| The Asrama System: The History and Hermeneutics of a Religious Institution Contributor(s): Olivelle, Patrick (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 019508327X ISBN-13: 9780195083279 Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA OUR PRICE: $232.65 Product Type: Hardcover Published: October 1993 Annotation: The lesser known and explored of the two pillars of Hinduism--asrama and varna--asrama is the name given to a system of four distinct and legitimate ways of leading a religious life: as a celibate student, a married householder, a forest hermit, and a world renouncer. In this, the first full-length study of the asrama system, Olivelle uncovers its origin and traces its subsequent history. He examines in depth its relationship to other institutional and doctrinal aspects of the Brahmanical world and its position within Brahmanical theology, and assesses its significance within the history of Indian religion. Throughout, he argues that the asrama system is primarily a theological construct and that the system and its history should be carefully distinguished from the socio-religious institutions comprehended by the system and from their respective histories. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Hinduism - General |
| Dewey: 294.544 |
| LCCN: 92038998 |
| Physical Information: 0.95" H x 6.38" W x 9.32" (1.34 lbs) 288 pages |
| Themes: - Religious Orientation - Hindu |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The lesser known and explored of the two pillars of Hinduism--āśrama and varṇa--āśrama is the name given to a system of four distinct and legitimate ways of leading a religious life: as a celibate student, a married householder, a forest hermit, and a world renouncer. In this, the first full-length study of the āśrama system, Olivelle uncovers its origin and traces its subsequent history. He examines in depth its relationship to other institutional and doctrinal aspects of the Brahmanical world and its position within Brahmanical theology, and assesses its significance within the history of Indian religion. Throughout, he argues that the āśrama system is primarily a theological construct and that the system and its history should be carefully distinguished from the socio-religious institutions comprehended by the system and from their respective histories. |