Visnuism and Sivaism

Download or read book Visnuism and Sivaism written by Jan Gonda and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2016-10-06 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book contains a detailed discussion of some of the historical, doctrinal, ritual and literary aspects of both Vaishnavism and Shaivism, as first presented – then as Visnuism and Sivaism – at the 1969 Jordan Lecture in Comparative Religion. By comparing both religions, the main characteristics of each tradition is delineated and questions regarding their origins, theological doctrines and practices are reconsidered. Special emphasis is laid on their various interrelations, for example, the partly parallel and often divergent development of their rituals and philosophies.