| Titel: | Sonic Theology: Hinduism and the Soteriological Function of Sacred Sound |
|---|---|
| Autor: | eck, GL |
| Mediengruppe: | --- |
| Herausgeber: | --- |
| Zeitschrift: | --- |
| Jahr: | 1989 |
| Band: | --- |
| Heft: | --- |
| Seiten: | 512 |
| Sprache: | englisch |
| Abstract: | Within the study of religion, remarkably little attention has been given to the nature and function of sacred sound. This dissertation seeks, in part, to redress that imbalance by focusing on the soteriological role of sound in the Hindu tradition. Drawing on the textual and ritual sources reflecting this role, the thesis states that sacred sound, in a variety of different ways, forms the 'central mystery' of a number of seemingly different traditions within Hinduism. It will be shown that, since the Hindu experience of the divine Word or scripture is primarily oral/aural, the soteriological role of sacred sound constitutes the mysterium magnum of Hinduism, and that therefore Hindu theology is essentially a mystical sonic theology. Hindu sonic theology, being constituted of certain identifiable structures and nomenclature (i.e., Sabda, Vak, Nada, Bindu, Nada-Brahman, Pasyanti Madhyama, Vaikhari Om divisions, Sphota/Varna distinctions, etc.), is seen to persist throughout the salvific dimension of Hinduism despite apparent ideological differences between particular sects. The textual or theoretical sources for this dissertation fall into four target areas, and are given seriate treatment: Vedic sound, Sanskrit philosophy of language, Nada-Yoga, and Hindu Tantrism--Saiva, Sakta, and Vaisnava manifestations. The ritual or practical aspects includes the study of mantra, japa, Om recitation, Yoga techniques of Nada-Brahman meditation, as well as other 'sonic' rites and practices associated with Saiva, Sakta, and Vaisnava traditions. Initial methodological considerations were aided by the work of scholars such as Walter J. Ong, Jacques Ellul, and Carl Raschke, while substantive issues were approached under the guidance of Harold Coward, Gaurinath Sastri, H. Daniel Smith, and Agehananda Bharati. The overall work is supported by the testimonies of both scholars and practitioners. As Hinduism represents one of the oldest continuing religious traditions, and the most visible, or audible, exemplar of the centrality of sacred sound, the explication of this thesis provides for renewed interest in hermeneutics and the comparative understanding of world religions. |