Skip to main content
Displaying 1 of 1
An anthology of living religions
2008
Please select and request a specific volume by clicking one of the icons in the 'Find It' section below.
Find It
Annotations

This anthology provides each of the major world religions with an opportunity to explain itself in its own terms, creating a sensitive and accurate picture of its teachings and beliefs. It allows readers to gain an “inside” understanding of origins, founders, and practices–and presents the religions as living faiths. Selected extracts relate religion to such current issues as gender, environment, and politics. Chapters explore indigenous sacred ways, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and more. For individuals desiring to learn more about the major world religions, and their impact around the world today. - (PEARSON)

Flap Cover Text

This revised anthology of readings from the major world religions

draws together excerpts from key scriptures, teachings, traditional

stories, later writings, and contemporary articles to provide a unique

sense of each faith. Following the organization of the best-selling text

Living Religions, the second edition of An Anthology of Living Religions

gives each religion the opportunity to explain its history, beliefs, rituals,

and relevance in the modern world. For this second edition, the authors

have selected 45 new excerpts providing insight into today’s living

religions and the profound impact they have on the lives of people

around the globe.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

* 5 new and more accessible translations of major scriptures

* 45 thought-provoking new excerpts and original articles from

historical and contemporary sources

* Icons in text for cross-referring to the Sacred World:

Encounters with the World’s Religions CD-ROM

* Map and historical timeline of the world’s religions

* Revised final chapter focusing on important contemporary

religious issues such as globalization, ecology, violence,

fundamentalism, and universalism

* Revised introductions providing background information

* Discussion questions at end of each chapter promoting

further thought and study

* Updated information resources

- (PEARSON)

