Hinduism For Dummies（2）

著者名：Srinivasan, Amrutur V.

For Dummies（2025/01/03発売）

• 言語：ENG
• ISBN：9781394315932
• eISBN：9781394315949

Description

Discover one of the world's most popular belief systems

Hinduism is a fascinating and widespread religion with a diverse array of traditions, practices, scriptures, and deities. In Hinduism For Dummies, 2nd Edition, you'll get a clear view into this widely-practiced and ancient creed. The book contains an easy-to-follow introduction to Hinduism, including its four different sects—Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism—it's major rituals, and its most sacred teachings.

You'll understand how to recognize the different major gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon and the differences that give each of the four sects their distinct culture and theology. You'll also explore the history of what some consider to be the world's oldest religion that's still widely practiced today.

Inside, you'll:

• Understand core beliefs and values
• Discover Hindu wisdom and teachings (including life-cycle rites)
• Discover how to worship inside and outside of your home
• Know the Hindu concept of reality

An interesting and unbiased read, Hinduism For Dummies, 2nd Edition is the go-to guide for everyone who wants to learn more about Hinduism and its most fundamental tenets.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part 1: Introducing Hinduism 5

Chapter 1: Overviewing Hinduism 7

Chapter 2: From Past to Present: A Condensed History of Hinduism 19

Chapter 3: Exploring the Core Beliefs and Values. 37

Chapter 4: Reviewing Major Hindu Denominations 51

Chapter 5: Exploring Hindu Society Structure 67

Part 2: The Hindu Pantheon and Its Religious Leaders 83

Chapter 6: Pantheism to Polytheism: From the One to the Very Many 85

Chapter 7: Identifying Hindu Gods and Goddesses 95

Chapter 8: The Avatars of Vishnu: The Divine Descent 119

Chapter 9: Revering the Role of Religious Leadership 133

Part 3: Studying the Sacred Texts 151

Chapter 10: The Vedas: Centuries of Accumulated Treasures 153

Chapter 11: Gaining Higher Knowledge with the Upanishads 167

Chapter 12: Living with the Epics and Puranas 183

Chapter 13: The Song of the Lord: The Bhagavad Gita 209

Part 4: Practicing Hinduism 223

Chapter 14: Worshipping at Home 225

Chapter 15: Worshipping at Temples 241

Chapter 16: Observing Holydays and Festivals 257

Chapter 17: Cradle to Cremation: The Life-Cycle Rites 277

Chapter 18: Taking a Pilgrimage 293

Part 5: Delving Deeper into the Hindu Concept of Reality 311

Chapter 19: The Six Schools of Thought: The Darshanas 313

Chapter 20: Vedanta: The End of Knowledge 327

Chapter 21: Following the Yogic Path to Salvation 343

Part 6: The Part of Tens 357

Chapter 22: Ten Common Prayers 359

Chapter 23: Ten (or So) Traditional Mandates 365

Index 371