Hinduism 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 Hinduism's 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...
Hinduism is currently followed by one-fifth of humankind. Far from a monolithic theistic tradition, the religion comprises thousands of gods, a com...
The town of Deopatan, three kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, is above all famous for its main sanctum, the temple of Pa?upati, the "lord of the animals," a form of 'Siva and the tutelary deity of the kings of Nepal since ancient times. By its name alone, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has made itself known far beyond the Kathamndu Valley. However, for the dominant Newar population the town is by no means merely the seat of 'Siva or Pa?upati. It is also a city of wild goddesses and other deities. Due to this tension between two strands of Hinduism -- the pure,...
The town of Deopatan, three kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, is above all famous for its main sanctum, the temple of Pa?upati, the "lord of the anim...
This intriguing book engages with the concept of the body in its cultural context by acknowledging and demonstrating that the human body is understood differently in Western and Indian cultures. The contributors go on to show that any attempt to put forward a single concept of the body within Indian culture would be misleading. Divided into three parts, the book examines the considerable and often conflicting variations in body images and body concepts. In Part One the contributors focus on the representation of the body in religious and philosophical texts; representations that emerged from...
This intriguing book engages with the concept of the body in its cultural context by acknowledging and demonstrating that the human body is understood...
Manus Gesetzbuch, die Manusmriti oder auch Manava-Dharmashastra, ist einer der meistgebrauchten und meistzitierten altindischen Texte im Bereich von Recht, Sitte und Religion. Ein breites Spektrum von Themen wird darin abgedeckt: Neben religiösen, rituellen, politischen und alltagsweltlichen Normen werden auch präzise Vorschriften zu Erbschaft, Adoption, Steuern, Strafen, Verfahrensrecht und Sühnungen gegeben. Dabei werden teilweise kontroverse Positionen bezogen: Dies gilt zum Beispiel für die Stellung der Frau, die hierarchisch geordnete Kastengesellschaft mit den Brahmanen an der...
Manus Gesetzbuch, die Manusmriti oder auch Manava-Dharmashastra, ist einer der meistgebrauchten und meistzitierten altindischen Texte im Bereich von R...
Axel Michaels schildert auf der Grundlage der ältesten buddhistischen Quellen die Lebensgeschichte des Siddhartha Gautama und fragt nach dem historischen Kern der berühmten Legende. Das Buch beschreibt darüber hinaus die Grundlagen der frühen buddhistischen Lehre, die Herausbildung verschiedener Schulen und die Geschichte der Buddha-Verehrung.
Axel Michaels schildert auf der Grundlage der ältesten buddhistischen Quellen die Lebensgeschichte des Siddhartha Gautama und fragt nach dem historis...
Die Grundfragen der Religionsphanomenologie sind nicht erledigt. Klassifizieren und Vergleichen gehoren nach wie vor zu den elementaren Aufgaben der Religionswissenschaft. Die Bestimmung des Gegenstandes -Religion- in unterschiedlichen kulturellen und historischen Kontexten ist unabdingbar; die reflektierte und unverstellte Wahrnehmung fremder religioser Ausserungen ist eine zentrale Aufgabe religionswissenschaftlichen Fragens. Der vorliegende Band diskutiert die Rolle der Religionsphanomenologie in der Gegenwart. Dazu werden zahlreiche Stimmen aus Europa und den Vereinigten Staaten...
Die Grundfragen der Religionsphanomenologie sind nicht erledigt. Klassifizieren und Vergleichen gehoren nach wie vor zu den elementaren Aufgaben der R...
Bringing together historical and cultural perspectives on the senses, and their association with body, emotion, cultural memory and tradition, this book examines the significance of senses in the understanding of the world and the self. Further, in comparing Indian and western theories of senses, it highlights the anthropological, philosophical and religious underpinnings of our engagement with a changing world, globalization, and new media.
Bringing together historical and cultural perspectives on the senses, and their association with body, emotion, cultural memory and tradition, this bo...
Is the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than people of other faiths and other places? If so, what makes them special? Can we speak of a homo ritualis when it comes to India or Hinduism? Drawing on extensive textual studies and fieldwork in Nepal and India, Axel Michaels demonstrates how the characteristic structure of Hindu rituals employs the Brahmanic-Sanskritic sacrifice as a model, and how this structure is one of the distinguishing features of Hinduism more generally. Many religions tend...
Is the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than people of other fa...
Is the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than people of other faiths and other places? If so, what makes them special? Can we speak of a homo ritualis when it comes to India or Hinduism? Drawing on extensive textual studies and fieldwork in Nepal and India, Axel Michaels demonstrates how the characteristic structure of Hindu rituals employs the Brahmanic-Sanskritic sacrifice as a model, and how this structure is one of the distinguishing features of Hinduism more generally. Many religions tend...
Is the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than people of other fa...
