Explore Sanatana Dharma — the world's oldest living religion — through its sacred texts, philosophical traditions, ethical teachings, and living practices. From the Vedas to the Bhagavad Gita, discover how Hinduism addresses the deepest questions of human existence.
Explore the origins of Hinduism, the world's oldest living religion. Understand its historical development from the Indus Valley civilization through the Vedic period, and learn why Hinduism is better understood as a family of traditions than a single religion. Resources: Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism; Wendy Doniger, The Hindus: An Alternative History.
Dive into Hindu scripture — the four Vedas as revealed knowledge (Shruti) and the Upanishads as the philosophical crown of Vedic literature. Explore key hymns, rituals, and the emergence of Hinduism's deepest metaphysical insights. Resources: Patrick Olivelle, Upanishads (Oxford); Wendy Doniger, The Rig Veda (Penguin Classics).
Study the Bhagavad Gita — the 'Song of God' — a 700-verse dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna on duty, devotion, and the nature of reality. Explore its key teachings on action, knowledge, and surrender. Resources: Eknath Easwaran, The Bhagavad Gita; Barbara Stoler Miller, The Bhagavad Gita (Bantam Classics).
Explore the four classical paths of yoga as systematic approaches to spiritual realization. Each path suits different temperaments, yet all lead toward the same goal — union with the Divine. Resources: Swami Vivekananda, The Complete Works (especially Raja Yoga and Karma Yoga); Georg Feuerstein, The Yoga Tradition.
Explore Dharma — the foundational ethical concept in Hinduism — including the four aims of life (Purusharthas), the stages of life (Ashramas), the caste system and its modern critique, and the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence). Resources: Arvind Sharma, Hinduism and Human Rights; Patrick Olivelle, Dharmasutras (Oxford).
Experience the living dimension of Hinduism through its major festivals, temple worship (puja), pilgrimage, rites of passage (samskaras), and devotional arts. Understand how theological concepts become embodied in daily life. Resources: Hillary Rodrigues, Introducing Hinduism; Diana Eck, Darshan: Seeing the Divine Image in India.
Synthesize your learning across all modules, reflect on Hinduism's core teachings, and consider how this ancient tradition addresses timeless human questions about duty, identity, the Divine, and liberation.