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Mary Pat Fisher writes about all religions, not only from academic research, but also from her experiences with religions around the world. Much of her knowledge comes from the unique interfaith community in India, Gobind Sadan, where she has lived since 1991. In addition to eight editions of Living Religions, she has written other textbooks about religions and also about art.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
"In order to try to understand each religion from the inside, I have traveled for many years to study and worship with devotees and teachers of all faiths, and to interview them about their experience of their tradition. People of all religions also come to the Gobind Sadan Institute for Advanced Studies in Comparative Religions, in New Delhi, where it is my good fortune to meet and speak with them about their spiritual experiences and beliefs.
In preparing this book, I have worked directly with consultants who are authorities in specific traditions and who have offered detailed suggestions and resources. For breadth of scholarship, I have engaged the help of a new group of consultants..."
EIGHTH EDITION CONSULTANTS:
JOSEPH ADLER Kenyon College
AFE ADOGAME University of Edinburgh
ROBIN RINEHART Lafayette College
KARMA LEKSHE TSOMO University of San Diego
WANG MINQING Cornell University and Hunan University, China
VANESSA OCHS University of Virginia
AMY DEROGATIS Michigan State University
ALI IHSAN YITIK Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
DR. MOHINDER SINGH Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi
CHRISTINE GUDORF Florida International University
ARVIND SHARMA McGill University, Montreal
Brief Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Religious Responses.
Chapter 2. Indigenous Sacred Ways.
Chapter 3. Hinduism.
Chapter 4. Jainism.
Chapter 5. Buddhism.
Chapter 6. Daoism and Confucianism.
Chapter 7. Shinto.
Chapter 8. Judaism.
Chapter 9. Christianity.
Chapter 10. Islam.
Chapter 11. Sikhism.
Chapter 12. New Religious Movements.
Chapter 13. Religion in the Twenty-First Century.
Glossary.
Index.
Timeline.
Complete Table of Contents
Preface ix
Teaching and learning resources xiii
MAP Religions of the World Today xiv
TIMELINE xvi
Chapter 1
RELIGIOUS RESPONSES 1
Why are there religions? 3
— Materialistic perspective: humans invented religion 3
— Functional perspective: religion is useful 4
— Belief perspective: Ultimate Reality exists 7
Understandings of Sacred Reality 10
EXCLUSIVISM VS. UNIVERSALISM A letter from
I. H. Azad Faruqi 12
Ritual, symbol, and myth 14
TEACHING STORY Descendants of the Eagle 17
Absolutist and liberal interpretations 18
BOX Angels Weep 19
The encounter between science and religion 20
RELIGION IN PRACTICE When Science Approaches Religion 25
Women in religions 26
Negative aspects of organized religions 28
Suggested reading 29
Key terms 31
Review questions 32
Discussion questions 32
MyReligionLab 32
CHAPTER 2
INDIGENOUS SACRED WAYS 33
Understanding indigenous sacred ways 34
MAP Distribution of Indigenous Groups 34
Cultural diversity 38
The circle of right relationships 39
— Relationships with spirit 40
YORUBA TEACHING STORY Osun and the Power of Woman 43
— Kinship with all creation 43
— Relationships with power 48
Spiritual specialists 50
— Storytellers and other sacred roles 50
— Mystical intermediaries 53
LIVING INDIGENOUS SACRED WAYS An Interview with
Nadezhda Ananyevna Stepanova 55
Group observances 56
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Sun Dance Way
of Self-Sacrifice 58
— Individual observances 61
Contemporary issues 62
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Orang Asli of Malaysia:
Traditions being Lost 64
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Winona LaDuke 68
Suggested reading 70
Key terms 71
Review questions 72
Discussion questions 72
MyReligionLab 72
Chapter 3
HINDUISM 73
Philosophical and metaphysical origins 74
— The Indus Valley Civilization 74
MAP The Indian Subcontinent 75
TIMELINE Hinduism 76
— The Vedas 77
Major philosophical systems 80
— Samkhya 80
— Advaita Vedanta 81
— Yoga 81
Religious foundations and theistic paths 85
— Shaktas 86
— Shaivites 88
— Vaishnavites 90
— The epics and Puranas 91
TEACHING STORY Hanuman, the Monkey Chief 94
The Hindu way of life 97
— Rituals 97
— Castes, duties, and life goals 99
— Life stages 100
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Sacred Thread Ceremony 101
— The guru 102
— Women’s duties 103
— Fasts, prayers, and auspicious designs 103
— Reverence of trees and rivers 104
LIVING HINDUISM An Interview with Somjit Dasgupta 105
— Pilgrimages 106
— Festivals 107
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Holi 108
Hinduism in the modern world 111
— Modern movements 111
