Hinduism For Dummies

Explore the profound history and modern practice of Hinduism

Want to know what Hinduism is all about? This friendly guidegives you the lowdown on the core beliefs and values shared by Hindus and the diverse deities and practices that represent them. From ancient rituals prescribed by sacred texts to modern worship, Hinduism For Dummies leads you on a fascinating journey toward comprehending the vast diversity that exists within the world′s oldest religion.

Dharma, karma, and moksha grasp the importance of moral order, action, and the quest for liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth

Gods, goddesses, and avatars get acquainted with the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), their companions, and the forms they have taken when descending to earth

Om sweet om delve into six philosophies that have guided Hindus in their search for Truth and Reality

The power of ten get answers to ten common questions about Hindus, learn ten common prayers, and get ten traditional pieces of advice

Open the book and find:

How the search for Truth defines the Hindu worldview

Explanations of dharma and karma

The scriptural basis for the caste system

What polytheism is

Major sects and subsects and the gods and goddesses they worship

An introduction to the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads

Key teachings of Hinduism′s spiritual leaders

An overview of major Hindu festivals and pilgrimage sites

Learn to:

Appreciate the Hindu belief that everything is sacred

Grasp the diversity of practices that fall under the umbrella of Hinduism

Recognize the major gods and goddesses worshipped by Hindus

Introduction.

Part I: Introducing Hinduism.

Chapter 1: A Quick Overview of Hinduism.

Chapter 2: From Past to Present: A Condensed History of Hinduism.

Chapter 3: Hinduism s Core Beliefs and Values.

Chapter 4: Major Hindu Denominations.

Chapter 5: The Structure of Hindu Society.

Part II: The Hindu Pantheon and Its Religious Leaders.

Chapter 6: Pantheism to Polytheism: From the One to the Very Many.

Chapter 7: Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Chapter 8: The Avatars of Vishnu: The Divine Descent.

Chapter 9: Revering the Role of Religious Leadership.

Part III: The Sacred Texts.

Chapter 10: The Vedas: Centuries of Accumulated Treasures.

Chapter 11: Gaining Higher Knowledge with the Upanishads.

Chapter 12: Living with the Epics and Puranas.

Chapter 13: The Song of the Lord: The Bhagavad Gita.

Part IV: Hinduism in Practice.

Chapter 14: Worshipping at Home.

Chapter 15: Worshipping at Temples.

Chapter 16: Holydays and Festivals.

Chapter 17: Cradle to Cremation: The Life–Cycle Rites.

Chapter 18: Taking a Pilgrimage.

Part V: Delving Deeper into the Hindu Concept of Reality.

Chapter 19: The Six Schools of Thought: The Darshanas.

Chapter 20: Vedanta: The End of Knowledge.

Chapter 21: The Yogic Path to Salvation.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 22: Ten Common Questions About Hindus.

Chapter 23: Ten Common Prayers.

Chapter 24: Ten (Plus) Traditional Mandates.

Index.

Dr. Amrutur V. Srinivasan, born in India, is primary founder and first president of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society. He has functioned as a Hindu priest performing a wide variety of pujas (worships), weddings, and other ceremonies since 1971.