News

Oxford Summer School 23–25 June

22 May 2017

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This year the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies will be running its third Oxford Summer School.

The 2017 Summer School will run from Friday 23 June to Sunday 25 June at Nuffield College and the OCHS.

This year's theme is 'Hinduism and Relationships' and speakers include: Prof. Julius Lipner, Prof. Werner Menski, Dr Jessica Frazier, Shaunaka Rishi Das, Anuradha Dooney, and Dr Rembert Lutjeharms.

Topics: 
The self’s relationship with the self: Using yoga to shape up the mind
Dr Jessica Frazier
For many, yoga is a way to shape up the body or to purify the mind – but the

Friends event: Framing Relationships in Hinduism: Kiterunning, Ferocious Dance and What Else?

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 3 June 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Prof. Emeritus Werner Menski and Mrs. Nilima Devi MBE

In this combined presentation, we delve into the kite structure of dharma, and the constant need to balance competing expectations, connected to the individual, groups, the nation, and the cosmos as a whole. This talk will be richly illustrated with images and video from dance and literature showing how Hindu culture has framed and expressed the immensely rich theme of relationships.

Friends event: What’s the point of Mantras?

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 20 May 2017 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Anuradha Dooney of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

What are mantras? Who are they for? How and why are they used? Do they work? and why should we care? This talk draws on Hindu sacred text and practice to explore the ancient art of harnessing the mind

Friends event: What’s the point of Mantras?

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 6 May 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Anuradha Dooney of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.

What are mantras? Who are they for? How and why are they used? Do they work? and why should we care? This talk draws on Hindu sacred text and practice to explore the ancient art of harnessing the mind

London Day School on 25 March

24 March 2017

The OCHS Continuing Education Department is offering a day-school, Three Short Upanishads, in London on 25 March. Tutored by Dr Jessica Frazier, Dr Rembert Lutjeharms, and Anuradha Dooney, it aims to to be intensive yet accessible.

This day school is a study of three of the shortest of the major Upanishads: the Kena, the Ishavasya and the Mandukya. Despite the brevity of these works, they are fundamental to the doctrines of Hindu Dharma and are foundational works for Hindu religious teachings. 

Because these Upanishads are so short we can undertake a close study in a relatively short time,

Call for Applications: Academic Director and Dean of Studies

23 March 2017

Applications are invited for the role of Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. 

The position of Academic Director is one of leadership, coordination, communication, development, and nurture.  

Salary:    £67,000 to £74,000
Hours:    Full Time
Contract Type:    Permanent 
Applications Close:    7th May 2017

Applications are invited for the role of Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. 

The Academic Director will oversee research programmes at the Centre, as well as engaging in their own research, teaching, and publication.

Friends event: Grace in Vaishnavism

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 1 April 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Grace in Vaishnavism
A talk by Dr Brainerd Prince of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Does God give grace freely without any qualification? Or are good living and good works needed to receive God’s grace? The Vaishnava understanding of grace that focuses on the role of guru may give some clues. For Vaishnavas, while the grace of God is freely given through the guru, the disciple still has an important role to play in receiving the grace. This is an example of how Hindu thought can contribute to a debate that also exists in Christian theology and offer insights to find a way forward.

Friends event: Animals and Hinduism

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 1 July 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Anuradha Dooney of the Oxford Centre For Hindu Studies

Images of divinity in Hindu traditions are replete with animal association. A snake adorns Shiva’s neck; a gigantic bird carries Vishnu while Durga is depicted atop a lion or tiger. Other deities like the elephant-headed Ganesha and the half- man, half-lion Narasimha combine both animal and human form in one. Yet what do Hindu traditions teach of our relationship with animals? Is vegetarianism the ideal? What of hunters and animal sacrifice? Are cows really sacred and do hogs and dogs really rank lowest in the scheme of things?

Friends event: Animals and Hinduism

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 22 July 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Anuradha Dooney of the Oxford Centre For Hindu Studies

Images of divinity in Hindu traditions are replete with animal association. A snake adorns Shiva’s neck; a gigantic bird carries Vishnu while Durga is depicted atop a lion or tiger. Other deities like the elephant-headed Ganesha and the half- man, half-lion Narasimha combine both animal and human form in one. Yet what do Hindu traditions teach of our relationship with animals? Is vegetarianism the ideal? What of hunters and animal sacrifice? Are cows really sacred and do hogs and dogs really rank lowest in the scheme of things?

Friends event: Grace in Vaishnavism

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 18 March 2017 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Grace in Vaishnavism
A talk by Dr Brainerd Prince of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Does God give grace freely without any qualification? Or are good living and good works needed to receive God’s grace? The Vaishnava understanding of grace that focuses on the role of guru may give some clues. For Vaishnavas, while the grace of God is freely given through the guru, the disciple still has an important role to play in receiving the grace. This is an example of how Hindu thought can contribute to a debate that also exists in Christian theology and offer insights to find a way forward.

Friends event: Religion in Public Life: A Muslim and Hindu Comment

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 4 March 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Imam Ibrahim Mogra and Shaunaka Rishi Das both served as Commissioners on the Commission for Faith and Belief in British Public Life (2013-2015), established by the Woolf Institute, Cambridge. In this moderated session Imam Mogra and Shri Rishi Das will reflect on how their traditions have been represented in the Commission’s report and on approaches to areas covered in the report, such as; the common good, education; the law; and integration. Moderated by Tom Wilson, Director of St Philips Centre in Leicester.

Friends event: Tirath Yatra

Leicester Friends Event
Sunday, 12 March 2017 - 8:00am

The Friends of the OCHS annual pilgrimage to the main temples of Leicester.