Abstract:

"FROM JAINISM TO CHRISTIANITY: the entire range of religious experience in India and neighboring countries is explored in the series. The viewer is taken back to the roots of Hinduism, through its history, mythology and worship of the Gods and Goddesses, into the temples and along on pilgrimages, viewing the rites and worship that compromise the largest religion in India. Buddhism is discussed from its Indian origin through its varied history and viewed today in the monasteries of Tibet and Nepal. Jainism, the 2,500 year old but little known tradition, comes alive with films of temple worship and its practitioners. Islam is viewed through its distinctive contemporary features in India and Pakistan. Christianity, the third largest religion in India, is surveyed through three traditions -- Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant -- practiced today. From antiquity to the Holy Man of today, religion in South Asia is comprehensively discussed and colorfully presented." THE LECTURE PRESENTATIONS present a wide range of subject matter through the use of films made in India especially for the series and more than 1,000 slides illustrating the essential features of hte major traditions, in paintings, sculptures, maps, and charts. Guest specialists discuss their first hand experience and field research in various aspects of the religions. Each program is designed as a unit in itself and introduces fresh ways of looking at age-old traditions. For ease of comprehension, technical terms are subtitled during the presentation." DESIGNED ESPECIALLY for use as the basis for a course in South Asian religions, the series has proved valuable as a 'course-in-a-carrel' for self-study in libraries, museums, schools, and university videocassette libraries for independent work. Individual programs from the series also serve as units for courses in Asian and world religions or civilizations. Although originally designed for university and college level study, the series has adapted well to use in secondary schools for area studies programs and religion courses and to use in adult education programs. The series is now widely used at many colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Australia where it structures or supplements courses in Asian and World Religions." LIST OF CASSETTES: 1. Introduction 2. Living Hinduism 3. Sectarian Hinduism: Lord Vishnu and His Worship 4. Sectarian Hinduism: Lord Siva and His Worship 5. Sectarian Hinduism: The Goddess and Her Worship 6. Jainism 7. The Buddha and South Asia 8. Himalayan Buddhism 9. Islam in South Asia 10. Christianity in South Asia 11. Hindu Pilgrimages 12. Hinduism in South Asia 13. Contemporary Guru: Rajnish 14. The Life-Cycle in Hinduism: Birth, Initiation, Marriage 15. Death and Rebirth in Hinduism.