The Hindu Tradition: Readings in Oriental Thought

by William Theodore de Bary (editor), Ainslie T. Embree (editor)

This book, compiled from basic Hindu writings, is an exploration of the essential meaning of the Hindu tradition, the way of thinking & acting that has dominated life in India for the last 3000 years. Selections from religious, literary & philosophic works are preceded by introductory material that summarizes historical developments & cultural movements. While much attention is given to religion, many selections deal with social life, political relationships & the Indian attitude to love & passion. The arrangement of the material suggests the growth & development of Indian life thru the centuries, & makes clear that Indian culture has never been static, but rather has been characterized at all times by a remarkable vitality & creativity. The selections range in time from the Rig Veda, composed around 1000 BC, to the writings of Radhakrishnan, the former Indian President. They illustrate both the continuity of the Hindu tradition & its vitality, for Hinduism is probably more vibrant at the present time than it has been for many centuries. The ideals & values, the unquestioned assumptions & the persistent doubts that are presented here from the literature of the past are the fundamental ingredients of the life of modern India.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Spirituality, Hinduism, History, Theology

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1966

About the author

William Theodore de Bary was an East Asian studies expert at Columbia University, with the title John Mitchell Mason Professor of the University and Provost Emeritus.

De Bary graduated from Columbia College in 1941, where he was a student in the first iteration of Columbia's famed Literature Humanities course. He then briefly took up graduate studies at Harvard before the US entered the Second World War. De Bary left the academy to serve in American military intelligence in the Pacific Theatre. Upon his return, he resumed his studies at Columbia, where he earned his PhD.

He has edited numerous books of original source material relating to East Asian (primarily Japanese and Chinese) literature, history, and culture, as well as making the case, in his book Nobility and Civility, for the universality of Asian values. He is recognized as essentially creating the field of Neo-Confucian studies.

Additionally, DeBary was active in faculty intervention during the Columbia University protests of 1968 and served as the university's provost from 1971 to 1978. He has attempted to reshape the Core Curriculum of Columbia College to include Great Books classes devoted to non-Western civilizations. DeBary is additionally famous for rarely missing a Columbia Lions football game since he began teaching at the university in 1953. A recognized educator, he won Columbia's Great Teacher Award in 1969, its Lionel Trilling Book Award in 1983 and its Mark Van Doren Award for Great Teaching in 1987.

Now the director of the Heyman Center for the Humanities and still teaching, De Bary lives in Rockland County, New York.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_de_Bary

Reviews

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1970s, a nice, albeit understandably limited introduction to Hinduism. Aimed at non-Indians, non-Hindus, who want to get some understanding of Hindu tradition. A good starting point for further exploration. Contains brief intros into various aspects of Hindu worlview and excerpts from ancient texts, works of literature, modern comments, and interpretations from Vedas to Gandhi.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was probably assigned for Professor Martyn's "Christian Theology, Theories of Religion and World Faiths" course at Union Theological Seminary. It wasn't a particularly good class, but the readings in this collection were eye-opening, particularly as regards their representation of the traditional "religious" justifications for caste and racial inequalities in Indian societies.

Coincidentally, the daughter of the series' editor, de Bary, was my next door neighbor in the Hastings dormitory for a year. He taught at Columbia University.

[Antonio Troisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider the series on Sources of Hindu tradition to be a bedrock work for any westerner trying to study eastern religion. If you are looking to learn the general structure and history of Hindu thought, this is a quintessential survey of Hinduism. The book covers important smrti and shruti, accentuated by short examples, and flows from the deep antiquity of the Vedas right up to the great minds of the 20th c. Loved it!

[Jeff Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ainslie T. Embree’s organization, presentation, sequencing, and weaving introductions are a master class in teaching, even in book form. I found myself researching his other works and his life as much as the topic covered.

[Christian B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful jumping point (or landing page) from which to find your path in life.

There is much knowledge here- not all of it may be relevant to most- that, once procured, would benefit the true seeker.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books I've read

[Publius · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect introduction to the history and diversity of Hindu thought.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting commentary and review of the Vedas, gods, etc... nice introduction to the religion.

[Anna Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting history of the Hindu religion with a little history of India thrown in. A little dry but I'm glad I read it.

[Cassidy Brinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pregnant passages. Clever introductions. This book was a good friend and bedfellow.