DOCSLIB.ORG

Department of Religious Studies School of Social Sciences Central University of Kashmir

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Department of Religious Studies School of Social Sciences Central University of Kashmir Programme Structure for M.A. in Comparative Religion (Effective from the Academic Session 2016-2017) Department of Religious Studies School of Social Sciences Central University of Kashmir 1 | P a g e Curriculum Transactional Strategy (CTS) This will be a two year Masters Programme consisting of two semesters in each academic year, which makes the whole programme over all of four semesters. Each Semester comprises Core (C), Elective (E), Skill Enhancement (SE), Ability Enhancement (AE) and Open Generic Elective (OGE) courses of different credits. SEMESTER - I S. No. Course Title of the Course Type of Credits Max. Marks Max. Marks Code Course CIA External 01. MCR-C 101 Nature and Scope of Religion C 4 40 60 02. MCR-C 102 Hinduism C 4 40 60 03. MCR-C 103 Islam-I C 4 40 60 04. SEC Skill Enhancement Course E 4 40 60 Elective Course (Any one of the following) 05. MCR-E 104 Arabic-I E 4 40 60 06. MCR-E 105 Gurmukhi-I E 4 40 60 SEMESTER – II S. No. Course Title of the Course Type of Credits Max. Marks Max. Marks Code Course CIA External 07. MCR-C 201 Zoroastrianism C 4 40 60 08. MCR-C 202 Buddhism C 4 40 60 09. MCR-C 203 Islam-II C 4 40 60 10. AEC Ability Enhancement Course E 4 40 60 Elective Course (Any one of the following) 11. MCR-E 204 Arabic-II E 4 40 60 12. MCR-E 205 Gurmukhi-II E 4 40 60 2 | P a g e SEMESTER – III S. No. Course Title of the Course Type of Credits Max. Marks Max. Marks Code Course CIA External 13. MCR-C 301 Jainism C 4 40 60 14. MCR-C 302 Islam-III C 4 40 60 15. MCR-C 303 Methods and Theories in the Study of Religion C 4 40 60 16. OGE Open Generic Elective E 4 40 60 Elective Course (Any one of the following) 17. MCR-E 304 Arabic-III E 4 40 60 18. MCR-E 305 Gurmukhi-III E 4 40 60 SEMESTER – IV S. No. Course Title of the Course Type of Credits Max. Marks Max. Marks Code Course CIA External 19. MCR-C 401 Judaism C 4 40 60 20. MCR-C 402 Christianity C 4 40 60 21. MCR-C 403 Sikhism C 4 40 60 22. MCR-C 404 Religious Education: Prospects & Challenges C 4 40 60 Elective Course (Any one of the following) 23. MCR-E 405 Dissertation E 4 40 60 24. MCR-E 406 Religion and Gender E 4 40 60 3 | P a g e Semester-I Department of Religious Studies Central University of Kashmir Curriculum Transactional Strategy (CTS) Course 1 - Nature and Scope of Religion (MCR-C 101) S. No. Course Title of the Course Type of Credits Max. Marks Max. Marks Code Course CIA ESE 01. MCR–C Nature and Scope of C 4 40 60 101 Religion Unit Topic Methodology No. of Lectures Concept and Definition of Religion Lecture & 4 Unit–I Discussion Understanding Evolution of Religion ---do--- 4 the Phenomenon Types of Religion and Categorization Lecture, Discussion 6 of Religion & PPT Religion as an Academic Discipline Lecture & 3 Discussion Learning Outcomes After going through this unit, the student will be able to: understand the concept of religion, state the scope of Religious Studies, explain the process of evolution of religion, know the basic concepts of Religious Studies, have a comparative outlook of world religions. Activities continuous internal assessment (CIA), preparation of assignments, preparation for presentation in the class, quiz competition, class discussion. Points for Discussion need, importance and scope of Religious Studies in contemporary times, how Religious Studies emerged as an academic discipline, how world religions evolved over a period of time. Unit Topic Methodology No. of Lectures Scripture and its importance Lecture & 6 Unit–II Discussion Foundational Textual and Non-Textual Religions ---do--- 5 Aspects of Doctrinal and Practical aspects of Religion ---do--- 6 Religion Religious Manifestation: Development of ---do--- 6 Culture and Civilization Learning Outcomes After going through this unit, the student will be able to describe: scripture and its importance within religious traditions, canonical and non-canonical texts, a comparative outlook of world scriptures, 4 | P a g e existence of religions without scripture, growth of cultures and civilizations around a religious worldview. Activities continuous internal assessment (CIA), preparation of assignments, preparation for presentation in the class, quiz competition, class discussion. Points