Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Online Courses

Prospectus 2021 Bhagavad-gita The Gita’s explanation of belief and Tutor: Dr Layne Little practice has had a huge influence Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton on Hindu thought. We study the Weekly Sessions: 7 main themes of ’s teachings Course notes: 153pp and the principal ideas within the Video: 5hr 14min eighteen chapters (700 verses) of Pathways: Sacred Texts | Studies . You are provided Optional assessment: 2000 word essay with a full English translation of the Total estimated study time: 37 hours Gita and discussions of the meaning and significance of these verses. We also reflect on the contemporary significance of the teachings and their relevance to the modern world.

Discovering Ancient Temples In this course we learn about Tutor: Prof. Himanshu Prabha Ray through the prism of Course creator: Prof. Himanshu Prabha Ray archaeology. We explore the Weekly Sessions: 7 multiple identities of sacred sites Course notes: 97pp and how these are negotiated. We Video: 4hr 27min learn how archaeology can uncover Pathways: Culture | History changes in ritual, transformations Optional assessment: 2000 word essay in diet, and changes in how sacred Total estimated study time: 29 hours spaces are used. The texts tell us only part of the story, the stones tell their own tales.

Hindu Devotional Music & Chant This course presents a historical and Tutor: Dr Guy Beck theoretical study of Hindustani chant Course creator: Dr Guy Beck and music. We begin with sacred Weekly Sessions: 7 sound in ancient and proceed Course notes: 111pp to important forms of chant and Video: 8hr 38min devotional music that have developed Pathways: Culture since. Chant and music are interwoven Optional assessment: 2000 word essay throughout the entire fabric of Total estimated study time: 40 hours Hinduism. Subject to theoretical discussion as well as practical prescriptions for use, chant and music are indispensible to Hindu life.

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Online Courses | ochsonline.org | 1 History of Yoga: Medieval to Modern The aim of this course is to cover Tutor: Daniel Simpson the key developments in the history Course creator: Dr Karen O’Brien of yoga in India from the medieval to Weekly Sessions: 7 modern periods, looking primarily Course notes: 93pp at Hindu traditions. This course Video: 3hr 17min shines a light on the new research Pathways: History | Yoga Studies in yoga studies that is expanding Optional assessment: 2000 word essay our knowledge about the historical Total estimated study time: 28 hours developments of yoga in India during pre-modern and modern times.

India’s Epics: Mahabharata & Ramayana A broad study of the stories, Tutor: Dr Raj Balkaran teachings, and characters of the Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton Mahabharata and the Ramayana. In Weekly Sessions: 7 both works stories are told of the Course notes: 123pp descent of the Deity to earth and Video: 4hr 12min the conflict that ensues between Pathways: Sacred Texts good and evil. Yet these accounts are Optional assessment: 2000 word essay never one-dimensional, for there is Total estimated study time: 33 hours a subtlety to the storytelling that makes these great works as relevant now as they have ever been.

India’s Lore: The Puranas The Puranas play a vital role in Tutor: Dr Raj Balkaran the construction of contemporary Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton Hinduism for it is in these works that Weekly Sessions: 7 many of the stories and concepts Course notes: 204pp central to Hindu are to Video: 4hr 23min be found. This course is structured Pathways: Sacred Texts around selected readings from three Optional assessment: 2000 word essay of the major Puranas, the Bhagavata Total estimated study time: 40 hours Purana, the Purana, and the Markandeya Purana, and is based on a close reading of passages that relate to , to Shiva, and to Durga, the great Goddess.

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Online Courses | ochsonline.org | 2 Introduction to : & Samkhya We look at Vedanta and Samkhya, Tutor: Dr Raj Balkaran two of the six Indian philosophical Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton systems that are recognised as Weekly Sessions: 7 orthodox because they accept the Course notes: 119pp Veda as revealed scripture. We Video: 6hr 50min begin with a look at all six before Pathways: Sacred Texts considering Vedanta and Samkhya in Optional assessment: 2000 word essay greater detail as these two have the Total estimated study time: 37 hours most relevance today.

