Shahrastani on the Indian Religions (Religion and Society)

The series Religion and Society (RS) contributes to the exploration of religions as social systems– both in Western and non-Western societies; in particular, it examines religions in their differentiation from, and intersection with, other cultural systems, such as art, economy, law and politics. Due attention is given to paradigmatic case or comparative studies that exhibit a clear theoretical orientation with the empirical and historical data of religion and such aspects of religion as ritual, the religious imagination, constructions of tradition, iconography, or media. In addition, the formation of religious communities, their construction of identity, and their relation to society and the wider public are key issues of this series. Preface 5 Author’s Preface 7 Abbreviations 11 PART 1: INTRODUCTION 13 1. The life and theology of Shahrastānī 13 2. Muslim sources on Indian religion 17 3. Methodological principles applied to ‘Ārā’ al-hind’ 29 TRANSLATION OF SHAHRASTāNī’S Kitab al-milal wan-niḥal PART II, BOOK III, SECTION B: ‘Ārā’ al-hind’ The views of the Indians 33 1. Introduction to the translation 33 2. Translation of Ārā’ al-hind 38 Introduction 38 Chapter One 38 Chapter Two 47 Chapter Three 50 Chapter Four 52 Chapter Five 56 PART 3: COMMENTARIES 63 Introduction to ‘Ārā’ al-hind’ 63 I. The Ṣābians 63 Chapter One 75 II. The Barāhima / Brahmans 75 III. Aṣḥāb al-bidada / Followers of the Buddhas 100 IV. Aṣḥāb al-fikra wal-wahm / Proponents of Meditation and Imagination 114 V. Aṣḥāb at-tanāsukh / Proponents of Metempsychosis or Transference 126 Chapter Two 147 VI. Aṣḥāb ar-rūhānīyāt / Proponents of Spiritual Beings 143 VII. The Bāsawīya 148 VIII. The Bahuwadīya and Kābalīya 162 IX. The Bahādūnīya 178 Chapter Three 188 X. ‘Abadat al-kawākib / Star-worshippers 188 XI. The Dīnakītīya / Sun-worshippers 189 XII. The Jandrīkanīya / Moon-worshippers 200 Chapter Four 210 XIII. ‘Abadat al-aṣnām / Idol-worshippers 210 XIV. The Mahākālīya 212 XV. The Barkashīkīya / Tree-worshippers 223 XVI. The Dahkīnīya 226 XVII. The Jalahakīya / Water-worshippers 238 XVIII. The Akniwaṭrīya / Fire-worshippers 247 Chapter Five 251 XIX. Ḥukamā’ al-hind / Indian Philosophers 251 PART 4 : CONCLUSION 265 BIBLIOGRAPHY 279 1. Primary sources 279 2. Secondary sources 284 INDEX 293