News

OCHS alumnus, research fellow, and Academic Administrator, Dr Jessica Frazier has published her first book, Reality, Religion, and Passion.

Big news for the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies iss the appointment of OCHS Academic Director Prof. Gavin Flood as ‘Professor of Oxford University’.

In February the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies is launching its Online Education Course ‘Understanding Hindu Identity’.

Since 2003, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has taught extramural courses throughout the UK as part of its commitment to bring the fruits of Oxford scholarship in Hinduism to a broad audience. Since then the courses have been taught dozens of times in Leicester, London, Birmingham, and Oxford.

3 November 2008 sees the official launch of the Journal of Hindu Studies at the American Academy of Religion Conference in Chicago.

The Journal is a joint venture between the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Oxford University Press.

The Department of Cultural and Religious Studies (CRS), at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), - the oldest department of religious studies in the Chinese speaking world - has raised funding for a professorship in Indian Religions and Culture. This post was held by OCHS Fellow, Dr Kenneth Valpey in its inaugural year.

Friedhelm Hardy (1943–2004)

Friedhelm Ernst Hardy, widely known to his friends as Fred, died suddenly on 4 August, his 61st birthday, while he was dining in a restaurant with his wife Aruna. He died as he had lived, a bon viveur.

Shaunaka Rishi Das, OCVHS Director, and Ravi Gupta, Dphil student, made presentations about the Centre this past Easter vacation to communities in Florida, USA. In three meetings with community members, Shaunaka and Ravi aimed to raise awareness of the Centre's programmes and activities. Four attendees pledged funds for future development of the Centre directly after the meetings.

Members of the professional and business communities have joined the newly-formed OCVHS Development Council. An inaugural meeting was held in the Regency Hotel, Kensington, London. The members of this Council are Mr Harish IK Patel, Mr Subhash Thakrar, Mr Hasu Manek, Mr Bharat Bhundia, Mr Nitin Palan, Mr Jayesh Popat and Mr Sanjay Gadhvi.

The annual Board of Governors meeting was held in June. The Board was sad to accept the retirement of Board member, Professor David Patterson and offered its heart-felt thanks for the wise counsel and advice he was always able to offer to the Centre's officers.

The Board of Governors of the OCVHS granted Emeritus membership of the Board to Professor Patterson in recognition of the very significant contribution he has made to the Board and to the development of the Centre since its inception.

Dr.Vidya Sayinath of the University of Madras acquired her degree of Doctorate in the System of Vedanta of Indian Philosophy. Her thesis refers to the epistemological aspect as elucidated by Sankara and Ramanuja. Her work highlights the significance of knowledge as expounded by the two philosophers, which served as the substratum for their Ontological structure. Presently she is engaged in the study of Ramanuja's Philosophy. This study examines the Concept of Devotion as the cementing factor of the various aspects of his System.