Asian Religions - A Cultural Perspective

Informationen zum Autor Randall L. Nadeau is Jennie Farris Railey King Professor of Religion at Trinity University. He has served on the board of the Society for the Study of Chinese Religion, and as chair of the Chinese Religions Group of the American Academy of Religion. He is the editor of The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Chinese Religions (Wiley Blackwell, 2012); author of Confucianism and Taoism, a volume in Introduction to the World's Major Religions (2009), a six-volume reference work; and numerous published articles on Buddhism, religions of China and Japan, and theory and method in the study of religion. Klappentext This lively introduction offers a complete overview of the main Asian religions, their traditions and contemporary relevance, and how they are lived and practiced today.* Provides readers with an all-embracing introduction to Asian religions, covering each of the main traditions in a style that is lively and distinctive* Focuses on Asian religions as lived and practiced by real people, leading readers to a deeper understanding of Asian spiritualities and traditions, and their contemporary relevance* Uses exercises, activities, and an appealing mixture of examples, such as novels, throughout the book, to both inform and engage readers* Employs a comparative approach, highlighting the contrasts between Asian and Western modes of thinking and living* Debates the influence of religion on real-world issues including work, economic growth, the environment, human rights, and gender relations* Written by an acclaimed scholar in this field, who is able to draw on his remarkable knowledge across all relevant religious traditions Zusammenfassung This lively introduction offers a complete overview of the main Asian religions, their traditions and contemporary relevance, and how they are lived and practiced today. It provides readers with an all-embracing introduction to Asian religions, covering each of the main traditions in a style that is lively and distinctive. Inhaltsverzeichnis List of Figures vii Preface ix Part I Introductory Material 1 1 Religion 3 2 Language 11 Part II The Confucian Tradition 19 3 Defining "Religion": The Confucian Response 21 4 The Religious Dimensions of Confucianism 28 5 The Self as a Center of Relationships 36 6 Learning to Be Human 44 7 The Lasting Influence of Confucianism in Modern East Asia 51 Part III The Taoist Tradition 59 8 What Is Taoism? 61 9 Philosophical Taoism 68 10 Temporal Dimensions of Yin-Yang Cosmology 76 11 Spatial Dimensions of Yin-Yang Cosmology 82 12 Personal Dimensions of Yin-Yang Cosmology 90 13 Taoism as a Global Religious Phenomenon 96 Part IV The Hindu Tradition 103 14 What Is Hinduism? 105 15 Karma-marga 111 16 Jn¿na-marga 117 17 Bhakti-marga 123 18 Hinduism in the Modern World 133 Part V The Therav¿da Buddhist Tradition 139 19 Buddhism and the Buddha 141 20 Suffering and Its Causes 149 21 Buddhist Ethics 156 22 The Fruits of Meditation 164 23 Monastic Practice 171 Part VI The Mah¿y¿na Buddhist Tradition 179 24 Faith 181 25 Principles of Zen Buddhism 189 26 Buddhism as a Global Religion 199 Part VII Japanese Religions 207 27 Japanese Religion and Culture 209 28 Shrine Shint¿: Dimensions of Sacred Time and Space in Japan 218 29 Dimensions of Religion in Modern Japan 227 Part VIII Conclusions 237 30 "Religion" and the Religions 239 Appendix: Suggestions for Further Reading 246 Glossary 255 Index 260 ...

List of contents

List of Figures vii
 
Preface ix
 
Part I Introductory Material 1
 
1 Religion 3
 
2 Language 11
 
Part II The Confucian Tradition 19
 
3 Defining "Religion": The Confucian Response 21
 
4 The Religious Dimensions of Confucianism 28
 
5 The Self as a Center of Relationships 36
 
6 Learning to Be Human 44
 
7 The Lasting Influence of Confucianism in Modern East Asia 51
 
Part III The Taoist Tradition 59
 
8 What Is Taoism? 61
 
9 Philosophical Taoism 68
 
10 Temporal Dimensions of Yin-Yang Cosmology 76
 
11 Spatial Dimensions of Yin-Yang Cosmology 82
 
12 Personal Dimensions of Yin-Yang Cosmology 90
 
13 Taoism as a Global Religious Phenomenon 96
 
Part IV The Hindu Tradition 103
 
14 What Is Hinduism? 105
 
15 Karma-marga 111
 
16 Jñâna-marga 117
 
17 Bhakti-marga 123
 
18 Hinduism in the Modern World 133
 
Part V The Theravâda Buddhist Tradition 139
 
19 Buddhism and the Buddha 141
 
20 Suffering and Its Causes 149
 
21 Buddhist Ethics 156
 
22 The Fruits of Meditation 164
 
23 Monastic Practice 171
 
Part VI The Mahâyâna Buddhist Tradition 179
 
24 Faith 181
 
25 Principles of Zen Buddhism 189
 
26 Buddhism as a Global Religion 199
 
Part VII Japanese Religions 207
 
27 Japanese Religion and Culture 209
 
28 Shrine Shintô: Dimensions of Sacred Time and Space in Japan 218
 
29 Dimensions of Religion in Modern Japan 227
 
Part VIII Conclusions 237
 
30 "Religion" and the Religions 239
 
Appendix: Suggestions for Further Reading 246
 
Glossary 255
 
Index 260

Report

"A unique introduction to Asian religions, combining the scholarly rigor of an established historian of Asian religions with the willingness to engage empathetically with the traditions and to suggest that readers do the same."
--Joseph A. Adler, Kenyon College
 
"Randall L. Nadeau has accomplished what only a few have tried, but which has been much needed in the study of religions. He has written a genuinely novel approach to the religions of Asia. . . This is a work that should find its way into Asian humanities, history, religion, and civilization courses."
--Ronnie Littlejohn, Belmont University
"Comprehensive, historical, and comparative, with a clear and thoughtful focus on East Asia. The author's central interest is China, but he adds Theravada Buddhism and Japan's religions to complete the total picture. A good book for undergraduate students of Asian religions."
--Jim Kodera, Wellesley College

Product details

• Authors: Randall Nadeau, Randall L Nadeau, Randall L. Nadeau, Randall L. (Trinity University Nadeau, Rl Nadeau
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 03.01.2014
• EAN: 9781118471968
• ISBN: 978-1-118-47196-8
• No. of pages: 288
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Other religions; Religion, Vergleichende Religionswissenschaft, Religion & Theology, Religion u. Theologie, Comparative & World Religions