Happy Diwali!
In the spirit of light and learning, we are launching our first ever Prize Draw Fundraiser for Hindu Studies.
One lucky supporter of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) will get a full set of our new Hindu Studies book series – that's six books worth £200 in total, all first editions and signed!
The funds collected will help us publish more books in our unique Hindu Studies book series.
There is a gap in the book market for authoritative and accessible introductions to a wide range of subjects in Hindu Studies.
- Shaunaka Rishi Das
The books are clear, concise, and don't waste any more time than they need to on key concepts. Great introductory books for an English speaking audiences.
- Amazon Review
Firstly, what is the OCHS?
We are the world's leading Centre for Hindu Studies. We believe that outstanding scholarship on Hindu texts and teachings should be accessible to everyone. Our mantra is academic integrity, originality and a commitment to excellence.
We are a non-political and non-sectarian organisation and pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.
Prize of the month
All six books from our Mandala Publishing Hindu Studies book series!
The titles are:
- The Bhāgavad-Gītā: A New Translation and Study Guide by Nicholas Sutton
- The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape by Himanshu Prabha Ray
- Women in the Hindu World by Mandakranta Bose
- Light on the Mahābhārata: A Guide to India’s Great Epic by Nicholas Sutton
- Colonial Hinduism: An Introduction by Amiya P. Sen
- Exploring the Yoga Sūtras by Nicholas Sutton
You'll get your copies hot off the press when the three newest titles are released from Mandala Publishing in November 2024.
What can you expect? These books will offer you a more comprehensive understanding of:
- the meaning and philosophy behind the Yoga Sutras.
- the Gita.
- women and Hinduism.
- the characters in the Mahabharata and how they navigate enlightened wisdom over narrow self-interest.
- the changes Hindu society has undergone.
- what sacred space is and how it unfolds in Hinduism.
We encourage education for life. Learn with the OCHS!
Why is Hindu Studies an important topic?
Do you love mangoes? You've probably tasted the Tommy Atkins mangoes sold in your local supermarket. They can be sweet and nice, but do you know all there is to know about mangoes from eating this one variant? How can you understand the depth and breadth of mangoes without having tasted the Alphonso or the Kesar? This is what we can offer you: An intellectual exploration of all the wonderful and intriguing "mangoes" of the Hindu world. From reliable sources, that will give you new perspectives on life.
Located in Oxford, the OCHS is a lively hub! We teach, conduct research and supervise for the University of Oxford, but our mission goes far beyond that. We offer a wide range of accessible online courses on Hindu philosophy, Sanskrit, Dharma, yoga, the Gita, Vedanta, Upanishads, Tantra – and more. These courses are designed for everyone, regardless of background or previous knowledge.
Here's a powerful example of what we do at the OCHS:
Have you ever read the full Mahabharata? Many people are familiar with the abridged versions or TV adaptations, like the one on Netflix, that focus mainly on action and drama. However, the Mahabharata is far more profound. With 18 books, it is seven to eight times longer than the Iliad and Odyssey combined. For instance, the 12 books following the Bhagavad Gita (found in book six) delve into leadership, non-violence (ahimsa), environmentalism, gender and identity—topics deeply relevant to today's world.
Despite the timeless wisdom within these ancient texts, you won’t find many modern books on leadership or the environment drawing on the Mahabharata's insights. At the OCHS, we engage directly with these original Sanskrit texts, bringing their invaluable lessons to life and making them accessible to all.
By supporting the OCHS, you can help preserve this incredible cultural and intellectual heritage and share it with the world.
We are running a prize draw every month to support the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. If you choose to make a recurring donation through Crowdfunder, you will automatically be entered in our monthly prize draw.
This Prize Draw is run by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
13–15 Magdalen Street, OX1 3AE, Oxford UK.
Regd Charity No. 1074458