for Discussion what scripture is and what makes a book scripture, how scripture works as a source of relationship between man, cosmos and the Divine, religious practices governed by scriptures, different civilizations and cultures having roots in religions. Unit Topic Methodology No. of Lectures Sources of Knowledge: Revelation, Intuition, Lecture & 8 Unit–III Religious Experience, Reason Discussion Religious versus Mundane, Sacred versus ---do--- 5 Epistemology Profane of Religion Theophany and Theonomy ---do--- 3 Justice, Ethical and Aesthetic Dimensions of ---do--- 6 Religion Learning Outcomes After going through this unit, the student will be able to make sense of: different sources of knowledge, apart from reason and sense perception, what religious experience is and how it is different from ordinary experience, difference between religious and non-religious activities. Activities continuous internal assessment (CIA), preparation of assignments, preparation for presentation in the class, quiz competition, class discussion. Points for Discussion why different sources of knowledge and what their importance is, world governed by the Sacred and the profane, relation between theophany and theonomy, notion of ethics and justice in various religions, depiction of the Sacred in various art forms. Unit Topic Methodology No. of Lectures Distinctions and commonalities in the major Lecture & 5 Unit–IV religious world views Discussion Conflict and Religious conflicts, Holy wars, crusades and ---do--- 6 Concord conversion between Religious conflicts and religious dialogue ---do--- 6 Religions Interplay of religion and politics ---do--- 5 Learning Outcomes After going through this unit, the student will be able to make sense of: the common teachings of world religions, the causes of religious conflicts and initiatives for dialogue among religions, the use of religion for purposes other than ethical and spiritual. 5 | P a g e Activities continuous internal assessment (CIA), preparation of assignments, preparation for presentation in the class, quiz competition, class discussion. Points for Discussion causes behind various holy wars and religious conflicts, missionary zeal for conversion, steps towards valuing “humanity first” by world religions, initiatives for inter and intra-religious dialogue among various religions and organisations. Suggested Readings 1. Brian Cox, Faith Based Reconciliation: A Moral Vision That Transforms People and Societies, Xlibris Corporation: US, 2007. 2. Irving Hexham, Understanding World Religions: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Zondervan: Michigan, 2011. 3. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, (ed.), Challenges to Religions and Islam, Sarup & Sons: Delhi, 2007. 4. Huston Smith, World Religions, HarperCollins: New York, 1991. 5. Jacques Waardenburg, Classical Approaches to the Study of Religion: Aims, Methods and Theories, Walter de Gruyter: Germany, 1999. 6. Lloyd Ridgeon (ed.), Major World Religions: From Their Origins to the Present, Routledge: Curzon, 2003. 7. Peter Connoly, (ed.), Approaches To The Study of Religion, Continuum: London & New York, 2006. 8. Seth D. Kunin (ed.), Theories of Religion: A Reader, Rutgers University Press: New Brunswick, NJ, 2006. 6 | P a g e Department of Religious Studies Central University of Kashmir Curriculum Transactional Strategy (CTS) Course 2 - Hinduism (MCR-C 102) S. No. Course Title of the Course Type of the Credits Max. Marks Max. Marks Code Course CIA ESE 02. MCR–C Hinduism C 4 40 60 102 Unit Topic Methodology No. of Classes Needed Lecture 3 “Hinduism” Definition Unit–I Discussion/PPT Pre-Vedic Religion, Vedic Religion and Lecture 5 Introduction Rituals Discussion/PPT & Fundamental Vedic Texts and later Vedic Scriptures Lecture & 3 Hindu Thought Discussion Upanishad and its Fundamental Concepts: Lecture 4 Brahman-atman, Karma, Mokhsa Discussion/PPT Learning Outcomes After going through this unit, the student will be able to: Define “Hinduism” and “Orientalism”, Explain problems related to defining Hinduism, Discuss the relationship between Aryan invasion and Brahmanism, Describe the religion of the Indus Valley people and its importance for later Hinduism, Know the Vedic texts of Shruti & Smirti; complex Vedic Yajna (Sacrifice), Describe the emergence and development of the Upanishads. Activities Preparation of Assignment, continuous internal assessment (CIA), Preparation of PPT for the presentation in the class. Points for Discussion Is Hinduism a geographical term? What are the problematic areas related to the definition of Hinduism? What type of rituals Indus valley people used to practice? Origin and antiquity of the Vedas; the Aryan invasion debate, Discussion on Shruti & Smriti and later Vedic Scriptures, Philosophy of Atman-Brahman. Unit Topic Methodology No. of Classes Needed Epic Literature: Mahabharata and Ramayana Lecture 6 Unit–II Discussion/PPT The Early and Late Puranas ---do--- 5 Classical Hindu Classical Hindu Society: The Dharma Shastras, Lecture 4 Society purusharthas and samaskaras Discussion & An Introduction to Hindu Philosophy Lecture 5 Philosophy Discussion/PPT 7 | P a g e Learning Outcomes After going through this unit, the student will be able to: Understand dharma as a core teaching in Mahabharata and Ramayana, Know Puranas as most important
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Kabir: Towards a Culture of Religious Pluralism
    198 Dr.ISSN Dharam 0972-1169 Singh Oct., 2003–Jan. 2003, Vol. 3/II-III KABIR: TOWARDS A CULTURE OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM Dr. Dharam Singh Though globalization of religion and pluralistic culture are more recent terms, the human desire for an inter-faith culture of co- existence and the phenomenon of inter-faith encounters and dialogues are not entirely new. In the medieval Indian scenario we come across many such encounters taking place between holy men of different and sometimes mutually opposite religious traditions. Man being a social creature by nature cannot remain aloof from or indifferent to what others around him believe in, think and do. In fact, to bring about mutual understanding among people of diverse faiths, it becomes necessary that we learn to develop appreciation and sympathy for the faith of the others. The medieval Indian socio-religious scene was dominated by Hinduism and Islam. Hinduism has been one of the oldest religions of Indian origin and its adherents in India then, as even today, constituted the largest majority. On the other hand, Islam being of Semitic origin was alien to India until the first half of the 7th century when the “first contacts between India and the Muslim world were established in the South because of the age- old trade between Arabia and India.”1 However, soon these traders tuned invaders when Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni led a long chain of invasions on India and molestation of Indian populace. To begin with, they came as invaders, plundered the country-side and went back, but soon they settled as rulers.
    [Show full text]
  • Proud of Sikh Heritage
    Citation of Qaumi Seva Award presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by SGPC on the historic occasion of the inauguration of Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor on 9th November, 2019 QAUMI SEVA AWARD On the auspicious occasion of 550th Prakash Purab of Sachey Patshah Satguru (True Emperor True Teacher) Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, the Sikh Qaum (community) has been blessed by Akal Purakh (Eternal Entity) and the great Guru Sahibs on this historic occasion; the daily prayers of all the sangat (Congregation), belonging to every nook and corner of the world for decades are being accepted in the Dargah of Akal Purakh (The Almighty God’s Court). As a result and as a first step, a corridor connecting Dera Baba Nanak Sahib and the shrines of Guru Nanak Patshah’s life at Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan) has been opened for the sangat. On the 550th birth anniversary of Satguru Sachey Patshah Ji, what greater divine gift could the Sikh Sangat have received than for a head of the country to become the Messiah and show political, administrative and diplomatic courage for fulfilling this wish of the Sikh community. It is only by the grace of the Guru that the joy of opening of this corridor of faith, belief and love for humanity has been bestowed upon the person, who himself is deeply in love with Sikhism and greatly devoted to the Guru’s feet. An example of this devotion is the unparalleled contribution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Maharaj, including the opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor and making Sultanpur Lodhi, the first karambhumi of Guru Sahib, a state-of-the- art smart city.