Introduction to Hinduism: History, Text, & Philosophy This course provides a broad Tutor: Gitte Poulsen survey of Hinduism. We give an Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton understanding of the nature and Weekly Sessions: 7 scope of Hindu religious traditions. Course notes: 122pp The big idea we explore here is Video: 6hr 50min ‘Hinduism’ or ‘Hindu dharma’. This Pathways: History | Sacred Texts | helps us understand Hindu identity, Understanding Hinduism both traditionally and in the modern Optional assessment: 2000 word essay world. This course explains Hindu Total estimated study time: 34 hours beliefs and values and encourages you to consider the significance of these ideas to modern life.

Introduction to Hinduism: Ritual, Yoga, Caste, & Gender In this course, we begin with a look Tutor: Gitte Poulsen at Hindu religious practice, including Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton temple ritual and the meditational Weekly Sessions: 7 techniques of classical yoga. We then Course notes: 207pp explore social Hinduism, particularly Video: 5hr 09min caste and gender, before considering Pathways: Understanding Hinduism | Yoga Studies how Hinduism has responded to Optional assessment: 2000 word essay the challenges posed by foreign Total estimated study time: 41 hours rule and modernity. We also take the opportunity to look at some of the great works of Hindu religious literature.

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Online Courses | ochsonline.org | 3 Philosophy of Yoga A study of the origins and Tutor: Daniel Simpson development of Yoga. We begin with Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton the ideas of Vedanta and Samkhya Weekly Sessions: 7 on which early expositions of Yoga Course notes: 194pp are based. This leads to a study of Video: 6hr 32min the , Bhagavad-gita, and Pathways: Sacred Texts | Yoga Studies Yoga Sutras, and a review of the Optional assessment: 2000 word essay Tantric roots of Hatha Yoga. This Total estimated study time: 43 hours course gives an understanding of the fundamental ideas on which Yoga practice is based and how it has developed over the millennia.

Shaivism In this course we look at the Tutor: Dr Nick Sutton position of Śiva and his followers in Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton Hinduism. Almost all show Weekly Sessions: 9 reverence for Śiva. However, there Course notes: 206pp is one strand of Hinduism that sees Video: 10hr 02min Śiva as the Supreme Deity. Who Pathways: Hindu Traditions | Sacred Texts is Śiva? Who are his worshippers? Optional assessment: 2000 word essay What is the history of Śaivism? And Total estimated study time: 46 hours what are the fundamental texts and practices of this tradition?

Tantra: A New Understanding Some have criticised as Tutor: Prof. Gavin Flood immoral while others have hailed Course creator: Prof. Gavin Flood it as life-affirming. The word ‘tantra’ Weekly Sessions: 7 refers to medieval texts regarded as Course notes: 180pp revelation from God (Śiva at first). It Video: 5hr 02min attracted the patronage of kings and Pathways: Hindu Traditions | Sacred Texts spread quickly as far as South-East Optional assessment: 2000 word essay and East Asia. Today Tantric traditions Total estimated study time: 41 hours thrive in India and Nepal and we trace their development into the modern world. We reflect on what the Tantric traditions are, their origin, formation, core texts and practices, and what they mean for us today.

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Online Courses | ochsonline.org | 4 Sanksrit (Level 1–10) We integrate traditional Indian and Tutor: Zoë Slatoff Western methods to provide an Course creator: Zoë Slatoff interactive learning experience. Weekly Sessions: 7–9 This course is ideal for beginners Course notes: Varies by level and those with some experience Video: Varies by level who would like to reinvigorate their Pathways: Sanskrit studies. We begin with pronunciation Optional assessment: Weekly course work and sound moving on to reading Total estimated study time: 40 hours per level and grammar using Yogavataranam: The Translation of Yoga. Joining theory with practice, this course use video, audio, and written material, with weekly assignments.

