East Asian religions and spiritual beliefs Books

Book SynopsisThe Baha''i faith is one of the world''s youngest and fastest growing religions, but remains a mystery to many. In The Baha''i Faith in America, William Garlington presents an engaging and accessible overview of the Baha''i beliefs, laws, and organizational structure from its 19th century beginnings to the present day. Garlington focuses on the historical development of the Baha''i faith in the United States, analyzing the growth of the church and the involvement of the Baha''i faith in critical moments in US history, such as the Civil Rights Movement. William Garlington also takes a close look at contemporary issues facing the community, including the role of women in leadership, attitudes towards homosexuality and abortion, and how the Baha''i faith responds to other religions in America. The Baha''i Faith in America reveals a dynamic and idealistic faith that is attempting to model a worldwide religious community that is compatible with the ongoing process of globalization.Trade ReviewA splendid introduction to Baha'i's place in the American religious landscape. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *A scholar of history and religion in the US and Australia, Garlington presents historical, doctrinal, and organizational information about the religion's presence in America. He begins by introducing Baha'i in general, its origins and history, beliefs and principles, community life, and administrative order. Then he traces its manifestation in America in three phases from 1892 to 2000, and discusses current priorities and issues and anti-Baha'i polemic and Baha'i responses to it. * Reference and Research Book News *Garlington, a former member of the Baha'i religious community and former history and religion teacher, accurately explains the progressive Baha'i theological and social teachings and helpfully analyzes anti-Baha'i polemic. * Library Journal *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword by Jeffrey J. Kripal Chapter 2 Introduction Part 3 Introduction to the Baha'i Faith Chapter 4 Origins and Historical Development Chapter 5 Beliefs and Principles Chapter 6 Aspects of Baha'i Community Life Chapter 7 The Baha'i Administrative Order Part 8 The Baha'i Faith in America Chapter 9 Phase I (1892-1921) Chapter 10 Phase II (1922-1957) Chapter 11 Phase III (1958-2000) Chapter 12 Priorities and Issues in the Modern American Baha'i Community Chapter 13 Anti-Baha'i Polemic and Baha'i Responses Chapter 14 Conclusion Chapter 15 Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWith its complex nature and many forms and practices, Hinduism is one of the world''s most elusive religions for outsiders to understand. In Essential Hinduism, expert Steven Rosen aims to make the facets of this faith clear. Essential Hinduism explores this rich tradition through its history, literature, arts, and people. This straightforward overview focuses primarily on monotheistic Vaishnavism, the most common form of Hinduism. Beginning with chapters about the foundations of Hinduism, Steven Rosen clearly lays out the religion''s otherwise complicated history. Providing Hindu terms alongside English translations, he illuminates the basics of the faith for readers unacquainted with its varieties and tenets and examines commonly held misconceptions. Chapters about practices, including festivals, teachings, chanting, eating habits, and more, bring Hinduism to life in vivid detail.Trade ReviewRosen (Introduction to the World's Major Religions) is the ideal author to unravel the mystery of this diverse and complex faith. As editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies, he is especially qualified in his highlighting of Vaishnavism, the most popular form of Hinduism, throughout. The book is made up of 13 chapters and is divided into two conceptual parts: 'The Basis,' which focuses on Hinduism's history and holy texts, and 'The Practice,' which discusses philosophical ideas and specific practices such as vegetarianism, meditation, and worship. Hindu terms appear alongside English translations. * Library Journal *Rosen, a frequent writer about Hinduism, sets out the fundamentals of the religion, focusing on the tradition of Vaishnavism, with which about two-thirds of Hindus worldwide identify themselves. He considers such aspects as the one and the many, dharma, the Vedas, underlying metaphysics, festivals and holidays, and sonic theology. * Reference and Research Book News *This sophisticated but readable book covers just about everything there is to know about Hinduism. The history of India, the caste system, sacred texts, deity worship, and much more is thoroughly and reverently discussed. * VOYA *Rosen provides a clear, concise introduction to Vaishnavism, the forms of Hinduism adhered to by the approximately two-thirds of 'Hindus' who acknowledge Vishnu as the supreme deity. . . . Highly recommended. * CHOICE *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Antecedents: Everything Comes from Something Chapter 3 Hinduism: The One and the Many Chapter 4 Dharma and the Hindu Social System Chapter 5 What Are the Vedas? Chapter 6 Epic Hinduism Chapter 7 The Bhagavad-Gita and the Life of Lord Krishna Chapter 8 The Puranas and the Bagavata Chapter 9 Vaishnavism and the Practice of Hinduism Chapter 10 Underlying Metaphysics Chapter 11 The Yoga of Eating Chapter 12 Idols, Deities, Worship, and Temples Chapter 13 Festivals and Holidays Chapter 14 Sonic Theology Chapter 15 Conclusion

