ABSTRACT

The historical interplay of Hinduism as an ancient Indian religion and Christianity as a religion associated (in India, at least) with foreign power and colonialism, continues to animate Hindu–Christian relations today. On the one hand, The Routledge Handbook of Hindu–Christian Relations describes a rich history of amicable, productive, even sometimes syncretic Hindu–Christian encounters. On the other, this handbook equally attends to historical and contemporary moments of tension, conflict, and violence between Hindus and Christians. Comprising thirty-nine chapters by a team of international contributors, this handbook is divided into seven parts:

  • Theoretical and methodological considerations
  • Historical interactions
  • Contemporary exchanges
  • Sites of bodily and material interactions
  • Significant figures
  • Comparative theologies
  • Responses

The handbook explores: how the study of Hindu–Christian relations has been and ought to be done, the history of Hindu–Christian relations through key interactions, ethnographic reflections on current dynamics of Hindu–Christian exchange, important key thinkers, and topics in comparative theology, ultimately providing a framework for further debates in the area.

The Routledge Handbook of Hindu-Christian Relations is essential reading for students and researchers in Hindu–Christian studies, Hindu traditions, Asian religions, and studies in Christianity. This handbook will also be very useful for those in related fields, such as anthropology, political science, theology, and history.

chapter 1|14 pages

Introduction

part V|48 pages

Significant figures

chapter 24|10 pages

Rammohun Roy

chapter 25|9 pages

Swami Vivekananda

chapter 27|8 pages

Raimon Panikkar

chapter 28|9 pages

Abhishiktananda

part VI|113 pages

Comparative theologies

part VII|28 pages

Responses

chapter 38|17 pages

Response: shared and contested spaces

Hindu–Christian relations through a performing arts lens

chapter 39|9 pages

Response

The Handbook in light of the past and future of Hindu–Christian relations