Ramdas Lamb

Annual Editions: World Religions 03/04

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This new Annual Editions reader provides a compilation of current articles from public press sources. These selections address the foundations of religion, alternative paths, and religion in the modern world -including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism. A student Web site, Dushkin Online (http://www.dushkin.com/online) provides a newsfeed, links to related sites, and more!

Produktdetails

• Annual Editions: World Religio
• Verlag: Dushkin Publishing
• Seitenzahl: 223
• Erscheinungstermin: August 2002
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 275mm x 206mm x 12mm
• Gewicht: 535g
• ISBN-13: 9780072548686
• ISBN-10: 0072548681
• Artikelnr.: 21375659

Autorenporträt

Associate Professor and Graduate Chair. Ph.D. 1991, University of California at Santa Barbara. Methodologies in religious studies, Mysticism, Indian Religions. Specializes in Ram Bhakti, Untouchable religions, contemporary religions and fieldwork studies in both South Asia and Hawaii. Publications include: Rapt in the Name: Ramnamis, Ramnam, and Untouchable Religion in Central India; and Personalizing the Ramayan: Ramnamis and Their Use of the Ramcaritmanas.

Inhaltsangabe

UNIT 1. Understanding Religion
Worldviews: Crosscultural Explorations of Human Beliefs, Prentice Hall,
1999
In order for students to undertake a comparative study of the religions
of the world, certain presuppositions need to be suspended, and certain
cross-cultural considerations must be made. The goal is for students to
learn a "structured empathy” that will open them to a greater
understanding of religion.
American Anthropologist, June 1956
The ritual beliefs and taboos of the Nacirema provide a fascinating
example of the difficulty in understanding others' beliefs and
practices.
McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, September 2000
Rituals, taboos, and fetishes play important roles in the way people
interact with the world around them. From the fisherman of the
Trobriand Islands to professional baseball players in America,
individuals often look to such devices to magically improve their
chances for success in life.
The Intrareligious Dialogue, Paulist Press, 1978
The author posits that, just as a good translator needs to understand a
native speaker's insight into a language, in the same way a student of
religion needs to understand a tradition from a believer's point of
view. The goal should be to learn and appreciate each tradition's
unique characteristics.
UNIT 2. Oral and Indigenous Religions
Parabola, February 1999
For Australian Aborigines, the Sun Mother is responsible for the
creation of the world by waking it at the beginning of time. She gave
it to the first woman and the first man, calling it their "Dreaming.”
Each morning she renews creation.
Spider Woman Stories: Legends of the Hopi Indians, University of Arizona
Press, 1979
In a Hopi creation myth, the original two beings were the Sun God and
the Earth Goddess. From them came all other things that exist,
including Earth.
The Brookings Register, February 21, 2002
What makes a people, a nation, distinct from all others? In the case of
the Finns, it was the Kalevala, an epic poem filled with magic, drama,
and romance.
Parabola, August 1982
Native American beliefs and practices focus largely on connectedness,
with each other and with the world around them. These connections are
created and maintained through rituals such as the smoking of a pipe or
a painting in the sand.
Parabola, February 1999
A veve is a sacred symbol of African origin that is used by the
practitioners of Haitian Vodoun. Drawn on the ground, each veve is used
as a conduit between humans and a particular spirit. They have found a
place of great importance in contemporary Vodoun.
Honolulu, November/December 1979
For traditional Hawaiians, hula is a sacred activity, its origin is in
ecstatic prayer, It uses movement and chant to communicate with
spirits, humans, and the cosmos.
UNIT 3. India: Jainism, Hinduism, and Sikhism
The World & I, October 1996
India has one of the oldest surviving cultures and religions. It has
given birth to Hinduism, Buddhism, and other traditions. Its concepts
of divinity, reality, and acceptance have been among its greatest
contributions to the world.
Lord Mahavira in the Eyes of Foreigners, New Delhi: Meena Bharati, 1975
Jainism is one of the earliest religious traditions of India. While it
has things in common with Buddhism and Hinduism, it is unique in its
emphasis on nonviolence.
Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India, Anima Books, 1985
Fundamental to the practice of Hinduism is darsan, which refers to a
visual perception of the divine—an image, a temple, a holy place, or a
saintly being. Because Hindus believe in an ever-present divinity, any
place, thing, or being can be a medium through which a perception or
vision can occur.
Hinduism Today, February 1996
Amidst the increasing violence in the contemporary world, the concept
of ahimsa, or nonviolence, is not only ethical but practical. Ahimsa
has been integral to the history and development of Hinduism, Buddhism,
and Jainism, and it is viewed by these traditions as a necessary means
to find peace.
Enduring Issues in Religion, Greenhaven Press, 1995
For Hindus, Brahman is the absolute, combining the transcendental and
phenomenal aspects of reality. It is beyond human understanding;
therefore, attempts at comprehension can only be through limited
conceptualizations.
UNIT 4. Buddhism
History Today, January 2002
For 2,500 years, the life and teachings of the Buddha have been a
source of guidance and inspiration for his followers. Although there is
an important focus on monastic life, the tradition has long found
