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Rambachan publishes new book on Hindu traditions

By Tom Vogel
October 2, 2006

In his new book, Advaita Worldview: The God, World, and Humanity, St. Olaf Professor of Religion Anantanand Rambachan offers a detailed perspective on Advaita Vedanta, Hinduism's most influential religious tradition.

"The Hindu Advaita (which means non-dual) tradition has been the major focus of my scholarly research and writing, and this book is my third major work in this area," Rambachan says. "My attempt here is to challenge the tradition to reconsider the central aspect of its ontology and soteriology [theology dealing with salvation], focused particularly on the nature of God, the relationship between God and the world and the meaning of liberation."

Rambachan says his concern is to expand the traditional Hindu understanding of suffering and liberation to include socioeconomic, gender and caste inequalities. "I want to show that the Hindu vision necessitates justice and equality," he says.

Rambachan is the author of several books and numerous articles and reviews in scholarly journals. He also is an associate editor for the Encyclopedia of Hinduism, the first comprehensive, multivolume series on the Hindu tradition.

Rambachan has sustained interest in interreligous dialogue, particularly between Hinduism and Christianity. He has participated in numerous consultations and meetings convened by national and international organizations and was Hindu guest and participant in the last three general assemblies of the World Council of Churches.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.