Next week we will start reading the Ramayana, the story of Sita and Rama, and Rama's defeat of the demon Ravana. We will spend some time reading various selections about Hinduism, watch a documentary about the history of Hinduism, and try to better understand Hinduism from the context of Indian history. Because the very nature of Hindu belief allows for the adoption of other people's religious and cultural experience, and is inclusive in nature, its a complex--but equally rewarding--subject of study.

Detail from How Ganesha Got His Elephant Head, a children's version of the Hindu God's origin (Ganesha is son of Vishnu and Parvati). — Detail from *How Ganesha Got His Elephant Head*, a children's version of the Hindu God's origin (Ganesha is son of Vishnu and Parvati).