Hindu Studies Foundations
The Hindu Studies Foundations area is a collection of Core Courses, including many Graduate level mandatory courses, required for most graduate degrees. They provide a basic understanding of the central themes and ideas of Hinduism that constitute the common foundations of the great variety of traditions and practices within the umbrella of Sanātana Dharma. This area includes courses in the various primary texts of Hindu Dharma such as the Vedas, Vedānta, Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, the Dharma Shastras and the Systems of Hindu Philosophy called the Ṣaḍ-Darśana.
These courses examine the concept of “Tradition” (i.e. Sampradāyas) as distinct from “Religion”, “Oral” versus “Textual” traditions, and develop insight into the great diversity of forms, expressions, and practices that have emerged within Sanatana Dharma. The mechanism through which Hindu Dharma adapts itself to different places and times, psychologies and dispositions, and manages plurality while enabling a Dharmic life and the unity of thought underlying the seeming diversity of forms and manifestations is explored.
Emphasizing continuity of thought as well as discontinuous developments, this area of study provides a grounded understanding of the Vedic Hindu Civilization and Culture as a living tradition with a unique perspective on the cosmos and our place as humans within it i.e. the Vedic Hindu Cosmology. In addition, the foundations also include some comparative study courses that include a preliminary examination of other world religions and philosophies as well as critical contemporary issues in Hindu Studies. This area of study carefully distinguishes between the Hindu paradigm or cosmology from a western paradigm or cosmology and how each yield different understandings of the same phenomena.
Hindu Contributions to the World in the Realm of Mind – Living and Lifestyle
HSF1204 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This course belongs to the set of the courses which explore the contributions of Read More
Exploring Hinduism – Society and Culture
HSF1004 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) “Exploring Hinduism – Society and Culture”, is the fourth and final course in the Read More
Singing Bhakti Music: From Saints to Synthesizers
TAT2200 - (CPHS - Elective Course) This course will provide students a practical introduction to the musical tapestry of Bharat Read More
Introduction to Writing in the Humanities
HSF5008 - Introduction to Writing in the Humanities focuses on establishing foundational skills in academic writing, particularly for graduate students Read More
Upanishadic Dialogues: Philosophical Reflections
HSF5005 - This graduate course, "Upanishadic Dialogues: Philosophical Reflections’, unfolds the philosophical vision and insights found in the various dialogues Read More
Introduction to Dvaita, Advaita and Vishishtadvaita systems of Vedanta
HSF5007 - This graduate division course will introduce students to the three major systems of Vedanta namely Dvaita, Advaita and Read More
Gita Vidya Teachers Training Certificate
The Gita Vidya Teachers Training Certificate (GVTC) is a 4-quarter, 6 Credit-hour leisurely paced, exploration of the about 140 carefully Read More
BODHAK – The Gita Vidya Teacher Training
HSF1304 - (C.P.H.S – Elective Course) “BODHAK – The Gita Vidya Teacher Training” is the last part of a four-part sequence Read More
Exploring Hinduism – Cosmology and Calendar
HSF1003 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) “Exploring Hinduism – Cosmology and Calendar”, is the third course in the series titled Read More
Chanakya’s Leadership Principles for the 21st Century
HSF3401 - (C.P.H.S – Elective Course) This Course is divided into 3 sections: Leadership, Management and Training. It is based Read More
Introduction to Upanishads – Part 2
HSF2003 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) Upanishads form a strong philosophical foundation in the development of Hindu philosophy and culture. Read More
Graduate Academic Writing Seminar Intensive
HSF5100 - This writing seminar is aimed at graduate students (currently enrolled in M.A./Ph.D. programs in Hindu Studies) wishing to Read More
Certificate in Hindu Civilizational Studies
Certificate in Hindu Civilizational Studies is spread across 8 quarters and hence the minimum duration for this program is 2 Read More
Exploring Hinduism – Divinities and Dharma
HSF1002 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) “Exploring Hinduism – Divinities and Dharma”, is the second course in the series titled Read More
Introduction to Upanishads – Part 1
HSF2002 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) Upanishads form a strong philosophical foundation in the development of Hindu philosophy and culture. Read More
Understanding Hinduphobia
HSF2201 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) This course serves as a starting point for those who are interested in learning Read More
Exploring Hinduism -Geography and History
HSF1001 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) “Exploring Hinduism – Geography and History”, is the first course in the series titled "Exploring Read More
The Renaissance of Sanatana Dharma In the Light of Sri Aurobindo – Part 3
HSF3103 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) More than any one single figure, Sri Aurobindo prophesied that the renaissance of Sanatana Read More
YOGA – The principles of pure soul in Bhagavad-Gita
HSF1303 - (C.P.H.S – Elective Course) “YOGA – The principles of pure soul in Bhagavad-Gita” is the last part of a Read More
Dhyaanam – Meditation and the Meditator
HSF2101 - (C.P.H.S - Core Course) Living in the contemporary world includes navigating conflicts at the level of family, work, Read More
The Philosophy of History
HAM6402- This course introduces students to the philosophy of history, i.e., the philosophical inquiry into the meaning, nature, and validity Read More
