Further Resources

in

Academic Books

(especially for Secondary RE teachers and Libraries)

  • A Very Short Introduction to Hinduism by Kim Knott (Oxford University Press) ISBN: 0-19-285387-2 A succinct and accessible introduction to the tradition
  • Hinduism – A Short Introduction by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford) ISBN: 1-85168-220-1
  • A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism by K. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford) ISBN: 1-85168-175-2
  • Hinduism – A Short History by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford) ISBN: 1-85168-213-9
  • Hindu Writings by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford) ISBN: 1-85168-230-9
  • The Wisdom of Hinduism by Klaus. K. Klostermaier (Oneworld, Oxford) ISBN: 1-85168-227-9

    These books are academically sound and very readable. Klostermaier writes with an unusual combination of sympathetic insight and intellectual rigour.

Faith Books (for Libraries)

  • The Mahabharata retold by Krishna Dharma (Torchlight, Badger CA, USA)
    ISBN: Abridged 1-887089-25-X Unabridged 1-887089-17-9
  • The Ramayana retold by Krishna Dharma (Torchlight, Badger CA, USA)
    ISBN: 1-887089-25-X
    Krishna Dharma’s brisk-moving style transforms the Hindu Epics an easy but absorbing read, without losing their original spirit. For schools, the best translations available.
  • A Tale of Gods and Demons by Sharma and Prime (Mandala Publishing, San Rafael, CA)
    ISBN: 1-886069-38-7
    A beautiful book, conveying the dignity of the tradition through a retelling of the Ramayana.
  • Magical Fables from the East retold by Krishna Dharma (Torchlight, Badger CA, USA)
    ISBN: 1-887089-45-4
    A very accessible rendering of these famous stories from the Panchatantra
  • Bhagavad Gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Los Angeles USA) ISBN: 0-89213-268-X An easy to understand version from one of the leading bhakti traditions.
  • Creation from the Bhagavat Purana by Ananta Shakti (publication, Autumn 2003) Promises to be the best book around on Hindu creation. Over 24 full colour illustrations. Written for 8-12 year olds, and highly suitable for to Key Stages 2 & 3.

Teacher’s and Student’s Books

  • Beliefs Values & Traditions by Anne Lovelace and Joy White (Heinemann, Oxford)
    ISBN: 0-435-302523
    An accessible and interesting pupils book, dealing with Hinduism’s relevance to the contemporary world.
  • Explaining Hindu Dharma – A Guide for Teachers by N. Prinja (Vishva Hindu Parishad) ISBN: 0-953-4354-0-7 A lot of useful information in this book.
  • Teach Yourself World Faiths – Hinduism by V.P. Kanitkar and W. Owen Cole. (Hodder Headline, London) ISBN: 0-340-61105-7
    Kanitkar’s books are informative and contain many first hand accounts. Cole is a reputable author.
  • The Hindu Experience by Kevin O’Donnell (Hodder and Stoughton, 2000)
    An attractive student’s book
  • Believing and Living by Gavin Craigen and Joy White (Hodder and Stoughton, 2001) ISBN: 0-340-80215-4
    Written by Chief and Senior Examiners, this book is particularly useful for schools in Wales following the WJEC specifications
  • Moral Issues in the Hindu Tradition by Jackson and Killingley (Trentham Books, 1991) ISBN: 0-948080-50-7.
    Although a little dated now, this remains a useful, concise and accurate study of this topic. Copies can be purchased at a significant discount from Ursula Mc. Kenna, te:02476-522806 e-mail: umckenna@warwick.ac.uk
  • This Is RE! by Cath Large (John Murray, London, 2002)
  • ISBN: 0-7195-7520-6. For Key Stage 3. Well-suited to the QCA Schemes of Work, and with sufficient emphasis on AT2. A useful and well-received book, despite few inaccuracies in the representation of Hinduism
  • Meeting Hindus edited by Gwyneth Little (Christians Aware, Leicester, 2001)
  • ISBN: 1-8773372-14-0 Includes much ethnographical-type material from Hindus themselves. Particularly useful as research material.
  • The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Hinduism by Linda Johnsen (Alpha, Indianapolis, 2002) ISBN: 0-7195-7520-6. Not specifically for teachers, but has loads of information, presented in a mood and manner accessible to most Westerners.
  • Themes in RE, series edited by Joe Jenkins (Heinemann Educational, Oxford, 2002) Six attractive books for the new issues-based course for Key Stage 3 (multi-faith books)
  • Religions for Today by Chris Wright (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002) For key Stage 3, eleven books covering all the major faiths. This series encourages students to engage with the subject in a thoughtful manner.

Auxiliary Books

(to supplement the Heart of Hinduism)

There are two books that we highly recommend (and supply) to complement your Teachers’ Pack. The first includes many recommended stories, and the second covers the topic of moral issues.

  • Vedic Stories from Ancient India by Ananta Shakti (Ahimsa books, Borehamwood, UK)
    ISBN: 09527492-1-1
    A very popular anthology of stories, many with moral themes. Especially suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4.
  • Moral Issues on Hinduism by Rasamandala Das (publication date, late 2003) ISBN: 0-9522686-5-5 This promises to be one of the best studies of the subject.

Other Publications

  • Religions in the UK – a Multi-Faith Directory (University of Derby, in association with the Inter Faith Network, 2001) ISBN: 0-901437-68-9