About this book series
The Encyclopedia of Indian Religions offers a
complete overview of Hinduism and all other religions found in India and the
Diaspora, such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and
so on. It is strongly characterized by two special features, each
pertaining to
the fact that Hinduism is closely associated with India but has now become
global in its reach. In relation to Hinduism in India, it views Hinduism not in
isolation but in dynamic interaction, first with other religions of Indian
origin and then with religions which did not originate in India but have been a
lasting feature of its religious landscape, namely, Islam and Christianity and,
to a lesser extent, Zoroastrianism and Judaism. Secondly, the encyclopedia
seriously takes into account the phenomenon of Hinduism in the Diaspora. The
Indian Diaspora is now beginning to make its presence felt, both in India and
abroad. In India, the Indian government annually hosts a Diaspora event called
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), in recognition of the growing importance of the
20 million strong Diaspora. And the role it is playing in the computer software
industry around the world is well known. Although not all Indians are Hindus,
most are, both in India and abroad. A strong sense of Hindu identity is
emerging among diasporic Hindus. This has lead to an increasing amount of
research on Hindu traditions and Indian identity, and the relation of Hinduism
with other world religions. The Encyclopedia of Indian Religions will fill the
need for information and clarification of modern day Hinduism and Hindu history
and traditions to Hindus in the Diaspora. Three main aspects of diasporic
Hinduism have been kept in mind while preparing this reference work: firstly
the active language of diasporic Hindus is English. Secondly diasporic Hindus
need a rational rather than a devotional or traditional exposition of the
religion, and thirdly they need information and arguments to address the
stereotypes which characterize the presentation of Hinduism in the academia and
the media, especially in the West. The above is covered in a comprehensive
reference work that covers: (1) Hinduism in various parts of the world such as
Africa, North America and so on, along with the description of it as practiced
in India; (2) the various religious movements of a Hindu hue which have had
international impact such as Hare Krishna, and (3) Hindu beliefs and practices
as they are being understood and lived out in a modern global environment. And
(4), as not all Indians are Hindu, this encyclopedia will contain entries on
all religions found in India in the same spirit.
- Electronic ISSN
- 2542-7636
- Print ISSN
- 2542-7628
- Series Editor
-
- Arvind Sharma
