Great World Religions: Hinduism

Course Overview

Get an overview of the history and practice of the oldest living religion in this concise and accurate course taught by an award-winning professor.

Course Description

In Hinduism, you’ll find a religion that is perhaps the most diverse of all. It worships more gods and goddesses than any other and rejects the notion that there is only one path to the divine. These 12 lectures provide a window into the roots of, perhaps, all religions. You’ll explore over the course of Hinduism’s 5,000-year journey: the Indus Valley civilization; the sizable variety of Hindu gods and goddesses; the sacred writings in the Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads; ritual purity rites; the Aryan language of Sanskrit; and more.

The story of Hinduism is also the story of non-Western traditions – such as arranged marriages and the caste system – that have survived and thrived for thousands of years. The lectures move chronologically through the history of Hinduism, from its earliest precursors through its classical manifestations to its responses to modernity. Dr. Muesse discusses salient aspects of Hindu life and places them in historical and theological context.

Video Lectures

1. Hinduism in the World and the World of Hinduism (32 min)
   Reflection on methods used to examine the complexities of studying Hinduism.
2. The Early Cultures of India (29 min)
   Focus on two major contributors, the Indus Valley civilization and the Aryans.
3. The World of the Veda (29 min)
   Explore Aryan contributions through the Veda, regarded as the most sacred scripture.
4. From the Vedic Tradition to Classical Hinduism (30 min)
   Discuss the emergence and views of classical Hinduism, including rituals and philosophies.
5. Caste (30 min)
   Observe how the Aryan society transformed into the complex caste system.
6. Men, Women, and the Stages of Life (30 min)
   Examine the roles of genders and prescribed stages of life in classical Hinduism.
7. The Way of Action (31 min)
   Focus on the path of action and its significance in addressing the cycle of samsara.
8. The Way of Wisdom (29 min)
   Discuss sages’ contributions and transformations in Indian religious practices.
9. Seeing God (31 min)
   Explore Hindu theism, its pantheon, and worship practices associated with Siva.
10. The Way of Devotion (29 min)
    Look at bhakti practice and its significance in Hindu devotion.
11. The Goddess and Her Devotees (29 min)
    Study Goddess worship and its role in Hindu theology and practices.
12. Hinduism in the Modern Period (33 min)
    Discuss the effects of Islam and Western culture on modern Hinduism.