The Sacred Paths: Understanding the Religions of the WorldThis book combines study of the dynamic historical development of each religious tradition with a comparative thematic structure. In this way, the book helps readers to explore each of the major religions as a unique and integral system of meaning and life. At the same time, readers are encouraged to discover and explore the nature of religious experience by comparing basic themes and issues common to all religions. Covering the religions arising from India, China, Japan, and the Mediterranean world, this book introduces the key dimensions of religious experience, outlining the basic human concerns that give rise to religious experience, such as origin and identity, ultimate reality, human nature, and the good life. For anyone interested in exploring the origins and development of the diverse religions of the world. |
Contents
Religions of Ancient Peoples | 26 |
Religions of Contemporary Indigenous Peoples | 42 |
Hinduism Buddhism Jainism and Sikhism | 76 |
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Common terms and phrases
Amaterasu ancestors ancient basic bodhisattva body Brahman Buddha Buddha-nature Buddhist called century ceremony Chan China Chinese Christ Christian church Confucian Confucius cosmic covenant created creation culture Daoist death developed Dharma disciples divine earth emperor enlightenment eternal ethical evil example experience faith festival God's goddess gods groups Guru Heaven Hindu Hinduism holy ideas important India Islam Israel Izanagi Jain Japan Japanese Jesus Jewish Jews Judaism kami karma Krishna leaders live Mahayana means meditation modern monks movement Muhammad Muslim myths nature nirvana one's path of transformation person practice prayer priests prophets Pure Land Quran reality rebirth religion religious rituals role rulers sacred power sacred story salvation samsara scriptures sense Shinto Shiva shrine Sikh social society soul spiritual symbols teaching temple things thinkers tion Torah tradition truth ultimate ummah universe Upanishads Vedas vision whole women worship Yahweh