The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism, 2nd Edition: A New Look at the World s Oldest Religion

by Linda Johnsen

Overview

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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592579051
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	05/05/2009
Series:	Complete Idiot's Guide Series
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Part 1	The Eternal Religion	1
1	Time for God	3
2	Hindus in History	17
3	The World Discovers Hinduism	31
4	Matrix of the Hindu Tradition	45
5	The People's Religion	59
Part 2	What Hindus Believe	71
6	One God with Many Names	73
7	Born Again!	87
8	Turning On Your Inner Light	101
9	Truth Is a Multi-Layer Cake	115
10	The Sacred Sciences	129
Part 3	Who Hindus Worship	143
11	"Can You Show Me God?"	145
12	Meet the Hindu Gods	159
13	Meet the Hindu Goddesses	171
14	Avatars: Gods in Human Form	183
15	The Main Denominations	195
Part 4	How Hindus Live	207
16	A Classy Religion	209
17	The Ten Commitments	221
18	Sacraments and Holy Days	233
19	Temples and Sacred Sites	245
Part 5	God's House Has Many Doors	257
20	The Path of Action	259
21	Straight from the Heart	271
22	The Razor in the Mind	283
23	The Royal Road	295
24	Tantra: Making Love to God	307
Part 6	A Timeless Tradition	319
25	Timeless Tales	321
26	Living the Light	333
27	Ancient Religion in Modern Times	345
28	Hinduism in the New Age	357
	Appendixes
A	Glossary	369
B	Who's Who in Hinduism	381
C	More to Read	387
D	Hindu Resource List	393
	Index	397