Introduction to the Study of the Hindu Doctrines

The present work is reissue of English translation of Rene Guenon's work, Introduction Generale a I'Etude des Doctrines Hindoues.

This work instead of treating the Hindu doctrines as a "special field of research" with a view to derive results that could be of least importance to ordinary men takes an entirely different approach. The author starts out with quite other ends in view requiring an entirely different method for their realization, as well as an entirely different angle of approach. As a result this book just as well serves as a key to the understanding of any of the traditional doctrines, or of them all. As for the "Hindu doctrines" which cover only one part of the work have simply been selected to exemplify the principles and workings of traditional civilization.

Contents:

Preface.

I. Preliminary questions: 1. East and west. 2. The divergence 3. The classical prejudice 4. Relations between the peoples of antiquity 5. Questions of chronology 6. Linguistic difficulties II. The general character of eastern thought: 1. The main divisions of the eastern world 2. Principles of unity of the oriental civilizations 3. What is meant by tradition 4. Tradition and religion 5. Essential characteristics of metaphysic 6. The relations between metaphysic and theology 7. Symbolism and anthropomorphism 8. Metaphysical thought and philosophical thought compared 9. Esoterism and exoterism 10. Metaphysical realization III. The Hindu doctrines: 1. On the exact meaning of the word 'Hindu' 2. Perpetuity of the Veda 3. Orthodoxy and heterodoxy 4. Concerning Buddhism 5. The law of Manu 6. Principles governing the institution of caste 7. Shivaism and Vishnuism 8. Points of view within the doctrine 9. Nyaya 10. Vaisheshika 11. Sankhya. 12. Yoga 13. Mimansa 14. Vedanta 15. Some supplementary remarks on the doctrine as a whole 16. The traditional teaching IV. Western interpretations: 1. Official orientalism 2. The science of religions 3. Theosophism 4. Vedanta westernised 5. Additional remarks Conclusion.