An Introduction to Hinduism by Gavin D. Flood

An Introduction to Hinduism Reviews

• 
  Imran

  In attempts to figure out my research interests for graduate school I took on this book upon the recommendation of a friend. Nonetheless, it was incredibly insightful with a few chapters needing to be read twice due to the book's dryness and the confusing way it is structured.
  
  I'll begin by noting that as a Muslim trying to find parallels between Hinduism and Islam I started this book in hopes of answering two questions: (1) Is Hinduism in fact a monotheistic religion? (2) Do Hinduism and Islam affect one another in South Asia?
  
  For the first question I discovered that there is a huge problem; namely with the word religion. According to the author, Gavin Floods, the category ‘religion’ comes from the Christian understanding of the word which defines it in terms of unified belief, faith, soteriology (i.e. concept of salvation), God, etc. However, in trying to understand Hinduism one has to look at the tradition differently because the Hindus did not view religion this way. Floods says that what essentially makes a Hindu is his/her ritual devotion (i.e. Dharma - which is explained in great detail) and that a Hindu "...may be a theist, pantheist, atheist, communist and believe whatever he likes." So if you really want to use the word religion then you have to treat Hinduism as a group of different religions sharing rituals, theology, scripture, epic literature, romance stories, and origin (i.e. India). All of which is overviewed pretty well in the book I think. It's funny because in Islam we have this concept of Bid'ah (a label given to any religious practice deviating from orthodoxy) in order to try to keep the religion in its pure form, but in Hinduism it's almost the complete opposite yet you still have this harmony and coexistence between the differing religions. This I found very beautiful. So again to answer the first question what you find in this book as you go through the different periods of Hindu history is that there are many different religions in this great tradition, however it is important to note that these 'religions' do not have rigid boundaries. The final chapter "Modern Hinduism" was very interesting because you witness Hinduism become more universal (more in line with the word religion) and paradoxically exclusively Indian as well. Perhaps Hinduism needed to do this in order to be included as a world religion today and perhaps India needed to pump nationalism into Hinduism in order to use the religion to help preserve the nation's identity against colonialism and foreign missionaries.
  
  I was elated by the answers I found to my second question as now I have loads of potential research topics to consider. Hinduism has tremendously impacted Islam in South Asia and at the same time I am convinced that HInduism was forever changed upon Islam's entrance into the subcontinent. Some questions to think about: Why is the Islam of South Asia so dogmatic and superstitious? Why is there more emphasis in the Islam of South Asia on ritual practice and devotion and not understanding? All of it seems to lead to the fact there is this wonderful marriage between these two religions resulting in beautiful literature, culture, music, film, politics, etc. Unfortunately there is violence as well.
  
  To Muslims of South Asian heritage I call upon you to learn about Hinduism. For many of us somewhere in our lineage we had a Hindu ancestor who made the decision to accept Islam, but this doesn't mean we erase the incredible history prior to that decision as I believe it is still a part of our identity. To students of Islam who plan to serve South Asian communities I invite you to study Hinduism as well as that will shed light as to why our flavor of Islam is the way it is. Please work with it and enhance it instead of trying to merely Arabize it.
  
  I feel like I'm leaving a lot out in this review because I personally found myself ignoring a lot of what I was reading. The book is painfully detailed sometimes and unless one is doing a research paper it's not important to pay attention to everything in my opinion. All in all a great introduction.
  
  I'll end with a quote by Floods on the importance of studying religion today, "In writing this book, I have assumed that the study of religion is of vital importance in the modern world in which everyone is, in some sense, a ‘global citizen’, and in which issues of identity and meaning are as important as ever."
• 
  Katie

  This is hardly an "introduction" to Hinduism - it's more like an overview. One drawback is that the author is biased towards the area where he has done research in Kerala. I learned a lot, though, even if I didn't completely grasp everything.
  
  I would particularly recommend the first couple chapters. They address the early origins of Hinduism and the debate about whether it came from the Aryans or was indigenous. Very interesting.
• 
  Ata A

  This is an okay introduction to Indian religious traditions ("Hinduism"). I felt that the philosophical and creedal matters were well explained. However, topics seemed to be scattered throughout the book in no rational order. The Basics end up being explained in the later chapters, when they should have been explained in the earlier chapters. I still read it occasionally just to brush up on issues, and I have continued to find it beneficial.
• 
  Jeremy

