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Cover

World Religions

Eastern Traditions

Fifth Edition

Edited by Roy C. Amore, Amir Hussain, and Willard Oxtoby

Publication Date - 17 September 2018

ISBN: 9780190875435

448 pages
Paperback
8 x 10 inches

In Stock

Explores Eastern religious traditions in depth from their origins, through their development, to their meaning and practice in today's society

Description

World Religions: Eastern Traditions, Fifth Edition, provides students with an accessible, engaging, and thought-provoking survey of Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Chinese, Korean, and Japanese religions. The expert contributors offer an authoritative examination of the origins, central teachings, divisions and branches, rituals and practices, influences on culture, and responses to modern challenges for each tradition.

Ideal for courses in Asian religions and comparative religions, World Religions: Eastern Traditions, Fifth Edition, combines a historically descriptive perspective with a spirit of sympathetic fascination.

New to this Edition

  • "Interview" boxes bring to life the impact that a member of each religion is having on today's world
  • "Women in the Traditions" boxes highlight the essential roles played by women in each tradition
  • A new introductory chapter, "Studying Eastern Religions," discusses the nature of religion throughout history, reasons to study religion, and methods for studying religion
  • An extensively updated "Current Issues" chapter addresses important new developments in China, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar

Features

  • Expert contributors provide students with significant knowledge and rigorous research on each tradition
  • Dynamic pedagogical features, including "Traditions at a Glance," "Document," "Focus," and "Sites" boxes; bolded key terms; maps; photos; timelines; sites; text extracts; and further reading lists help bring each tradition to life for students
  • An Ancillary Resource Center contains an Instructor's Manual, a Test Bank, and PowerPoint lecture slides
  • A free, open-access Companion Website provides students with self-quizzes, flashcards, learning objectives, links to relevant sites, research-paper topics, and more

About the Author(s)

Roy C. Amore is Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Windsor in Ontario.

Amir Hussain is Professor of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

The late Willard Oxtoby, the original editor of this work, was Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto.

Reviews

"World Religions: Eastern Traditions is far better than other textbooks because it is accessible, but detailed, and the various images and boxes with selections of primary sources encourage students to learn."--Melanie Coughlin, Carleton University

"Accessibly covering an impressive breadth of traditions, this book offers a unique option for instructors and students of religion. It provides insightful ways for understanding the beliefs, practices, cultural influences, and historical significance of globally diverse and traditionally 'Eastern' religions."--Ashley M. Purpura, Purdue University

"This text is one of the best I have used to teach religions throughout Asia. The comprehensive discussion on religions is positioned alongside current issues, helping students understand religions in the broader context of real-world events."--Jamie Sanchez, Biola University

Table of Contents

    Contributors
    Preface
    1. Studying Eastern Religions
    Basic Human Religion: Looking Both Ways from Harappa
    Looking Back from Harappa
    Looking Forward from Harappa
    What Is Religion?
    Why Study Religion?
    2. Hindu Traditions
    Origins
    Classical Hinduism
    Schools and Communities of Theology
    Practices, Rituals, and Arts
    Recent Developments
    Summary
    3. Sikh Traditions
    Overview
    Crystallization
    Practice
    Differentiation
    Cultural Expressions
    Interaction and Adaptation
    Recent Developments
    Summary
    4. Jaina Traditions
    Overview
    The Shramana Revolution
    The Early Sangha
    Major Developments
    Practice
    Expressive Dimensions
    Jainas Among Others
    Women
    Recent Developments
    Summary
    5. Buddhist Traditions
    Overview
    The First Gem: The Buddha
    The Second Gem: The Dharma
    The Third Gem: The Sangha
    Early Buddhism
    Theravada Buddhism
    Mahayana: The Second Vehicle
    Vajrayana: The Third Vehicle
    Interaction and Adaptation in East Asia
    Cultural Expressions
    Buddhism in the Modern World
    Recent Developments
    Summary
    6. Chinese and Korean Traditions
    Overview
    Chinese Religions
    Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE)
    The Six Dynasties Period (220-589)
    Sui and Tang (589-907)
    The Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties (960-1644)
    The Qing Dynasty and the Republican Period (1644-Present)
    Korean Religions
    Recent Developments
    Summary
    7. Japanese Traditions
    Overview
    Foundations
    Pivotal Developments
    New Emphases
    Continuities
    Global and Domestic Trends
    Recent Developments
    Summary
    8. Current Issues in Eastern Traditions
    Religion and Politics
    Bioethics
    The Environment
    Gender and Sexuality
    Religious Diversity
    Credits
    Index

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