The Religions of India

The Religions of India surveys the historical development of religious thought and practice in the Indian subcontinent. Edward Washburn Hopkins draws upon Vedic literature, Brahmanical texts, epic tradition, and later devotional movements in order to present a structured account of Indian religious life. The book follows the evolution from early Vedic religion through Brahmanism and Upanishadic speculation to Buddhism and later Hindu developments.

Attention is given to ritual practice, priesthood, mythology, concepts of sacrifice, karma, rebirth, and liberation. Hopkins relies on philological research and textual analysis, reflecting late nineteenth-century Indological scholarship. The volume forms part of a handbook series intended to summarize established results of research rather than propose speculative theories.