Hindu Theology: Foundtations

Catalog description

Taught by GTU. Scholars have mused that Hinduism cannot be said to be a religion because it comfortably holds plural theological identities. This view demonstrates a bias towards the prioritization of a uniform view of the human-divine relationship and the denial of the validity of other visions. Hindu theology, in contradistinction, seeks to maintain the theological integrity and coherence of respective schools while simultaneously making room for the inclusion and integration of other theologies within its embrace. The foundations of Hindu theology lie in the Sacred Texts of the tradition but their systematic formulations are found in the Commentaries of its philosopher-theologians. The experience of the theological vision, however, is sought not through the written word but via the Lived Relationship of unity OR intimacy with the Divine. This course will provide an overview of major Hindu theologies from the standpoints of the theologians who composed them; the primary Sacred Texts that serve as their foundations; and the theo-ethical implications of the broad range of Hindu theologies. We will also explore mystical theology across the spectrum of Hindu approaches to the divine, from the Veda-s to mysticism in relation to modernity. This course is suitable for advanced MA, MDiv, MTS, PhD, and ThD students. Prior knowledge of Hindu thought is helpful but not necessary.