UNITED STATES, July 1, 2026 (Hinduism Today): “Hinduism and America,” a book by Dr. Jai G. Bansal and Kalyan Viswanathan, traces nearly 250 years of interaction between Hindu thought and American culture. Beginning with early Sanskrit translations, the book follows the influence of visiting swamis, yogis and teachers and the later arrival of Hindu immigrants, examining the spread of concepts such as karma, reincarnation, meditation, yoga and religious pluralism.
The book divides this history into discussions of Hindu cultural heritage, the transmission of Hindu thought to America and the experiences of contemporary Hindu Americans. The review notes that while the authors emphasize Hinduism’s positive influence on American spiritual culture, acceptance has not been universal, citing disputes over representations of Hinduism in California textbooks as well as incidents of temple vandalism and criticism of Hindu temples and statues.
Source: https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/july-august-september-2026/hinduism-and-america/