Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions (2 Volume Set)

Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions is the first reference work to offer a comprehensive portrait of love in the context of the classic and contemporary literature of Judaism Christianity Islam Buddhism and Hinduism as well as other cultures and philosophies. Like no volume published to date it reveals the full richness of religious teachings on love in all its many forms exploring an extensive range of topics that offer philosophical psychological and religious perspectives to guide the quest for the meaning of love. Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions features approximately 300 subject entries as well as insightful biographic sketches of preeminent thinkers all written by a multidisciplinary team of some of the foremost scholars on the subject. Entries examine both general and culture-specific interpretations of love: not just the dichotomy of spiritual and physical love but the full emotional spectrum of love in relationships and practices. Collectively they encompass loves integraland sometimes conflictingrole in shaping beliefs and behavior in a vastly diverse world.