Classics of Hindu Theology 1
Lecture: Classics of Hindu Theology
I: South Indian Vaisnavism's Srimad Rahasyatrayasara (compared with
Saivism's Civananacittiyar)
Lecturer: Prof. Francis X. Clooney, S.J.
Day & Time: Wednesdays, 5pm - 6pm
Place: Oriental Institute, Oxford
Aims:
To introduce students to systematic philosophical and theological
thinking in Hindu theistic traditions, this term's lectures examine
the Srimad Rahasyatrayasara (The Essence of the Three Holy Mysteries)
of the 14th century south Indian Vaisnava theologian Vedanta Desika,
in the context of earlier south Indian Vaisnavism. Some comparison
and contrast will be made with another great classic, the Saiva
Civananacittiyar (The Perfection of the Knowledge of Siva) of the
14th century Saiva theologian Arulnanti. (In a later series of lectures,
Arulnanti's work will be the prime focus.) Special attention will
be paid to problems in interpretation and comparative methodology.
These lectures are intended primarily for students in theology and
religious studies; no background in Indian studies or theology required,
although such background would be useful.
Objectives:
Students will be introduced to a classic of Hindu religious literature
and theology, in comparison to another classic from the context.
Light will be shed on the beliefs, religious practice, and theology
of south Indian Hindus.
Key themes in south Indian Vaisnava theology will be examined in
relation to the wider religious context, especially similarities
and differences between south Indian Vaisnava and Saiva worldviews.
Attention will be paid to the overall understanding of God and the
divine, and also to theology's relationship to religious practice,
scripture, and reasoning.
The possibilities and challenges facing theologians - especially
Hindu and Christian - who wish to make systematic presentations
of religious belief and practice will be discussed throughout the
lectures.
Lecture schedule:
An overview of Srimad Rahasyatrayasara as a work of systematic theology
in the south Indian context of earlier religious beliefs, practices,
and theology in south India; brief introduction to the Civananacittiyar;
Cosmology, metaphysics, and epistemology in the Srimad Rahasyatrayasara;
Religious learning and practice in the Srimad Rahasyatrayasara;
God as Visnu (Narayana), in the Srimad Rahasyatrayasara;
A comparison with cosmology, metaphysics, and epistemology in Civananacittiyar;
A comparison with religious learning and practice in Civananacittiyar;
A comparison with the understanding of God as Siva in Civananacittiyar
Methods:
Each week's lecture will allow some time for questions. In addition,
interested students will be invited to an additional "eighth
lecture", to be scheduled at a convenient time after consultation
with interested students, for a discussion of similarities and differences
with Christian systematic theology.
Recommended texts:
The Srimadrahasyatrayasara of Vedanta Desika. Tr. By M. R. Rajagopala
Ayyangar. Salem, India: Literary Press, n.d.
The Sivajnana Siddhiyar (Civananacittiyar) of Arulnanti. Tr. By
J. M. Nallaswami Pillai. (Madras: Meykandan Press, 1913).
Provision will be made for copies of these out-of-print texts to
be available for reference.
Note: In the Trinity terms of 2003 and 2004 other classics of Hindu theology will be similarly introduced.