The Life of Hinduism brings together a series of essays—many recognized as classics in the field—that present Hinduism as a vibrant; truly “lived†religion. Celebrating the diversity for which Hinduism is known; this volume begins its journey in the “new India†of Bangalore; India’s Silicon Valley; where global connections and local traditions rub shoulders daily. Readers are then offered a glimpse into the multifaceted world of Hindu worship; life-cycle rites; festivals; performances; gurus; and castes. The book’s final sections deal with the Hinduism that is emerging in diasporic North America and with issues of identity that face Hindus in India and around the world: militancy versus tolerance and the struggle between owning one’s own religion and sharing it with others.Contributors: Andrew Abbott; Michael Burawoy; Patricia Hill Collins; Barbara Ehrenreich; Evelyn Nakano Glenn; Sharon Hays; Douglas Massey; Joya Misra; Orlando Patterson; Frances Fox Piven; Lynn Smith-Lovin; Judith Stacey; Arthur Stinchcombe; Alain Touraine; Immanuel Wallerstein; William Julius Wilson; Robert Zussman
#463898 in Books 2003-10-14 2003-10-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .98 x 5.51l; 1.16 #File Name: 0520236564388 pages: Paperback: 372 pagesPublisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (October 14; 2003)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0520236564; ISBN-13: 978-0520236561Product 8.9 x 5.5 x 1 inches; Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Tantra as it isBy Russell DunneInteresting; scholarly and focussed.This book explores Tantra entirely without the NeoTantra buzz. Invaluable resource for Tantrics.A Treasure for everyone.0 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Lacks depth and knowledge of real TantraBy rahpatWritten to please to a novice audiance. lacks depth of knowledege and real understandng of the meaning and relevence of Tantra and its practices. I would not buy it if I would get it in a libary.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Cogent; thorough and accessible history of the study of TantraBy KaulikaHugh Urban's engaging historical account of the study of Tantra is extremely thorough and thoughtful in its approach to the subject. He covers a large amount of ground in a relatively short amount of space; tracing the origins of the modern ideas about Tantra; its historical foundations; its rather infamous travel to the West; appropriation and distortion by New Age "tantric sex" groups; and everything in between. His exploration of Sir John Woodroffe (Arthur Avalon) and Aleister Crowley in particular are fascinating and revealing; and anyone interested in Woodroffe's work should read Urban's chapters on him. Urban's writing style is approachable; no small feat with such a vast and technical subject; and a pleasure to read. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the history of Tantra; Eastern mystical traditions; Hinduism and the history of religions and religious studies.
