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Abstract:
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The ginans are a corpus of South Asian Ismaili religious literature. Their subject matter ranges widely, and includes such
topics as divine love, cosmology, meditation, ritual practice, eschatology and ethical behaviour. The word “ginan” is
ultimately derived from the Sanskrit root jñana and is etymologically related to the Greek word ???s?? or gnôsis, which has
derivatives in many languages. Several scholars have noted the dual significance of the term ginan among the Ismailis as
referring both to their sacred literature as well as to gnosis. This comprehensive study explores the purport and use of the
word “ginan” in the ginan tradition itself. As most ginans are recited in particular melodies, this study of the ginan tradition
is inspired by the organization of the traditional symphony. An extended composition in Western classical music, a symphony
is often divided into four movements. Similarly, this study of the “Symphony of Gnosis” is composed of four sections, each
exploring different aspects of how the ginan tradition defines itself. |