    [Show full text]
  • JAINISM 101 a Scientific Approach
    JAINISM 101 A Scientific Approach !!Jai Jinedra !! (Greetings) Hemendra Mehta Original by Sudhir M. Shah nmae Airh<ta[<. namo arihant˜õaÕ. nmae isÏa[<. namo siddh˜õaÕ. nmae Aayirya[<. namo ˜yariy˜õaÕ. nmae %vJHaya[<. namo uvajjh˜y˜õaÕ. nmae lae@ sVv£ sahU[<. namo loae savva s˜huõaÕ. Two Beliefs 1. Taught in Indian Schools 1. Hinduism is an ancient religion 2. Jainism is an off-shoot of Hinduism 3. Mahavir and Buddha started their religions as a protest to Vedic practices Two Beliefs 2. Jain Belief 1. Jainism is millions of year old 2. Jain religion has cycles of 24 Tirthankaras 1st Rishabhdev 24th Mahavirswami 3. Rishabhdev established agriculture, family system, moral standards, law, & religion Time Chart ARYANS ARRIVE RIKHAVDEV PERIOD MAHAVIR / BUDDHA INDUS VALLEY PERIOD CHRIST 6500 BCE 500 CE 1000 BCE 000 8,500 Yrs. ago 1500 Yrs. ago 3000 Yrs. ago 2000 Yrs. ago 2500 BCE 1500 BCE 500 BCE 4500 Yrs. ago 3500 Yrs. ago 2500 Yrs. ago Jain Religion Basic Information: • 10 million followers • Two major branches ¾ Digambar ¾ Shwetamber What is Religion? According to Mahavir swami “The true nature of a substance is a religion” Religion reveals • the true nature of our soul, and • the inherent qualities of our soul Inherent Qualities of our Soul Infinite Knowledge Infinite Perception Infinite Energy Infinite Bliss What is Jainism? A Philosophy of Living – Jains: Follow JINA, the conqueror of Inner Enemies – Inner Enemies (Kashays): • Anger (Krodh) • Greed (lobh) • Ego (maan) • Deceit (maya) – Causes: Attachment (Raag) and Aversion (Dwesh)
    [Show full text]
  • In Praise of Her Supreme Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
    In praise of Her Supreme Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi 2016 Edition The original Sahaja Yoga Mantrabook was compiled by Sahaja Yoga Austria and gibven as a Guru Puja gift in 1989 0 'Now the name of your Mother is very powerful. You know that is the most powerful name, than all the other names, the most powerful mantra. But you must know how to take it. With that complete dedication you have to take that name. Not like any other.' Her Supreme Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi ‘Aum Twameva sakshat, Shri Nirmala Devyai namo namaḥ. That’s the biggest mantra, I tell you. That’s the biggest mantra. Try it’ Birthday Puja, Melbourne, 17-03-85. 1 This book is dedicated to Our Beloved Divine M other Her Supreme Holiness Shri MMMatajiM ataji Nirmal aaa DevDeviiii,,,, the Source of This Knowledge and All Knowledge . May this humble offering be pleasing in Her Sight. May Her Joy always be known and Her P raises always sung on this speck of rock in the Solar System. Feb 2016 No copyright is held on this material which is for the emancipation of humanity. But we respectfully request people not to publish any of the contents in a substantially changed or modified manner which may be misleading. 2 Contents Sanskrit Pronunciation .................................... 8 Mantras in Sahaja Yoga ................................... 10 Correspondence with the Chakras ....................... 14 The Three Levels of Sahasrara .......................... 16 Om ................................................. 17 Mantra Forms ........................................ 19 Mantras for the Chakras .................................. 20 Mantras for Special Purposes ............................. 28 The Affirmations ......................................... 30 Short Prayers for the Chakras ............................. 33 Gāyatrī Mantra ......................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ritual and Reform in the Kabir Panth
    1 RITUAL AND REFORM IN THE KABIR PANTH Peter Friedlander: La Trobe University [email protected] Introduction The Kabir Panth is a religious movement based on the teachings of the north Indian poet saint Kabir (1398-1518). This paper looks at the practice of rituals called chauka in the Kabir Panth and a campaign led by the leader of the Kabircaura branch of the Kabir Panth to abolish the chauka rituals. The paper starts by outlining the history of the Panth and the role of the chauka ritual in the practices of the branches of the Kabir Panth who follow the teachings of Kabir’s disciple Dharmdas. It then examines accounts of the life of Vivekdas, the leader of the Kabircaura branch of the Kabir Panth, and his arguments that the chauka ritual should be abandoned because it is a corrupt practice which is not based on the teachings of Kabir. I propose that the controversy over the practice of the chauka ritual reflects different branches of the Kabir Panth’s responses to modernity. The importance of this I suggest it that it shows how a religious movement can become divided into branches with some advocating conservative practices based on localised rituals at the same time as other branches can advocate reformist approaches based on establishing a universal global identity.1 1 This paper was presented to the 18th Biennial Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia in Adelaide, 5-8 July 2010. It has been peer reviewed via a double referee process and appears on the Conference Proceedings Website by the permission of the author who retains copyright.
