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:: ENTERTAINMENT & REVIEWS :: "Young girl born and brought up in Britain produces the best resource to date for teaching Hinduism in schools..." Hinduism for Schools - by Seeta Lakhani Hindu Voice UK, April 2006
Hinduism as it is taught in public school systems has always been
distorted to one extent or another by errant Abrahamic interpretation.
The book, Hinduism for Schools (133 pages, Vivekananda Centre London),
written by Seeta Lakhani, addresses these misrepresentations with
intelligent clarity. Although specifically crafted for the Western
classroom, the book has something for everyone. First and foremost,
of course, it provides a correct overview of the worlds most ancient
faith. Aside from this, it is beautifully designed and features great
art. The author wisely chooses to amplify only a select few of Hinduism's
frequently misunderstood attributes. Her approach is positive. She
extols Hindus for their tolerance of other religions and explains
why they are this way. She shows how the various Hindu theologies
are highly advanced and synchronized with modern scientific thought.
And she reveals the deep mysticism of Hinduism in its teaching that
the soul of man is God in essence. Seeta takes issue with the fact that Hinduism is too often presented
as a history lesson with no relevance to modern times. "Hinduism
prides itself on being a living religion," she writes. "It
is constantly evolving and refreshing its message of spirituality
through contemporary spiritual giants." Indeed, this book is
dedicated to is Swami Vivekananda and his preceptor Sri Ramakrishna. Hinduism for Schools is designed to help prepare for General Certificate
of Secondary Education (GCSE) examinations in the United Kingdom. Or directly from the Vivekananda Centre London
Ltd. 6 Lea Gardens, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 7SE, web: http://www.vivekananda.btinternet.co.uk
This review is adapted from Hinduism Today |
Too
many Hindu mums and dads have long suffered trying to unravel the
tangle of Hindu misconceptions their children often bring home from
school. "Why do we pray to idols in the temple?" these innocent
young ones ask their parents in confusion. "Are we really superstitious?
Why do we worship so many Gods and Goddesses? What is the caste system
and why does it exist? Why have Hindu wives committed suicide by throwing
themselves on their husband's funeral pyre? And does Goddess Kali
really kill people and drink blood?"