Ritual Studies in Hinduism

Catalog description

Taught by GTU. This course offers the theory & practice of Hindu praxis of Prayer and Ritual Studies. The Hindu theological vision-that all existents, known & unknown, including oneself, is pervaded by the Divine, at once immanent and transcendent-is understood & assimilated by following practices designed to lead to the discovery of the interwoven nature of reality, including one's place in the scheme of things. Prayer in the Hindu tradition, is viewed, at once, as a potent way to connect with the Divine & an articulation of the interconnections between individuals; the individual & the environment; and the micro & macro levels of the manifest universe. This course offers a thorough overview of rituals and hymns used in the tradition, emphasizing rituals meant to purify, heal, and balance (at the individual and collective levels). The course will examine the purpose & methods of: chanting the "prayers for peace" (santi-mantras); Vedic hymns (sukta-s), recitation of the divine names (as in the Vi??u-sahasranama); performance of rituals for healing self, community, & the ecosphere; and basic training in conducting a traditional fire ritual known as yajña. Background knowledge in Hinduism and Sanskrit is an asset but is not essential. The course is appropriate for MDiv, MA, and PhD students. Doctoral students will do additional research.