The presentation of the Portuguese edition of Hinduism in Perspective: A Dialogue with the Religions of the World attracted a full audience to the historic Sala de São Pedro, including university professors, scholars of religious diversity, and people interested in spiritual traditions.
Coimbra, Portugal – 4 November 2026. Juan Carlos Ramchandani, a Hindu priest, author, and lecturer, also known by his spiritual name Pandit Krishna Kripa Dasa, presented the Portuguese edition of his book Hinduism in Perspective: A Dialogue with the World’s Religions at the prestigious Biblioteca Geral da Universidade de Coimbra (General Library of the University of Coimbra), one of Portugal’s most distinguished academic and cultural institutions.
The event took place in the historic Sala de São Pedro, which houses a valuable collection of books dating back to the 17th century. To protect these historic volumes from changes in room temperature, attendance is strictly limited to 50 people. The venue was filled to capacity.
The audience included professors and senior academics from the Universidade de Coimbra, scholars of religious diversity, yoga practitioners, and people interested in learning about different spiritual traditions.
The event was introduced by Professor João Gouveia Monteiro, Professor of History and Director of APECER-UC (Academia para o Encontro de Culturas e de Religiões – Universidade de Coimbra), the Academy for the Encounter of Cultures and Religions at the University of Coimbra. Ramchandani is also a member of its Advisory Committee.
During his approximately twenty-minute introduction, Professor Gouveia Monteiro offered a thoughtful assessment of Ramchandani’s book, praising its content, clarity, and ability to present complex religious and philosophical subjects in simple, accessible language.
An Opening in Portuguese and a Special Tribute to Ceuta
After expressing his gratitude to the Universidade de Coimbra for inviting him for the third time, Ramchandani began his address in Portuguese, highlighting the historical and cultural ties between Portugal and his birthplace, Ceuta.
The Hindu priest also referred to the serious events of 30 and 31 July 2026, when tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco. He described these events as an invasion and expressed concern over what he considered an inadequate response from the Spanish Government.
Ramchandani explained that these events had awakened a renewed appreciation among many residents of Ceuta for their Portuguese heritage. He highlighted the city’s historic symbols, including its black-and-white flag, inherited from Lisbon, and its coat of arms of Portuguese origin, both reminders of a shared history that remains an important part of Ceuta’s identity.
As a further expression of these historical and cultural ties, Ramchandani, a full member of the Instituto de Estudios Ceutíes (Institute of Ceuta Studies), presented Professor João Gouveia Monteiro with two books published by the institution: Don Pedro de Meneses y la fundación de la Casa Vila Real, dedicated to a key figure in the Portuguese history of Ceuta, and Familias Portuguesas en Ceuta, a study of the Portuguese families who settled in the city and their historical legacy. Both publications were warmly received and greatly appreciated by the Portuguese professor.
Following this introduction, Ramchandani delivered the main part of his lecture in Spanish, occasionally using Portuguese words and expressions as a gesture of respect and friendship towards his hosts.
Hinduism and Its Dialogue with the World’s Religions
During his lecture, Ramchandani explored the relationship between Hinduism and the world’s major religions, examining their common ground, doctrinal and philosophical differences, and the spiritual and ethical values that can encourage mutual understanding.
The book offers a comparative study of Sanatana Dharma, the traditional name for Hinduism, and other world religions. It combines knowledge of religious scriptures, priestly experience, and several decades of involvement in interreligious dialogue.
The author emphasised the importance of understanding the beliefs and practices of other religious communities without abandoning one’s own identity. He explained that genuine dialogue does not require everyone to think alike, but rather calls for respect, mutual understanding, and a willingness to learn from one another.
At the end of the lecture, Ramchandani answered questions from the audience, encouraging an exchange of ideas about Hinduism and interreligious dialogue. He then signed and dedicated copies of his book to those attending the event.
A Book Reaching an International Audience
Hinduism in Perspective: A Dialogue with the Religions of the World was originally published in Spanish and has since been translated and published in English and Portuguese, reaching readers in different countries.
The book has been presented in several Spanish cities, and further international presentations of its English and forthcoming Italian editions are currently being organised. The Italian edition is being prepared by FoRB Publications, which already published the English and the Portuguese translations.
These initiatives reflect the author’s commitment to making Hindu philosophy more widely understood and promoting interreligious dialogue among people from different languages, cultures, and spiritual traditions.
An International Career Without Forgetting His Roots in Ceuta
Born in Ceuta in 1970 to an Indian Hindu father and a Spanish Catholic mother, Juan Carlos Ramchandani has devoted more than three decades to his work as a Hindu priest, author, and lecturer.
He currently serves as President of the Hindu Federation of Spain and President of the Advisory Board of Sanatana Dharma Europe, while also collaborating with international organisations dedicated to religious freedom and dialogue between cultures and faiths.
He has delivered lectures and seminars at universities in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. His religious, academic, and cultural activities have taken him to 58 countries across four continents.
However, his international work goes beyond religious and academic activities. During his travels and meetings with representatives of different cultures and institutions, he also acts as an unofficial ambassador for his hometown of Ceuta, sharing its unique history, cultural heritage, and religious diversity, particularly the coexistence of different traditions that characterises this Spanish city in North Africa.
His latest presentation at the Universidade de Coimbra is another example of his commitment to intercultural and interreligious dialogue, as well as to strengthening the historical and cultural ties between Ceuta and Portugal.