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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Religions of Indic & Oriental origin > Hinduism

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Hinduism - Past and Present (Paperback) Loot Price: R886
Discovery Miles 8 860
You Save: R140 (14%)
Hinduism - Past and Present (Paperback): Axel Michaels

Hinduism - Past and Present (Paperback)

Axel Michaels; Translated by Barbara Harshav

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List price R1,026 Loot Price R886 Discovery Miles 8 860 | Repayment Terms: R83 pm x 12* You Save R140 (14%)

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Hinduism is currently followed by one-fifth of humankind. Far from a monolithic theistic tradition, the religion comprises thousands of gods, a complex caste system, and hundreds of languages and dialects. Such internal plurality inspires vastly ranging rites and practices amongst Hinduism's hundreds of millions of adherents. It is therefore not surprising that scholars have been hesitant to define universal Hindu beliefs and practices. In this book, Axel Michaels breaks this trend. He examines the traditions, beliefs, and rituals Hindus hold in common through the lens of what he deems its "identificatory habitus," a cohesive force that binds Hindu religions together and fortifies them against foreign influences. Thus, in his analysis, Michaels not only locates Hinduism's profoundly differentiating qualities, but also provides the framework for an analysis of its social and religious coherence.

Michaels blends his insightful arguments and probing questions with introductions to major historical epochs, ample textual sources as well as detailed analyses of major life-cycle rituals, the caste system, forms of spiritualism, devotionalism, ritualism, and heroism. Along the way he points out that Hinduism has endured and repeatedly resisted the missionary zeal and universalist claims of Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. He also contrasts traditional Hinduism with the religions of the West, "where the self is preferred to the not-self, and where freedom in the world is more important than liberation from the world."

Engaging and accessible, this book will appeal to laypersons and scholars alike as the most comprehensive introduction to Hinduism yet published. Not only is Hinduism refreshingly new in its methodological approach, but it also presents a broad range of meticulous scholarship in a clear, readable style, integrating Indology, religious studies, philosophy, anthropological theory and fieldwork, and sweeping analyses of Hindu texts.

General

Imprint: Princeton University Press
Country of origin: United States
Release date: December 2003
First published: December 2003
Authors: Axel Michaels
Translators: Barbara Harshav
Dimensions: 235 x 152 x 24mm (L x W x T)
Format: Paperback - Trade
Pages: 448
ISBN-13: 978-0-691-08953-9
Categories: Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > History of religion
Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Religions of Indic & Oriental origin > Hinduism
Books > Religion & Spirituality > Non-Christian religions > Religions of Indic & Oriental origin > Hinduism
Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > History of religion
LSN: 0-691-08953-1
Barcode: 9780691089539

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