Myths & Legends of the Hindus & Buddhists
By Sister Nivedita & Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, 401 pages, Hardcover.
Philosophy, ritual, and mythology are the three pillars of all religions. But in India in particular, mythology has been an extremely important medium for teaching abstract spiritual truths, and it has had a profound influence not only on the religious traditions of the country but also on Indian society. To Western-educated readers, the numerous concepts, characters, and ideals presented in Indian mythology often seem bewildering at first glance. Yet, once readers start peering into these myths through an introductory volume such as this, they soon discover that they cannot help but be immersed in them. Moreover, they also find that a study of these stories can be one of the most rewarding experiences of their life.
Philosophy, ritual, and mythology are the three pillars of all religions. But in India in particular, mythology has been an extremely important medium for teaching abstract spiritual truths, and it has had a profound influence not only on the religious traditions of the country but also on Indian society. To Western-educated readers, the numerous concepts, characters, and ideals presented in Indian mythology often seem bewildering at first glance. Yet, once readers start peering into these myths through an introductory volume such as this, they soon discover that they cannot help but be immersed in them. Moreover, they also find that a study of these stories can be one of the most rewarding experiences of their life.