followers from many quarters.
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Weatherhill, 1973
The goal of Zen Buddhism is not to become the best mediator; it is
about using one's imperfections and difficulties as vehicles for
finding one's true self and the essence of Zen.
Parabola, Fall 2000
In Tibetan Buddhism the role of the teacher is one of great sanctity
and power. Symbolized as a Refuge Tree, Tibetan Buddhists traditionally
see the teacher as the ultimate source of inspiration.
Inaugural Lecture for the Numata Chair at Leiden University, April 7, 1992
Although far less known in the West than Zen, the Jodoshin school is
the largest denomination of Japanese Buddhism. This article gives an
overview of its history, beliefs, and some stories of its adherents.
Religions of Japan in Practice, Princeton University Press, 1999
Japanese Buddhist institutions have had to confront the increasing
prevalence of abortion. Many have developed rituals through which
feelings surrounding abortion and miscarriages are acknowledged and
addressed.
UNIT 5. Religions of China and Japan (Non-Buddhist)
The Wilson Quarterly, Autumn 1993
Confucian ideas have maintained a place in Chinese thought and life
since Confucius preached them. During the past two decades, his
humanity and wisdom have inspired a new generation of scholars to try
to recapture something of his essence.
Tract of the Most Exalted on Action and Response, Catherine Bell,
Religions of China in Practice, Princeton University Press, 1996
Morality has long been an integral element in China's religious
culture. This led to a view of writing, copying, and even distribution
of morality books as virtue-creating acts. Various tales relate the
miraculous effects of these acts.
Asceticism in Early Taoist Religion, SUNY Press, 1998
Asceticism is an integral part of most Asian religious traditions.
However, unlike their Hindu and Buddhist counterparts who traditionally
sought to get beyond bodily attachments and desires, Taoist ascetics
sought physical immortality. Seen in this light, they present an
important and little understood aspects of Asian religion.
The Myths of Izumo, Shimane: Hokosho Company, Inc. 1978
The Kojiki is the most important textual source of early Shinto. It
tells the story of creation: the first couple, the islands of Japan,
and the kami, or spirits.
Ja panese Religious Traditions, Prentice Hall, March 2002
During the last several decades in Japan, religious beliefs and
practices have taken many new shapes. Both traditionalist and
innovative movements seek to appeal to a religious and cultural
sentiment that is deep-rooted in the hearts of the people.
Japanese New Religions in the West, Japan Library, 1994
Ryugu Kazoku is a new religion, founded in 1973 by Fujita Himiko. Like
many other new religions of Japan, its founder is a woman, and one of
its primary foci is healing. What makes it unique, however, is the
founder's claim to a special revelation from Amaterasu the sun goddess.
Matsuri: World of Japanese Festivals, Shufunomoto Company, Ltd. 1994
Japan is a land of festivals or matsuri, which infuse nearly every
aspect of the people's lives. These celebrations act as meeting points,
bringing together the human and divine worlds, people and the world of
nature, and also Shinto and Buddhism. They also connect the present and
the past and the secular and the religious.
UNIT 6. Judaism
Parabola, 1978
The designation and consecration of sacred space have long been
important aspects of most religious traditions, and each has its own
way to define such space. From earliest times, Judaism has worked to
communicate through its sacred space. Understanding its early beliefs
in this regard helps give a context for understanding an integral part
of the development of Judaism.
The Economist, December 23, 2000-January 5, 2001
Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, envisioned a homeland for
Jews in a novel he published in 1902. This article looks at the reality
of Herzl's dream.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 21, 2001
Jerusalem has had a long and complex past. Bernard Wasserstein examines
how politics have affected Jerusalem's history.
The Tales of Rabbi Nachman, Humanities Press International, 1956
The sayings of Rabbi Nachmann have been an important source of
teachings and inspiration for many Jews and others. Here are short
vignettes of the rabbi's words that relate Jewish concepts of truth and
life.
The Tales of Rabbi Eizik: Hasidic Stories About the Zaddik of Kallo,
Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 19
In reflecting on the experience of religion, many Jewish tales relate
how good people suffer, but also that goodness and truth ultimately
prevail. Here, these concepts are presented in the story of a hard
working and clever carpenter.
The Brookings Register, February 21, 2002
Yom ha-Shoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) provides an occasion for Jews
and everyone to remember not only the Holocaust itself, but also the
numerous cases of genocide and state-sanctioned homicide in the
twentieth century.
UNIT 7. Christianity
Newsweek, April 16, 2001
During the twentieth century, Christianity went from a predominantly
Caucasian to a predominatly non-Caucasian religion. With its
geographical centers now in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, it is
often colored by concepts and practices from indigenous cultures.
Christianity has clearly become a world religion.
First Things, April 2002
America is a unique society, where a free choice of lifestyle and
religious belief is possible. The author believes that amidst the
existing pluralism, belief-based higher education is also a vital
element for the richness it adds. Even though contemporary secular
