Shaunaka Rishi Das stands as a towering figure in the realm of Hindu studies, interfaith dialogue, and spiritual leadership. As the Founding Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), he has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between academia, spirituality, and global interfaith cooperation, earning widespread recognition for his contributions.
Founding the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
In 1997, Shaunaka Rishi Das co-founded the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies with a vision to provide Hindu traditions with a scholarly voice on the global stage. Prior to this, theology at Oxford primarily focused on Christian traditions, leaving other religions underrepresented. Collaborating with Professor Keith Ward, Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University, Shaunaka laid the groundwork for what would become a world-leading institution in Hindu studies. Under his leadership, the OCHS achieved formal recognition by Oxford University in 2006 and established publishing partnerships with prestigious outlets such as Oxford University Press and Routledge Hindu Studies Series.
The Centre has grown from humble beginnings to become a hub for academic excellence in Hindu studies. It fosters relationships with universities across the USA, Europe, India, and China while cultivating leading experts in academic fields. Shaunaka’s efforts have ensured that Hindu traditions are studied rigorously and represented authentically on a global platform.
Interfaith Leadership
Shaunaka Rishi Das has been a pioneer in promoting interfaith dialogue. His journey began in 1985 when he was introduced to inter-religious dialogue by Rabbi David Rosen at the International Colloquium of Christians and Jews. Since then, he has actively participated in numerous initiatives aimed at fostering understanding among different faiths. He served as Chair of the Northern Ireland Interfaith Forum (1998–2002) and as Trustee of the Interfaith Network UK (2002–2004). His leadership extended to ISKCON’s Interfaith Commission (1997–2010), where he spearheaded consultations that resulted in ISKCON’s groundbreaking interfaith statement.
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