PDF The Everything Hinduism Book: Learn the traditions and rituals of the "religion of peace" by Kenneth Schouler in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. HelpfulBy ramagnesHelpful8 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A Christian missionary's views on Hinduism - a funny bookBy S. PyneThis is a funny book. Here is an easy exercise to see why this book is funny --Go to the Index (via link for 'Click to look Inside').Now try searching for these terms - Siva/Shiv; Visnu; Ganesha; Rama; Devi; Durga; Kali; Laxmi; Saraswati - 0 (zero) pages! That is; the Hindu pantheon - a total of 0 pages!*EVERYTHING* Hinduism indeed. (Imagine an Everything Christianity book that does not mention God (analogous to Siva) or Christ (Rama) or Mary (Devi) but contains chapters on Aquinas (Sankara) and the Chinese philosophers!)How about checking for Ramayana or Mahabharata - the most popular Hindu texts/epics and holy references? DIY.Now check for Socrates; Tolstoy; Thoreau; Martin Luther - a full chapter!In the Acknowledgments; the first author admits of getting his inputs on Indian culture from a Catholic priest born in India. The 2nd author; a South Indian Christian by name; authored 'Hindutva: The Hydra at Work' and is one "who sees Hinduism clearly for what it is" (leading to a significant amount of discussion on the problems of Dalits and Hindutva).Well; their clarity of vision is precisely a Christian missionary's age-old take on Hinduism. Only Hinduism is blessed with such experts. In the book; Hinduism is portrayed in general in positive light. But while the authors are ok with accepting Hinduism as philosophy; they are deeply unfamiliar or uncomfortable with its popular; religious and realistic aspects.One nice thing about the book is the collection of chapters on the different orthodox and heterodox schools (darsana-s) of Indian philosophy; but if you want to learn about Indian philosophy; this is hardly the preferred text to buy.Try to avoid the book.