Sadhana Summer Reading Challenge

We're excited to announce the first-ever Sadhana Summer Reading Challenge! Each week until the beginning of August, we will explore a different topic, from environmental justice to Hindu nationalism. We've selected a featured reading for each week, accompanied by a few additional resources. The "readings" include articles, podcasts, and even a music video, and they encompass a range of diverse viewpoints, which we hope will spark productive debate and inquiry into what it means to be a progressive Hindu. The Summer Reading Challenge will culminate in the launch of the Sadhana Syllabus, an open-source directory of resources on a variety of topics relating to progressive Hinduism.

Throughout the summer, we'll be posting excerpts from the readings and discussion questions on social media; follow Sadhana on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up, and join the conversation. Don't forget to use the hashtag #SadhanaReads!

Weekly Schedule

Week 1 (June 25)

Queerness and hinduism

Featured reading: Podcast, "Sapna Pandya: On Faith, Tradition, and Sexuality" (link) (transcript)

Further readings:

• Devdutt Pattanaik, "The Real Ramrajya" (link)

• Ruth Vanita and Saleem Kidwai, "Religious Teachers’ Statements on Same-Sex Sexuality" (link)

week 2 (July 2)

Environmental justice

Featured reading: Hari Venkatachalam, "One Hindu's Environmental Pilgrimage from Triveni Ghat to Tampa to the Future" (link)

Further readings:

• The Bhumi Project, "The Green Temple" (link)

• Anantanand Rambachan, “Diwali: Hearing Earth’s Cry” (link)

Week 3 (July 9)

Economic inequality

Featured reading: Shailly Gupta Barnes, “The Shakti of the Poor” (link)

Further readings:

• Anantanand Rambachan, "Hindus and the Poor People’s Campaign: A Religious and Moral Obligation" (link)

• Nooreen Reza, "Progressive Hinduism and a New Movement Against Poverty" (link)