Hinduism (Oxford Paperbacks) [Paperback]

R. C. Zaehner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Oxford Paperbacks | Publication Date: April 14, 1983

Hinduism is both a way of life and a highly organized social and religious system, but in the modern world its essentials, perhaps more than those of any other major religion, are undergoing a process of redefinition. Professor Zaehner's book traces these concepts through the four-thousand year development of Hinduism, and explains the enduring foundations from which it continues to flourish and grow. This book's great merit is that it conveys the essence of concepts such as moksha, karma and sanatana dharma to the newcomer without over-simplification. It remains a penetrating interpretation of the multiple facets of Hinduism from ancient times to the present day.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A clearly written, concise, but thorough and authoritative introduction to the main principles and concerns of Hinduism."--M. Thomas Inge, Randolph-Macon College

"The best short introduction to Hinduism in existence....A really first-class guide to its ancient roots and to its subtle blend of the mythological and the metaphysical."--The Guardian

"An excellent introduction to the religion, readable and reliable."--Robert Van Voorst, Lycoming College

"An excellent introduction."--Chenyang Li, University of Connecticut at Storrs

About the Author

Robert Charles Zaehner (1913-1974) was Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics, University of Oxford and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. His publications include The Concise Encyclopaedia of Living Faiths (ed. 1959); Hindu Scriptures (ed./trns 1966); The Bhagavad-Gita (1968); Drugs, Mysticism and Make Believe (1972) and Our Savage God (1974).

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; New edition edition (April 14, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019888012X
• ISBN-13: 978-0198880127
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Survey, September 29, 2005

By 

Donald J. Keck (Powder Springs, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hinduism (Oxford Paperbacks) (Paperback)

An excellent survey of the evolution of Hindu cosmological and ontological speculations, theological belief systems and ethical concepts from the Aryan conquest of India to Gandhi and Tagore. The book is both comrhensive in scope and comprhensible to the uninitiated reader.
My only complaint is the lack of a glossary of Hindu terms such as Dharma, Karma, Moksha and Bhakti which would have been a real help to the reader unfamiliar with Hindu terminology.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good starting point for students of Hinduism, February 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hinduism (Oxford Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book provides an excellent basic analysis of Hinduism. Hinduism is an incredibly complex religion but Zaehner outlines the important points for the reader.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly, but Assessible, December 29, 2009

By 

Douglas Groothuis "Douglas Groothuis" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hinduism (Oxford Paperbacks) (Paperback)

Professor Zaehner was an Oxford don of the previous generation, and a prolific author. Although I read this book almost thirty years ago, it left me with a strong impression about Hinduism. While many identify Hinduism with pantheism and monism, there are a variety of philosophical schools in the very big temple of Hinduism. Of course, Advaita Vedanta is pantheistic and monistic (or nondualistic), but other schools are polytheistic, theistic, or even atheistic. Of course, all Hindus believe in karma-reincarnation, yoga, the inspiration of the Four Vedas, maya, and enlightenment (wherein one leaves the cycle of reincarnation and loses personality).

Hinduism came West to America with a vengence through the counterculture of the 1960s and has influenced religion and culture significantly even in a country steeped in Christianity. (On this, see Os Guinness, "The East, No Exist" in The Dust of Death and my chapter "New Age Spirituality in Unmasking the New Age.) Authors such as Deepak Chopra present Hindu nondualism as essential to spirituality. India, largely Hindu, is now a rising star economically, a fact that will further expand the influence of its native religion. Given these factors, a basic knowledge of Hinduism is significant for any cosmopolotian person today. It is also very significant for Christians to understand this ancient and diverse religion in light of Christianity's very different worldview and spirituality.