    [Show full text]
  • KRAKAUER-DISSERTATION-2014.Pdf (10.23Mb)
    Copyright by Benjamin Samuel Krakauer 2014 The Dissertation Committee for Benjamin Samuel Krakauer Certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Negotiations of Modernity, Spirituality, and Bengali Identity in Contemporary Bāul-Fakir Music Committee: Stephen Slawek, Supervisor Charles Capwell Kaushik Ghosh Kathryn Hansen Robin Moore Sonia Seeman Negotiations of Modernity, Spirituality, and Bengali Identity in Contemporary Bāul-Fakir Music by Benjamin Samuel Krakauer, B.A.Music; M.A. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2014 Dedication This work is dedicated to all of the Bāul-Fakir musicians who were so kind, hospitable, and encouraging to me during my time in West Bengal. Without their friendship and generosity this work would not have been possible. জয় 巁쇁! Acknowledgements I am grateful to many friends, family members, and colleagues for their support, encouragement, and valuable input. Thanks to my parents, Henry and Sarah Krakauer for proofreading my chapter drafts, and for encouraging me to pursue my academic and artistic interests; to Laura Ogburn for her help and suggestions on innumerable proposals, abstracts, and drafts, and for cheering me up during difficult times; to Mark and Ilana Krakauer for being such supportive siblings; to Stephen Slawek for his valuable input and advice throughout my time at UT; to Kathryn Hansen
    [Show full text]
  • Book Reviews
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by SOAS Research Online Summer 2005 201 BOOK REVIEWS Christopher Key Chapple, ed. Jainism and Ecology: Non-Violence in the Web of Life. Cambridge, Mass.: Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School, 2002. xliv, 252 pages. In many ways, the two most intriguing documents in this thought-provoking and competently produced book of the Harvard Religions of the World and Ecology Series are the preface and the appendix. Whoever only reads the preface of L. E. Sullivan, the general editor of the series, may get the impression that “religion and ecology” is just one of those themes in academic publishing that are periodically contrived to cash in on the Zeitgeist, but devoid of any relevance in the real world. By contrast, the appendix, a reprint of the short “Jain Declaration of Nature” that was submitted in 1992 to Prince Phillip (Worldwide Fund for Nature) by L. M. Singhvi, the then Indian High Commis- sioner in Britain and current Bharatiya Janata Party representative of Rajasthan in the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, was composed for the sole purpose of propagating the Jain philosophy of nonviolence (ahimsa) as “a viable route plan for humanity’s common pilgrimage for holistic environmental protection, peace and harmony in the universe” (p. 224). The text is a veritable manifesto of Jain environmentalism, and has provoked an interesting debate, which is documented in this volume, between the proponents of a “Jain ecology,” the majority of them Diaspora Jains, and skeptical voices, notably of John Cort and Paul Dundas; two leading non-Jain scholars of Jainism whose contributions are published together with the papers of C.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Comparative Poetics of Buddha, Kabir and Guru Nanak: Aparna Lanjewar Bose from a Secular Democratic Perspective
    Towards a Comparative poetics of Buddha, Kabir and Guru Nanak: Aparna Lanjewar Bose From A Secular Democratic perspective Artículos atravesados por (o cuestionando) la idea del sujeto -y su género- como una construcción psicobiológica de la cultura. Articles driven by (or questioning) the idea of the subject -and their gender- as a cultural psychobiological construction Vol. 4 (2), 2019, abril-septiembre ISSN 2469-0783 https://datahub.io/dataset/2019-4-2-e85 TOWARDS A COMPARATIVE POETICS OF BUDDHA, KABIR AND GURU NANAK: FROM A SECULAR DEMOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE HACIA UNA POÉTICA COMPARATIVA DE BUDA, KABIR Y GURÚ NANAK DESDE UNA PERSPECTIVA DEMOCRÁTICA