Large Cover Image
Table of Contents

Teaching and Learning Resources xv
Preface xvi
World Religions Map xviii
World Religions Timeline xx
CHAPTER 1. RELIGIOUS RESPONSES 2
The academic study of world religions
3
The Study of World Religions by Lee W. Bailey
3
The Sacredness of Nature and Cosmic Religion by Mircea Eliade
7
Materialistic perspectives on religion
9
The Future of an Illusion by Sigmund Freud
9
Religion as the Opium of the People by Karl Marx
10
God is Dead by Friedrich Nietzsche
11
Religious points of view
12
The Oneness of the Divine by Abraham Heschel
12
The New Polytheism by David Miller
14
The Ground of Being by Tarthang Tulku
16
Scientific perspectives on religion
17
A Not-So-Random Universe by Patrick Glynn
17
The Darwinian Account of Religion by Mikael Stenmark
20
Ritual, symbol, and myth
23
Mandalas: Deity Unfolding in the World by Carl G. Jung
23
The Ominous Sphere: A Transforming Dream by Celeste Federico
25
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
26
Myths as Symbols of Religious Beliefs: The Greek Virgin Birth of Perseus by Apollodorus
29
Women and the feminine in religion
30
The Image of God as Dominating Other by Judith Plaskow
30
The need for religion today
31
The Lost Dimension in Religion by Paul Tillich
32
Glossary
35
Review Questions
35
Discussion Questions
35
Information Resources
36
CHAPTER 2. INDIGENOUS SACRED WAYS 37
African sacred ways
38
Of Water and Spirit: An African Boy's Initiation by Malidoma Patrice Some
38
The Talking Drum: African Sacred Liturgy by Georges Niangoran-Bouah
44
Oya, Patron of Feminine Leadership by Judith Gleason
47
Aboriginal sacred ways
48
Women's Health Rituals by Diane Bell
48
Native North American sacred ways
49
That Mountain Has Spirit by Southwest Indigenous Peoples
50
The Theft of Light by the Tsimshian Nation
50
The Great Vision by Black Elk, Lakota shaman
51
The Essence of Cosmic Man by Tlakaelel
55
Seeing with a Native Eye by Barre Toelken
56
The Hopi Message to the United Nations General Assembly by Thomas Banyacya
58
Glossary
59
Typical Holy Ways
59
Historical Outline
60
Review Questions
60
Discussion Questions
60
Information Resources
60
CHAPTER 3. HINDUISM 62
Sruti texts
63
Hymn to Agni, God of Fire from the Rig Vedas
63
Hymn on Creation from the Rig Vedas
64
Realise the Brahman from the Upanishads
65
Smrti texts
66
I am the Beginning and the End from the Bhagavad Gita
66
Rama, Sita, and Lakshman Enter the Forest from the Ramayana
68
Duties of the Four Castes from the Manu smrti
70
The Faithful Wife from the Manu smrti
71
Desire to Know the Brahman by Sankara
72
Yoga Sutras by Patanjali
73
In Praise of Durga from the Siva Purana
75
The Way of Devotion from the Bhagavata Purana
76
Songs of the saints
77
The World of Illusion by Ravi Das
77
Worship Him in Silence by LaIla
78
Without Krishna I Cannot Sleep by Mirabai
79
Three Poems by Kabir
80
Modern texts
82
Vision of the Mother by Paramahansa Yogananda
82
Contemporary issues
83
Untouchability by Mahatma Gandhi
83
Hindu-ness by V. D. Savarkar
85
The Secular Face of Hinduism by Joseph Vellaringatt
86
Awakening of Universal Motherhood by Mata Amritanandamayi
89
Glossary
91
Holy Days
91
Historical Outline
92
Review Questions
92
Discussion Questions
92
Information Resources
93
CHAPTER 4. JAINISM 94
Teachings of Mahavir
95
Mahavir's Stoicism from the Akaranga Sutra
95
Harmlessness
97
On Non-Violence from the Jain Sutras
97
On Self-Restraint from the lain Sutras
98
Respect for Life from the Akaranga Sutra
98
Perfection of the soul
99
The Five Great Vows from the Akaranga Sutra
99
The principles of anekantavada and syadvada
101
Anekantavada (The Doctrine of Manifold Aspects) by L.M. Singhvi
101
The Blind Men and the Elephant A traditional Jain fable
102
Renunciation
102
Forsaking Eternal Bliss for a Drop of Honey A traditional Jain fable
103
The Renunciate Life of Sädhvi Vicaksana by N. Shanta
103
The Righteous Path for Laity and Ascetics by Acharya Kund-Kund
107
Jain ethics today
108
Remembering our own First Principles by Michael Tobias
108
Glossary
110
Holy Days
111
Historical Outline
111
Review Questions
111
Discussion Questions
111
Information Resources
112
CHAPTER 5. BUDDHISM 113
The Awakened One
114
Defeat of Mara and Enlightenment by Asvaghosha
114
Speculations Undeclared from the Culamalunkya Sutta
117
Theravada
119
The Dhammapada
119
Rejection of Birth Castes from the Vasettha Sutta
120
Mahayana
121
Emptiness by Nagarjuna
121
The Heart Sutra
122
Discovering Universal Emptiness by Dogen
123
Zen and Koans by Daisetz T. Suzuki
124
Nothing to Do with Rules by Bankei
126
Vajrayana
127
Love, Kindness, and Universal Responsibility by the Dalai Lama
127
Living Engaged Buddhism
131
Engaged Buddhism in Asia by Christopher Queen and Sallie King
131
A Brief History of Buddhism in America by Serinity Young
134
Precepts for an Engaged Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh
137
Glossary
138
Holy Days
139
Historical Outline
140
Review Questions
141
Discussion Questions
141
Information Resources
141
CHAPTER 6. CONFUCIANISM 142
