A Short Introduction to Hinduism

Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)

by Klaus K. Klostermaier

Explaining the immense variety of practices, scriptures and philosophies that make up what is known as Hinduism, it describes the history and development of the Hindu tradition, as well as exploring the key themes that make Hinduism a religion of such breadth and depth.

Genres: Religion, Hinduism, India, Reference, Nonfiction, Spirituality

Paperback

First published June 25, 1998

Reviews

[Cold Cream 'n' Roses · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Klaus K. Klostermaier's A Short Introduction to Hinduism after reading Kim Knott's Hinduism A Very Short Introduction. Klostermaier's book is far superior to Knott's book.

The book introduces the main topics about Hinduism and is dense in content. It provides the most sympathetic treatment of Hindutva and the aspirations of Hindu nationalists that I've read.

The book introduces many Sanskrit terms that I didn't know. A glossary (complete with Devanagari and transliteration) would have been helpful. I take exception to Klostermaier's definition of samadhi as "trance." This definition is too simplistic for a state that's properly reached through discipline. "Trance" is often something a person stumbles upon.

Despite these quibbles, Klostermaier's A Short Introduction to Hinduism is a great survey of topics related to Hinduism. I want to buy this book for my collection.

Both Knott's and Klostermaier's books are listed as "for further reading" for the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies's online course Introduction to Hinduism: History, Text, Philosophy.

[Brian Frederick Jerome Eadon · Rating 3 out of 5]

20 November 2023

I wanted to read a book which explained the basic beliefs of Hinduism and decided that this beginner's guide might help answer some of my questions. In particular when I read previously Dr B R Ambedkar's book, he wrote that Hindus follow the caste system because they are deeply religious, I wanted to investigate this further.
I found this book hard reading, principally because despite being a beginner's guide, it didn't explain everything suffiently for this particular beginner, and I had to look up many terms elsewhere and go back over sections of the book.
I found that the answer to my query about the caste system comes from a devoted Hindu's belief in reincarnation and that troubles in someone's present life spring from bad Karma acquired by wrong doings in a previous one. It seems to me to be a case of having to accept what's going on, working hard through it to be good, as the reward for this will come in a better position in the next life.
Further, a Hindu must try through prayer and devotion to reach a perfect state of mind which breaks the cycle of death and rebirth. The person should concentrate on this task and not concern themself overmuch with what's going on in the world.

This beginner's guide has given me enough of a very basic understanding of Hinduism, which I suppose meets its aim. However, I still have many questions and things I would like to know.

I found the sections on Hindu philosophies across the ages difficult, but this could be due to my lack of knowledge about philosophy.

I found too, that the chapter on those who are trying to get back to more fundamental Hinduism, a little frightening as I took from it attempts to move to a more right wing position and with that more intolerance of others' beliefs, in India.

Overall I'm glad I persevered with the book, and I'll come back to it for reference in my future readings on the history of the Indian subcontinent, and studies of the beliefs of people of the Earth.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. A quick read. It gave introductory overviews which definitely need following up for detail and analysis. I quite like to read this kind of thing to steer me towards some key areas for exploring. Having just completed a course, however (in which this little book was recommended as a starter), there are some quite big areas missing from this book. But the same can be said for the course. The field is so vast! Breathe! One step at a time!

p.s. I found all the recommended reading lists in the book were rather dated.

[Deepak Singhanwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read to gain knowledge about the world's oldest religion. I wanted to know about Hinduism rather reading views and the commentary that is found in the media today. This book is very good for this purpose, explaining the complex Hindu terms and concepts in a fairly easy way. Written with a neutral opinion, I nowhere felt it to be biased. Touches on almost all the topics that you want.

[lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A set work text for my Hinduism Religious Studies Course for A-level. A useful scholarly view for many of my essays and a helpful introduction to the religion. 🕉🧘‍♀️

[Douglas Perry, PhD · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a quick read, Klostermaier provides an acceptable introduction to Hinduism, including a brief summary of its role in the current society and politics of India. The book is not scholarly, not was it intended to be, but it would have benefited from a more comprehensive bibliography. Also, it would have been helpful to include charts and diagrams summarizing the hierarchy of dieties, lineage of sacred texts, and belief structures of the major divisions and subdivisions.

[Nivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book, explores the history of the different strands of Hinduism viz. Vedic, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktiism etc.

Decent book for those interested in the history of Hinduism.

Much recommended over "Hindus: an alternative History" by Wendy Doniger.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a decent introduction to Hinduism, though I'd recommend anyone interested read most anything by Georg Feuerstein, and Advaita Vedanta:a Philosophical Reconstruction by Elliott Deutsch, as well as his "a Sourcebook of Advaita Vedanta" in place of the material on those subjects here.

[Sean Battles]

Intersting so far, with plenty of fun facts to help you win in a close game of Trivial Pursuit. oh, and it might help answer any relgious questions as well.