  There are many different beliefs in Hinduism; it seems to me the different beliefs are more extreme than Christianity, as you could say that all Christians believe in Jesus, but it doesn’t seem there is anything all Hindus agree on. However, generally, they all believe in a transcendent God who is in all living things and can be worshiped in innumerable forms, like icons in temples, natural phenomena, or living teachers or saints. Devotion to deities (though there are many deities most believe they are manifestations of God) mediated through icons and holy persons provides refuge in times of crises and even final liberation from action (karma) and the cycle of reincarnation. The transcendent is also revealed in sacred literature, the Veda, and in codes of ritual, social, and ethical behavior, called dharma, which that literature reveals. There is a large body of literature that is revered as revelation in addition to the Veda. What a Hindu does is more important that what they believe. Adherence to dharma is not acceptance of certain beliefs but the practice of certain duties. Certain Hindus live by renunciation, which is what it sounds like. The idea of karma is intertwined with renunciation, and ultimately liberation or salvation from the cycle of rebirth. Yoga is the method of attaining liberation for both renouncers and laity. Rituals are very important. Important developments from Hindu leaders have led to a popular belief by Hindus that all religions lead to the same transcendent God, so there should be harmony among different religions.
  
  This book was something like a textbook. Tons of information, more than I needed, it seemed to surpass a simple “introduction”. I didn’t like how it was put together at times, and it could have used charts and such to make things clearer. It didn’t talk about two of the most common things westerners see of Hindus, the bindi dot on the forehead and their feelings towards cows. How does it not mention those? Overall, I certainly learned some about this very complicated religion, but the information could have been presented much more clearly. Two stars.
• 
  A. B.

  A very good, comprehensive overview of Hinduism- from its emphasis on ritual and orthopraxy, to common beliefs, to the philosophies and theologies, to the gradual development of Hindu modes of thought through the centuries since the Vedic period. Also includes a section on Hinduism in modern politics, as well as the development of global interest in Hinduism from the German Idealists to the Theosophists, to today. As well as the distinction between Brahmanical orthodoxy and local folk traditions, and how they intertwine. Divided into sections on the Vaishnava, Saiva and Sakti traditions. Puranas, Vedas, Agamas, Tantras, various commentaries- as well as the distinction between householder Hinduism and renouncer Hinduism are also discussed.
  
  The impression I get is of the sheer diversity of Hindu thought, quite uncategorizable- drawing as it does from a wide variety of interpretations and sources. A very diverse tradition, yet perhaps maintaining a certain circumscribed cultural continuity.
• 
  Christopher Smith

  Excellent and very scholarly introduction to Hinduism, though to tell the truth it was a bit dense for a beginner. It took me a long time to wade through it, but I learned a great deal. Even those who are quite familiar with Hinduism could undoubtedly profit from reading it.
• 
  Alcatraz Dey

  I am a secular person but I still feel the necessary justice has not been done to the concept at all. It's enriching but just in phases. I guess it's a foreigners perspective on Hinduism
• 
  თემო

  Wasn't bad, although it dismisses almost every 19th century philosopher without hesitation, and it doesn't quite treat nationalist groups with academic equality.
• 
  Kelly Reinhart

  Great introduction to the study of Hinduism. After reading this, I feel as though I have more questions than before, but being that growth in curiosity as a good thing. This book covers a wide range of topics, from the history to rituals to gods and goddesses to Hinduism in modern day. Because it covers so much, it can be a bit daunting to read and you only get the overview. This seems to be a first step in understanding the religion, and I'll likely continue on by finding books that focus on one area more deeply.
• 
  Paul

  Rather dry going, but for an introduction this volume delves deep; you learn a lot about this sprawling, diverse religion, from its ancient origins in the tension between the Indus Valley civilization and the Aryan migrants, to the modern phenomenon of Global Hinduism.
• 
  Katy Major

  Deeply fascinating.
• 
  Debora Williams

  Very dry lots of terminology.
• 
  Peyton

  9/10
• 
  John

  An outstanding overview of the complex history and identities of Hinduism. This would be very useful as a textbook for college-level courses, and will also appeal to non-specialists looking for a scholarly treatment. Excellent discussions of the bhakti traditions and of the remaking of Hinduism by the Hindu Renaissance of the nineteenth century. Probably too advanced for an absolute beginner in religious studies.
• 
  Matt Hahn

  A bit a dry at times, but this is to be expected given its obvious textbook formatting. It is, nonetheless, an excellent overview of Hinduism and will help the newcomer to Indian philosophy in sifting through the multifarious aspects of the beautiful religious practices of India.
• 
  Tom

  Wasn't bad, although it dismisses almost every 19th century philosopher without hesitation, and it doesn't quite treat nationalist groups with academic equality.
• 
  Patrick Mcmurray

  
  I thought that this book was an excellent, nuanced introduction to the Hindu religion. It provided some scholarly insights combined with an interesting history of Hinduism's evolution.
• 
  Claire

  A bit dense and complicated but nuanced in the best of ways.
• 
  Vincent Tanzil

  A more advanced introduction for Hinduism. I find the discussion on what Hinduism is as informative and thoughtful.
• 
  Christina Murias

  Excellent introduction to Hinduism! A very good book written by an academic specialised in indian culture and spirituality. For anybody interested in learning more about this religious tradition.