Arvind Sharma
Encyclopedia
Arvind Sharma is the Birks Professor of Comparative Religion at McGill University
. Sharma's works focus on comparative religion
, Hinduism
, and the role of women in religion. Some of his more famous works include Our Religions and Women in World Religions. Feminism in World Religions was selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Book (1999).
, Economics
, and Sanskrit
from Allahabad University
in 1958. In 1962, Sharma joined the Indian Administrative Service
, serving in Gujarat until 1968. In 1971 he received an M.A. from Syracuse University
and in 1974 earned a Masters in Theology
from Harvard University
. In 1978 he obtained his Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Harvard University
. In 1976 he was appointed to the position of Lecturer in Asian Religions at the University of Queensland
and in 1980 he took a similar position at the University of Sydney
.
In 1987, Sharma took the position of Associate Professor of Religious Studies at McGill University
in Montreal. He is currently the Birks Professor of Comparative Religion there. Sharma was the first Infinity Foundation Visiting professor of Indic Studies at Harvard. He has held fellowships at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
, the Center for the Study of World Religions, the Brookings Institute, the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life, and the Center for Business and Government. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society
.
Sharma currently writes two blogs entitled "Indological Provocations" and "The Comparative Study of Religion".
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
. Sharma's works focus on comparative religion
Comparative religion
Comparative religion is a field of religious studies that analyzes the similarities and differences of themes, myths, rituals and concepts among the world's religions...
, Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, and the role of women in religion. Some of his more famous works include Our Religions and Women in World Religions. Feminism in World Religions was selected as a Choice Outstanding Academic Book (1999).
Biography
Born in Varanasi, India, Arvind Sharma earned a B.A. in HistoryHistory
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, and Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
from Allahabad University
Allahabad University
Allahabad University , is a premier Central University located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt...
in 1958. In 1962, Sharma joined the Indian Administrative Service
Indian Administrative Service
The Indian Administrative Service is the administrative civil service of the Government of India. It is one of the three All India Services....
, serving in Gujarat until 1968. In 1971 he received an M.A. from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
and in 1974 earned a Masters in Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. In 1978 he obtained his Ph.D. in Sanskrit from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. In 1976 he was appointed to the position of Lecturer in Asian Religions at the University of Queensland
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
and in 1980 he took a similar position at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
.
In 1987, Sharma took the position of Associate Professor of Religious Studies at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in Montreal. He is currently the Birks Professor of Comparative Religion there. Sharma was the first Infinity Foundation Visiting professor of Indic Studies at Harvard. He has held fellowships at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, the Center for the Study of World Religions, the Brookings Institute, the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life, and the Center for Business and Government. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society
Royal Asiatic Society
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was established, according to its Royal Charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society...
.
Sharma currently writes two blogs entitled "Indological Provocations" and "The Comparative Study of Religion".
External links
- Dr. Arvind Sharma's Website
- Audio: Arvind Sharma in conversation on the BBC World Service discussion show The ForumThe Forum (BBC World Service)The Forum is the BBC World Service's flagship discussion programme. It brings together prominent thinkers from different disciplines and different parts of the world to try and create stimulating discussion, informed by highly distinct academic, artistic and cultural backgrounds.-Format:Each...