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewJose Nieto's latest book is an ambitious attempt to survey the concepts of religious experience and mysticism in thinkers as seemingly disparate as Confucius and Alfred Lord Tennyson. -- David A. Salomon, Sixteenth Century JournalJose Nieto's latest book is an ambitious attempt to survey the concepts of religious experience and mysticism in thinkers as seemingly disparate as Confucius and Alfred Lord Tennyson. -- David A. Salomon, Sixteenth Century Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewJose Nieto's latest book is an ambitious attempt to survey the concepts of religious experience and mysticism in thinkers as seemingly disparate as Confucius and Alfred Lord Tennyson. -- David A. Salomon, Sixteenth Century JournalJose Nieto's latest book is an ambitious attempt to survey the concepts of religious experience and mysticism in thinkers as seemingly disparate as Confucius and Alfred Lord Tennyson. -- David A. Salomon, Sixteenth Century Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review...an impressive volume of the articles written by young Christian scholars...highly readable... -- Young-Chan Ro, George Mason University...an impressive volume of the articles written by young Christian scholars...highly readable... -- Young-Chan Ro, George Mason University

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Book SynopsisTrade Review...an impressive volume of the articles written by young Christian scholars...highly readable... -- Young-Chan Ro, George Mason University...an impressive volume of the articles written by young Christian scholars...highly readable... -- Young-Chan Ro, George Mason University

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Book SynopsisIslam and Conflict Resolution investigates and analyzes those aspects of Islam that deal with international law and peaceful resolution of conflict in an attempt to bridge the gap between the Western and Islamic worlds. The authors seek to expose the common ground that exists between the beliefs of Islam and those of the Judeo-Christian religions that influence action in the modern world. Most importantly, they seek to clarify the Muslim belief that conflict is not permanent or unavoidable, pointing out that Islam offers many recommendations for reducing conflict at various levels of personal and interstate relations. The book encourages an intellectual effort on both sides for education that will lead to a definite understanding of each other''s world so as to lead to fair treatment in policymaking and journalism as well as an end to hostility between the Muslim and Judeo-Christian worlds.Trade Review. . . this work is a competent introduction to Islamic ideas about conflict for readers with little background in Islam. * MESA Bulletin *Fully aware of the images of cruelty and militancy projected on Islam in the West, the authors of this brief but surprisingly full book explain what Islam has actually taught about conflict, and where Islamic law provides resources for resolving it. * Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations *. . . this work is a competent introduction to Islamic ideas about conflict for readers with little background in Islam. * MESA Bulletin *Table of Contentschapter 1 Preface chapter 2 Introduction chapter 3 The Islamic Paradigm chapter 4 The General Nature and Development of Islamic Law chapter 5 International Islamic Law (siyar) chapter 6 Modern Islamic Thinkers: The Role of Jihad and Siyar in International Affairs chapter 7 Conclusions for the West: Identify Common Vehicles chapter 8 Appendices chapter 9 Glossary chapter 10 Bibliography chapter 11 Index chapter 12 About the Authors

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Book SynopsisThe Psycho-Ethical Aspects of Abhidhamma brings the essence of Buddhist psychology, called Abhidhamma, to the Western world using the related portions of the Pali Buddhist literature. Rina Sircar utilizes parables, stories, and concepts that are current to Western thought to emphasize and clarify the understanding of the value and efficacy of the Buddha''s teaching as an introduction to those interested in Abhidhamma. He presents concepts related to the main ideas of Western psychology, such as personality, which relates closely to the Buddhist definition of ''self.'' Buddhism calls any static, unchanging definition of self an illusion and deception that leads to fear and pain. Rather, the self is understood as mentality and materiality that can be validated through the meditation practice on the thirty-two parts of the body that can lead to a direct experience of the self and can even heal illnesses. The author describes how this spiritual process leads to the understanding of ''Who am I?'' and ''What am I?'' Its goal is to perfect the constantly changing person into the ''arahat,'' as the wheel of existence turns into the wheel of truth, by following a path of purification and deliverance.Trade Review...this book is a good volume for Westerners interested in learning more about this part of Buddhist canon. * Tricycle: The Buddist Review *...this book is a good volume for Westerners interested in learning more about this part of Buddhist canon. * Tricycle: The Buddist Review *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Acknowledgments Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 The Major Features of Abhidhamma and Their Benefits in Daily Life Chapter 6 Abhidhamma: Comparisons and contributions to Modern Psychology Chapter 7 Personality in Abhidhamma Chapter 8 Causation and Co-relation Chapter 9 Clarification of the Buddha's Psycho-Ethical Attitude Chapter 10 The Process of Thought in Early Buddhist Schools Chapter 11 The Process of Thought in Later Buddhist Schools Chapter 12 A Comparison of Early and Later Schools of Buddhist Thought and Western Psychology Chapter 13 Summary and Conclusions Chapter 14 Appendix: Practical Abhidhamma Chapter 15 End Notes Chapter 16 Glossary of Pali Terms Chapter 17 Selected Bibliography Chapter 18 About the Author

