About the Book
This anthology of scriptures from the world's 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 Baha'i faith, and indigenous religions of the West.
Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1 - HINDUISM Introduction Vedas Creation of the universe Origin of the gods Indra, the paradigmatic warrior Prayer to Agni, the god of fire Burning dead bodies The beneficial effects of drinking soma Sex and the Yogin A clever woman The horse sacrifice To the fire altar What is the origin of the world? Vedanta: the Upanishads and their Commentaries Yama's instructions to Naciketas Sacrifices cannot lead to the ultimate goal Instructions on renouncing the world Self-effort and Liberation Maya That is you Qualified non-dualism: Ramanuja's interpretation Yoga The meaning of Yoga Yogic Techniques Yogic Attainments Puranas and Epics The Four Ages The lingam of Shiva Rama, a God among Humans The Bhagavad-Gita: Arjuna's refusal to Fight Devotional literature Praise of the goddess Prayer for identity with the goddess Mirabhai's mystical marriage to Krishna Cheating on her husband Treatises on Dharma Actions and their results The four stages of life Leaving home life Duties of the four social classes How Women should live Manu's instructions on finding the right mate Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 2 - JAINISM Introduction Jaina scriptures Mahavira, the ascetic paradigm Women cannot attain Liberation Women can attain Liberation Bondage and Liberation The worthlessness of possessions, friends, and relatives The importance of equanimity The world is full of suffering Fasting unto Death There is no creator God Excerpts from the Sutra on understanding the meaning of the categories Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 3 - BUDDHISM Introduction Pali Canon The life of the Buddha The first sermon The Buddha's good qualities Criteria for assessing valid teachings and teachers Nirvana Dependent arising Questions that should be avoided Selflessness Instructions on meditation Ordination of Women The cessation of suffering My teacher The joy of release The Buddha's last days and final instructions The questions of King Milinda Mahayana scriptures The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra Excerpts from the diamond Sutra Why bodhisattvas are superior to hearers On the differences between Men and Women The lotus Sutra: parable of the burning house Everything is controlled by the mind The basic Consciousness Nagarjuna on Emptiness The Bodhisattva's vows of Universal Love Ultimate reality Tantric skills in means The stage of completion Women should be honored Samsara and nirvana are one Using desire to eradicate desire The state of pure awareness The importance of the guru Tibetan Buddhist scriptures Ultimate reality Bardo, the state between lives Milarepa on Meditation Niguma on Mahamudra Instructions from Manjushri The triple appearance Developing the mind of Enlightenment Chinese and Japanese Buddhist scriptures Why Buddhism is superior to Taoism and Confucianism The platform Sutra of the sixth patriarch Kukai: exoteric and esoteric Buddhism Dogen's meditation instructions The mu koan Pure land: Shinran on Amida's vow Truth decay: Nichiren on the title of the lotus Sutra Glossary, Further Reading CHAPTER 4 - SIKHISM Introduction Sikh scriptures Nanak, the first guru Guru Nanak's Death The mul mantra: the basic statement Jap: the meditation The divine name Meditation on the name Nudity does not make one a saint Books and learning are of no use External observances are of no use On Hukam On Haumai The true guru The ecstasy of mystical union Guidelines for a happy marriage Formation of the Khalsa Justification for use of force God, the sword supreme Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 5 - CONFUCIANISM History of Confucianism Confucian Scriptures Selections from Confucian Scriptures Sima 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 Readings CHAPTER 6 - DAOISM History of Daoism Daoist Scriptures Selections from Daoist Scriptures A 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 Readings CHAPTER 7 - SHINTO Introduction Shinto Scriptures Birth of the Kami of sun and moon The birth of great Kami The creation of Japan Izanagi visits Izanami in the netherworld Ameterasu hides in a cave The Shrine at Ise Why Japan is special Protecting the stability of the country Prince Shotoku's proclamation on veneration of kami Festival of the gates Prayer to Ameterasu during the festival of the sixth month Prayer for moving the shrine of Ise Mount Fuji Glossary, Further Readings CHAPTER 8 - INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS OF THE EAST: AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL RELIGION Introduction Australian Aboriginal Myths The First Death How Fire Became Widely Available The Rainbow Serpent Division of Labor between the Sexes Glossary, Further Readings
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 University's 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.