The Confucian Classics
143
The Analects of Confucius
143
The Book of Mencius
146
The Doctrine of the Mean
148
Scholars' commentaries
151
The Great Commentary on the Book of Changes
151
Lessons for Women by Ban Zhao
153
Neo-Confucianism
155
The Great Ultimate by Zhou Dunyi
155
The Western Inscription by Zhang Zai
156
Living Confucianism
157
Confucianism and the Twenty-first Century by Yao Xinzhong
157
The Staying Power of Religion in China by Peng Liu
161
Glossary
163
Holy Days
163
Historical Outline
163
Review Questions
164
Discussion Questions
164
Information Resources
164
CHAPTER 7. DAOISM 165
The traditional canon
165
The Dao de jing by Laozi
166
The Great and Venerable Teacher by Zhuangzi
170
Heaven's Gifts by Liezi
171
Later developments
173
Communication of the Force of Life with Heaven from Huangdi Neijing Suwen
173
Awakening to Perfection by Zhang Boduan
175
The Way of Perfect Truth by Wang Zhe
176
The Story of He Xiangu, a Female Immortal
179
The Essence of Tai Ji by Al Chung-liang Huang
181
The Significance of Daoist Ethical Thought in the Building of a Harmonious Society by Zhou Zhongzhi
183
Glossary
185
Holy Days
185
Historical Outline
186
Review Questions
186
Discussion Questions
186
Information Resources
186
CHAPTER 8. JUDAISM 187
The Jewish Bible: Tanakh
188
TORAH
188
In the Beginning from Genesis 1:1-2:4, 2:4-3:24
188
Abraham's Covenant from Genesis 17:1-8
192
The Mosaic Covenant from Exodus 19:17-18, 20:1-14
193
An Eye for an Eye from Leviticus 24:1 5-20
194
Choose Life from Deuteronomy 30:19-20
194
The Davidic Covenant from II Samuel 7:8-16
195
PROPHETS
195
The Prophecies of Isaiah from Isaiah 1:1-20,9:1-2,5-6
195
WISDOM LITERATURE
197
Psalm 23
197
The Earth Will Teach You from Job 12:7-10
197
Where Were You When I Laid the Earth's Foundations? from Job 38:1-7, 12-13,17-18
198
Commentaries on the Tanakh
198
Midrash
198
Talmud
199
Prayer and ceremony
200
Prayer: Shema
200
The Passover Story from the Seder Meal Ceremony
201
Evolving theology and spirituality
202
Thirteen Principles of Faith by Maimonides
202
From Strength to Strength by Baal-Shem Toy
203
Branches of Judaism
207
ORTHODOX
207
Religion Allied to Progress by Samson Hirsch
208
CONSERVATIVE
208
The Conservative Jewish Doctrine of Revelation by Seymour Siegel
209
REFORM
210
Declaration of Principles from the "Pittsburg Platform"
210
Living Judaism
212
Surviving Auschwitz by Viktor Frankl
212
Women in Jewish Life by Ellen M. Umansky
213
Ten Commitments, Not Commandments by Michael Lerner
217
Glossary
220
Holy Days
221
Historical Outline
221
Review Questions
222
Discussion Questions
222
Information Resources
222
CHAPTER 9. CHRISTIANITY 223
Jesus the Christ
224
The Annunciation from Luke 1:26-35
224
The Magnificat from Luke 1:46-55
224
Jesus' Birth from Luke 2:1-14
225
Jesus' Ministry Begins from Matthew 4:23-5
225
The Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12
226
Law from Matthew 5:17-20
226
Sincerely Motivated Faith and Works from Matthew 5:21-4
226
The Good Samaritan from Luke 10:29-37
227
True Treasures from Matthew 6:19-21
227
Healing the Blind from Matthew 9:27-30
227
The Light of the World from John 1:1-5
227
The Word (Logos) from John 1:14
228
The Last Supper from Mark 14:10-12, 16-25
228
The Crucifixion from Mark 15:12-24, 31-8, 43-6
228
The Resurrection from Mark 16:1-8
229
Paul's Conversion from Acts 9:1-9, 17-20
230
Paul's letters to the new Christian churches
230
Paul on Faith and Works from Romans 3:28-31
230
Paul on Gender from Galatians 3:28, I Corinthians 14:35
231
Paul on Faith, Hope, and Love from I Corinthians 13:1-13
231
History and literature
231
EARLY NON-CANONICAL TEXTS
232
The Gospel of Mary from the Nag Hammadi Library
232
The Thunder, Perfect Mind from the Nag Hammadi Library
233
THEOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY, AND DIVISIONS
234
The Formation of the Canon by Athanasius
235
Eastern Orthodox Church
236
How to Interpret Scripture by Origen
236
The Nicene Creed
237
Grief and Joy by Gregory of Sinai
238
Roman Catholic Church
239
The Eucharistic Prayer from the Roman Catholic Mass
239
The Confessions of Augustine by Augustine of Hippo
240
A Medieval Argument for the Existence of God by Anselm of Canterbury
241
Everything Lives in God by Hildegard of Bingen
243
Protestant Churches
244
Baptism from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer
244
LUTHERAN CHURCH
245
Faith Can Rule Only in the Inward Man by Martin Luther
245
ANGLICAN CHURCH
246
The Supremacy Act of 1534
246
REFORMED CHURCH
247
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
247
FREE CHURCHES
247
The Schlectheim Confession of Faith of 1527
247
Living Christianity
248
An Evangelical Manifesto of 1989
248
I've Seen the Promised Land by Martin Luther King, Jr.
249
Not Development, but Liberation by Gustavo Gutierrez
251
I Don't Want to Eat Any Sugar by Mother Teresa
252
The Green Patriarch: Environmental Orthodoxy by Melba Newsome
253
Macrowave: Taking Global Warming to Church by David Batstone
255
Why Can't We Talk about Religion and Politics? by Jim Wallis
256
