Bay Area Council for
Latter-day Saint Studies

We are excited to host Rita Sherma, professor of Dharma Studies at GTU, in a talk about Ecotheology. Ecotheology examines how religious beliefs and practices can inform our understanding of and response to ecological issues, promoting stewardship, sustainability, and environmental justice.

Dr. Sherma is Founding Director at the Graduate Theological Union’s Center for Dharma Studies, Berkeley, California. She has developed the curriculum and structure for four PhD programs and two MA programs in Hindu Studies and Yoga Studies, respectively, and leads curricula on Sustainability Studies. Sherma’s research has been focused on Hindu environmental philosophy; the philosophical theology of the Divine Feminine in Hinduism; Hindu theology & ethics; religion & sustainability; and theory and method in Interreligious Studies. A forthcoming monograph, An Emancipatory, Ecofeminist, Hindu Ecological Theology of Shakti: Radical Divine Immanence, is pending publication in 2025, by Bloomsbury, London. She has published nine books including Contemplative Studies & Jainism: Meditation, Prayer, and Veneration (with Bohanec & Bilimoria, 2023); Contemplative Studies and Hinduism: Meditation, Devotion, Prayer & Worship (2020); Woman & Goddess in Hinduism (with Pintchman, 2011); Hermeneutics and Hindu thought: Towards a Fusion of Horizons (with A. Sharma, 2008). Dr. Sherma also served as a senior religion and culture advisor on the animated movie, SOUL, which won the Academy Award for best feature film in its category.

Who:  Rita Sherma
What:  Hindu Perspectives on Environmental Stewardship
Date: Sunday, May 4, 7:00 PM
Location:  Berkeley Chapel, 1501 Walnut St.
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91767304658