Yoga. Karma. Reincarnation. Most Americans are familiar with a few basic ideas of Hinduism; but are unfamiliar with the big picture. This beginner’s guide covers the major Hindu thinkers and their philosophies as well as the dharma; the moral way of life that Hindus practice. In a straightforward style; the authors explain the philosophy; gods; texts; and traditions of the world’s third-largest religion; including: the power of karma; Yoga as a path to God; the authority of the Vedas; the development of Jainism; Buddhism; and Sikhism; the legacy of Mohandas Gandhi; Hinduism in popular culture; and more. This guide is stimulating reading for westerners who want to learn the basics of this ancient and mystic religion.
#137601 in Books Bloomsbury Press 2009-09-01 2009-08-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.18 x .6 x 5.57l; 1.14 #File Name: 1596916028592 pages
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Forming dispassionate trans-national viewsBy Patrick YeungAfter Tamerlane posed the fortunes of the West in terms of `conjunctures; periods of time when certain general conditions in different parts of the world coincided to encourage (or check) the enlargement of trade; the expansion of empires; the exchange of ideas or the movement of people.' Ming's strategic concentration and its concomitant seclusion and `the timing of Manchu consolidation between 1682 and 1750' contradicted determinism and lend credence to the chanciness of events.Second; the narrative rejected the traditional European definition of modernity; which had obscured the assessment and study of extra-European societies. Darwin's worldwide survey did not support the primacy of the European model. In pre-industrial revolution; both the Ottomans and Chinese held superior ability to mobilize resources and people for a given task. One example was the sultan's vaunted devshirme; who inspired fear in much of continental Europe. Consequently; the swift rise and collapse of European imperialism in Near and Far East exposed a local identity and culture with an inner strength that made European control far from redoubtable. After Tamerlane posed the question: `Is there one modernity; or are there `many modernities'?'In the conclusion; Darwin challenged readers to see the future without the distortion of conceptual lenses and held a conservative outlook on globalization: `if there is one continuity that to glean from a long view of the past; it is Eurasia's resistance to a uniform system; a single great ruler; or one set of rules.' This Foucaultian analysis defied the craze over the ineluctability of globalization. Those extra-European modernities remain to be plumbed and understood.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. but had lots of good new insightsBy J. Richard ForesterIt was a bit breezy; but had lots of good new insights; enough to suspect that the current stasis is very transitory and that changes in the world order may be unexpected.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Bianca CamposPerfect condition; as if it had just been printed. Thank you!
