Unifying Hinduism: Philosophy and Identity in Indian Intellectual History by And

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Drawing on the writings of philosophers from late medieval and early modern traditions--including Vijnanabhiksu, Madhava, and Madhusudana Sarasvati--Andrew J. Nicholson shows how influential thinkers portrayed Vedanta philosophy as the ultimate unifier of diverse belief systems. This project paved the way for the work of later Hindu reformers, such as Vivekananda, Radhakrishnan, and Gandhi, whose teachings promoted the notion that all world religions belong to a single spiritual unity. In his study, Nicholson also critiques the way in which Eurocentric concepts--like monism and dualism, idealism and realism, theism and atheism, and orthodoxy and heterodoxy--have come to dominate modern discourses on Indian philosophy.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Some postcolonial theorists argue that the idea of a single system of belief known as "Hinduism" is a creation of nineteenth-century British imperialists. Andrew J. Nicholson introduces another perspective: although a unified Hindu identity is not as ancient as some Hindus claim, it has its roots in innovations within South Asian philosophy from the fourteenth to seventeenth centuries. During this time, thinkers treated the philosophies of Vedanta, Samkhya, and Yoga, along with the worshippers of Visnu, Siva, and Sakti, as belonging to a single system of belief and practice. Instead of seeing such groups as separate and contradictory, they re-envisioned them as separate rivers leading to the ocean of Brahman, the ultimate reality.Drawing on the writings of philosophers from late medieval and early modern traditions, including Vijnanabhiksu, Madhava, and Madhusudana Sarasvati, Nicholson shows how influential thinkers portrayed Vedanta philosophy as the ultimate unifier of diverse belief systems. This project paved the way for the work of later Hindu reformers, such as Vivekananda, Radhakrishnan, and Gandhi, whose teachings promoted the notion that all world religions belong to a single spiritual unity. In his study, Nicholson also critiques the way in which Eurocentric concepts-like monism and dualism, idealism and realism, theism and atheism, and orthodoxy and heterodoxy-have come to dominate modern discourses on Indian philosophy.

Author Biography

Andrew J. Nicholson is assistant professor of Hinduism and Indian intellectual history in the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies at Stony Brook University.

Review

In this clear, analytical, well-documented, and well-argued book, Nicholson discusses the conflicts among the various systems of Hindu philosophy and the contributions of the late medieval and early modern thinkers in reconciling the systems and arriving at a unifying picture of Hinduism in Advaita Vedanta. Choice This path-breaking work is very helpful and a must read for scholars of Indian history, Hinduism and south Asian religious traditions. -- Vineeth Mathoor Metapsychology Nicholson has created a tour-de-force that puts India's premodern thinkers in conversation with its postmodern intellectuals. -- Christopher Key Chapple Journal of the American Academy of Religion In this marvelously clear, meticulously researched, and tightly argued book which promises to change the scholarly conversation on Hindu identity, Nicholson sets the record straight regarding the historical emergence of what is today widely known as Hinduism... -- Jeffery D. Long Religious Studies Review Given the enormous scope of its enquiry, the work is relatively concise, very accessible and therefore suitable for the advanced undergraduate or graduate classroom. More than this, it belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the history, and historiography, of Indian philosophy. -- Reid Locklin Sophia Lucid and accessible, Andrew Nicholson's book offers an excellent model for South Asianists seeking to engage with the wider field of religious studies. Journal of the Amer. Academy of Religion Unifying Hinduism is an erudite, informative book. -- Kaif Mahmood South Asian History and Culture

Promotional

Drawing on the writings of philosophers from late medieval and early modern traditions-including Vijnanabhiksu, Madhava, and Madhusudana Sarasvati-Andrew J. Nicholson shows how influential thinkers portrayed Vedanta philosophy as the ultimate unifier of diverse belief systems. This project paved the way for the work of later Hindu reformers, such as Vivekananda, Radhakrishnan, and Gandhi, whose teachings promoted the notion that all world religions belong to a single spiritual unity. In his study, Nicholson also critiques the way in which Eurocentric concepts-like monism and dualism, idealism and realism, theism and atheism, and orthodoxy and heterodoxy-have come to dominate modern discourses on Indian philosophy.

Prizes

Winner of Best First Book in the History of Religions, American Academy of Religion 2011

Review Quote

Unifying Hinduism is an erudite, informative book.

Promotional "Headline"

Drawing on the writings of philosophers from late medieval and early modern traditions--including Vij

Excerpt from Book

Read the >Introduction (pdf).

Description for Bookstore

Best First Book in the History of Religions from the American Academy of Religion

Details ISBN0231149875 Short Title UNIFYING HINDUISM Pages 280 Publisher Columbia University Press Language English ISBN-10 0231149875 ISBN-13 9780231149877 Media Book Format Paperback Imprint Columbia University Press Subtitle Philosophy and Identity in Indian Intellectual History Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Year 2013 Publication Date 2013-12-31 Translated from English UK Release Date 2013-12-31 AU Release Date 2013-12-31 NZ Release Date 2013-12-31 US Release Date 2013-12-31 Author Andrew Nicholson Series South Asia Across the Disciplines DEWEY 181.4 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this

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