Synopses & Reviews
This anthology of scriptures from the worlds living religions offers selections that vary in length from a few paragraphs to 10 pages, accompanied by brief introductions that discuss the nature and scope of scripture within each religion as well as the history of each scripture presented. The anthology is also available in two volumes: Scriptures of The East contains sacred writings of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and indigenous religions of the East; Scriptures of The West contains sacred writings of Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Bahai faith, and indigenous religions of the West.
About the Author
James Fieser is an Assistant Professor of philosophy at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He received his Ph.D. from Purdue Universitys Department of Philosophy (1983, 1986). He has published articles on the topics of the philosophy of religion, rights theory, environmental ethics, moral skepticism, David Hume, and Thomas Aquinas. He has created several World Wide Web sites in philosophy, including the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 - HINDUISMIntroductionVedasCreation of the universeOrigin of the godsIndra, the paradigmatic warriorPrayer to Agni, the god of fireBurning dead bodiesThe beneficial effects of drinking somaSex and the YoginA clever womanThe horse sacrificeTo the fire altarWhat is the origin of the world?Vedanta: the Upanishads and their CommentariesYama's instructions to NaciketasSacrifices cannot lead to the ultimate goalInstructions on renouncing the worldSelf-effort and LiberationMayaThat is youQualified non-dualism: Ramanuja's interpretationYogaThe meaning of YogaYogic TechniquesYogic AttainmentsPuranas and EpicsThe Four AgesThe lingam of ShivaRama, a God among HumansThe Bhagavad-Gita: Arjuna's refusal to FightDevotional literaturePraise of the goddessPrayer for identity with the goddessMirabhai's mystical marriage to KrishnaCheating on her husbandTreatises on DharmaActions and their resultsThe four stages of lifeLeaving home lifeDuties of the four social classesHow Women should liveManu's instructions on finding the right mateGlossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 2 - JAINISMIntroductionJaina scripturesMahavira, the ascetic paradigmWomen cannot attain LiberationWomen can attain LiberationBondage and LiberationThe worthlessness of possessions, friends, and relativesThe importance of equanimityThe world is full of sufferingFasting unto DeathThere is no creator GodExcerpts from the Sutra on understanding the meaning of the categoriesGlossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 3 - BUDDHISMIntroductionPali CanonThe life of the BuddhaThe first sermonThe Buddha's good qualitiesCriteria for assessing valid teachings and teachersNirvanaDependent arisingQuestions that should be avoidedSelflessnessInstructions on meditationOrdination of WomenThe cessation of sufferingMy teacherThe joy of releaseThe Buddha's last days and final instructionsThe questions of King MilindaMahayana scripturesThe Heart of Perfect Wisdom SutraExcerpts from the diamond SutraWhy bodhisattvas are superior to hearersOn the differences between Men and WomenThe lotus Sutra: parable of the burning houseEverything is controlled by the mindThe basic ConsciousnessNagarjuna on EmptinessThe Bodhisattva's vows of Universal LoveUltimate realityTantric skills in meansThe stage of completionWomen should be honoredSamsara and nirvana are oneUsing desire to eradicate desireThe state of pure awarenessThe importance of the guruTibetan Buddhist scripturesUltimate realityBardo, the state between livesMilarepa on MeditationNiguma on MahamudraInstructions from ManjushriThe triple appearanceDeveloping the mind of EnlightenmentChinese and Japanese Buddhist scripturesWhy Buddhism is superior to Taoism and ConfucianismThe platform Sutra of the sixth patriarchKukai: exoteric and esoteric BuddhismDogen's meditation instructionsThe mu koanPure land: Shinran on Amida's vowTruth decay: Nichiren on the title of the lotus SutraGlossary, Further ReadingCHAPTER 4 - SIKHISMIntroductionSikh scripturesNanak, the first guruGuru Nanak's DeathThe