu concepts of creation, the Swaminarayan Sampraday, and frequently asked questions on Hinduism.
Raised in the United Kingdom, Sadhu Vivekjivandas was initiated as a Hindu monk in 1977 under the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Since then, he has studied Sanskrit, philosophy, theology, and sacred Hindu texts. For a number of years, he served as an instructor at the Swaminarayan School of Philosophy in Gujarat, India. He is a highly sought after speaker because of his ability to present ancient Hindu concepts in modern ways. A prolific writer, he is the editor of the Swaminarayan Bliss, a Hindu magazine with a worldwide audience, and the author of twelve books on topics related to Hinduism.
