Hindu Dharma – A Teaching Guide

    Paperback: 492 pages
    Publisher: XLIBRIS (August 20, 2013)
    Language: English
    ISBN-10: 1483645576
    ISBN-13: 978-1483645575
    Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches

http://www.amazon.com/Hindu-Dharma-A-Teaching-Guide/dp/1483645576

Congratulations to Smt. Kamlesh Kapur for publishing yet another path breaking book, ‘Hindu Dharma- Teaching Guide’.
Books written on the subject often describe Hindu Dharma as a collection of primitive hymns and myths. Sacred ceremonies are depicted as superstitious rituals. Wrong ideas are promoted by using English words for non-translatable Sanskrit words.

 By explaining appropriate Sanskrit words (many Sanskrit words have no equivalent words in English) and verses in age appropriate lessons, Smt. Kapur removes mythical perceptions and vague impressions. Readers are encouraged to understand Dharma in a logical manner and build its relevance to their own life.

The author takes readers on a fascinating journey describing the relationship between people and nature through an easy to understand read, complemented with numerous pictures. This book teaches Dharma as a subject and helps students discover the cosmic purpose of life and the meaning to existence. It starts with key concepts behind the aspirations, visions, and imagery enshrined in Vedic Hindu Dharma. Students are led through a journey of learning about nature and the changing environment. Lesson modules in this book are created to teach the beliefs, ideals, practices, and relevance of Hindu Dharma today. These lessons focus on Dharma’s evolution over a span of several millennia, and are based on original texts such as the Vedas, the Epics, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Purana, and the Upanishads.  The lessons are simple and build upon each other to connect aspects of Hindu philosophy to modern day problems of stress, depression, and disillusionment.

While highlighting Hindu beliefs and practices, Kamlesh Kapur leads students to find scientific explanations of Hindu perspectives on the nature of the Creator, the creation, and the Self. At the same time, the short lessons help students become aware of the literary merit, the aesthetic beauty, and the noblest of mankind’s aspirations enshrined in Hindu literature, arts and symbols revered today. Hindu Dharma—A Teaching Guide provides lesson modules intended to be used in secondary schools where the subject is taught in world history classes or as a part of comparative religions; It can be used by parents and teachers who wish to reinforce the rationale behind Hindu beliefs, practices, philosophy, and symbolism.

Some of the highlights of the book hardly ever emphasized before are:

·       The role of Vedic mantras for inner peace and self-realization
·       Hindu dharma and building of positive identity
·       Establishing the role of Ancient wisdom of Vedic seers in the context of           social justice, preserving environment, working for global humanism and         world peace
    Vedic hymns a bridge between Science and Dharma for resolving modern         day personal issues such as dealing with anguish, anger, delusion,                 depression and many other mental diseases.
·       Yoga as envisioned in Vedic and post- Vedic texts
·       The role of symbolism in Hindu Dharma
·       Students are taught to still both mind and body while using mantras to           enhance their retentive memory
·       Lessons encourage students to identify and appreciate the energies of           nature. Hindu ideas of Deva-pujan and Yajna are explained in the context       of sustainable environment and life sustenance
·       For students of higher classes, Hindu texts are used to elaborate on               concepts of neeti and maryada — integral for shaping social personality

table of Contents of Hindu Dharma: Teaching Guide

Contents
Map of Ancient India……………………………………………………………………….6
Endorsements………………………………………………………………………………….8
Disclaimer…………………………………………………………………………………….15
Foreword………………………………………………………………………………………17
Section 1
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….21
Preface………………………………………………………………………………………….23
Objectives of the Lesson Modules……………………………………………………27
Problems Faced by Parents and Children in
Understanding Dharma Correctly………………………………………………31
Practical Value of the Knowledge of Vedic Dharma…………………………….35
Acknowledgments………………………………………………………………………….37
Chapter 1: Vedic Dharma—Hinduism……………………………………………39
Chapter 2: Yajnas…………………………………………………………………………67
Chapter 3: Chants for Children…………………………………………………….69
Chapter 4: Customs and Festivals………………………………………………….79
Chapter 5: Vedic Ideas about Creation
The Age of the Earth and the Dawn of Civilization…………86
Chapter 6: The Story of Shri Rama……………………………………………….95
Chapter 7: The Story of Shri Krishna…………………………………………….99
Chapter 8: The Story of Mahabharata………………………………………….103
Chapter 9: Historical Facts and Events Given in the Epics……………..107
Chapter 10: Srimad Bhagavad Gita……………………………………………….110
Chapter 11: Buddha and Buddhism, Mahavira and Jainism………………114
Chapter 12: Myths in Religions, Myths about Hindu Religion………….132
Chapter 13: Sanatana Dharma and Sampradayas
(Lineages of Teacher Disciple Faith Traditions,
Tribals, and Hindu Customs)……………………………………….134
Chapter 14: Frequently Asked Questions………………………………………..141
Section 2
The Arrangement of Lessons—Three Age Groups…………………… 157-292
Lessons for age group four to seven—experiential lessons
Lessons for age group six to twelve/fourteen
Lessons for age group twelve to fourteen years old and all
adults
Some lessons are for college level students involving basic
understanding of philosophy and psychology. Such
advanced level aspects are pointed out in the lessons.
Thematic Sequence
Lessons around the theme of sources and texts
Lessons around the key concepts such as the Creator and the
creation
Lessons clarifying names, terms, and their meanings
Other definitional issues involving debunking myths, false
categories, and assumptions
Lessons about self—Who am I?
Karma—Gunas and karma yoga
Freedom, human behavior, and social expectations in Hindu
Dharma
Hindu Dharma where science meets spirituality—
explanations about the self, its makeup and behavioral
expectations from this self when that self is in a social
setup
Lessons about prakriti (creation-nature) and its various
energies and elements
Hindu Dharma as it has influenced Indian culture and
cultural ethos
Hindu identity
Dharma and modern ideas in social sciences
Section 3
Symbolism in Hindu Dharma
Content and themes in this section…………………………………………. 295-360
Introduction
Perception of Saguna Brahman
Moorty puja and focus factor
Symbolism in Hindu Dharma
Artists and their contributions
Symbols of Devas
Concepts of consorts, dual aspect of divinity
Evolution of Hindu Dharma over ten millennia
Symbolism behind legends
Section 4
Karma Kanda—Festivals, Fasts and Ceremonies
Age groups seven to fourteen, fourteen and above…………………….. 363-437
1. Lessons about global vision and some pious aspirations
2. Values, behavior, and ethical issues and policies
3. Lessons about prayers, daily dharmic practices, and
worship (upasana)
4. Fasts
5. Havana and yajnas
6. Lessons about holy days, festivals, and ceremonies
7. Freedom to be different to allow inclusivity
8. Places of pilgrimage
Suggested Readings………………………………………………………………………439
Glossary………………………………………………………………………………………441
Appendices………………………………………………………………………………….443
Frequently asked questions…………………………………………………………….467
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………..475
Index………………………………………………………………………………………….481