mul mantra: the basic statementJap: the meditationThe divine nameMeditation on the nameNudity does not make one a saintBooks and learning are of no useExternal observances are of no useOn HukamOn HaumaiThe true guruThe ecstasy of mystical unionGuidelines for a happy marriageFormation of the KhalsaJustification for use of forceGod, the sword supremeGlossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 5 - CONFUCIANISMIntroductionConfucian ScripturesSima Qian's Account of Confucius's Life [Shiji selections]The Book of History [Shujing selections]Confucius: Selections from the Analects [Lunyu selections]The Great Learning [Daxue]The Doctrine of the Mean [Zongyong]The Life of Mencius [Shiji selections]Selections from the Mencius [Mangzi selections]Xanzi: The Nature of Human Beings is Evil [Xunzi, III.150-151]Yang Xiong: Human Nature is a Mixture of Good and Evil [Fu yan 3.1a-b]Han Yu: Attack on Buddhism and Taoism [Changli Xiansheng wenji, 39.2b-42]Zhou Dunyo: The Great Ultimate [Taiji Tushuo, ch. 1]Zhu Xi: Nature and Humanity [Zhuziwenji selections]Wang Yangming: The Meaning of the Great Learning [Inquiry on the Great Learning, ch. 1]Glossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 6 - DAOISMIntroductionDaoist ScripturesA Brief Account of Laozi's Life [Shiji, p. 63.2142]Laozi Instructs Confucius [Shiji, p. 63.2139]Laozi Converts Barbarians [Huahujing, p. 1266b]Laozi Becomes an Immortal [Xishengjing selections]Laozi: The Daodejing [Daodejing selections]Wang Bi: Commentary on the Daodejing [Laozi 1.1.1a]Visualizing the Dao [Laozi Daodejing xuzhai]The Dao of Immortality [Laozi Daodejing xuzhai]Purity and Tranquility [Qingjingjing]Zhuangzi's Life and Work [Shiji 63.2144]The Dao is in Everything [Zhuangzi, ch. 22]The Value of Knowing Dao [Zhuangzi, ch. 17]The Pitfalls of Words and Concepts [Zhuangzi, ch. 2]The Value of Unlearning [Zhuangzi zhu 8.39a]The Sage is Godlike [Zhuangzi, ch. 2]Dreams and Reality [Zhuangzi, ch. 2]Worldly Fame is Like a Dead Rat [Zhuangzi, ch. 17]Simplicity and Naturalness [Zhuangzi, ch. 2]The True Man [Zhuangzi, ch. 6]What the Sage Knows [Zhuangzi, ch. 17]A Person Without Feelings [Zhuangzi, ch. 5]An Old Useless Tre [Zhuangzi, ch. 4]Dragging His Tail in the Mud [Zhuangzi, ch. 17]Zhuangzi's Wife Died [Zhuangzi, ch. 18]The Lady of Great Mystery [Biographies of Spirit Immortals, "The Lady of Great Mystery"]Sun Bu'er: Immortality Practices for Women [Cultivating the Elixir; from Immortal Sisters]Sexual Techniques for Men [Yufang Bizhui, "Sexual Instruction of the Master of Pure Harmony," 636]Sexual Techniques for Women [Yufang Bizhui 635]The Great Man [Darenxian heng, ch. 1]The Value of Drunkenness [Jiu desong 47]Transcending the World [Zhuang]The Music of Dao [Xishengjing selections]Glossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 7 - SHINTOIntroductionShinto ScripturesBirth of the Kami of sun and moonThe birth of great KamiThe creation of JapanIzanagi visits Izanami in the netherworldAmeterasu hides in a caveThe Shrine at IseWhy Japan is specialProtecting the stability of the countryPrince Shotoku's proclamation on veneration of kamiFestival of the gatesPrayer to Ameterasu during the festival of the sixth monthPrayer for moving the shrine of IseMount FujiGlossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 8 - INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS OF THE EAST: AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL RELIGIONIntroductionAustralian Aboriginal MythsThe First DeathHow Fire Became Widely AvailableThe Rainbow SerpentDivision of Labor between the SexesGlossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 9 - ZOROASTRIANISMIntroductionThe AvestaZoroastrian CreedDualismRemoval of Hair and NailsRemoval of the DeadThe Daily PrayerPahlavi WritingsThe Chinvat Bridge, Heaven and HellCreation and the MillenniaLife of ZarathushtraComing of SaoshyantResurrection of the Dead, Final JudgmentSix Ritual ObligationsVirtues and Social ObligationZurvan WritingsZurvan and his Twin SonsGlossary, Further ReadingsCHAPTER 10 - JUDAISMIntroductionBooks of MosesCreation: Genesis 1:1-2:3Covenant with Noah: Genesis 9:1-17Covenant with Abraham: Genesis 17:1-22