Anthology of World Scriptures [Paperback]

With ANTHOLOGY OF WORLD SCRIPTURES, 9th Edition you will encounter the most notable and instructive sacred texts from major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. You'll also examine scriptures from new religious movements including Baha'i, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Christian Science Church, and the Unification Church. You'll study scriptural readings in context, see how each religion is actually practiced today, as well as be introduced to its history, teachings, organization, ethics, and rituals. To help you understand the readings, you'll find introductions, study questions, glossaries, extensive footnotes explaining more challenging parts of the readings, scriptural charts, and suggestions for further reading. This is the best anthology I have found, which is why I use it every year. This is a concise, well-written introduction to the major world religions' basic concepts and texts. 1. SCRIPTURE AMONG THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS. A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship. The Definition of Scripture. The Uses of Scripture. Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Religions through Their Scriptures. World Scriptures and Modern Scholarship. Scriptures and the World Wide Web. The Plan of This Book. Suggestions on How to Read Scriptures. Glossary. Questions for Study and Discussion. 2. HINDUISM. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use. Historical Origin and Development. TEACHING. Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72). Two Philosophical Views of Creation (Rig-Veda 10.129; Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1-7). The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12). Rudra and Shiva (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.1-13). That You Are (Chandogya Upanishad 6.1-2, 9-11). Hindu Rejection of Buddhism and Jainism (Vishnu Purana 3.18). ETHICS. Sin and Forgiveness (Rig-Veda 7.86). The Three Da's (Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 5.2). The Way of Knowledge (MundakalB