Hinduism For Dummies
Höfundur:
Amrutur V. Srinivasan (Útgáfa: 2)
Kaup valmöguleikar
Discover one of the world's most popular belief systems Hinduism is a fascinating and widespread religion with a diverse array of traditions, practices, scriptures, and deities. In Hinduism For Dummies, 2nd Edition, you'll get a clear view into this widely-practiced and ancient creed. The book contains an easy-to-follow introduction to Hinduism, including its four different sects--Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism--it's major rituals, and its most sacred teachings.
You'll understand how to recognize the different major gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon and the differences that give each of the four sects their distinct culture and theology. You'll also explore the history of what some consider to be the world's oldest religion that's still widely practiced today. Inside, you'll: Understand core beliefs and values Discover Hindu wisdom and teachings (including life-cycle rites) Discover how to worship inside and outside of your home Know the Hindu concept of reality An interesting and unbiased read, Hinduism For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the go-to guide for everyone who wants to learn more about Hinduism and its most fundamental tenets.
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- Wiley Professional Development (P&T)
- 9781394315949
- 9781394315932
- ePub
- 2
- Amrutur V. Srinivasan
- English
- 2025-01-03
- 100
- 10
- 2
Kaflar
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Introduction
- About This Book
- Foolish Assumptions
- Icons Used in This Book
- Beyond This Book
- Where to Go from Here
- Part 1: Introducing Hinduism
- Chapter 1: Overviewing Hinduism
- Looking At the Hindu Worldview
- Understanding Societal Structure
- Chapter 2: From Past to Present: A Condensed History of Hinduism
- Getting the Lay of the Land
- From the Ancient to the Not-So-Ancient Past in India
- Examining the New Hindu Wave
- Chapter 3: Exploring the Core Beliefs and Values
- Truth: The Foundation of Hindu Belief
- Understanding Hinduism’s Three Core Beliefs
- Believing in the Existence of an Immortal Soul
- Examining Karma and Its Consequences
- Understanding the Goal of Life: Moksha
- Translating Beliefs into Core Values
- Chapter 4: Reviewing Major Hindu Denominations
- Identifying the Origin of Hindu Denominations
- Following Vishnu: The Vaishnavas
- Following Shiva: The Shaivas
- Integrating Vaishnava and Shaiva Ideas: The Smartas
- Worshipping Devi, the Female Power: Shaktas
- Returning to the One
- Chapter 5: Exploring Hindu Society Structure
- Looking At the Caste System’s Origins
- Defining the Main Castes and Subcastes
- Addressing the Great Confusion about Castes
- The Caste System Today: Alive and Well — and Changing
- Part 2: The Hindu Pantheon and Its Religious Leaders
- Chapter 6: Pantheism to Polytheism: From the One to the Very Many
- Understanding Pantheism
- Exploring Polytheism in Practice
- Chapter 7: Identifying Hindu Gods and Goddesses
- Starting with the One Supreme Soul
- Naming Gods by Their Portrayals
- Brahma, the Creator
- Vishnu, the Preserver
- Shiva, the Destroyer
- The Feminine Divine
- Addressing Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu Firmament
- Discovering Where the Gods Reside
- Chapter 8: The Avatars of Vishnu: The Divine Descent
- Understanding the Role of an Avatar
- Identifying the Ten Incarnations of Vishnu
- Chapter 9: Revering the Role of Religious Leadership
- Priests, Gurus, and Swamis: Spiritual Leaders of Hinduism
- Becoming a Spiritual Leader: What It Takes
- Identifying Mythological and Ancient Saints
- Exploring More Recent Saints
- Part 3: Studying the Sacred Texts
- Chapter 10: The Vedas: Centuries of Accumulated Treasures
- Getting Acquainted with the Vedas
- Delving Deeper into the Four Vedas
- Preserving the Vedas
- Chapter 11: Gaining Higher Knowledge with the Upanishads
- Becoming Familiar with the Upanishads
- Studying Key Lessons in the Upanishads
- Exploring a Few Parables and Great Utterances
- Chapter 12: Living with the Epics and Puranas
- Approaching the Epics
- The Ramayana: A Clear Case of Good versus Evil
- The Mahabharata: Good, Bad, Ugly, and Everything In-Between
- Exploring the Epics Today
- Meeting the Puranas
- Chapter 13: The Song of the Lord: The Bhagavad Gita
- Getting Familiar with the Bhagavad Gita
- The Gita’s Story: An Overview
- Exploring Key Lessons Woven through the Gita
- Part 4: Practicing Hinduism
- Chapter 14: Worshipping at Home
- Components of Hindu Worship
- Pray, Eat, and Pray! Mealtime Worship
- Praying Morning, Noon, and Night
- Formally Worshipping a Deity
- Chapter 15: Worshipping at Temples
- Studying Temple Architecture
- Reviewing Temple Ceremonies
- Chapter 16: Observing Holydays and Festivals
- Exploring Festivals Celebrated throughout India
- Identifying Regional Festivals
- Chapter 17: Cradle to Cremation: The Life-Cycle Rites
- Looking At the 16 Ceremonies
- Observing Prenatal Rituals
- Observing Childhood Rituals
- Getting Ready for Adulthood
- Becoming a Householder with the Marriage Ritual: Vivaha/Shadi
- Getting Ready for Retirement: Vanaprastha
- Upon Death: Anthyeshti
- Chapter 18: Taking a Pilgrimage
- Overviewing the Pilgrimage Experience
- On the Road: Touring Important Pilgrimage Sites
- Part 5: Delving Deeper into the Hindu Concept of Reality
- Chapter 19: The Six Schools of Thought: The Darshanas
- Grasping the Darshana Philosophies
- Looking At the Six Different Ways to View Reality
- Chapter 20: Vedanta: The End of Knowledge
- Understanding the Basics of Vedanta
- The Advaita Philosophy: Nondualism
- Distinguishing between the Individual and the Supreme Soul: Dualism
- Reaching a Compromise: Vishishtadvaita (Qualified Nondualism)
- Chapter 21: Following the Yogic Path to Salvation
- Defining Yoga
- More Than a Series of Postures: Yoga as Spiritual Path
- Part 6: The Part of Tens
- Chapter 22: Ten Common Prayers
- Forgive Me, Mother Earth
- Looking at My Palms in the Morning
- Please Remove All Obstacles
- Let This Be a Great Day
- Salutations to the Sun God
- Let Us Meditate on the Radiance of That Divinity
- Let There Be Harmony
- Let Everything Be Surrendered to You
- Lead Me from Darkness to Light
- By Whose Grace the Mute May Become Eloquent…
- Chapter 23: Ten (or So) Traditional Mandates
- Worship Your Women
- Be Strong in Mind and Body
- Work Hard
- Company Is Important When…
- Work with Passion, but Don’t Concern Yourself with Results
- Don’t Bother If You Don’t Have Faith
- Protect Dharma, and It Will Protect You
- Don’t Tell Pleasant Lies or Unpleasant Truths
- Nonviolence Is the Supreme Dharma
- Index
- About the Author
- Advertisement Page
- Connect with Dummies
- End User License Agreement