A Hindu Theology of Liberation: Not-Two is Not One

A Hindu Theology of Liberation
Contents
Abbreviations
Introduction
	What Is Advaita?
	Is Advaita a Theological Tradition?
	The Need for an Advaita Theology of Liberation
	Not-Two Is Not One
	Structure of Text
PART ONE
	Chapter 1: The Quest for Fullness
		Human Problem as Suffering
		The Universal Desire for Happiness
		Suffering as Mortality Anxiety
		Suffering and the Transient Nature of Experiences
		Suffering as the Experience of Inadequacy
		Inadequacy and the Multiplication of Desires
		The Persistence of Inadequacy
		Overcoming the Problem of Inadequacy: The Limits of Action
		Despair as Opportunity
		The Uncreated Infinite
		The Human Problem as Ignorance (Avidya)
	Chapter 2: The Validity of Non-Duality
		Vedas: The Source of Liberating Knowledge
		The Threefold Criteria for Valid Knowledge
		The Subject Matter of the Vedas
		The Action and Knowledge Sections of the Vedas
		Relationship between the Means of Knowledge and Object
		The Liberating Power of Words
		The Value of a Teacher
		The Necessity of Faith (Sraddha)
		A Teaching Tradition
	Chapter 3: The Full Self
		The Method of Distinguishing Knower and Known
		The Singularity of the Self
		The Immortality of the Self
		The Self as Free from the Limits of Time
		The Unity of the Self
		The Self as Free from Space Limits
		The Relationship Between Cause and Effect
		Overcoming the Brahman-World Dualism
		The Purpose of Creation in Advaita
	Chapter 4: The Liberated Life
		Suffering and Ignorance
		Knowledge and Liberation
		The Meaning of Sarnsara
		Ignorance and Its Consequences
		Untying the Knots of the Heart (Ignorance-Greed-Greedful Actions)
		The Social Implications of Liberation
		Identity with All Beings as Love
		Compassion
		Generosity
		Interdependent Existence
		Control-Give-Have Compassion
PART TWO
	Chapter 5: Liberation from Patriarchy
		Paradoxical Attitudes toward Women
		The Significance of Women in Relation to Men
		Dowry and the Devaluation of Women
		Religious Rituals and the Preference for Sons
		Karma and Violence to Women
		The Intrinsic Value of Women
		The Necessity to Connect Religious Teaching and social Reality
		Ahimsa: Its Significance for Women
		Ahirmsa and Justice for Women
		Justice as the Fulfillment of Mutual Obligations
		Feminine Images of God and the Empowerment of Women
		Scriptural Resources for Overcoming Patriarchy
		Ignorance and Patriarchy
	Chapter 6: Liberation from Homophobia
		The Reality of Homophobia
		Recognizing Third Sex Persons
		The Case of Arjuna in Mahabharata
		Third Sex Persons in the Law Codes
		Divine Immanence and the Value of the Person
		Sex and Liberation (Moksa)
		Procreation, Marriage, and the Third Sex
		Recovering Indigenous Theological Resources
	Chapter 7: Liberation from Anthropocentrism
		Brahman as Ontological Ground of Nature
		Dualistic and Non-dualistic Views of Nature
		The Devaluation of Nature in Advaita
		Affirming the Value of Nature in Advaita
		Liberation and the Significance of Nature
		Nature and the Yajfia Mode of Being
		Nature and the Moral Order of the Universe
		Liberation from Greed and Stewardship of Nature
	Chapter 8: Liberation from Childism
		The Suffering of the Child
		The Religious Value of the Child
		Birth Replicates Cosmic Creation
		Brahman Is Present Equally in All Beings
		Value for Brahman Expressed in Compassion
		Ahirnsa (Non-Injury) and the Value of the Child
		Honoring the Divinity in the Child
		The Girl Child in the Hindu Perspective: Ideal and Reality
		Religious Value and the Provision of Needs
		The Obligation to Life
		The Obligation to a Healthy Life
		The Obligation to Education
		The Obligation to Leisure and Happiness
		The Obligation to Non-Injury and Freedom from Exploitation
	Chapter 9: Liberation from Caste
		A Personal Encounter
		The Reality of Caste Oppression
		Caste Privileges and the Negativized Others
		Change, Conversion, and Leadership
		Dalits and Hindu Identity
		Self-Value and the Devaluation of Others
		Affirming Equal Worth and Justice for All
		The Story of Sankara and the Untouchable
		The Exegesis of Bhagavadgita 5:18
		Caste and the Authority of Scripture
		Dharma, Caste, and Liberation
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index