News

Friends event: Doing the right thing as a Hindu

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

A talk by Prof. Werner Menski

The challenge to figure out what is the right thing to do in any particular life situation is a universal problem. Hindus have addressed this over time in various ways that can be focused, also today, on the key concept of dharma. The presentation identifies the many different aspects of dharma and provides practical examples of how to handle this decision-making process in a balanced manner.

Friends Event: Pathways to Purusha

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 19 May 2018 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
A talk by Dr Ramesh Pattni of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
 
Meditation has been practiced over millennia in one form or other in almost all religious traditions. The traditions in Hinduism also emphasise this practice in a variety of forms including those of Vedanta and Yoga. We look at the systematic development of meditation practices in the classical Yoga of Patanjali, their philosophical basis, the objective of each stage of meditation and their ultimate goal. Be prepared to meditate with some practical examples!

Friends event: UniqueDevotion, Uniqueness of Devotion

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 7 January 2017 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Ramesh Pattni of the Oxford Centre For Hindu Studies

The mystic poet Meerabai is a celebrated saint of North India and a devotee of Krishna. Her poetic style and expression has a unique combination of profound wisdom and deep devotion, with elements of passion, longing, defiance, anticipation and ecstasy of union. In this talk we examine the Bhakti movement, its origins and growth, its unique philosophy and principles, taking some textual references as the basis of this exploration.

Friends Event: How Hanuman Conquered Hearts

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 3 December 2016 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Lord Rama may be the central character of the Ramayana, but it is Hanuman his devoted servant who has become perhaps the most beloved of all Hindu deities. How did he achieve such celebrity status and why does his appeal endure today? This talk draws upon the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and popular tradition to trace the development of devotion to this son of Vayu. The talk will be accompanied by an an audio-visual presentation.

Friends Event: Tasmai Shri Gurave Namaha - the idea of the Guru in Hinduism

Saturday, 1 October 2016 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Tushar Shah of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Hinduism pays great reverence to gurus as spiritual instructors,  guardians,  role-models,  counsellors,  mediators, and even embodiments of the divine. In this talk, we will explore how the notion of the guru has developed throughout history. Then, by looking at various case studies, we will discuss what role modern gurus play today in the development of Hinduism as well in people’s lives.

Friends Event: Yadanjali

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 17 September 2016 (All day)

Book launch: Swaminarayan Hinduism

20 July 2016

What started as a small religious community and reform movement in 19th century northwestern India is now one of the fastest growing devotional (bhakti) Hindu communities in the world. The story of the Swaminarayan community's growth is one of literary and performative innovation, colonial interaction, and architectural revolution. This edited volume presents perspectives on this popular religious community's growth and cultural adaptation over the past two centuries.

Appointment of Prof. John Brockington as Interim Academic Director

9 July 2016

The OCHS is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor John Brockington as the Interim Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies for the year 2016–17.

Professor Brockington is an Oxonian belonging (Corpus Christi College, 1959–65) with a BA (1963), MA (1966) and D.Phil (1968) from the University.

Professor Brockington is a renowned Sanskritist who has authored and edited several books and nearly one hundred articles, mainly on the Sanskrit epics and the history of Hinduism. He has also lectured and presented in conferences around the world. His key books include The

OCHS Approved as UN NGO

13 May 2016

At a meeting in New York City on 28 April 2016, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies was approved as an NGO (Non-governmental organisation) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (UN DPI).

The approval was granted by UN DPI as the OCHS is engaged in activities aligned to the aims and objectives of the United Nations. This new status allows the OCHS to be a formal partner for sharing of news and information about UN activities.

Friends Event: Life as Balancing Act

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 21 May 2016 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

This talk looks to the Upanis​h​ads, Mahabharata,and the Puranas for help in striking the balance between the paths of pravritti (world-embracing) and nivritti (world renouncing) in day​-to​-day life. ​​In other words how can we live whole-heartedly in the world yet not be completely of the world.

Friends Event: Life as Balancing Act

Leicester Friends Event
Saturday, 7 May 2016 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm

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

This talk looks to the Upanis​h​ads, Mahabharata,and the Puranas for help in striking the balance between the paths of pravritti (world-embracing) and nivritti (world renouncing) in day​-to​-day life. ​​In other words how can we live whole-heartedly in the world yet not be completely of the world.

Friends Event: The Boomerang Effect: Karma, Causation, and Rebirth

Birmingham Friends Event
Saturday, 23 July 2016 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

A talk by Dr Ramesh Pattni of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

A major concept that distinguishes Indian philosophy from European philosophy is karma. Karma can be regarded as the application of the law of cause and effect – that all actions have consequences that will affect the doer of the action. So stated, it might seem that the law of karma is nothing other than the law of universal causation, according to which every action or event is caused. Clearly the two laws are related, though the precise nature of this relationship needs reflection.