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Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction

Front Cover
13 Reviews
OUP Oxford, Feb 24, 2000 - Religion - 160 pages
Hinduism is practiced by about 80 percent of India's population, and by about 30 million people outside India. But how is Hinduism defined, and what basis does the religion have? In this Very Short Introduction, Kim Knott provides clear insight into the beliefs and authority of Hindus and Hinduism, and considers the ways in which it has been affected by colonialism and modernity.

Knott offers succinct explanations of Hinduism's central preoccupations, including the role of contemporary gurus and teachers in the quest for spiritual fulfillment; and the function of regular performances of the Mahabharata and Ramayana--scriptures which present the divine in personal form (avatara) and provide models of behavior for everyone, from kings and warriors to servants and children, and which focus on the dharma, the appropriate duties and moral responsibilities of the different varna or classes. The author also considers the challenges posed to Hinduism at the end of the twentieth century as it spreads far beyond India, and as concerns are raised about issues such as dowry, death, caste prejudice, and the place of women in Hindu society.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

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Review: Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions #5)

User Review  - Michelle Mullin - Goodreads

Pretty good, concise introduction to Hinduism. Obviously there is a lot more to the topic, so if you are looking for an in-depth study, look elsewhere. Read full review

Review: Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions #5)

User Review  - Amir Sagiv - Goodreads

Though short, gives a broad look with academic wit and research-like view. Very worth while (especially because the "while" part is short) Read full review

All 12 reviews »

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References from web pages

Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction
Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction Book by Kim Knott; 2000. Read Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction at Questia library.
www.questia.com/ PM.qst?a=o& d=62971675

Jay mccarthy: Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction, by Kim Knott
Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction , by Kim Knott, was an interesting book, but I am don't know enough about Hinduism to validate its status as a general ...
jay-mccarthy.blogspot.com/ 2005/ 03/ hinduism-very-short-introduction-by-kim.html

iskcon.com - ISKCON Communications Journal - ICJ
Kim Knott makes a difficult subject interesting and accessible in Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction; she employs a style of writing that is both simple ...
www.iskcon.com/ icj/ 6_2/ 62hinduism.html

Hinduism : A Very Short Introduction | Kim Knott | readingsocial ...
Hinduism : A Very Short Introduction by Kim Knott ... Facebook User said the following about Hinduism : A Very Short Introduction. 4 months ago. ...
readers.livingsocial.com/ books/ 382912/ kim-knott/ hinduism-a-very-short-introduction

Hinduism -- Introductions, Anthologies and Dictionaries: 26 ...
Hinduism : A Very Short Introduction, Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction by Kim Knott. Oxford University Press, 2000, 160 pp. ...
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Hinduism A Very Short Introduction Books
Hinduism A Very Short Introduction- Books Online Book Store .com Hinduism BOOKS Vijay Kumar Recommends.
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Members - Prof Kim Knott
Professor Knott is the author of Hinduism in Leeds, My Sweet Lord: The Hare Krishna Movement, and Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. ...
www.leeds.ac.uk/ gender-studies/ about/ membership/ knott.shtml

Theology : a very short introduction by David F. Ford | librarything
Hinduism : a very short introduction by Kim Knott · Archaeology : a very short introduction by Paul Bahn · Islam : a very short introduction by Malise ...
www.librarything.com/ work/ 229295

Harvard University Extension School
Reading: Kim Knott, Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction. Week III (Oct. 2nd): A Hindu View of the Moral Subject. Reading: Steven M. Parish, Moral Knowing in ...
isites.harvard.edu/ fs/ docs/ icb.topic192752.files/ Comparative_Religious_Ethics_Syllabus_fall.2007.doc

Chowk: : Shivaji -- Portrait of the King as Barbarian
(See Kim Knott: Hinduism -a very short introduction. Oxford: OUP. Pg 38) In Ch 18 verses 41 to 48 clearly imply that Bhagavad-gita (in particular, ...
www.chowk.com/ articles/ 10119

About the author (2000)


Kim Knott is Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds and the President of the British Association for the Study of Religions. She has written on modern Hinduism, religions in Britain, and gender and religion.

Bibliographic information

QR code for Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction
TitleHinduism: A Very Short Introduction
Volume 5 of Very Short Introductions
Vsi Series
AuthorKim Knott
Editionillustrated, reprint, reissue
PublisherOUP Oxford, 2000
ISBN0192853872, 9780192853875
Length160 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Religion / Hinduism / General
  
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