Living Religions Eastern Traditions

Summary: Living Religions: Eastern Traditionspresents a highly readable and stimulating survey of the world's major religious traditions that have originated in the East. Exploring the historical development and teachings of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Shinto this book considers how each of these traditions has evolved into contemporary beliefs and practices. A perceptive concluding chapter... also examines the rise of new religious movements in the East, the spread of religious pluralism, and the movement toward interfaith dialogue at the beginning of the new millennium. With the help of a team of specialist consultants in each faith, and drawing on a wealth of scholarly research and firsthand source material, Mary Pat Fisher gives a fresh and challenging insight into how believers of today's faiths perceive their religion and its role in the changing world in which they live. FEATURES Color feature boxes on religious figures in public life, religion in practice, and interviews with practitioners Three color timelines and four color maps providing historical and geographical context for each religion Exploration of the contributions and concerns of women in each tradition Coverage of the socio-political context of contemporary religious practice Suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter Extensive glossary with pronunciation guide With 114 illustrations, 61 in color [read more]