John Renard’s book is a concise, user-friendly introduction to major historical, spiritual and theological points of interest in the complex of faith traditions known collectively as Hinduism. In 101 probing questions he packs a great deal of information about one of the most important families of faith communities about which Westerners may know very little.

The questions and responses are arranged along thematic lines so that the material is available to readers either in sequence or buffet style. Topics include origins and early sources of Hinduism; spread and development; doctrines and practices; law and ethics; spirituality; Hinduism and the Humanities; Hinduism in relation to other traditions; women and family; and Hinduism here and now.

Ideal for use by secondary school and college students in world religions courses, as well as by adult continuing education groups and discussion circles, this book distinguishes itself by its accessibility and genuine nature of its questions. General readers interested in learning about faiths other than their own will not find a more approachable work.