Gwilym Beckerlegge – författare

This manuscript deals specifically with the contentious issue of sewa, organized service to humanity, which was Vivekananda's legacy to his followers. It is a distinctive contribution to the study of the Ramakrishna movement in its exclusive focus on the idea of service. It argues that the Ramakrishna movement's commitment to sewa was shaped by a complex of varied influences. These included not only the impact of individuals such as Vivekananda and the interaction between Indian and western ideals, but also dramatic changes in the delivery of organized philanthropy. That took place during the nineteenth century in societies disrupted by industrialization and colonization. The study will trace the way in which social, economic, and political factors beyond its direct control have also conspired to make increasing demands upon the Ramakrishna Math and Mission as a provider of service. The debate surrounding he genesis and growth of the sadhana of service within the Ramakrishna movement has been a fascinating one not least because of the various interests and starting points of those who have participated in it. The study is rooted in substantial direct encounters with the Ramakrishna Math and Mission's contemporary practice of the sadhana of service in both India and Bangladesh. It includes material taken from interviews conducted with members of the movement, and is enriched by reference to literature produced by individual Math and Mission centers which is not very widely known.

The World Religions Reader gathers together material on six of the world's most influential faiths. The selection of readings is drawn from a broad range of historical and contemporary sources, giving a full picture of the beliefs and practices of each religion. This new edition includes new introductions to each religious tradition, an extensively revised section on Hinduism, and a completely new selection of readings on Buddhism.

The World Religions Reader gathers together material on six of the world's most influential faiths. The selection of readings is drawn from a broad range of historical and contemporary sources, giving a full picture of the beliefs and practices of each religion. This new edition includes new introductions to each religious tradition, an extensively revised section on Hinduism, and a completely new selection of readings on Buddhism.

This title was first published in 2001: From Sacred Text to Internet addresses two key issues affecting the global spread of religion: first, the impact of new media on the ways in which religious traditions present their messages, and second, the global relocation of religions in novel geographical and social settings. The book offers extended studies of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and a wide-ranging survey chapter that refers to the presence on the Internet of many of the world''s most influential religions.

This title was first published in 2001: From Sacred Text to Internet addresses two key issues affecting the global spread of religion: first, the impact of new media on the ways in which religious traditions present their messages, and second, the global relocation of religions in novel geographical and social settings. The book offers extended studies of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and a wide-ranging survey chapter that refers to the presence on the Internet of many of the world''s most influential religions.

This title was first published in 2001: From Sacred Text to Internet addresses two key issues affecting the global spread of religion: first, the impact of new media on the ways in which religious traditions present their messages, and second, the global relocation of religions in novel geographical and social settings. The book offers extended studies of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and a wide-ranging survey chapter that refers to the presence on the Internet of many of the world's most influential religions.

This title was first published in 2001: From Sacred Text to Internet addresses two key issues affecting the global spread of religion: first, the impact of new media on the ways in which religious traditions present their messages, and second, the global relocation of religions in novel geographical and social settings. The book offers extended studies of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and a wide-ranging survey chapter that refers to the presence on the Internet of many of the world's most influential religions. The chapters explore the relationship between scholarly reconstructions of the life of Jesus and representations of Jesus in contemporary popular cultures; the production and use of sacred images for the Hindu mass market; how Buddhism is represented and spread in the West; the Islamization of Egypt, its causes and influences; and the uses to which the Internet is put by religions as well as how information technology has influenced the future shape of religion. The five textbooks and Reader that make up the Religion Today Open University/Ashgate series are: o From Sacred Text to Internet o Religion and Social Transformations o Perspectives on Civil Religion o Global Religious Movements in Regional Context o Belief Beyond Boundaries o Religion Today: A Reader