— Global Hinduism 112
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Dharmic Principles:
The Swadhyaya Movement 113
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Dr. Karan Singh 116
— Hindu identity 117
Suggested reading 118
Key terms 119
Review questions 120
Discussion questions 120
MyReligionLab 120
Chapter 4
JAINISM 121
The Tirthankaras and ascetic orders 121
Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars 123
— Karma 123
TEACHING STORY The Story of Bahubali 124
— Ahimsa 125
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Jain Purification 127
— Aparigraha 127
— Anekantwad 128
Spiritual practices 128
Festivals and pilgrimages 130
LIVING JAINISM An Interview with M. P. Jain 131
World Jainism 132
Suggested reading 133
Key terms 134
Review questions 134
Discussion questions 134
MyReligionLab 134
Chapter 5
BUDDHISM 135
The life and legend of the Buddha 135
TIMELINE Buddhism 137
The Dharma 141
— The Four Noble Truths 142
— The Noble Eightfold Path to liberation 143
— The wheel of birth and death 144
TEACHING STORY The Great Ape Jataka Tale 146
— Nirvana 147
Branches of Buddhism 148
MAP The Spread of Buddhism 149
— Theravada: the path of mindfulness 149
— Mahayana: the path of compassion and wisdom 156
MAP Distribution of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism 157
— Chan and Zen: the great way of enlightenment 160
CHART Major Branches of Buddhism 160
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Zen Oxherding Pictures 162
— Pure Land: devotion to Amitabha Buddha 164
— Nichiren: salvation through the Lotus Sutra 164
— Vajrayana: the indestructible path 166
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE His Holiness the Dalai Lama 169
— Festivals 170
Buddhism in the West 171
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Life in a Western Zen Monastery 172
LIVING BUDDHISM An Interview with Karma Lekshe Tsomo 176
Socially engaged Buddhism 177
Suggested reading 181
Key terms 182
Review questions 183
Discussion questions 183
MyReligionLab 183
Chapter 6
DAOISM AND CONFUCIANISM 184
Ancient traditions 184
— Worship and divination 185
MAP Historic Sites of Daoism and Confucianism 185
— Cosmic balance 187
TIMELINE Daoism and Confucianism 188
Daoism—the way of nature and immortality 189
— Teaching of Daoist sages 190
TEACHING STORY Three in the Morning 192
— Popular religion and organized Daoism 194
— Inner alchemy 195
— Daoist sects 196
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Lantern Festival 198
— Daoism today 199
Confucianism—the practice of virtue 203
— Master Kong’s life 204
— The Confucian virtues 205
— Divergent followers of Confucius 206
— The state cult 207
— Neo-Confucianism 208
— Confucianism under communism 209
LIVING CONFUCIANISM An Interview with Ann-ping Chin 212
— Confucianism in East Asia 213
Suggested reading 214
Key terms 216
Review questions 216
Discussion questions 216
MyReligionLab 216
Chapter 7
SHINTO 217
The roots of “Shinto” 217
— Kinship with nature 218
— Honoring the kami 219
— Shrines 220
MAP Major Shinto Shrines 221
TEACHING STORY Amaterasu comes out of the cave 222
— Ceremonies and festivals 223
— Purification 225
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Purification by Waterfall 226
Buddhist and Confucian influences 227
State Shinto 228
“Sect Shinto” 229
Shinto today 230
LIVING SHINTO An Interview with Hitoshi Iwasaki 232
Suggested reading 233
Key terms 234
Review questions 234
Discussion questions 234
MyReligionLab 234
ZOROASTRIANISM 235
Chapter 8
JUDAISM 239
A history of the Jewish people 239
TIMELINE Judaism 240
— Biblical stories 241
MAP The Early Israelites 243
TEACHING STORY Abraham’s Willingness to Sacrifice Isaac 245
BOX The Ten Commandments 248
— Return to Jerusalem 251
— Rabbinic Judaism 255
— Judaism in the Middle Ages 259
— Kabbalah and Hasidism 262
— Judaism and modernity 264
— The Holocaust 266
MAP Jewish Populations and the Holocaust 269
— Zionism and contemporary Israel 269
Torah 273
— The one God 273
— Love for God 274
— The sacredness of human life 275
— Law 275
LIVING JUDAISM An Interview with Eli Epstein 276
— Suffering and faith 277
Sacred practices 278
Holy days 282
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Passover Innovations 285
Contemporary Judaism 286
— Major branches today 286
CHART Major Branches of Judaism Today 287
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Rabbi David Saperstein 288
— Jewish feminism 291
— Jewish renewal 293
Suggested reading 294
Key terms 296
Review questions 297
Discussion questions 297
MyReligionLab 297
Chapter 9
CHRISTIANITY 298
Historical evidence 298
Evidence of the Bible 299
The life and teachings of Jesus 301
— Birth 301
— Preparation 302
— Ministry 304
MAP Jesus’ Ministry 304
LIVING CHRISTIANITY An Interview with David Vandiver 307
TEACHING STORY The Good Samaritan 308
