Hinduism at the Holt
A Hindu Studies Retreat
10am–4pm
Saturday 9 March 2013
The Holt Hotel
Nr. Steeple Aston, Oxford Road
Oxfordshire, OX25 5QQ
Programme
9:30am Teas and Coffees
10:00am Seeing is Believing?
Dr Archana Venkatesan
This richly illustrated talk looks at ways in which image worship and representations of spirit in matter have been viewed from within and without Hindu traditions, with particular reference to the Tamil tradition.
11:30am Teas and Coffees
11:45am Interpreting the Bhagavad-gita
Anuradha Dooney
Everyone knows of the Bhagavad-gita but many are confused by the multiple interpretations of its chapters. Some say it advocates violence others say non-violence; some say it stresses social activism, others find reason to give up worldly life. Does the Gita recommend devotion to a loving God, or awakening to the formless One that is all; and what does it mean to do yoga? This talk looks at some of the different ways the Bhagavad-gita has been understood.
1:00pm Lunch
2:30pm Reality Revealed: Reading the 15th Chapter
Dr Nick Sutton
Chapter 15 is probably not the best-known passage of the Bhagavad-gita but in terms of understanding the divine identity within each living being it is certainly one of the most significant. In this session we will read through the twenty Sanskrit verses along with an English translation and try to establish the exact meaning of the Gita’s words, making use of the perspectives of Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya.
4:00 Teas and Coffees, Departures
The Holt Hotel
The Holt Hotel is situated midway between Oxford and Banbury on the main A4260 road.
Reaching the Hotel from the South
Leave the M40 at junction 9 – follow the A34 for Oxford. After 1 mile take the first exit sign-posted "Middleton Stoney". When you reach a mini roundabout, turn right onto the B430 for Middleton Stoney. Carry on along this road until you reach a set of traffic lights, turn left here onto the B4030 for Enstone and Heyford. Once you reach Lower Heyford turn left at the T-junction. Still on B4030, carry along until you reach the brow of a hill. We are on the right hand side at the top.
Reaching the Hotel from the North
Come off the M40 at junction 10 – follow the B430 for Middleton Stoney. At the traffic lights turn right into the B4030 for Enstone and Heyford. Once you reach Lower Heyford turn left at the T-junction. Still on B4030, carry along until you reach the brow of a hill. We are on the right hand side at the top.
Google Maps URL: http://goo.gl/maps/1WRQv