Bøger i Hermeneutics: Studies in the History of Religions serien

Goddess worship has long been a significant aspect of Hinduism. In this book David Kinsley, author of The Sword and the Flute-Kali & Krsna: Dark Visions of the Terrible and the Sublime in Hindu Mythology, sorts out the rich yet often chaotic history of Hindu goddess worship.

This study considers the writings of traditional and contemporary religious mystics. It argues that not only are the mystic's responses to experiences culturally and historically conditioned, but historical context and cultural environment shape the perceptual content of the mystic's experience.

Examines Ashanti, Fon, Yoruba, and Dogon trickster-figures in their social and mythical contexts and in light of contemporary thought, exploring the way the trickster links animality and ritual transformation; culture, sex, and laughter; cosmic process and personal history; and, divination and social change.

Presents a comprehensive survey of the complex indigenous religions of the Americas, both North and South.

While focusing on the central problem of evil, the author illuminates every aspect of Hindu thought. She corrects the widespread belief that Hindu thought does not recognize the problem of evil, and shows conclusively that the mythology of tribal societies and the Puranas deal with this question extensively.

The cruel and terrible Kali and the divine lover Krsna are two of Hinduism's most popular deities, representing dramatically different truths about the nature of the sacred. This text shows, however, that the two have more in common than their personalities would suggest.

Western students have observed that religion and magic pervade not only the forms of Tibetan art, politics, and society, but also every detail of ordinary human existence. And what is the all-pervading religion of Tibet? This title presents the vital material ignored or slighted by others: the living ritual of Tibetan Buddhists.