An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology

An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a comprehensive doctrinal account of the Swaminarayan tradition's belief system.

Swami Paramtattvadas (Author)

9781316611272, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 August 2017

376 pages, 5 b/w illus. 1 table
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.6 kg

'A key marker of a religious tradition's health is its ability to articulate, renew and reapply its doctrines and scriptures for each succeeding generation. This is the work of theology. There is still a great dearth of Hindu theological writing in English that takes into account our global, interreligious context. Not only does this book offer a superb example of such writing within the Swaminarayan tradition, it also issues a call for others to join the conversation and grow the field of Hindu theology. An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a thorough, balanced and incisive analysis of the tradition's key sources, doctrines and practices, written in a clear and accessible style. I commend Swami Paramtattvadas on this signature achievement.' Ravi Gupta, Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies, Utah State University

Since its inception over two hundred years ago, Swaminarayan Hinduism has flourished into a transnational movement described as one of the fastest growing Hindu groups in the world. Despite being one of the largest and most visible Hindu traditions both in India and the West, surprisingly little is known about what the Swaminarayan fellowship believes. An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a comprehensive doctrinal account of the Swaminarayan tradition's belief system, drawing on its rich corpus of theological literature, including the teachings of Swaminarayan himself and classical commentaries on canonical Ved?ntic texts. Part I delineates the sources and tools of Swaminarayan Hindu theology, while Part II systematically expounds upon its distinctive five eternal entities - Parabrahman, Ak?arabrahman, m?y?, ??vara and j?va - and mukti (spiritual liberation). In presenting these key themes theologically and lucidly, Swami Paramtattvadas makes the Swaminarayan Hindu belief system intelligible to scholars, students and serious readers.

Foreword Gavin Flood
1. Prolegomenon
Part I. Sources and Tools of Swaminarayan Hindu Theology: 2. Introduction: the imperceptibility and ineffability of God
3. Revelation: the exclusive source of Swaminarayan Hindu theology
4. Reason, praxis and tradition: the tools of Swaminarayan Hindu theology
Part II. Themes of Swaminarayan Hindu Theology: 5. Introduction: the five eternal entities of Swaminarayan Hinduism
6. Parabrahman
7. Ak?arabrahman
8. J?va
9. ??vara
10. M?y?
11. Mukti
12. Afterword: the way forward
Appendix: theological principles of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha: creedal statement by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Glossary.

Subject Areas: Hindu sacred texts [HRGS], Hindu worship, rites & ceremonies [HRGC], Hinduism [HRG], Religion & beliefs [HR], Humanities [H]