These lectures offer a thematic and historical introduction to the sources and early development of ‘Hindu’ traditions from their early formation to the early medieval period. We will explore the formation of Hindu traditions through textual sources, such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, along with the practices and social institutions that formed classical Hindu traditions. The lectures will include an introduction to Hindu philosophy.
Lecture tag: Hinduism
Hinduism I: Sources and Development – 4: Ascetic Traditions
These lectures offer a thematic and historical introduction to the sources and early development of ‘Hindu’ traditions from their early formation to the early medieval period. We will explore the formation of Hindu traditions through textual sources, such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, along with the practices and social institutions that formed classical Hindu traditions. The lectures will include an introduction to Hindu philosophy.
Hinduism I: Sources and Development – Introduction: The Indus Valley Culture and the Controversy of Origins
These lectures offer a thematic and historical introduction to the sources and early development of ‘Hindu’ traditions from their early formation to the early medieval period. We will explore the formation of Hindu traditions through textual sources, such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, along with the practices and social institutions that formed classical Hindu traditions. The lectures will include an introduction to Hindu philosophy.
Hinduism I: Sources and Development – 2: The Veda and Vedic Traditions
These lectures offer a thematic and historical introduction to the sources and early development of ‘Hindu’ traditions from their early formation to the early medieval period. We will explore the formation of Hindu traditions through textual sources, such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, along with the practices and social institutions that formed classical Hindu traditions. The lectures will include an introduction to Hindu philosophy.
Is there a Hindu monotheism? (five lectures)
In light of Biblical and Christian reflections on monotheism (week 1), an inquiry, by way of four examples (weeks 2-6), into the nature of Hindu belief in one supreme divinity, asking whether such belief can be termed “monotheistic.” No background in Hindu studies required.
Week 1: Refining the question – Biblical and Christian monotheism, Hindu traditions, and the problem of a comparative study of monotheism
Week 2: The case for Krsna and Siva as the one true God – early resources in the Bhagavad-Gita and Svetasvatara Upanisad
Week 3: No lecture.
Week 4: Narayana alone, in medieval Tamil Vaisnavism – Tiruvaymoli 4.10 and Vedanta Desika’s Srimat Rahasyatrayasara c. 6.
Week 5: Is the Goddess a monotheist? Reflection on three Goddess hymns and the Devi Gita
Week 6: In dialogue with the West: Rammohun Roy and 19th century Hindu monotheisms.