The Hindu Tradition: Readings in Oriental ThoughtAinslie T. Embree, William Theodore de Bary This book, compiled from basic Hindu writings, is an exploration of the essential meaning of the Hindu tradition, the way of thinking and acting that has dominated life in India for the last three thousand years. Selections from religious, literary and philosophic works are preceded by introductory material that summarizes historical developments and cultural movements. While much attention is given to religion, many selections deal with social life, political relationships, and the Indian attitude to human love and passion. The arrangement of the material suggests the growth and development of Indian life through the centuries, and makes clear that Indian culture has never been static, but rather has been characterized at all times by a remarkable vitality and creativity. The selections range in time from the Rig Veda, composed around 1000 B.C., to the writings of Radhakrishnan, formerly the President of India. They illustrate both the continuity of the Hindu tradition and its vitality, for Hinduism is probably more vibrant and alive at the present time than it has been for many centuries. The ideals and values, the unquestioned assumptions and the persistent doubts that are presented here from the literature of the past are the fundamental ingredients of the life of modern India. |
Contents
| 3 | |
| 9 | |
The Social Order | 32 |
in TRODUCTION | 74 |
The Maintenance of the Social Fabric | 101 |
The Search for Salvation | 117 |
cHAPTER vſ The Universe of the Great Epics | 136 |
THE FLOWERING | 151 |
The Vedānta of Rāmānuja | 205 |
introduction | 227 |
CHAPTER xn In Praise of Vishnu as Krishna | 246 |
The Meeting of Hindu and Muslim | 261 |
INTRODUCTION | 273 |
Rejection and Revival | 299 |
Four Twentieth Century Statements | 325 |
| 349 | |
Other editions - View all
The Hindu Tradition: Readings in Oriental Thought Ainslie T. Embree,William Theodore de Bary Limited preview - 1972 |
Common terms and phrases
accepted according action acts ancient appears attain become belief body born Brahman called caste cause century comes common created culture death deity desire devotion divine duties earth eternal existence eyes faith father four Gita give given gods hand heart heaven Hindu tradition Hinduism human hymns ideas important Indian Indra kind king knowledge known Krishna light literature living Lord matter means mind movement nature never objects offer origin passion perfect performance person pleasure possible present reached reason regarded religion religious result sacred scriptures seek seemed seen selection sense Shiva social society sons soul Sources spirit stories teachings texts thee things thou thought tion true truth universe Upanishads Veda Vedic Vishnu Western whole women worship