Experiencing the World's Religions

Experiencing the World's Religions provides a clear and compelling account of the world's major religious traditions. With an engaging narrative and powerful photographs from around the globe, the text conveys the vitality and richness of the world's religions. It views religion as a living cultural wellspring that not only concerns systems of belief but how those beliefs are expressed in ceremonies, food, clothing, art, architecture, pilgrimage, scripture, and music. The text goes beyond traditional approaches to personally connect students with the traditions discussed. With additional pedagogy, primary source excerpts, expanded discussion of religious controversies, and more, this fifth edition has been thoroughly updated in both content and design to provide students with a better understanding of religion and the world at large.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. Understanding Religion What Is Religion?Patterns Among Religions Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Religion Key Critical Issues Why Study the Major Religions of the World? The PilgrimageChapter 2. Indigenous ReligionsDiscovering Indigenous Religions Studying Indigenous Religions: Learning from Patterns Sacred Practices in Indigenous Religions Indigenous Religions TodayChapter 3. Hinduism The Origins of Hinduism The Upanishads and the Axis Age Living Spiritually in the Everyday World Devotional Hinduism Hinduism and the Arts Hinduism: Modern ChallengesChapter 4. BuddhismThe Beginnings of Buddhism: The Life of the Buddha The Basic Teachings of Buddhism The Influence of Indian Thought on Early Buddhist TeachingsThe Early Development of Buddhism Mahayana Buddhism: The "Big Vehicle" Vajrayana Buddhism: The "Diamond Vehicle"Buddhism and the Modern WorldChapter 5. Jainism and Sikhism Shared Origins Jainism Background Mahavira and the Origins of Jainism Worldview Jain EthicsThe Development of Jainism and Its Branches Jain Practices Jain Scriptures Jain Art and Architecture Sikhism Background Nanak and the Origins of Sikhism The Worldview and Teachings of Nanak The Development of Sikhism Sikh Scriptures Sikhism and the Modern WorldChapter 6. Daoism and Confucianism Basic Elements of Traditional Chinese Beliefs Daoism The Origins of Daoism The Basic Early Teachings Daoism and the Quest for Longevity The Development of Daoism Daoism and the Arts Daoism and the Modern World ConfucianismThe Dao in ConfucianismThe Life of ConfuciusLiving According to Confucian Values Confucian Literature The Development of Confucianism Confucianism and the ArtsConfucianism and the Modern WorldChapter 7. Shinto The Origins of Shinto The Historical Development of Shinto Essentials of Shinto Belief Shinto Religious Practice Shinto and the Arts Shinto Offshoots: The New Religions Shinto and the Modern World Chapter 8. Judaism An Overview of Jewish History The Hebrew Bible Biblical History Cultural Conflict during the Second Temple Era The Development of Rabbinical Judaism Questioning and Reform Judaism and the Modern World Jewish Belief Religious Practice Divisions within Contemporary JudaismJewish Identity and the Future of JudaismChapter 9. Christianity The Life and Teachings of JesusEarly Christian Beliefs and History The Early Spread of Christianity Influences on Christianity at the End of the Roman Empire The Eastern Orthodox Church Christianity in the Middle AgesThe Protestant Reformation The Development of Christianity Following the Protestant Reformation Christian Practice Christianity and the ArtsChristianity Faces the Modern WorldChapter 10. Islam The Life and Teachings of Muhammad Essentials of Islam The Historical Development of Islam Sufism: Islamic Mysticism Islamic Law and Philosophy Islam and the Arts Islam and the Modern WorldChapter 11. Alternative Paths Origins of New Religions Contemporary Paganism: Wicca and Druidism Religions of the Yoruba Tradition: Santería, Voodoo, CandombléTheosophy Scientology Falun Gong Cao Dai Rastafarianism Baha'i New Religious Movements: A Special Role Chapter 12. The Modern Search Modern Influences on the Future of Religion The Recurring Challenge of Change Environmentalism: A Religious Phenomenon? Eclectic Spirituality Notes Credits IndexIn each chapter: Related Readings Key Terms

About the Author :
Michael Molloyhas made the study of religion his life's work. Fascination with religion beganwith interest in the architecture of temples, mosques, churches, and shrines.Experience of ceremonies at those places led to love of religious music andart. In his early graduate work, he focused on the imagery of cloud anddarkness in mystical literature. In his doctoral work, he examined the mysticalthought of Aldous Huxley, after Huxley had been influenced by Hinduism andMahayana Buddhism. To do this, he interviewed Huxley's wife Laura, Huxley'ssister-in-law, and friends of Huxley.   Molloy received a grant from the East-West Center in Hawai`ito study there, and he received his doctorate from the University of Hawai`i.During this time, he studied in Japan with Abe Masao in Kyoto and withSobharani Basu at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi. He practiced Zenmeditation at Bushinji in Shikoku and later received a certificate from theOomoto School of Traditional Japanese Arts in Kameoka, Japan. He has written Experiencingthe World's Religions (McGraw-Hill) and The Christian Experience(Bloomsbury). Currently he is writing a memoir of his grandparents and parentsand their religious background. Molloy has taught many philosophy & religion courses,including World Religions, Asian Philosophies, Western Mysticism, Greek andRoman Philosophy, Ethics, Nietzsche, Religion and the Meaning of Existence, andIndian Philosophy. He is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Hawai`i.   To complement his academic work, he has had threeexhibitions of his paintings"Landscapes of the Mind," "LuminousDarkness," and "Renaissance." He co-directed two radio series ofinterviews with musicians, writers, and artists on KAIM-FM and Hawai`i PublicRadio. He worked on the Inari Shrine Preservation Committee to move the shrineto a new location and then to renovate it.