The Rise of the Megachurch from The Week magazine
258
Roman Catholic Womenpriests
260
Child Abuse Struggles: Facts, Myths and Questions by Thomas J. Reese
262
Glossary
264
Holy Days
265
Historical Outline
266
Questions
266
Review Questions
266
Information Resources
267
CHAPTER 10. ISLAM
The Prophet Muhammad
269
The Beginning of Muhammad's Revelation from Sahih Muslim
269
The Night Journey from Sahih Muslim
270
Islamic scritpure: the Qur'an
273
Fatiha
273
Allah
273
Messengers
274
People of the Book
274
Unity of Humanity
275
Righteousness
275
Mecca
275
Jihad
276
Gender, Family
276
Self-restraint
277
Adam
277
Abraham
278
Mosses
278
Mary
278
Jesus
278
The Day of Judgment
279
Hadith
280
Allah's Mercy
280
Allah is a Light
280
Seeking Consent for Marriage
280
Fighting of Women Side by Side with Men
281
Prohibition of Killing Women and Children in War
281
Compel not your Slave-girls to Prostitution
281
Removal of the Idols from the Vicinity of the Ka'ba
282
The Merits of Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him)
282
It is Forbidden to Commit Oppression
282
Shari'ah
282
On Pictures and Images
283
Hajj: Asceticism and Social Leveling by Maulana Muhammad Ali
283
How to Perform Salaat
284
Reason and revelation
286
Rationalism by Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
286
Mysticism by al-Ghazali
288
Two Truths by Ibn Rushd (Averroes)
290
Sufi mysticism
291
The Rarest Treasure by Rabi'a
291
The Sound of Love by Rumi
292
Between the Yea and the Nay by Ibn 'Arabi
293
Living Islam
294
Rights of Women: Qur'anic Ideals Versus Muslim Practice by Riffat Hassan
294
Ecology: A Sacred Science by Seyyed H. Nasr
297
Islam and the West: So, are Civilisations at War? Interview with Samuel Huntington
300
God in a World of Christians and Muslims by Martin Forward
302
Glossary
306
Holy Days
306
Historical Outline
307
Review Questions
307
Discussion Questions
307
Information Resources
308
CHAPTER 11. SIKHISM 309
Guru Nanak at Mecca
310
Daily prayers
311
Japli by Guru Nanak
312
Jaap Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh
313
Sukhmani Sahib by Guru Arjun Dev
314
Sikh scripture: the Guru Granth Sahib
315
HYMNS OF THE SIKH GURUS
316
"Oh honey-bee, thou art lost in worldly flowers" by Guru Nanak
316
"Oh my mind, remember the Holy Name" by Guru Amar Das
317
"My eyes are wet with the Lord's nectar" by Guru Ram Das
317
"The true Guru is an ocean of pearls" by Guru Arjun Dev
318
"The one who mingles with God" by Guru Tegh Bahadur
319
HYMNS OF THE HINDU AND MUSLIM SAINTS
319
"God is the object of the yearning of my soul" by Nam Dev
319
"How can there be any difference between me and Thee?" by Ravi Das
320
"Pray crow, peck not these eyes, so that I may see the Beloved" by Sheikh Farid
321
Writings of the Tenth Guru: Dasam Granth
322
"This is the purpose for which God sent me" by Guru Gobind Singh
322
"Let all humanity be recognized as one" by Guru Gobind Singh
323
Living Sikhism
324
The Sikh Gurus' Vision of an Ideal Society by Dharam Singh
324
Glossary
328
Holy Days
328
Historical Outline
328
Review Questions
329
Discussion Questions
329
Information Resources
329
CHAPTER 12. NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS 330
Offshoots of older religions
331
The Mormon Journey by Sea to the Promised Land from The Book of Mormon
331
Moroni's Visit from the Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith
332
Esoteric wisdom
333
The Wisdom-Religion Esoteric in All Ages by Helena Blavatsky
333
Apocalyptic expectations
336
Life in a Peaceful New World by Jehovah's Witnesses
336
Following a charismatic leader
338
The Lord of the Second Advent and the Ideal of True Parents by Sun Myung Moon
338
Spiritual psychotherapy
340
A Course in Miracles Summarized by Helen Schucman
340
Nature spirituality
342
The Goddess and Women's Spirituality by Charlene Spretnak
342
Witchcraft by Diane Mariechild
344
The fate of new religious movements
347
After the Founder's Death by J. Gordon Melton
347
Glossary
349
Review Questions
350
Discussion Questions
350
Information Resources
350
CHAPTER 13. RELIGION IN A NEW ERA 351
Globalization
351
The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins
351
Ecology and nature spirituality
353
Sacred Whispers in the World by Lee W. Bailey
354
Violence and religion
357
Is Religion Killing Us? by Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer
357
Fundamentalism and universalism
358
The Battle for God by Karen Armstrong
359
God Will Break All the Barriers! by Baba Virsa Singh
360
A New Revelation from the Unifier by Bahã'u'lla
362
The Essential Truth is One by Hazrat Inayat Khan
363
Interfaith initiatives
365
Can We Share in Others' Spiritual Traditions? by Marcus Braybrooke
365
Global Imperatives for the Third Millennium by Robert Muller
367
Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief by the United Nations
369
Ground Rules for Interfaith Dialogue by Leonard Swidler
371
Review Questions
374
Discussion Questions
374
Information Resources
374
Literary Acknowledgments 376
Index 379

Librarian's View
Displaying 1 of 1