ideologies often denounce religious beliefs, Catholic universities must
once again provide a moral foundation.
The Christian Century, February 16, 1994
Christians has long had to address the difference between their beliefs
and the cultures in which they live. Today, many Christians are feeling
the need to consciously practice "godparenting” and religious nurturing
of their children, who are increasingly exposed to the "dehumanizing
currents of popular culture.”
Los Angeles Times, March 12, 2002
A couple whose religious convictions led them to pray for their sick
child instead of seeking medical care are charged with involuntary
manslaughter, raising many questions concerning the concept of freedom
of religion in a secular society.
Insight, September 3, 2001
Many American Christians today are seeking an experiential form of
religion, moving away from mainstream churches to those with
charismatic leaders. These new congregations challenge traditional
approaches to the role of the church in contemporary life.
Time, December 30, 1991
The recent growing popularity of Mary, mother of Jesus, is forcing
clergy and laity alike to reexamine and, in some cases, reinterpret her
life and role in Christianity. While countless believers look upon her
as second only to Jesus, some theologians question the legitimacy of
her elevated status. Nevertheless, she remains a symbol of strength,
compassion, and love for her devotees.
UNIT 8. Islam
The Atlantic Monthly, January 1999
Orthodox Muslims believe that the Koran, from its origin to the present
day, is the perfect and unchanged word of God. Recently discovered
ancient manuscripts suggest that the text has gone through alterations.
While scholars see this in the history of most scriptures, many Muslims
see it as a threat to their religion. Further study will likely lead to
a new understanding of Muslim history.
Newsweek, February 11, 2002
Jews and Muslims share a theological heritage; thus, teachings
contained in their respective holy books, the Bible and the Qur'an,
share certain themes, including a justification for violence in the
name of God. Since Muhammad was a military leader as well as a prophet,
however, Muslims tend to more easily find justification for waging war
against nonbelievers.
Aramco World, September/October 1996
Jerusalem is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. On the
Temple Mount it is believed Muhammad prayed with Moses, Jesus, and
other prophets before ascending to Heaven. The Dome of the Rock marks
this spot, and throughout Muslim history it has been afforded great
reverence.
Enduring Issues in Religion, Greenhaven Press, 1995
For Muslims, Allah is the one true God, and modern society's denial of
this fact is the root of all evil. For Muslims, there is no greater sin
than to worship a created object rather than the Creator Himself. Thus,
a materialistic society has an inherent corrupting influence on
humankind.
New Perspectives Quarterly, Winter 2002
Islam is curently at a critical juncture in its historical development.
The author suggests that although extremists now have a great deal of
control over Muslim leadership, there are ample teachings in the
religion for it to move toward its own form of modernity and
democratic, humanistic values.
UNIT 9. Religions in Dialogue and Confrontation
Los Angeles Times, February 16, 2002
Religious scriptures contain diverse messages, sometimes urging love
and forgiveness, sometimes exhorting followers to hatred and violence.
Many Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scholars are now attempting to alter
negative interpretations of statements in their respective scriptures.
Los Angeles Times, February 2, 2002
Dixon Yagi, a Japanese Buddhist convert to Christianity, discusses
issues surrounding Asian religious and cultural traditions and how
Christian missionaries might best interpr et and handle them. He
emphasizes the role of the heart and belief over sectarian affiliation.
The Christian Century, February 17, 1999
Kenneth Cragg attempts to explain the possibilities and problems in
religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims. He also addresses
the issue of the need for Christians to better understand Islam.
Commonweal, January 31, 1997
Although Islam and Christianity share theological roots, it has been
competition, confrontation, and conflict that have most marked their
interactions over the centuries. With Islam rapidly becoming the second
largest religion in America and Europe, these attitudes need to be
replaced with a greater understanding.
UNIT 10. Religion Facing the Modern World
New York Times Magazine, December 7, 1997
In America, a growing approach to religion is "institutionalized
anti-institutionalism.” While many Americans are moving away from
sectarian commitments toward apathy and unbelief, others are finding
comfort in an affiliation that goes hand-in-hand with a questioning of
beliefs. At the end of the article are some statistics on religion in
America.
The Atlantic Monthly, February 2002
By some estimates, there are currently nearly 10,000 separate religions
in the world, with several more starting each day. The success,
dynamism, and diversity of these new religious movements (NRMs) make a
strong case for the continuing need for religious affiliation and
belief in an increasingly secular world.
Liberty, November/December 1996
In the United States, confrontations between constitutional guarantees
of religious freedom and existing legal prohibitions are inevitable.
Drug use by a member of the Jamaican Ras Tafari religion brings to
light the controversy and tenuousness of this freedom.
Foreign Policy, January/February 2002
Religious fundamentalism is a greatly misunderstood phenomenon. This
article seeks to both define it and debunk common misconceptions about
it.