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Book SynopsisTrade Review...a most insightful addition to the study of the Middle East, the Islamic Arabic world, the Israeli-Arab conflict and the origins of the three great religions. * Books In Brief *Nisan's 'civilizational' explanation of what happens repeatedly when Israelis, Arabs, and Americans negotiate seems far more plausible than the usual glib commentaries of political scientists and journalists whose memories rarely extend more than a year into the past. * gem *Mordechai Nisan posits four layers of human reality: religion, philosophy, culture, and war. * Middle East Journal *The book's strength - its extraordinary, brilliant, poignant, thrilling strength - is in the very personal witness of God's presence in the world. * Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith *Nisan succeeds in his attempt to help the reader become an insider to the Middle Eastern story and thus come to a deeper understanding of the present-day conflicts and problems. * Islam and Christian Relations *In this informative and intriguing book, Nisan analyzes how the drastically different evolutions of contemporary Jewish, Christian, and Muslim civilization impact on the political and strategic struggles not only in the Middle East but elsewhere across the globe....Mordechai Nisan continues to distinguish himself as one of Israel's foremost political thinkers. * Americans For A Safe Israel *...a most insightful addition to the study of the Middle East, the Islamic Arabic world, the Israeli-Arab conflict and the origins of the three great religions. * Books In Brief *Nisan's 'civilizational' explanation of what happens repeatedly when Israelis, Arabs, and Americans negotiate seems far more plausible than the usual glib commentaries of political scientists and journalists whose memories rarely extend more than a year into the past. * gem *The book's strength - its extraordinary, brilliant, poignant, thrilling strength - is in the very personal witness of God's presence in the world. * Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith *Nisan succeeds in his attempt to help the reader become an insider to the Middle Eastern story and thus come to a deeper understanding of the present-day conflicts and problems. * Islam and Christian Relations *Table of Contentschapter 1 Introduction chapter 2 Religion: The Dialectical Relationship of Judaism with Islam and its Potential Significance chapter 3 Philosophy: An Ontological and Political Inquiry into Judaism chapter 4 Christianity and Islam chapter 5 Culture: Western Travelers in the Muslim Lands of the Middle East chapter 6 War: The Islamic Assault on the West and Israel chapter 7 Conclusion chapter 8 Epilogue chapter 9 Notes chapter 10 Selected Bibliography chapter 11 Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book makes a contribution to rounding out the picture of Aum Shinrikyo, and lays the groundwork for future studies of members who stayed or joined Aum after the Tokyo subway attack. -- Catherine Wessinger, Loyola University, New Orleans * Utopian Studies *Investigates the motives of ordinary young members of the cult, who joined for religious and social reasons and were generally uninvolved in their terrorist activities: Why did they join? What were their goals and expectations? Why did they choose to stay or leave? The book also discusses the Aum phenomenon as a reflection of alienation. * Japan Quarterly *This book makes a contribution to rounding out the picture of Aum Shinrikyo, and lays the groundwork for future studies of members who stayed or joined Aum after the Tokyo subway attack. -- Catherine Wessinger, Loyola University, New Orleans * Utopian Studies *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Aum Shinrikyo and the Aum Generation Aum Shinrikyo Chapter 2 Aum's Appeal to Younger Japanese Chapter 3 The True Believers of Aum Chapter 4 The Voices of Aum Chapter 5 The Farce of the "Great Russian Salvation Tour and Ventures Elsewhere" Chapter 6 Conclusion Chapter 7 Cast of Characters Chapter 8 Time Line of Events in Aum History Chapter 9 Notes Chapter 10 Bibliography Chapter 11 Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe author's background certainly prepared him well for the multicultural approach that this type of book demands?the book undoubtedly reads like a fascinating testimony of his own investigation as a Catholic of the 'silent form of prayer' that Zen represents. -- Franca Bellarsi * Nova Religio: The Journal Of Alternative And Emergent Religions *The author's background certainly prepared him well for the multicultural approach that this type of book demands…the book undoubtedly reads like a fascinating testimony of his own investigation as a Catholic of the 'silent form of prayer' that Zen represents. -- Franca Bellarsi * Nova Religio: The Journal Of Alternative And Emergent Religions *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Head, Heart, Hurt, Hunger, Hunt, Haven Chapter 3 Space and Time Chapter 4 Hands, Heart, and Feet Chapter 5 Wabi/Sabi and Shibumi Chapter 6 The Results of Zazen Practice Chapter 7 Is Zen for Everyone? Chapter 8 Glossary Chapter 9 Select Bibliography Chapter 10 Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book is most useful as a supplmentary resource in missionary anthropology or in a course dealing with Christianity in Malaysia. Russell explores how the introduction of Christianity changed power relationships in traditional Tagal society. * Missiology: An International Review *Table of Contentschapter 1 Introduction chapter 2 Tagal Power Relationships chapter 3 The Supernatural and Power chapter 4 The Church and Power chapter 5 Bridewealth, Status, and Power chapter 6 Leadership and Power chapter 7 Social Identity and Power chapter 8 Conversion, Identity, and Power chapter 9 Bibliography chapter 10 Index

