- Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (Jan 23 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0028642279
- ISBN-13: 978-0028642277
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 18.5 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 612 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #355,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
From Amazon
Hinduism is such a vast, complex, and exotic topic that to boil it down to a few hundred pages--and make it fun--must be the work of a true avatar, in this case Linda Johnsen. In The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism, Johnsen covers the history, philosophy, devotions, gods, and traditions of this timeless religion. She takes pains to not only make the material easy to read and understand but to get inside the minds of Hindus, themselves, to make sense of what they believe and why. This sympathetic view is balanced by objective and concrete reporting. For example, she presents discussions of the Aryan Invasion theory, whether Jesus visited India, and a well-documented case of modern-day reincarnation. In addition to introducing each of the different strains of Hinduism and their beliefs, she also gives an overview of the classic Hindu myths. Exotic, yes, but Johnsen succeeds in bringing Hinduism closer to home. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
A comprehensive guide to Hindu religion and culture.
Although there are many books that touch on some aspects of Hinduism, there is nothing out there that seems to be true competition to this book-no comprehensive introduction to Hinduism. Most books that come up under the subject of Hinduism dont even have Hindu or Hinduism included in the title.
Compared to what little competition does exist, this book will be much more approachable and fun-to-read., especially for readers who may have a casual interest in learning about the religion but who dont really want to devote a great deal of time learning the more esoteric aspects of Hinduism.
This book will cover more than the Hinduism religion; it will also cover the Hindu culture--the caste system, ethics, dietary habits, and other social conventions. The Complete Idiots Guide® to Hinduism will cover- the long and interesting history of how the religion developed from its very fragmented origins, the basic Hindu beliefs including karma, reincarnation, non-violence, etc., the multiple Hindu deities, the sociological aspects of the religion including ethics, sacraments, dietary habits, and the caste system, the Hindu paths to enlightenment, including karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, tantra and laya yoga, and finally, where Hinduism stands today on the world stage, in relation to Islam, and in relation to its own complex, extraordinary history.
Linda Johnsen is author of Daughters of the Goddess- The Women Saints of India (winner of the 1995 Midwest Book Association award for "Best New Age Book of the Year"), The Living Goddess- Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe (a book about the Hindu Goddess tradition, assigned reading in several college courses), and Meditation is Boring? Putting Life in Your Spiritual Practice. She has published nearly 100 articles on topics related to Hindu spirituality in magazines directed toward a general Western audience such as Yoga Journal and Yoga International, as well as in periodicals targeted at an Indian readership like Hinduism Today and India Currents. She has lectured throughout the United States on Hindu spirituality, and has been featured in numerous radio programs and on cable television. She holds a Masters degree in Eastern Studies. Her most recent research tour of India (January 2001) focussed on the Maha Kumbha Mela, a Hindu festival in Allahabad, U.P., attended by 80 million pilgrims.
0028642279
Although there are many books that touch on some aspects of Hinduism, there is nothing out there that seems to be true competition to this book-no comprehensive introduction to Hinduism. Most books that come up under the subject of Hinduism dont even have Hindu or Hinduism included in the title.
Compared to what little competition does exist, this book will be much more approachable and fun-to-read., especially for readers who may have a casual interest in learning about the religion but who dont really want to devote a great deal of time learning the more esoteric aspects of Hinduism.
This book will cover more than the Hinduism religion; it will also cover the Hindu culture--the caste system, ethics, dietary habits, and other social conventions. The Complete Idiots Guide® to Hinduism will cover- the long and interesting history of how the religion developed from its very fragmented origins, the basic Hindu beliefs including karma, reincarnation, non-violence, etc., the multiple Hindu deities, the sociological aspects of the religion including ethics, sacraments, dietary habits, and the caste system, the Hindu paths to enlightenment, including karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, tantra and laya yoga, and finally, where Hinduism stands today on the world stage, in relation to Islam, and in relation to its own complex, extraordinary history.
Linda Johnsen is author of Daughters of the Goddess- The Women Saints of India (winner of the 1995 Midwest Book Association award for "Best New Age Book of the Year"), The Living Goddess- Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe (a book about the Hindu Goddess tradition, assigned reading in several college courses), and Meditation is Boring? Putting Life in Your Spiritual Practice. She has published nearly 100 articles on topics related to Hindu spirituality in magazines directed toward a general Western audience such as Yoga Journal and Yoga International, as well as in periodicals targeted at an Indian readership like Hinduism Today and India Currents. She has lectured throughout the United States on Hindu spirituality, and has been featured in numerous radio programs and on cable television. She holds a Masters degree in Eastern Studies. Her most recent research tour of India (January 2001) focussed on the Maha Kumbha Mela, a Hindu festival in Allahabad, U.P., attended by 80 million pilgrims.
0028642279
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
I've spent the past twenty-five years shuttling back and forth between two universes: India and the West. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
I've spent the past twenty-five years shuttling back and forth between two universes: India and the West. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye opener,
By "kannansree" (Sunnyvale, California, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism (Mass Market Paperback)
Hinduism which is widely believed to be the mother of all religions, is not only the oldest but very vast and complex to understand with various myths, fables, hear-says that form the core of the religion along with the mammoth works of Ramayana and Mahabharatha.This book is a very good starter for all those interested in learning about Hinduism. Amazing part of this book is the style of presentation - simple, factual, funny in places and with emphasis on the greatness of the religion in easy to understand words and format. Did i mean to mislead that it is only good for the starters? NO. it is not just for the starters - the references and explanations of various Hindu concepts of reincarnation (Poonar janmam), cosmic cycles (yugas), Atomic science (anu-paramanu vidya) and surprising facts like How caucasians still worship Hindu gods even today are appetizing even for a seasoned reader, Have studied sanskrit for several years and have read the works of several authors but this book is refreshing and inspires to learn more about Hinduism.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 'MUST' for beginners,
By "ankushsir" (United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism (Mass Market Paperback)
Trust me this is the best book one can find to begin with on Hinduism. I was searching for a right book on Hinduism to answer questions of my American friends until I found Linda's book. When I received this book in mail, I was reading two other books on Hinduism, I opened Linda's book just to check the condition of the book and then I could not leave it until I was finished, I forgot other two books. I was surprised with her ease and passion for subject and with language. To understand Hindu wisdom of tens of thousands of years is Herculean task but Linda makes it fun. This book gives you insight in to Hindu theology, mythology, society and at the same time offers fiercely objective comments on history and psyche of White dogmas. This is book is MUST before you read any other on Hinduism.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Informative and interesting,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism (Mass Market Paperback)
Being hindus ourselves (me and my wife) we learnt so many things from this book. It inspired us to read more works on our culture and way of life and dharma (religion). We are surprised how little we current generation hindus know about our own culture. But again not everybody has to know everything and we must always try and learn. The vastness of hinduism is indeed a challenge and hence needs constant interaction with gurus or the learned ones and constant search and reading. There is no end indeed.
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