Hinduism

A guide to the nature & function of Hinduism. Hinduism is unique among the great religions in that it had no founder but grew gradually over a period of 5000 years, absorbing & assimilating all the religions & cultural movements in India. Consequently it has no Bible or Koran or Dhammapadam to which controversies can be referred for resolution. Many works such as the Vedas, the Upanishads & the Bhagavad-Gita are authoritative but none is exclusively so. As in Christianity there are several Hindu schools of thought. “Hinduism” clearly outlines their common beliefs & particular differences.
I The nature & principles of Hinduism
1 Introduction
2 The nature & growth of Hinduism
3 Social ideals & values
4 The caste system
5 Customs & festivals
6 Unity & freedom
II Historical evolution of Hinduism
7 The Indus Valley civilization
8 The Vedic age
9 Vedic culture & education
10 Upanishad & the Gītā
11 Cultural synthesis & its influence on Indian life
12 Jainism & Buddhism
13 Some other non-Vedic systems
14 Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata & the Purānas
15 The six systems of philosophy
16 Hinduism outside India
17 Bhakti or the devotional school
18 Medieval mysticism of North India
19 The Bāuls
20 Present trends
III Extracts from Hindu scriptures
Rigveda
Atharvaveda
Upanishads
Bhagavad-Gītā