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Book SynopsisThis is an autobiographical account of Dr Bo Hi Pak's 40 year association with the founder of the Unification Movement. This personal testimony describes the motivations, behind-the-scenes activities, and inner workings of the Unification Movement.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface; Foreword Chapter 2 The Early Years Chapter 3 The Korean War Chapter 4 From the Trenches to Fort Benning Chapter 5 A Bolt Out of the Blue Chapter 6 The Challenge of Learning English Chapter 7 Encounter with the Unification Principle Chapter 8 Korea as the Chosen Nation Chapter 9 Why I Became Unificationist Chapter 10 The Path of Rev. Sun Myung Moon Chapter 11 The "Missionary" at the Washington Embassy Chapter 12 The Flames of the Holy Spirit Spread Across America Chapter 13 Waves of Persecution Chapter 14 Testimony Before the U.S. Congress Chapter 15 Appendices; Notes

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Book SynopsisMessiah: My Testimony to Rev. Sun Myung Moon is an autobiographical account of Dr. Bo Hi Pak's forty-year association with the founder of the Unification Movement.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 The Making of a Miracle: The U.S. Presidential Election Chapter 3 The Washington Times Pioneers the End of the Cold War Chapter 4 The CAUSA Movement that Shook the Kremlin Chapter 5 Twentieth-Century Crucifixion: Maneuvered into Prison Chapter 6 The Kidnapping of the Chairman of the Washington Times Chapter 7 The Unsung Hero of Soviet Liberation Chapter 8 The Summit Between Sun Myung Moon and Kim Il Sung Chapter 9 The Troubles that Came After the Death of Kim Il Sung Chapter 10 A New Start Toward the Twenty-first Century and a New Millennium of Blessing Chapter 11 Epilogue Chapter 12 Appendix: Brief Chronology of the Life of Dr. Bo Hi Pak

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Book SynopsisThrough a series of case studies of major fundamentalist missionary institutions and campaigns in China from 1930 to 1937, this work traces and clarifies the historical process of the movement and its controversy with modernism, the nature of character of the movement, its theological cores, its impact upon missionary thinking and strategies, and its influences on emerging evangelicals within Chinese churches.Trade Review...this is a well-researched resource, clearly presented. -- Henry Rowold * Missio Apostolica *Overall, Yao has connected the dots well, placing the events in a coherent, connected historical context. -- Alvyn Austin, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario * International Bulletin of Mission Research *...this is a solid monograph on a topic hertofore little considered in the mission literature. * Journal of Presbyterian History *The book provides a rare glimpse into the 'conservative' aspect of mission forces in China...readable and informative to a general missiology readership. -- Enoch Wan, Western Seminary * Evangelical Missions Quarterly *...this is a well-researched resource, clearly presented. -- Henry Rowold * Missio Apostolica *Overall, Yao has connected the dots well, placing the events in a coherent, connected historical context. -- Alvyn Austin, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario * International Bulletin of Mission Research *Kevin Xiyi Yao presents an insightful account of the Christian fundamentalist missionary movement in China during the 1920s and 1930s….Chinese church historians will appreciate this work for its clarification of a complicated historical topic. Mission scholars, religious specialists, and sociologists will also find this work a fine reference text for the comparative study of global Christian fundamentalism. * Mission Studies *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 List of Abbreviations Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 The Road to the Controversy Chapter 6 The Bible Union of China Chapter 7 The North Jiangsu Mission and the Nanjing Theological Seminary Chapter 8 The North China Theological Seminary Chapter 9 The Fundamentalists and the Church Union Movement Chapter 10 The Controversies of the 1930s Chapter 11 Conclusion Chapter 12 Bibliography Chapter 13 Index

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Book SynopsisChondogyo is a unique and indigenous religion of Korea founded in 1860 by Choe Je-u, better known as Suun, his pen name. Chondogyo means the Religion of Heavenly Way. Originally called Donghak, meaning Eastern leaning, the religious movement is regarded as one of the most important in Korean history, with a particular impact on modern Korean society and politics. Its scripture has played a foundational and essential role in the belief system of Chondogyo, containing Suun''s ideas about God, man, and the world, as well as his own religious experience. This translation represents the only complete translation of Donggyeong Daejeon with notes in English. The study of Chondogyo has been limited in the West due to its lack of circulation in Western languages. With this translation, a main part of the Chondogyo literature is available to the worldwide community of scholars and students engaged in the study of this important Korean religion. This work, therefore, makes a significant contribTrade ReviewThis work is an excellent translation of the main scripture of Chondogyo, a unique Korean religion that exerted a significant influence on the religious, social, and political dynamics of the 19th-20th century Korea…It also includes a brief history of Chondogyo, an explanation of the main concepts and terms used in this scripture, and a glossary to aid readers who are unfamiliar with religious movement. This translation is clear and lucid, and is a remarkable contribution to the understanding of the basics of Chondogyo. -- Young-Chan Ro, Chair of Religious Studies and Director of the Korean Studies Center, George Mason UniversityTable of ContentsPart 1 Preface Part 2 Chondogyo Scripture Chapter 3 On Propagating Truth (Podeok-Mun) Chapter 4 A Discussion on Learning (Nonhak-Mun) Chapter 5 On Cultivating Virture (Sudeok-Mun) Chapter 6 Not So, Yet So (Buryoen Giyeon) Chapter 7 Poems, Incantations, and Other Writings Part 8 Appendix A. Chondogyo: What Kind of Religion Is It? Part 9 Appendix B. Important Terms and Ideas of Chondogyo Part 10 Glossary

