{"product_id":"hinduism-past-and-present-9780691089539","title":"Hinduism: Past and Present","description":"\u003cp\u003eHinduism is currently followed by one-fifth of humankind. Far from a monolithic theistic tradition  the religion comprises thousands of gods  a complex caste system  and hundreds of languages and dialects. Such internal plurality inspires vastly ranging rites and practices amongst Hinduisms hundreds of millions of adherents. It is therefore not surprising that scholars have been hesitant to define universal Hindu beliefs and practices. In this book  Axel Michaels breaks this trend. He examines the traditions  beliefs  and rituals Hindus hold in common through the lens of what he deems its \"identificatory habitus \" a cohesive force that binds Hindu religions together and fortifies them against foreign influences. Thus  in his analysis  Michaels not only locates Hinduisms profoundly differentiating qualities  but also provides the framework for an analysis of its social and religious coherence.  Michaels blends his insightful arguments and probing questions with introductions to major historical epochs  ample textual sources as well as detailed analyses of major life-cycle rituals  the caste system  forms of spiritualism  devotionalism  ritualism  and heroism. Along the way he points out that Hinduism has endured and repeatedly resisted the missionary zeal and universalist claims of Christians  Muslims  and Buddhists. He also contrasts traditional Hinduism with the religions of the West  \"where the self is preferred to the not-self  and where freedom in the world is more important than liberation from the world.\"  Engaging and accessible  this book will appeal to laypersons and scholars alike as the most comprehensive introduction to Hinduism yet published. Not only is Hinduism refreshingly new in its methodological approach  but it also presents a broad range of meticulous scholarship in a clear  readable style  integrating Indology  religious studies  philosophy  anthropological theory and fieldwork  and sweeping analyses of Hindu texts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45647092940853,"sku":"ByrdShop_0691089531","price":26.04,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780691089539.jpg?v=1781688843","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/hinduism-past-and-present-9780691089539","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}