Certificate Program in Hindu Studies
The Certificate program in Hindu Studies (C.P.H.S) prepares Students to engage with the world as a Hindu with confidence and Read More
Introduction to the Vedic Ritual
HSF1401 - (C.P.H.S - Core Course) Ritual is the laboratory where the mind is purified, settled, and prepared for higher Read More
Sankhya Darshana through the Sankhya Karika – Part 2
HSF3202 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This Course is the Second of a two-part course series presenting an in-depth exploration Read More
The Renaissance of Sanatana Dharma In the Light of Sri Aurobindo – Part 2
HSF3102 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) More than any one single figure, Sri Aurobindo prophesied that the renaissance of Sanatana Read More
GNANA – The principles of sound mind in Bhagavad-Gita
HSF1302 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) GNANA – The principles of sound mind in Bhagavad-Gita is the second part of a Read More
Hindu Contributions to the world in the realm of matter – Game Changer
HSF1202 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This course explores the contributions of the Hindus to the world in the realm Read More
Ramayana for Excellence in Management and Leadership
HSF3301 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This course aims to introduce Srimad Ramayana as an important literature in teaching and Read More
Sankhya Darshana through the Sankhya Karika – Part I
TAT3201 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This Course is the first of a two-part course series presenting an in-depth exploration Read More
The Renaissance of Sanatana Dharma In the Light of Sri Aurobindo – Part 1
HSF3101 - (C.P.H.S – Elective Course) More than any one single figure, Sri Aurobindo prophesied that the renaissance of Sanatana Dharma Read More
Introduction to Hindu Philosophy: ‘Shad Darshanas’
HSF2001 - (C.P.H.S - Core Course) This course will introduce the student to the six traditional perspectives of Hindu Philosophy, Read More
Svadharma – Discovering and Living our life purpose
HSF1101 - (C.P.H.S - Core Course) A practical guide to - living our svadharma. Living in the contemporary world is Read More
Reason and Revelation in Hindu Philosophy
HSF6006 - This basic course in Hindu philosophy introduces the theory of knowledge and valid criteria for obtaining knowledge (i.e., Read More
Holiday Season Gift Course
This Holiday Season, light a lamp of knowledge by gifting a HUA course(s) to your family and friends. Your Gift Read More
Lessons from Valmiki Ramayana
HSF 1005 - (C.P.H.S - Core Course) This course will help the participants get a well-versed understanding of the story, Read More
DEHA – The principles of sound body in Bhagavad Gita
HSF1301 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) “DEHA – The principles of sound body in Bhagavad-Gita” is the first part of a Read More
Discover the contemporary Relevance of Hindu Dharma
HSF1007 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This course, targets an age group of 18-35 and will explore the question – Read More
Hindu Contributions to the World in the Realm of Mind – Towards Sciences and Arts
HSF1203 - (C.P.H.S - Elective Course) This course belongs to the set of the courses which explore the contributions of Read More
Hindu Contributions to the world in the realm of matter – Big 5
HSF1201 - (C.P.H.S – Elective Course) This course explores the contributions of the Hindus to the world in the realm of Read More
Exploring Hinduism for Teens and Parents
HSF1001 - (C.P.H.S – Core Course) “Exploring Hinduism – The Overview”, is the first course in the series titled "Exploring Hinduism" Read More
Introduction to Bhagavadgita
HSF5002 - The Bhagavad Gita is a moksha-shastra, a sacred text that reveals the vision of the Upanisads. In that Read More
Advaita Vedanta: A Method
HSF6004 - This course will explore and demonstrate the use of the methods (prakriyas) used in the Upanisads to unfold Read More
Freedom and Reality: An Introduction to Advaita Vedanta
HSF5004 - Who am I, really? Why am I here? Why do we suffer? Is there any solution to the Read More
Comparative Religion: Death and Meaning
HSF6003 - The central problem of human life is twofold: morality and mortality. Given the certainty of death, is there Read More
History of Dharmaśāstras I
HSF5006 - This two-part survey course provides an overview of dharma literature from ancient and medieval texts of the Hindu Read More
Research and Writing Preparatory Seminar
This introductory seminar introduces students to the fundamentals of academic research and writing. A prerequisite for beginning graduate study, it Read More
Discover Life by Exploring India
HSF5001 - A unique study abroad course that offers an authentic, transformative and enriching experience. This course is aimed at Read More
The Vision of the Bhagavad-Gītā
HSF5002 - Distilled from the Upaniṣad, the Śrīmad Bhagavad-Gītā is a fundamental text of Hindu Dharma which has given rise Read More
The Foundation of Vedānta
HSF5004 - Vedānta also known as the Upaniṣad, found at the end of all four Vedas, reveal the goal and Read More
An Overview of the Veda
HSF5003 - The Vedas are the oldest body of sacred knowledge known to man. A bird’s eye view of the Read More
Ancient Greek Philosophy
HSF6002 - What is the meaning of existence? What is the nature of truth? These were the questions asked by Read More
Critical Issues in Hindu Studies
HSF6001 - This course outlines the critical issues involved in the European understanding of Hindus and India, developed within the Read More
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
HSF6005 - The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali is a foundational text for understanding the world of Yoga. Today, Yoga has Read More
Orientation to Hindu Studies
HSF5000 - (C.P.H.S - REQUIRED Course) The word ‘Orientation’ in this course title carries two meanings. The first and obvious meaning Read More