SECULAR Aparna Lanjewar Bose [email protected] Department of English Literature, School of Literary Studies at The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, India Cómo citar este artículo / Citation: Bose A. L. (2019). «Towards a Comparative poetics of Buddha, Kabir and Guru Nanak: From A Secular Democratic perspective». Revista Científica Arbitrada de la Fundación MenteClara, 4(2) abril-septiembre 2019, 19-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32351/rca.v4.2.85 Copyright: © 2019 RCAFMC. Este artículo de acceso abierto es distribuido bajo los términos de la licencia Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Recibido: 27/05/2019. Aceptado: 03/06/2019 Publicación online: 30/10/2019 Conflict of interests: None to declare. Abstract This article shows how democratic secular values existed 2500 years ago with the Buddha and later during the saint tradition in India, around 14th and 15th century, with Kabir and Guru Nanak even before they were legalized and enshrined in the Indian constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • Witchcraft, Religious Transformation, and Hindu Nationalism in Rural Central India
    University of London The London School of Economics and Political Science Department of Anthropology Witchcraft, Religious Transformation, and Hindu Nationalism in Rural Central India Amit A. Desai Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2007 UMI Number: U615660 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U615660 Published by ProQuest LLC 2014. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Abstract This thesis is an anthropological exploration of the connections between witchcraft, religious transformation, and Hindu nationalism in a village in an Adivasi (or ‘tribal’) area of eastern Maharashtra, India. It argues that the appeal of Hindu nationalism in India today cannot be understood without reference to processes of religious and social transformation that are also taking place at the local level. The thesis demonstrates how changing village composition in terms of caste, together with an increased State presence and particular view of modernity, have led to difficulties in satisfactorily curing attacks of witchcraft and magic. Consequently, many people in the village and wider area have begun to look for lasting solutions to these problems in new ways.
    [Show full text]
  • Milestones and Signposts in Inter-Faith Relations: a Hindu Perspective
    Australian eJournal of Theology 17 (December2010) Milestones and Signposts in Inter‐faith relations: a Hindu Perspective1 Anita C. Ray Abstract: This is the last of three papers initially delivered at the Parliament of World Religions, Melbourne 9th December 2009, on approaches in Interfaith Relations. The first two are presented in the prior issue of AEJT [16] representing Muslim and Christian perspectives on interreligious dialogue. Here, Anita C. Ray takes up the same theme from the Hindu point of view, beginning with some typical ‘western’ misconceptions of Hinduism and then introducing us to the contribution of the northern Indian Sants in the 15th to 17th centuries. Their contemporary relevance as a signpost for interfaith harmony is defended. [Editor] Key Words: interreligious conflict; Bhagavad­Gita; the Sants; bhakti; Kabir; Brahmin; Muslim ewsweek recently declared that Americans have a predilection for a “divine‐deli‐ cafeteria religion, much in the spirit of Hinduism.”2 The author of the article asserts, “A Hindu believes there are many paths to God ... none is better than any other; all are equal.” She supports this statement with a quotation from the most ancient of all Hindu texts, the Rig Veda (c. 1500 BCE), “Truth is one but the sages speak of it by many names.”3 Unfortunately, this is a misrepresentation of Hinduism. The poets of the Rig Veda are merely referring to the sages of their own tradition, and they are in fact at pains to clarify that the reason their sages use so many names for God is because human language is incapable of capturing divine Infinitude.
