Lectures by Professor Francis X. Clooney, SJ

An historical overview of how the West has interpreted and misinterpreted. Indian culture through the ages.

Two seminars focusing on the developing field of comparative theology and its possibilities, directions and relevence.

In light of Biblical and Christian reflections on monotheism (week 1), an inquiry, by way of four examples (weeks 2-6), into the nature of Hindu belief in one supreme divinity, asking whether such belief can be termed "monotheistic." No background in Hindu studies required. Week 1: Refining the question - Biblical and Christian monotheism, Hindu traditions, and the problem of a comparative study of monotheism Week 2: The case for Krsna and Siva as the one true God - early resources in the Bhagavad-Gita and Svetasvatara Upanisad Week 3: No lecture. Week 4: Narayana alone, in medieval Tamil Vaisnavism - Tiruvaymoli 4.10 and Vedanta Desika's Srimat Rahasyatrayasara c. 6. Week 5: Is the Goddess a monotheist? Reflection on three Goddess hymns and the Devi Gita Week 6: In dialogue with the West: Rammohun Roy and 19th century Hindu monotheisms.

These lectures aim to delineate the methods and goals of a Christian theology of religions informed by the faith, practice, and theologies of another religious tradition. In the limited space of these lectures, the Christian tradition will be discussed primarily in its Roman Catholic form; (certain strands of) Hinduism will serve as the example of another religious tradition.

While Vedanta Desika (fourteenth century, South India), as a Srivaisnava Hindu, was a member of a tradition with the greatest respect for the Goddess Sri, in his era there was still lively debate about her precise status in relationship to the supreme deity, Narayana.In his Srimad Rahasyatrayasara, Desika pushes for a complete acceptance of Sri as the eternal consort of Narayana, an indispensable equal participant in the divine work of enabling human salvation. Though in many ways a theological conservative and defender of traditional orthodoxy, Desika here shows himself to be radical and innovative in his defense of Sri. Comparison and contrast with debates over the identity of Jesus in early Christian theology and over the role of Mary, mother of Jesus, as co-mediatrix of redemption, clarify Desika's theological method and contribution to the theology of Sri. Professor Frank Clooney, SJ, is Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard. Prof. Clooney is the author of numerous articles and books in the area of Hindu Studies and comparative theology, including Fr. Bouchet's India: An 18th-Century Jesuit's Encounter With Hinduism (2005), Divine Mother, Blessed Mother (2005), and Hindu God, Christian God (2001).

The study of great religious texts demands much of the scholar, in part because such texts require professional linguistic and historical expertise, familiarity with the tradition in which the text arose, and a sense of the wider and often unstated context. But such religious texts also make demands on the reader, drawing him or her into thinking and feeling in specific ways about the topics discussed in the text. The reader then has to make choices about where, if anywhere, to draw a line between scholarly detachment and engaged participation. If the reader comes from a religious tradition, then he or she also brings the expectations of that tradition to the reading process, complicating even the initial scholarly learning practice. Prof. Clooney will illustrate the complexities of this learning with respect to his current study of the Srimad Rahasyatrayasara of Vedanta Desika (fourteenth century, South India). Professor Frank Clooney, SJ, is Parkman Professor of Divinity and Professor of Comparative Theology at Harvard. Prof. Clooney is the author of numerous articles and books in the area of Hindu Studies and comparative theology, including Fr. Bouchet's India: An 18th-Century Jesuit's Encounter With Hinduism (2005), Divine Mother, Blessed Mother (2005), and Hindu God, Christian God (2001).

Part of the 'Relating to the other: Hindu and Christian perspectives' series.

Part of the 'Relating to the other: Hindu and Christian perspectives' series.

Comments on Vedanta Desika's 14th Century Guruparamparasaram

These lectures, for which the source material lies (almost entirely) in Sanskrit texts read in English translation and with the help of reliable secondary sources, treats major components of the brahminical Hindu tradition which, though of ancient origin, is still relevant today. Particular attention will be paid to important themes developed in the listed primary texts read in translation. The approach taken is classical and textual. These lectures are intended for students in theology and religious studies.

What's a Hindu?: The term 'Hindu', where it comes from and what it represents. Looking at the fundamental principles, values, culture that we may call Hindu.

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.

This course will explore a variety of approaches to the stuffy of Hindu communities and culture, identities, philosophies, ethics, spiritualities and worship. It will take account of the perspectives of practising Hindus in the UK and the place of dialogue amongst Hindus and between Hindus and those of other traditions.

A series of eight lectures.The Upanishads, religious and philosophical texts of ancient India record the speculations of seers and sages about the ultimate meaning of life and the path to liberation. Rooted in older traditions, still they test bold new ideas about the world, the self and the highest truth. These lectures examine major thematic and stylistic issues in key Upanishads, with reference to their interpretation by great Hindu thinkers, and their relevance as well for comparative and Christian theologies. These lectures are intended primarily for students in theology and religious studies. No background in Indian studies or theology required, although such background in either would be useful, as would some knowledge of Sanskrit.