Am I A Hindu? The Hinduism Primer [Paperback]

Ed Viswanathan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1992

This gem of a book encapsulates the esoteric wisdom of one of humanity's oldest religions in an easy-to-understand conversational format. Covering the entire sweep of Hindu belief, answering questions Westerners ask about Hindu practice (like what exactly is the law of Karma and reincarnation? why do Hindu women wear a red dot on their forehead? and why do Hindus worship so many Gods?) answering life's most enduring questions has been hailed as a much-needed primer to this major religion.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This primer, serving some of the vast sweep of Hindu belief and practice, takes the form of dialog between a Hindu father and his American-born son. The son wants to understand his family's religious traditions and discover what is relevant for him today. The book is useful not only to American Hindus but to those who want a nontechnical introduction to Hinduism as lived today. The book also explains how Hinduism engages in dialog with Western science and culture. Recommended for large public libraries and undergraduate collections.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

The best introduction to the tenants of Hinduism I have yet read.

Product Details

• Paperback: 321 pages
• Publisher: Halo Books (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879904063
• ISBN-13: 978-1879904064
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE MUST READ BOOK FOR ANYONE WHO IS SEARCH OF TRUTH, December 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Am I A Hindu? The Hinduism Primer (Paperback)

Reading Hindu philosophical books is my hobby and I never ever read a book like this. This may be the only book in the market discussing about Hinduism as the culture of India not as an organized religion. This book is very very simple without too many Sanskrit words and it can be even read by a 12 year old. It deals with almost all aspects of Hinduism. It is in a Question and Answer fomat between a father and son and as such it is spelbounding. Book is filled with very descriptive flow charts on "end of the world"; "caste system", "world religions"; "Hindu scriptures"; etc and I for one will highly recommend this book for every one on earth. I did not see any kind of bias in this book like the "reader from Calcutta" is talking about.. In the chapter Untochables [page-250], author describes caste system as a "curse on Hinduism" and quotes a great Indian Untouchable leader Ambedkar who said: "To the untouchables, Hinduism is a veritable chamber of horrors" . There is no cover up of animal sacrifice in Hinduism in this book. On the contarary, this book discusses about animal sacrifice in the chapter "The Cow & Hindus". I am amazed to see this book even subjects such as Tantra, Kama Sutra and erotic sex, which Hindu authors normally do not discuss in their books. Surprisingly, book repeatedly states that "Hinduism has no monopoly on Truth & God" and at the end ask the reader even to read books such as Holy Bible & Holy Koran in their search after truth. So I highly recommend this book for anyone out there who is in search of truth.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very best Hinduism book THE VERY BEST BOOK IN HINDUISM, December 8, 1999

By 

Alan Fensin (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Am I A Hindu? The Hinduism Primer (Paperback)

I have been a voracious reader of books on Hinduism since child hood and I never ever saw a book like this. This is the most lively, compelling and informative book on hinduism that I have ever read. This book is filled with many great flow charts simplify different aspects of Hinduism such as WORLD RELIGIONS, HINDU SECTS, HINDU GODS, HINDU SCRIPTURES, END OF THE WORLD

I have no idea what the 'reader from calcutta" is talking about, unless his idea is to put down a great book like this so that nobody will read and understand the ancient, intriguing & thought provoking Hindu culture. The author of this book has taken extreme measures to discuss every minute detail of the complex culture of India in very simple language. There is absolutely no mix up of metaphysics and mythology in this book. Nor is there any dogma or demagoguery. In fact, 90 chapters [ in questions and answers format between a 14 year old american born Indian teenager and his middle aged father] are laid out in a very systematic manner staring with SHRUTI literature like VEDAS, UPANISHADS and ending with PURANAS and ITHIHASAS.

Believe me, I never read a book on Hindusim in which the author discussed Charvaka's material philosophy or Hindu dances or Hindu carnatic music. This book even deals with subjects like KAMA SUTRA, TANTRISM and DEVADASI. Normally Hindu authors shy away from discussing such erotic subjects. The author never downplayed negative aspects of the caste system. Instead he called the CASTE SYSTEM, the greatest curse on Hinduism [page -250]. The book even quotes Ambedkar, who said: " To the untouchables, Hinduism is a veritable chamber of horrors."

No wonder copies of this book is sought after by millions of people all over the globe. This book is the 5th most popular book on Amazon's list of general books on Hinduism. At the end of the book, the author states that Hinduism has NO monopoly on God and truth. Instead, the author asks every one to study other religious scriptures of the world like the Holy Bible and the Holy Koran. It is very clear that the author's intention in writing this book is to educate every one about Hinduism and not cover up any evils in Hindu society. The Hindu Times, Nepal calls this book a valuable contribution to the world of religion. The Hindu, Madras wrote in its review "...the need of the hour not only for those overseas but even here in India." Book list magazine wrote: "...A much needed primer to a major religion." I hope and pray every one who is in search of truth will read this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent book every Hindu can be Proud of, October 27, 2002

By 

"vishnugsharma" (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Am I A Hindu? The Hinduism Primer (Paperback)

I was born and raised in a very orthodox Hindu family and as such I have read many books on Hinduism. With all honestly, I have to admit, I never ever saw a book like this about Sanathana Dharma or Hinduism. This book covers everything one wanted to know about Hinduism, and answers every question one will have about Hinduism, specially the questions every Indian child will have, in a very lucid, well organized style. There are many well illustrated educational flow charts about different aspects of Hinduism in this book. I have not seen such charts in any other Hindu book. Am I A Hindu? can be described as an encyclopedia of Hinduism, dealing with the history of Hinduism, the sacred scriptures from Vedas to Puranas and major branches of Hinduism, such as Vaisnavism, Saivism, and Saktism. Mr. Viswanathan has done an excellent job of explaining very complex Hindu philosophies and beliefs with out sacrificing the subtle truths ancient Hindu scriptures convey to the world. Amazing that he achieved all this with out mentioning many Sanskrit verses from Hindu scriptures. I urge every one, especially Indians, to read this book.. I have decided to give copies of this book as Christmas presents to some of my co-workers who constantly ask me questions about Hinduism. Mr, Viswanathan, you have indeed done a great job and pray that you will write and publish more books on Hinduism.