An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology (Introduction to Religion)

Swami Paramtattvadas
Cambridge University Press, 8/17/2017
EAN 9781316611272, ISBN10: 1316611272

Paperback, 376 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English

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 Vedāntic texts. Part I delineates the sources and tools of Swaminarayan Hindu theology, while Part II systematically expounds upon its distinctive five eternal entities - Parabrahman, Akṣarabrahman, māyā, īśvara and jīva - 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. Aká¹£arabrahman
8. JÄ«va
9. Īśvara
10. Māyā
11. Mukti
12. Afterword
the way forward
Appendix
theological principles of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
creedal statement by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Glossary.