If you've ever been in my house then you've seen the many book-lined bookcases that hug my walls. My home is overflowing with books, and I like it that way. So you can imagine how difficult it is for me to choose just one book to call my favorite.
I mean do I choose my favorite book to read? Or perhaps the reference book I use most? Maybe I should go with my prettiest book.....or my oldest....or my biggest? Perhaps you'd like to know more about my smallest book?
I could certainly select any of those. I have lots of favorite books. But this morning I think I will go with a book that changed my life:
This book, The Ramayana, is an ancient Indian epic. It was assigned reading for a college course I only enrolled in because it fulfilled a general education requirement. The course was Introduction to Asian Religions.
I am not particularly interested in Asia, or its numerous religions, and I was sure this class would bore me to tears. I am a historian of Western history and culture, a medievalist if you want to get particular. I've always been drawn to medieval history. Eastern history? Eh, not so much.
So imagine my surprise when the course didn't actually bore me to tears! I found I actually enjoyed reading and analyzing The Ramayana. I enjoyed participating in class discussions. I enjoyed learning about this culture and their religions, all so very different from my own.
The Ramayana is a big reason I changed my major to Religious Studies. This book opened my eyes to something beyond my own experience. It introduced me to a world I did not know existed, to a discipline that I have come to love.
I'm still a medievalist, but now I'm a medievalist who sees the big picture. I see the interconnectedness of the world's religions and cultures.
Thank you Dr. Meyer for assigning this book and for introducing me to the academic study of religion.
No comments:
Post a Comment