Purifying the Earthly Body of God: Religion and Ecology in Hindu India (S U N Y Series in Religious Studies)

An interdisciplinary exploration of the relationship between religion and environment in Hinduism.Examining the relation between religion and ecological concern in Hinduism from textual, theological, anthropological, feminist, and eco-activist approaches, this volume brings together an international, interdisciplinary group of scholars. The book covers the most relevant aspects of the Hindu tradition, searching out the ecological implications of pilgrimage and sacred geography, earth and river goddesses, the beliefs and ritual practice of villagers, caste consciousness, and Vedanta, Tantra, and Goddess theologies.Lance E. Nelson is Assistant Professor of Theological and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego. Toward An Indigenous Indian Environmentalism / Christopher Key Chapple -- The Ecological Implications Of Karma Theory / Harold Coward -- Attitudes To Nature In The Early Upanishads / Arvind Sharma -- The Dualism Of Nondualism : Advaita Vedānta And The Irrelevance Of Nature / Lance E. Nelson -- Sacred Immanence : Reflections Of Ecofeminism In Hindu Tantra / Rita Dasgupta Sherma. Models And Images For Vaiṣṇava Environmental Theology : The Potential Contribution Of Śrīvaiṣṇavism / Patricia Y. Mumme -- Sin An Rain : Moral Ecology In Rural North India / Ann Grodzins Gold -- On The Ethics And Aesthetics Of Recycling In India / Frank J. Korom -- Learning The Story Of The Land : Reflections On The Liberating Power Of Geography And Pilgrimage In The Hindu Tradition / David Kinsley. Theology And Ecology At The Birthplace Of Kṛṣṇa / Bruce M. Sullivan -- The Earth As Goddeess Bhū Dhevī : Toward A Theory Of Embedded Ecologies In Folk Hinduism / Vijaya Rettakudi Nagarajan -- Idioms Of Degeneracy : Assessing Gaṅgā's Purity And Pollution / Kelly D. Alley. Edited By Lance E. Nelson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.