Archives: Lectures

Classics of Hindu theology 1 (six lectures)

To introduce students to systematic philosophical and theological thinking in Hindu theistic traditions, this term’s lectures examine the Srimad Rahasyatrayasara (The Essence of the Three Holy Mysteries) of the 14th century south Indian Vaisnava theologian Vedanta Desika, in the context of earlier south Indian Vaisnavism. Some comparison and contrast will be made with another great classic, the Saiva Civananacittiyar (The Perfection of the Knowledge of Siva) of the 14th century Saiva theologian Arulnanti. (In a later series of lectures, Arulnanti’s work will be the prime focus.) Special attention will be paid to problems in interpretation and comparative methodology. These lectures are intended primarily for students in theology and religious studies; no background in Indian studies or theology required, although such background would be useful.

Hindu Studies: Mapping the field

This course will explore a variety of approaches to the stuffy of Hindu communities and culture, identities, philosophies, ethics, spiritualities and worship. It will take account of the perspectives of practising Hindus in the UK and the place of dialogue amongst Hindus and between Hindus and those of other traditions.

Hindu Studies: Mapping the field

This course will explore a variety of approaches to the stuffy of Hindu communities and culture, identities, philosophies, ethics, spiritualities and worship. It will take account of the perspectives of practising Hindus in the UK and the place of dialogue amongst Hindus and between Hindus and those of other traditions.

Hindu Studies: Mapping the field

This course will explore a variety of approaches to the stuffy of Hindu communities and culture, identities, philosophies, ethics, spiritualities and worship. It will take account of the perspectives of practising Hindus in the UK and the place of dialogue amongst Hindus and between Hindus and those of other traditions.

Hindu Studies: Mapping the field

This course will explore a variety of approaches to the stuffy of Hindu communities and culture, identities, philosophies, ethics, spiritualities and worship. It will take account of the perspectives of practising Hindus in the UK and the place of dialogue amongst Hindus and between Hindus and those of other traditions.

Nondualist Vedanta theology as propounded by Sri Shankara (four lectures)

This is a course of four lectures on the Nondualist (Advaita) Vedanta theological system as propounded by Sri Sankara, the 8th century CE Hindu theologian. The aim is to focus on the contribution of Sankara to Vedanta theology in general and to Nondualist Vedanta in particular. Theistic Vedanta, articulated by later Vedanta theologians such as Ramanuja, Madhva, and Vallabha, cannot be fully understood without a proper understanding of the works of Sankara.

Hindu saints and poets: Perspectives and examples (seven lectures)

This course will focus on the history of Hinduism as it encompasses the religious experience of its holy men and women. Very often, besides being “saints” in the Hindu sense, they were gifted philosophers and/or poets. After the historical and methodological introduction, subsequent lectures will illustrate the contributions of these thinkers and creative writers to the history of Hindu literature. Finally, from the nineteenth century onward modern history-of-religions and literary-critical approaches will be more emphasized to help our understanding of saintly phenomena which are very much alive in contemporary Hinduism.