— Challenges to the authorities 310
TIMELINE Christianity 311
— Crucifixion 313
— Resurrection and Ascension 316
BOX Books of the New Testament 317
The early Church 318
— From persecution to empire 318
MAP St. Paul’s Missionary Journeys 320
— Evolving organization and theology 322
— Early monasticism 325
Church administration 326
MAP Distribution of Christians Today 326
— East–West division 327
— Social chaos and the papacy 329
Intellectual revival and monasticism 330
Medieval mysticism 331
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Russian Orthodox Kenoticism 333
The Protestant Reformation 334
CHART Major Divisions of Christianity Today 335
The Roman Catholic Reformation 339
Liberal trends 340
The Second Vatican Council 341
The Orthodox world today 342
BOX Eastern Orthodox Church 343
— The Russian Orthodox Church 344
— Distinctive features of Orthodox spirituality 345
Central beliefs in contemporary Christianity 347
Sacred practices 349
— Worship services and sacraments 349
— The liturgical year 352
— Contemplative prayer 355
— Devotion to Mary 357
— Veneration of saints and angels 359
Contemporary trends 360
— Evangelicalism 363
— Spirit-oriented movements 365
— The great reversal 368
— Liberation theology 370
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu 371
— Feminist theology 373
— Creation-centered Christianity 375
— Ecumenical movement 375
Suggested reading 377
Key terms 378
Review questions 379
Discussion questions 379
MyReligionLab 380
Chapter 10
ISLAM 381
Pre-Islamic Arabia 381
TIMELINE Islam 382
The Prophet Muhammad 383
The Qur’an 388
The central teachings 391
— The Oneness of God and of humanity 391
— Prophethood and the compass of Islam 392
— Human relationship to the divine 393
— The unseen life 394
— The Last Judgment 394
The Five Pillars 396
— Belief and witness 396
— Daily prayers 397
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Salaat 398
— Zakat 399
— Fasting 399
— Hajj 400
LIVING ISLAM An Interview with Dr. Syed M. Hussain 401
Sunni and Shi’a 404
— Sunnis 404
— Shi’a 406
Sufism 407
The spread of Islam 411
MAP The spread of Islam 411
TEACHING STORY Transformation by Islam 412
— Islamic culture 413
— Eastward expansion 415
Relationships with the West 418
— Islam in the West 420
Muslim resurgence 421
— Tradition and modern life 423
— Outreach and education 424
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Shirin Ebadi 425
— Islam in politics 427
— Islam for the future 435
Suggested reading 436
Key terms 438
Review questions 438
Discussion questions 439
MyReligionLab 439
Chapter 11
SIKHISM 440
The sant tradition 440
Guru Nanak 441
TIMELINE Sikhism 443
The succession of Gurus 444
TEACHING STORY Guru Arjun Dev’s Devotion 445
Central beliefs 450
LIVING SIKHISM An Interview with Inderpreet Kaur 451
Sacred practices 453
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh 456
Sikhism today 457
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Amrit Ceremony on Baisakhi 458
MAP The Punjab 459
Suggested reading 463
Key terms 463
Review questions 464
Discussion questions 464
MyReligionLab 464
Chapter 12
NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS 465
Social context of new religious movements 465
Charismatic leadership 468
— Unification Movement 468
— Sathya Sai Baba 470
Offshoots of older religions 471
— Mormon Church 471
— Jehovah’s Witnesses 473
— Radhasoami 475
LIVING TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
An Interview with Wolfgang Hecker 476
Combinations of older religions 477
— Caodaism 477
— African-inspired syncretic religions 478
— Theosophical Society 480
— Baha’i 482
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Baha’i Model for
Governance of the World 483
Social trends 484
— Ethnic identity: Rastafari 484
— Nature spirituality 486
— New Age spirituality 491
Opposition to new religious movements 494
Will new religious movements last? 497
Suggested reading 497
Key terms 499
Review questions 499
Discussion questions 499
MyReligionLab 499
Chapter 13
RELIGION IN THE
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY 500
Globalization 500
Secularism 501
Religious pluralism 502
— Hardening of religious boundaries 503
— Religion after 11 September 505
Religion in politics 507
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Excerpts from
Obama’s Historic Cairo Speech 509
Interfaith movement 510
— Responses to other faiths 511
— Interfaith initiatives 513
Religion and social issues 517
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Jimmy Carter 518
Religion and materialism 522
Religion and the future of humanity 523
Suggested reading 524
Key terms 525
Review questions 525
Discussion questions 525
MyReligionLab 525
Notes 527
Glossary 540
Index 549
Credits 558
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