India is the birthplace of numerous religious traditions. From ancient forms of sacrifice to contemplations of the big questions of life and an intense search for the holy, religious practice is integral to daily life on the Indian subcontinent. In this exploration of India’s religious history, Graham Schweig discusses the evolution of religious ideas over millennia, from the impact of Sanskrit hymns on Hinduism to early yoga beliefs manifested in early Buddhism and Jainism, to the Bhakti movements that evolved into Sikhism, and religious movements into and out of India.
Schweig is a professor of religion and director of religion studies at Christopher Newport University.
9:30–10:45 a.m. Religion of the Vedas
Origins of religion in India.
11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Forest Wisdom
Buddhist, Jain, and Yoga traditions.
12:15–1:30 p.m. Lunch (participants provide their own)
1:30–2:45 p.m. Hindu Religions
Shiva, Vishnu, and the Great Goddess. The divine manifestations of personality—both masculine and feminine.
3–4:15 p.m. Bhakti Movements, Sikh and Diaspora Traditions
Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and Parsi. The confluence of traditions and devotional fervor that swept the subcontinent.