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Book SynopsisSuppose that this world is not an accident, but an expression of a divine super-mind. This book boldly contends that divine motives are guided by values that exist objectively, defending a cosmic vision that has been prominent in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years.Trade ReviewCarlo Filice’s The Purpose of Life is an intriguing book for anyone who feels the pull of philosophy as the search for wisdom, and it would be a terrific book to use near the end of an introductory course in philosophy or even in a culminating experience for undergraduate majors. . . .[A] rich resource for teaching, as well as for personal reflection. . . .[The Purpose of Life is] exciting and very useful in drawing out the critical capacities and the imaginations of students. * APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy *Filice's sweeping saga begins by assuming that the world bears inherent meaning and then works backwards to see what could make that possible. His approach is brilliant and innovative. Anyone interested in the topic of the meaning of life has strong reason to pay great attention to this account. . . . Believers in inherent cosmic meaning will relish the author's bold vision. Filice shoots the arrow of his longing heavenward and readers reap the rewards. -- Raymond Angelo Belliotti, distinguished teaching professor of philosophy, SUNY Fredonia, author of What is the Meaning of Human Life? and HappineTable of ContentsPart 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. Why? Chapter 3 2. Basic questions and basic answers Chapter 4 3. The scientific no-purpose view Chapter 5 4. The possible meaning of it all Chapter 6 5. Divine motives Chapter 7 6. Value as the key to it all Chapter 8 7. The gods must recognize value Chapter 9 8. Freedom is not arbitrariness Chapter 10 9. Worlds as entertainment value Chapter 11 10. Entertainment value leads to other forms of value Chapter 12 11. Gods, imagined worlds, and participation Chapter 13 12. Value is not merely in the eye of the beholder Chapter 14 13. The gods must affirm the value of an inner life Chapter 15 14. Feeling makes value Chapter 16 15. Feeling makes value. Part two Chapter 17 16. Feeling makes value. Part three Chapter 18 17. Can we really imagine god-beings? Chapter 19 18. Gods, longings, and action Chapter 20 19. The life of an active god Chapter 21 20. The gods as temporal beings Chapter 22 21. Imagining a god and its temporal element. Part two Chapter 23 22. Imagining a god and its temporal element. Part three Chapter 24 23. A god needs worlds Chapter 25 24. A god needs worlds. Part two Chapter 26 25. More divine imaginings: variety Chapter 27 26. More divine imaginings: surprise Chapter 28 27. A first summary: we are here because we enhance value Chapter 29 28. We are here because we enhance value. Part two Chapter 30 29. The value of products Chapter 31 30. The value of products. Part two Chapter 32 31. Real versus phony accomplishing Chapter 33 32. Agency Chapter 34 33. Agency and advanced free will Chapter 35 34. Reflection and multiple value standards Chapter 36 35. Autonomy and the role of culture Chapter 37 36. Autonomy and the sacred individual Chapter 38 37. Sacred individuals Chapter 39 38. Sacred individuals. Part two Chapter 40 39. Human sacredness and divine sacredness Chapter 41 40. Unfinished gods Chapter 42 41. Human sacredness and animal sacredness Chapter 43 42. Human sacredness and animal sacredness. Part two Chapter 44 43. Sacredness and duties of moral agents Chapter 45 44. Sacredness and institutional duties of moral agents Chapter 46 45. Sacredness and the just society Chapter 47 46. Sacredness and the just society. Part two Chapter 48 47. Sacredness and the just society. Part three Chapter 49 48. Sacredness and the just society. Part four Chapter 50 49. If value drives this world, why is it such a mixed bag? Chapter 51 50. Why a finite life? Chapter 52 51. Why a finite life? Part two Chapter 53 52. Combining finiteness and immortality Chapter 54 53. Combining finiteness and immortality. Part two Chapter 55 54. Why is this finite life so fragile and precarious? Chapter 56 55. Why is life seemingly unfair? Chapter 57 56. Why is life seemingly unfair? Part two Chapter 58 57. Is a multiple-lives scheme itself fair? Chapter 59 58. Is a multiple-lives scheme itself fair? Part two Chapter 60 59. Is a multiple-lives scheme the best one? Chapter 61 60. Child tragedies and one-life compensatory schemes Chapter 62 61. Is a multiple-lives scheme the best one? Part two Chapter 63 62. s a multiple-lives scheme the best one? Part three Chapter 64 63. Is moral accomplishment the unique human purpose? Chapter 65 64. Moral accomplishments and many lives: the multiple chances issue Chapter 66 65. Moral accomplishments and many lives: fair and genuine testing Chapter 67 66. We are here for more than moral purposes Chapter 68 67. Our uniquely human purpose Chapter 69 68. The end-game Chapter 70 69. The horrors Chapter 71 70. Massive harm to innocents caused by humans Chapter 72 71. Massive harm to innocents caused by humans. Part two Chapter 73 72. Natural massive harm to innocents Chapter 74 73. Epilogue Part 75 Selected Bibliography