    [Show full text]
  • The Jain Declaration on Nature the Jain Teachings
    THE JAIN DECLARATION ON NATURE Author - Dr. L. M. Singhvi The Jain tradition which enthroned the philosophy of ecological harmony and non-violence as its lodestar flourished for centuries side-by-side with other schools of thought in ancient India. It formed a vital part of the mainstream of ancient Indian life, contributing greatly to its philosophical, artistic and political heritage. During certain periods of Indian history, many ruling elites as well as large sections of the population were Jains, followers of the Jinas (Spiritual Victors). The ecological philosophy of Jainism which flows from its spiritual quest has always been central to its ethics, aesthetics, art, literature, economics and politics. It is represented in all its glory by the 24 Jinas or Tirthankaras (Path-finders) of this era whose example and teachings have been its living legacy through the millenia. Although the ten million Jains estimated to live in modern India constitute a tiny fraction of its population, the message and motifs of the Jain perspective, its reverence for life in all forms, its commitment to the progress of human civilization and to the preservation of the natural environment continues to have a profound and pervasive influence on Indian life and outlook. In the twentieth century, the most vibrant and illustrious example of Jain influence was that of Mahatma Gandhi, acclaimed as the Father of the Nation. Gandhi’s friend, Shrimad Rajchandra, was a Jain. The two great men corresponded, until Rajchandra’s death, on issues of faith and ethics. The central Jain teaching of ahimsa (non-violence) was the guiding principle of Gandhi’s civil disobedience in the cause of freedom and social equality.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Study of Sikhism and Hinduism
    A Comparative Study of Sikhism and Hinduism A Comparative Study of Sikhism and Hinduism Dr Jagraj Singh A publication of Sikh University USA Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 1 A Comparative Study of Sikhism and Hinduism A comparative study of Sikhism and Hinduism Contents Page Acknowledgements 4 Foreword Introduction 5 Chapter 1 What is Sikhism? 9 What is Hinduism? 29 Who are Sikhs? 30 Who are Hindus? 33 Who is a Sikh? 34 Who is a Hindu? 35 Chapter 2 God in Sikhism. 48 God in Hinduism. 49 Chapter 3 Theory of creation of universe---Cosmology according to Sikhism. 58 Theory of creation according to Hinduism 62 Chapter 4 Scriptures of Sikhism 64 Scriptures of Hinduism 66 Chapter 5 Sikh place of worship and worship in Sikhism 73 Hindu place of worship and worship in Hinduism 75 Sign of invocation used in Hinduism Sign of invocation used in Sikhism Chapter 6 Hindu Ritualism (Karm Kanda) and Sikh view 76 Chapter 7 Important places of Hindu pilgrimage in India 94 Chapter 8 Hindu Festivals 95 Sikh Festivals Chapter 9 Philosophy of Hinduism---Khat Darsan 98 Philosophy of Sikhism-----Gur Darshan / Gurmat 99 Chapter 10 Panjabi language 103 Chapter 11 The devisive caste system of Hinduism and its rejection by Sikhism 111 Chapter 12 Religion and Character in Sikhism------Ethics of Sikhism 115 Copyright Dr. Jagraj Singh 2 A Comparative Study of Sikhism and Hinduism Sexual morality in Sikhism Sexual morality in Hinduism Religion and ethics of Hinduism Status of woman in Hinduism Chapter13 Various concepts of Hinduism and the Sikh view 127 Chapter 14 Rejection of authority of scriptures of Hinduism by Sikhism 133 Chapter 15 Sacraments of Hinduism and Sikh view 135 Chapter 16 Yoga (Yogic Philosophy of Hinduism and its rejection in Sikhism 142 Chapter 17 Hindu mythology and Sikh view 145 Chapter 18 Un-Sikh and anti-Sikh practices and their rejection 147 Chapter 19 Sikhism versus other religious aystems 149 Glossary of common terms used in Sikhism 154 Bibliography 160 Copyright Dr.
    [Show full text]