The emergence of Hinduism as a field of study in the Western academia coincides with the development of modern hermeneutics. Despite this coemergence, and the rich possibilities inherent in a dialectical encounter between the theories of modern and pre-modern hermeneutics and those of Hindu hermeneutical traditions, this potential has not been tapped within the boundaries of religious studies. This volume sets out to initiate such an interface.

Some essays in this volume, such as those by Shrinivas Tilak, Sharada Sugirtharajah, and Purushottama Bilimoria examine the impact of Western hermeneutics on the Indian religious landscape. Others, just as those by Jeffrey Long, Klaus Klostermaier, Aditya Adarkar and Leena Taneja, offer insights into traditional Hindu philosophical principles and into concepts pertaining to cross-cultural hermeneutical frameworks. Still others, such as those by Stephen Phillips and T.S. Rukmani, are concerned with the application of a philosophical approach to hermeneutical engagement with Hindu texts, in order to arrive at a more comprehensive interpretation. An introduction by Rita Sherma and a conclusion by Arvind Sharma book-end the volume.

Résumé

The advent of Hindu Studies coincides with the emergence of modern hermeneutics. Despite this co-emergence and rich possibilities inherent in dialectical encounters between theories of modern and post-modern hermeneutics, and those of Hindu hermeneutical traditions, such an enterprise has not been widely endeavored. The aim of this volume is to initiate such an interface. Essays in this volume reflect one or more of the following categories: (1) Examination of challenges and possibilities inherent in applying Western hermeneutics to Hindu traditions. (2) Critiques of certain heuristics used, historically, to understand Hindu traditions. (3) Elicitation of new hermeneutical paradigms from Hindu thought, to develop cross-cultural or dialogical hermeneutics.

Applications of interpretive methodologies conditioned by Western culture to classify Indian thought have had important impacts. Essays by Sharma, Bilimoria, Sugirtharajah, and Tilak examine these impacts, offering alternate interpretive models for understanding Hindu concepts in particular and the Indian religious context in general.

Several essays offer original insights regarding potential applications of traditional Hindu philosophical principles to cross-cultural hermeneutics (Long, Bilimoria, Klostermaier, Adarkar, and Taneja). Others engage Hindu texts philosophically to elicit deeper interpretations (Phillips, and Rukmani). In presenting essays that are both critical and constructive, we seek to uncover intellectual space for creative dialectical engagement that, we hope, will catalyze a reciprocal hermeneutics.

Contenu
The Hermeneutics of the Word Religion and Its Implications for the World of Indian Religions.- Max Müller and Textual Management: A Postcolonial Perspective.- Being and Text: Dialogic Fecundation of Western Hermeneutics and Hindu M?m?ms? in the Critical Era.- The Hermeneutic Circle and the Hermeneutic Centre.- C?turdharmya: Hermeneutics of Integrative Differentiation.- Psychological Growth and Heroic Steadfastness in the Mah?bh?rata.- Value Ethics in the Early Upani?ads: A Hermeneutic Approach.- Engagement with Sanskrit Philosophic Texts.- Truth, Diversity, and the Incomplete Project of Modern Hinduism.- The Other of Oneself: A Gadamerian Conversation with Gaud?ya Vaisnavism.- Concluding Remarks.