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Book SynopsisLiving out of silence, out of a fully functioning, lovingly attentive mind, and not just out of thought, out of a partially functioning mind, is requisite for depth or profundity in living or relating. A fully attentive, truly silent or meditative mind sees that there is real dualism of time and the timeless and that time and the timeless each has its own unique value. The timeless, or real silence, that which alone can make for depth in one's living and relating, can be there only when, in one's awareness, time and all that is related to time have come to an end. An examination of a wide variety of statements made by writers, both past and present, shows that these understandings are seldom there in contemporary writings, just as they were not there in writings that have come down to us from the past. Living beyond the One and the Many invites readers to consider the possibility that what is presented in it can bring deep meaning to one's way of living in the world.Table of ContentsPart 1 Acknowledgments Part 2 Introduction Part 3 Part One: Traditional Monism and Dualism Chapter 4 Chapter One: Monism and Dualism in Traditional Western Thought Chapter 5 Chapter Two: Monism and Dualism in Traditional Eastern Thought Part 6 Part Two: Contemporary Monism and Dualism Chapter 7 Chapter Three: Monism and Dualism in Contemporary Monistic Relgious Thought Chapter 8 Chapter Four: Monism and Dualism in Contemporary Dualistic Religious Thought Chapter 9 Chapter Five: Monism and Dualism in Contemporary Areligious, Antireligous, and Agnostic Thought Part 10 Part Three: Transcendence of all Traditional and Contemporary Monism and Dualism Chapter 11 Chapter Six: Beyond All Monism and Dualism Chapter 12 Chapter Seven: All Forms of Monism and Dualism Involve Falseness or Inadequacy Part 13 Notes Part 14 Index Part 15 About the Author

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Book SynopsisThe first major reassessment of ancient Chinese religion to appear in recent years, this book presents the religious mentality of the period through personal and daily experiences.This book is the first major reassessment of ancient Chinese religion to appear in recent years. It provides a historical investigation of broadly shared religious beliefs and goals in ancient China from the earliest period to the end of the Han Dynasty. The author makes use of recently acquired archeological data, traditional texts, and modern scholarly work from China, Japan, and the West. The overall concern of this book is to try to reach the religious mentality of the ancient Chinese in the context of personal and daily experiences. Poo deals with such problems as the definition of religion, the popular/elite controversy in methodology, and the use of elite documents in the study of ordinary life.

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Book SynopsisLeading scholars examine religious and philosophical dimensions of the Chinese classic known as the Daodejing or Laozi.Renowned international scholars examine crucial issues surrounding the Laozi, the third century B.C.E. Chinese classic also known as the Daodejing in this indispensable volume. The work offers diverse interpretations, a wide range of scholarly traditions, and a variety of ways to engage, ponder, and evaluate the Laozi.Contributors include Robert Henricks, Zhang Longxi, Tateno Masami, Isabelle Robinet, Harold D. Roth, Bryan W. Van Norden, and Liu Xiaogan.

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Book SynopsisPresenting the commentary of the third-century sage Wang Bi, this book provides a Chinese way of reading the Daodejing, one which will surprise Western readers.Many of the brightest Chinese minds have used the form of the commentary to open the terse and poetic chapters of the Laozi to their readers and also to develop a philosophy of their own. None has been more sophisticated, philosophically probing, and influential in the endeavor than a young genius of the third century C.E., Wang Bi (226?249). In this book, Rudolf G. Wagner provides a full translation of the Laozi that extracts from Wang Bi''s Commentary the manner in which he read the text, as well as a full translation of Wang Bi''s Commentary and his essay on the subtle pointers of the Laozi. The result is a Chinese reading of the Laozi that will surprise and delight Western readers familiar with some of the many translations of the work.A Chinese Reading of the Daodejing is part of Rudolf Wagner''s trilogy on Wang Bi''s philosophy and classical studies, which also includes The Craft of a Chinese Commentator: Wang Bi on the Laozi and Language, Ontology, and Political Philosophy in China: Wang Bi''s Scholarly Exploration of the Dark (Xuanxue), both published by SUNY Press.

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Book SynopsisA reader-friendly translation of the medieval Indian text, which presents a powerful, compassionate goddess as ruler of the universe. The Devi Gita, literally the Song of the Goddess, is an Eastern spiritual classic that appeared around the fifteenth century C.E. C. Mackenzie Brown provides a reader-friendly English translation of this sacred text taken from his well-regarded previous book The Devi Gita: The Song of the Goddess, A Translation, Annotation, and Commentary. Here the translation is presented uninterrupted, without the scholarly annotations of the original version, and in its entirety for the pleasure of all readers who wish to encounter this treasure from the world's sacred literature. Often neglected, the Devi Gita deserves to be better known for its presentations of one of the great Hindu visions of the divine conceived in feminine terms. The work depicts the universe as created, pervaded, and protected by a supremely powerful, all-knowing, and wholly compassionate divine female. It also describes the various spiritual paths leading to realization of unity with the Goddess. The author of the Devi Gita intended for the work to supplant the famous teachings of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita (the Song of the Lord) from a goddess-inspired perspective.

