Product Description

Hinduism is practiced by about eighty percent of India's population, and by about 30 million people outside India. But how is Hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have? In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of Hindus and Hinduism, and considers the ways in which it has been affected by colonialism and modernity.

Knott offers succinct explanations of Hinduism's central preoccupations, including the role of contemporary gurus and teachers in the quest for spiritual fulfillment; and the function of regular performances of the Mahabharata and Ramayana--scriptures which present the divine in personal form (avatara) and provide models of behavior for everyone, from kings and warriors to servants and children, and which focus on the dharma, the appropriate duties and moral responsibilities of the different varna or classes. The author also considers the challenges posed to Hinduism at the end of the twentieth century as it spreads far beyond India, and as concerns are raised about issues such as dowry, death, caste prejudice, and the place of women in Hindu society.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #241866 in Books
• Published on: 2000-06-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780192853875
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review

"This book is instantly accessible in its approach without being in any way condescending or an oversimplification. Each of the chapters tackles a crucial issue or web of interconnected issues, none of them straightforward and yet all conveyed with an elegance of simplicity that belies their inherent complexity."--Julia Leslie, School of Oriental and African Studies, London
"Strongly recommended both for its exemplification of the finest contemporary thinking in this area and its attention to central matters and issues."--Peter Doble, Theological Book Review
"A very accessible overview. The rich diversity within Hinduism is celebrated and the difficult questions are not avoided."--Inter-Faith Issues
"Accessible and enjoyable."--Arti Kacchia, ISKON Communications Journal
"Very readable and certainly the most helpful, with a new and original perspective conveyed in a succinct introductory style."--Ursula King, University of Bristol
"My students thoroughly enjoyed it."--Prakash Chenjen, Southern Oregon University

About the Author

Kim Knott is Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds and the President of the British Association for the Study of Religions. She has written on modern Hinduism, religions in Britain, and gender and religion.

Customer Reviews

A perfect introduction to Hinduism
Hinduism has a special place among the world's major religions, being of great antiquity and being, until recent times, an ethnic or racial religion, like Judaism, Sikhism or Shinto. In the last century it has spread its teachings to the West and in doing so has fragmented and branched into an even more complex variety, so that, as the author of this book says, we must now talk of 'Hinduisms', in the plural. So the writing of a very short introduction that will do justice to this subject is a tall order. Kim Knott succeeds splendidly.

She does not shirk problematic topics, such as the evils of the caste system or the burning of widows. In fact, she devotes a fair amount of space to the particular difficulties faced by Hindu women.

Knott being a British academic, and a Quaker, this is an outsider's view, a learned, sympathetic and interested outsider's view. It is none the worse for that. Including a map, a timeline, a glossary, excellent illustrations and suggestions for further reading, it is packed with a surprising amount of information in such a small space.

If you have only a passing interest in Hinduism, this book may tell you all you want to know. If you wish to pursue the study, this is the perfect introduction. A good next step would be an annotated edition of the Bhagavad Gita.

A Good Introduction into Hinduism
This was a well-written book about Hinduism and serves to help orient people who know nothing about it. It not only discussed some of the basic beliefs of Hindus, but it also addressed some of the problems that they face in modern society.

A very concise and helpful introduction.
I really enjoyed this nice introduction to Hinduism. I didn't know much about the religion besides common knowledge beforehand. I wanted to read the Bhagavad-Gita, and then I found this book in a box in the lobby of my apartment building. It provided the perfect appetizer that helped put the B-G into context as well as all the other texts. Without it I would have been much more lost. Thanks Dr. Knott!