The Ways of Religion: An Introduction to the Major Traditions

About this book

Revised and updated the third edition of this highly acclaimed anthology surveys all the major religious traditions--Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Taoism Judaism Christianity Islam and African religions--and also covers Zen Buddhism Shinto and the religious experience in America. Ideal for courses in world religions and comparative religion it introduces the unique claims hopes and wisdom of each tradition in its own voice through substantial excerpts from its scriptures prophets and authors. "I have tried to pay heed " Eastman writes in his Preface "to A. C. Bouquets warning of many years ago that the study of religion may sink to the level of collecting dead insects or pressed flowers which in the process lose all their color and reality. There is not much excuse for a dreary book about a subject as inherently interesting and provocative as the worlds religions." The following selections are new to the third edition: Diana L. Ecks "Frontiers of Encounter " Barbara Stoler Miller on Yoga R. K. Narayans story "Chudala " Julia Chings "Confucianism in Perspective " Thomas Merton on Chuang Tzu Joseph M. Kitagawas "The Way of the Kami " Ian Reader on Shinto Vincent Mulago on African Religions and "A Personal Note" by John Hick.