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Book SynopsisA first-hand description of the Durga Puja, the Hinda celebration of the Great Goddess.During a nine-day period every autumn, Hindus in India and throughout the world worship the Great Goddess, Durga?the formidable deity who is loved like a mother. One of the most dramatic and popular of these celebrations is the Durga Puja, a rite noted for its visual pageantry, ritual complexity, and communal participation. In this book, Hillary Peter Rodrigues describes the Bengali style of Durga Puja practiced in the sacred city of Banaras from beginning to end. A romanization of the Sanskrit litany is included along with an English translation.In addition to the liturgical description, Rodrigues provides information on the rite''s component elements and mythic aspects. There are interpretive sections on puja, the Great Goddess, women''s roles in the ritual, and the socio-cultural functions of the ritual. Rodrigues maintains that the Durga Puja is a rite of cosmic rejuvenation, of empowerment at both the personal and social levels, and a rite that orchestrates manifestations of the feminine, both Divine and human.

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of Hindu women''s folk religion focusing on goddess worship and women''s rituals.Exploring the folk religion of India and the role of girls and women within it, author June McDaniel focuses on the brata (vrata) ritual in which moral lessons are taught and goddesses are revealed. Bratas are performed to gain such goals as a healthy family, a good husband, and a happy life. They are also performed so that the performers (bratinis) develop such virtues as devotion, humility, and compassion.This book presents data from fieldwork, along with brata stories, songs, poems, and ritual activities. It discusses Bengali folk religion, offers an example of ritual worship in folk Hinduism, and surveys a variety of bratas. The author analyzes the similarities and differences among these rituals in low-caste village life and in high-caste Hindu tradition, and notes that the development of these rituals involves a form of continuing divine revelation with women as the primary transmitters. Bratas act to maintain traditional Hindu values, but also emphasize the power of women, whose virtues can save their husbands from hell worlds and their families from disasters.

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Book SynopsisExplores the work of Guo Xiang, a Neo-Taoist thinker who developed a radical philosophy of freedom and spontaneity.The Penumbra Unbound is the first English language book-length study of the Neo-Taoist thinker Guo Xiang (d. 312 C.E.), commentator on the classic Taoist text, the Zhuangzi. The author explores Guo''s philosophy of freedom and spontaneity, explains its coherence and importance, and shows its influence on later Chinese philosophy, particularly Chan Buddhism. The implications of his thought on freedom versus determinism are also considered in comparison to several positions advanced in the history of Western philosophy, notably those of Spinoza, Kant, Schopenhauer, Fichte, and Hegel. Guo''s thought reinterprets the classical pronouncements about the Tao so that it in no way signifies any kind of metaphysical absolute underlying appearances, but rather means literally nothing. This absence of anything beyond appearances is the first premise in Guo''s development of a theory of radical freedom, one in which all phenomenal things are self-so, creating and transforming themselves without depending on any justification beyond their own temporary being.

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Book SynopsisExplores the social treatment of death in South Asian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and other traditions. Includes material on women and marginalized groups.This collection examines the social dimensions of death in South Asian religions, exploring the ritualized exchanges between the living and the dead performed by Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and other religious groups. Using ethnographic and historical tools associated with the comparative and historical study of religion, the contributors also record the voices and actions of marginalized groups-such as tribal peoples, women, and members of lower castes-who are often underrepresented in studies of South Asian deathways, which typically focus on the writings and practices of elite groups. For many religious people, death entails a journey leading to some new condition or place. As the ultimate experience of passage, it is highly ceremonial and ritualized, and those beliefs and practices associated with the moment of death itself-death-bed ceremonies, funerary rites, and rituals of mourning and of remembering-are examined here. The Living and the Dead offers historical depth, ethnographic detail, and conceptual clarity on a subject that is of immense importance in South Asian religious traditions.

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Book SynopsisExplores the religion developed by the Quanzhen Taoists, who sought to cultivate the mind not only through seated meditation, but also throughout the daily activities of life.Stephen Eskildsen''s book offers an in-depth study of the beliefs and practices of the Quanzhen (Complete Realization) School of Taoism, the predominant school of monastic Taoism in China. The Quanzhen School was founded in the latter half of the twelfth century by the eccentric holy man Wan Zhe (1113?1170), whose work was continued by his famous disciples commonly known as the Seven Realized Ones. This study draws upon surviving texts to examine the Quanzhen masters'' approaches to mental discipline, intense asceticism, cultivation of health and longevity, mystical experience, supernormal powers, death and dying, charity and evangelism, and ritual. From these primary sources, Eskildsen provides a clear understanding of the nature of Quanzhen Taoism and reveals its core emphasis to be the cultivation of clarity and purity of mind that occurs not only through seated meditation, but also throughout the daily activities of life.

