Graduate Theological Union — Center for Dharma Studies

“ T he Center for Dharma Studies represents

the leading edge in interdisciplinary academic study of Hinduism, Buddhism, Yoga, and other Dharmic Traditions, highlighting social-scientific as well as theological, ethical, aesthetic, and applied approaches. CDS brings the principles, practices, and potential for engagement of the ancient spiritual traditions of India into dialogue with other spiritual wisdom and the contemporary challenges of our world.”

— Dr. Rita D. Sherma, Founding Director, Center for Dharma Studies

gtu.edu

Founded in 2015, the Center helps scholars and students from the Hindu, Yoga, and other Dharmic heritage communities and other spiritual traditions understand Dharmic traditions in their multidimensional richness. Highlighting theology, ethics, spiritual paths, world engagement, and the in-depth study of ancient, classical, and contemporary texts, thought, and practice, the CDS explores the richness of the Dharmic Traditions, while encouraging greater cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and interreligious understanding.

Academic Programs

Resources and Public Events

The Center for Dharma Studies (CDS) studies the history and lived experience of the Dharmic Traditions of ancient India in constructive dialogue with the contemporary theories and methods in Religious Studies. GTU students in PhD and MA programs can pursue concentrations in the Historical and Cultural Studies of Hinduism, Hindu Theology and Ethics, and Hindu Sacred Texts, as well as numerous interdisciplinary and comparative fields of study. Through the CDS, the GTU also offers fully accredited Certificate, MA, and doctoral programs in the academic study of Yoga, focused on research topics such as contemplative Yoga, Yoga of self-knowledge (jñāna), and Yoga of devotional love (bhakti). Operating within the GTU’s pluralistic interreligious setting, CDS offers courses open to students throughout the GTU consortium, who can also earn a Certificate in Hindu Studies.

The Center for Dharma Studies highlights the theology, ethics, and spiritual paths of Dharmic Traditions through a wide range of public events, workshops, lectures, and conferences. CDS faculty and students play leading roles in the publication of the Journal of Dharma Studies and the Journal of Vaishnava Studies, a book series, and numerous edited volumes in the diverse and growing field of Dharma Studies. Working in close partnership with other GTU schools and academic centers, CDS explores how the world’s spiritual wisdom can positively impact major challenges faced by the world, including conflict and war, climate change, environmental degradation, and other issues of justice.

The Center for Dharma Studies is one of the founding partners of the GTU’s Sustainability 360 initiative, which brings the academic study of religion and theology into conversation with other disciplines in the field of Sustainability Studies, serving as an incubator for cutting-edge research, international conferences, specialized symposia and lectures, and a series of publications.

LEARN MORE Request Info and Apply: GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION admissions@gtu.edu 510-649-2400 gtu.edu

CENTER FOR DHARMA STUDIES cds@gtu.edu 510-649-2579 gtu.edu/cds