Three Short Upanishads A detailed study of three of the Tutor: Dr Raj Balkaran shortest of the major Upanishads: Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton the Kena, the Isha, and the Mandukya. Weekly Sessions: 7 Despite the brevity of these Course notes: 62pp works, they are fundamental to Video: 4hr 18min the doctrines of Hindu Dharma. Pathways: Sacred Texts Because these Upanishads are so Optional assessment: 2000 word essay short we can undertake a verse-by- Total estimated study time: 29 hours verse study, with reference to the commentary of Shankaracharya and others. We reflect on the significance of the teachings in relation to the contemporary practice of various forms of Hindu spirituality.

Vedas and Upanishads This course provides a broad Tutor: Daniel Simpson understanding of the Vedas and Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton the Upanishads and the beliefs and Weekly Sessions: 7 practices they advocate. The Vedas Course notes: 92pp and the Upanishads are truly vast Video: 3hr 51min and there are few if any who can Pathways: Sacred Texts claim to have full knowledge of them. Optional assessment: 2000 word essay Hence, what we do here is present a Total estimated study time: 29 hours broad outline of the principal themes and then perform a more detailed study of selected passages.

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Online Courses | ochsonline.org | 5 Women in Hinduism: The Female Voice We mark the evolving conception Tutor: Prof. Mandakranta Bose of women, their religious roles, and Course creator: Gitte Poulsen their social status – from early Hindu Weekly Sessions: 7 society to today. Is there a mismatch Course notes: 202pp between the role of the feminine Video: 5hr 01min as the source of cosmic power and Pathways: Culture the role of the feminine in Hindu Optional assessment: 2000 word essay society? How do religious principles Total estimated study time: 41 hours turn into social and political rules and conventions. We also discover the opportunities that exist within Hinduism for women to achieve self- determination, socially and spiritually.

Yoga of the Hathapradipika This course introduces yoga as Tutor: Gitte Poulsen presented in the Hathapradipika Course creator: Gitte Poulsen – an influential 15th century text. Weekly Sessions: 7 Hathapradipika is one of the most Course notes: 70pp popular and influential works on Video: 5hr 40min yoga. It presents a range of practices Pathways: Sacred Texts | Yoga Studies derived from previous traditions. Optional assessment: 2000 word essay In this course we examine both Total estimated study time: 31 hours the philosophical and practical aspects of yoga as described in the Hathapradipika. We will learn key concepts such as , , and samadhi, and will gain a broad overview of the traditions and texts behind the Hathapradipika.

Yoga Sutras We consider Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras Tutor: Dr Nick Sutton – the authoritative text on Yoga Course creator: Dr Nick Sutton doctrine and practice – chapter by Weekly Sessions: 8 chapter, sutra by sutra. We follow Course notes: 263pp a structure that exactly reflects Video: 8hr 41min that designed by Patañjali as the Pathways: Sacred Texts | Yoga Studies best means of conveying his ideas. Optional assessment: 2000 word essay We use Dr Sutton’s full modern Total estimated study time: 53 hours translation and for assistance and guidance we refer to the traditional commentators.

Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Online Courses | ochsonline.org | 6 YOUR TUTORS Prof. Gavin Flood Prof. Himanshu Prabha Ray Author of The Tantric Body, the definitive text on Himanshu Prabha Ray is a Tutor and Research Tantra. Prof. Flood is Professor of Hindu Studies Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Dr Nick Sutton and Comparative Religion at Oxford University, and has completed a five-year Anneliese Maier Nick is the Director – and the heart and soul – Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for fellowship at Ludwig Maximilian University, of the OCHS Continuing Education Department. A Hindu Studies, Senior Research Fellow at Campion Munich. She is a former Chairperson of the dedicated teacher with decades of experience in Hall, and Yap Kim Hao Visiting Professor of National Monuments Authority, Ministry of making sometimes-confusing traditions relevant. Comparative at Yale-NUS Culture in New Delhi, India, and former He has created ten online courses and is working Singapore. Professor in the Centre for Historical Studies, on many more. He has written translations and Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, commentary on Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga India. She is the series editor of Archaeology Sutra. Nick received his Phd from Lancaster Dr Layne Little and Religion in South Asia for Routledge in University (1995). His thesis was on the religious Layne teaches Hinduism, Buddhism, Esoterism, and collaboration with OCHS. Her research interests teachings of the Mahabharata. Religion and Popular Culture at U.C. Berkeley include Maritime History and Archaeology of and at California State University: Sacramento. He the Indian Ocean, the History of Archaeology in wrote the “Hinduism” and “Buddhism” chapters Dr Raj Balkaran South and Southeast Asia and the Archaeology in Oxford University Press’ newest world religions of Religion in Asia. Raj is a scholar of Sanskrit narrative texts and textbook, Invitation to World Religions. He is co- the author of The Goddess and the King in author of OUP’s Invitation to Western Religions Indian Myth, and The Goddess and the Sun in and Invitation to Asian Religions. In addition, Daniel Simpson Indian Myth. Having taught comparative religion he has published numerous articles on Śaiva Daniel has a Master’s degree in Traditions of and mythology at the University of Toronto Siddhanta, Tamil Literature, and Siddha Tantrism. Yoga and from SOAS, University of Continuing Studies for a decade, he now tutors London. He’s also a devoted practitioner of asana, at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and also pranayama and meditation, which he’s studied on serves on the Continuing Education Department’s Gitte Poulsen numerous visits to India since the 1990s. Daniel Course Development Board. Raj has also received Gitte has a Masters in Religious Studies from previously worked as a foreign correspondent, extensive training as part of an oral tradition Aarhus University, Denmark but has completed which helps him make complex subjects feel dedicated to the transmission of Indian wisdom most of her studies in Varanasi, India, and as a accessible. He writes about yoga for magazines teachings. Integrating his academic and spiritual visiting student at the Oxford Centre for Hindu and on his website. training, he has founded the online School of Studies. Gitte’s focus is on Yoga, Tantra, and Indian Wisdom. Dr Balkaran also runs a thriving Sanskrit. She is also a dedicated practitioner of life-consulting practice and hosts the New Books asana and pranayama. She manages the OCHS Zoë Slatoff in podcast. Kathmandu Office where she oversees the daily Zoë has a Master’s degree in Asian Languages operation and focuses on Nepali and Newari and Culture from Columbia University. She is the language as well as Śakta traditions among the author of Yogavataranam, a Sanskrit textbook for Prof. Guy Beck Newar community of The Kathmandu Valley. yoga students, from which she teaches Sanskrit A scholar, author, musician, educator, historian courses for the OCHS. Zoë is currently working of religions, and musicologist. A Fulbright-Nehru on a PhD about Yoga and at Senior Research Fellow and Visiting Fellow at Lancaster University. She has been the Sanskrit the OCHS Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, editor for Pushpam Magazine, Namarupa, and Prof. Beck is Lecturer in Philosophy, Religious Robert Svoboda’s book Vastu. Zoë teaches daily Studies and Asian Studies at Tulane University, Mysore classes as well as Sanskrit and yoga and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies at philosophy at her shala in New York. Loyola University. He is the first to publish a comprehensive study of the nature and function of sacred sound (Nada-) in Hinduism. He created the first college textbook on music in the major world religions and is the first American to perform vocal music in an all-India conference of Hindustani classical music. Prof. Beck has produced the first and most complete collection of field recordings, translations, and Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies annotations of the hymns and religious songs of 13-15 Magdalen St, Oxford OX1 3AE the Radhavallabha Sampradaya. www.ochsonline.org Regd Charity No. 1074458