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Book SynopsisExplores the religion developed by the Quanzhen Taoists, who sought to cultivate the mind not only through seated meditation, but also throughout the daily activities of life.Stephen Eskildsen''s book offers an in-depth study of the beliefs and practices of the Quanzhen (Complete Realization) School of Taoism, the predominant school of monastic Taoism in China. The Quanzhen School was founded in the latter half of the twelfth century by the eccentric holy man Wan Zhe (1113?1170), whose work was continued by his famous disciples commonly known as the Seven Realized Ones. This study draws upon surviving texts to examine the Quanzhen masters'' approaches to mental discipline, intense asceticism, cultivation of health and longevity, mystical experience, supernormal powers, death and dying, charity and evangelism, and ritual. From these primary sources, Eskildsen provides a clear understanding of the nature of Quanzhen Taoism and reveals its core emphasis to be the cultivation of clarity and purity of mind that occurs not only through seated meditation, but also throughout the daily activities of life.

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Book SynopsisProvides both a first-hand look at and an insightful analysis of a little-known world?that of female ascetics in India.Female Ascetics in Hinduism provides a vivid account of the lives of women renouncers-women who renounce the world to live ascetic spiritual lives-in India. The author approaches the study of female asceticism by focusing on features of two dharmas, two religiously defined ways of life: that of woman-as-householder and that of the ascetic, who, for various reasons, falls outside the realm of householdership. The result of fieldwork conducted in Varanasi (Benares), the book explores renouncers'' social and personal backgrounds, their institutions, and their ways of life. Offering a first-hand look at and an insightful analysis of this little-known world, this highly readable book will be indispensable to those interested in female asceticism in the Hindu tradition and women''s spiritual lives around the world.

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Book SynopsisPresents Kamadeva, the Hindu god of desire, in tales, art, and ritual. This book also covers Kamadeva's appearance in Buddhist lore.

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Book SynopsisExplores the narratives and dialogues of the Upanisads and shows that these literary elements are central to an understanding of Upanishadic philosophy.This groundbreaking book is an elegant exploration of the Upanisads, often considered the fountainhead of the rich, varied philosophical tradition in India. The Upani?ads, in addition to their philosophical content, have a number of sections that contain narratives and dialogues-a literary dimension largely ignored by the Indian philosophical tradition, as well as by modern scholars. Brian Black draws attention to these literary elements and demonstrates that they are fundamental to understanding the philosophical claims of the text.Focusing on the Upanisadic notion of the self (atman), the book is organized into four main sections that feature a lesson taught by a brahmin teacher to a brahmin student, debates between brahmins, discussions between brahmins and kings, and conversations between brahmins and women. These dialogical situations feature dramatic elements that bring attention to both the participants and the social contexts of Upanisadic philosophy, characterizing philosophy as something achieved through discussion and debate. In addition to making a number of innovative arguments, the author also guides the reader through these profound and engaging texts, offering ways of reading the Upani?ads that make them more understandable and accessible.

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Book SynopsisA translation and analysis of Guru Nanak''s description of the Sikh path to spiritual liberation.The Socially Involved Renunciate is an in-depth analysis and an original English translation of the Siddh Go??, a fundamental philosophical text of the Sikh tradition. The work reflects the distinctive worldview of Sikhism, the only major Indian religion that does not regard asceticism as a legitimate path to liberation.Composed by Guru Nanak, a medieval, north Indian saint-poet and venerated founder of the Sikh tradition, the Siddh Go?? is a dialogue between Guru Nanak and several Nath yogis who had been pursuing a rigorous path of hath-yoga as renunciates of the material world. Through their dialogue, Guru Nanak teaches the Nath yogis a spiritual path that also includes involvement in the social world and offers a practical way to achieve liberation. In The Socially Involved Renunciate, Kamala Elizabeth Nayar and Jaswinder Singh Sandhu provide background on Sikhism, highlight the ethical teachings expounded in the Siddh Go??, and demonstrate how Guru Nanak reconciles the polarities of the ascetic and householder ideals.

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Book SynopsisA study and translation of a tantric contemplative manual and the commentary on it.This book offers the first published translation of the contemplative manual Virupaksapañcasika, written circa the twelfth century CE, and the commentary on it, Vivrti by Vidyacakravartin. These late works from the Pratyabhijña tradition of monistic and tantric Kashmiri Saiva philosophy focus on means to deindividualize and disclose the primordial, divine essential natures of the human ego and body-sense.David Peter Lawrence situates these writings in their medieval, South Asian religious and intellectual contexts. He goes on to engage Pratyabhijña philosophical psychology in dialogue with Western religious and psychoanalytic conceptions of identity and narcissism, and also demonstrates the Saiva tradition''s strong concern with ethics. The richly annotated translation and glossary illuminate the texts for all readers.

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