The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism

Front Cover
Penguin, 2009 - Religion - 404 pages
A new look at an ancient religion.

The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Hinduism, Second Edition, contains updated and expanded information on how the religion developed from its very fragmented origins, the basic Hindu beliefs, and the multiple Hindu deities, as well as the sociological aspects of the religion including ethics, sacraments, dietary habits, the caste system, and much more.

- Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world, with over 765 million followers worldwide
- Updated information on the state of Hinduism today
- An exploration of the Hindu paths to enlightenment including karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, tantra and laya yoga
- Expanded information on the Hindu Reformation

 

Contents

Contents
1
Time for God
3
Hindus in History
19
The World Discovers Hinduism
33
Matrix of the Hindu Tradition
47
The Peoples Religion
61
What Hindus Believe
75
A Tomb in Kashmir
90
The Main Denominations
195
How Hindus Live
209
Living Right
225
Sacraments and Holy Days
237
Temples and Sacred Sites
251
Gods House Has Many Doors
263
The Rewarding Life
277
An EverExpanding Heart
289

Born Again
93
Turning On Your Inner Light
107
Blind Men Describe an Elephant
123
Who Hindus Worship
137
Meet the Hindu Gods
153
The ElephantHeaded God
160
Meet the Hindu Goddesses
167
Visits from God
181
The Razors Edge
301
The Royal Road
313
A Timeless Tradition
327
Kundalini Rising
335
Spiritual Science
343
Ancient Religion in Modern Times
357
Appendixes
369
Copyright

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About the author (2009)

Linda Johnsen holds a Master's degree in Eastern studies. She is author of Daughters of the Goddess: The Women Saints of India (winner of the Midwest Book Association Award for Best New Age Book of the Year), The Living Goddess: Reclaiming the Tradition of the Mother of the Universe, and Meditation Is Boring? Putting Life in Your Spiritual Practice. She has published nearly 100 articles in magazines such as Hinduism Today, Yoga Journal, and Yoga International, and has lectured throughout the United States on Hindu spirituality.

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