Includes chapter-by-chapter opening themes and summaries, and will be accompanied by a website at www.blackwellpublishing.com/gwynne
Trade Review
"An exciting and intriguing approach, taking central categories in religion and indicating how they show up in different religions pragmatically ... the table of contents inspired me to dive right in and read." Dr Darren J. N. Middleton, Texas Christian University
"This is an impressive accomplishment that presents a moving and engaging encounter with the religious traditions of the world." Kim Paffenroth, Iona College, USA
"A very efficient, dynamic and useful tool in an approach to the five major religions of the world." Alexandria Egler, St Francis College, USA
“In an age when religion is increasingly in the news, but often for all the wrong reasons, the need for a balanced, sympathetic and objective educational tool has never been greater. Paul Gwynne has provided an accessible introduction to religion. His approach is refreshingly obvious: it is through the understanding of what people are doing that we discover what they are thinking. Practices reveal belief; religions are as religions do.” Douglas Pratt, University of Waikato, New Zealand
"A thoughtful and accessible approach to the religions from a phenomenological point of view. The book promotes the desirable end of understanding and sympathy between religious practitioners, and is an attractive choice as an introductory textbook." George Sumner, University of Toronto
“A carefully crafted and comparative approach to major religions, often serving to separate human populations, as templates of how humankind in so many varied places has had such similar needs, desires and hope. Gwynne's book represents a very creative turn in this field.” Dr Majorie M Snipes, University of West Georgia
“This book treats the great traditions with a vividness and immediacy which have seldom if ever been equalled. Instead of placing the main emphasis on doctrines, beliefs and their claims to truth, Paul Gwynne selects those aspects of life where religions become practical and guides us an appreciation of each which is aesthetically pleasing as well as providing useful information. Surely one of the best ways to come to know a faith tradition different from one’s own is to live among its adherents. Reading this book is the next best thing. It should prove invaluable for educators and students as well as interested laypeople in a variety of professions.” John D’Arcy May, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin
Table of Contents
List of Boxes and Tables x
List of Figures xii
Note on Scriptural References xiv
Acknowledgements xv
Introduction 1
Part 1 Beyond Time and Space 25
1 IMAGE 27
The Second Commandment (Judaism) 28
Shirk (Islam) 32
Incarnate Son (Christianity) 37
Murti (Hinduism) 42
The Three Bodies (Buddhism) 46
Summary 50
2 BOOK 56
Shruti and Smriti (Hinduism) 57
The Three Baskets (Buddhism) 61
New Testament (Christianity) 65
Tanach (Judaism) 70
Qur’an (Islam) 74
Summary 79
Part II Within Time and Space 85
3 ETHICS 87
Dharma (Hinduism 88
Pancasila (Buddhism) 92
The Ten Words (Judaism) 96
A New Commandment (Christianity) 100
The Greater Jihad (Islam) 104
Summary 109
4 BIRTH 114
Baptism (Christianity) 115
B’rit Milah (Judaism) 119
Aqiqah (Islam) 124
Birth Samskaras (Hinduism) 127
The Buddhist Exception (Buddhism) 131
Summary 134
5 DEATH 140
The Wheel of Rebirth (Buddhism) 141
The Last Sacrifice (Hinduism) 145
Resurrection of the Body (Judaism) 149
Salat al-Jenazah (Islam) 154
First Fruits (Christianity) 159
Summary 164
6 MARRIAGE 172
Nikah (Islam) 173
Under the Huppah (Judaism) 177
Householder and Forest-Dweller (Hinduism) 182
Bride of Christ (Christianity) 187
The Renunciation (Buddhism) 193
Summary 196
7 FOOD 204
Ahimsa and Samadhi (Buddhism) 205
Blessed Leftovers (Hinduism) 209
Bread and Wine (Christianity) 214
Kosher (Judaism) 218
Halal (Islam) 222
Summary 226
8 CLOTHING 233
The Veil of Modesty (Islam) 234
Kippah, Tefillin, and Tallit (Judaism) 238
The Thread and the Mark (Hinduism) 244
Vestments and Habits (Christianity) 248
The Three Robes (Buddhism) 253
Summary 256
Part III time and Space 261
9 DAY 263
Uposatha (Buddhism) 264
Tithi (Hinduism) 266
Sabbath (Judaism) 270
The Lord’s Day (Christianity) 275
Salat (Islam) 279
Summary 282
10 YEAR 288
Four Seasons (Christianity) 289
Full Moons and Monsoons (Buddhism) 295
Day of Brahma (Hinduism) 299
Harvests, History, and High Holy Days (Judaism) 305
Lunar Year (Islam) 311
Summary 316
11 BUILDING 321
Mosque (Islam) 322
Synagogue (Judaism) 327
Church (Christianity) 330
Mandir (Hinduism) 334
Temple Complex (Buddhism) 338
Summary 342
12 JOURNEY 349
The Sacred Ford (Hinduism) 350
Traces of Tathagata (Buddhism) 355
The Quest of the Magi (Christianity) 360
Aliyah (Judaism) 365
Hajj (Islam) 369
Summary 374
Conclusion 380
Glossary 385
Select Bibliography 402
Index 410
