The Sacred Paths Of The East

by Ludwig, Theodore M.

• ISBN13: 9780131539051
• ISBN10: 0131539051
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-06
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This book combines study of the dynamic historical development of each religious tradition with a comparative thematic structure. In this way, the book helps readers to explore each of the major religions as a unique and integral system of meaning and life. At the same time, readers are encouraged to discover and explore the nature of religious experience by comparing basic themes and issues common to all religions.Covering the religions arising from India, China, and Japan, this book introduces the key dimensions of religious experience, outlining the basic human concerns that give rise to religious experience, such as origin and identity, ultimate reality, human nature, and the good life.For anyone interested in exploring the origins and development of the diverse religions of the world.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Third Edition	xi
Part ONE: Exploring the Sacred Paths	1	(34)
Perspectives on the Religious Path	3	(24)
Studying Religious Experience	3	(3)
Some Dimensions of Religious Experience	6	(4)
Basic Human Concerns and Religious Responses	10	(15)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	11	(2)
Worlds of Meaning: Theoretical Teachings	13	(4)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life	17	(8)
Discussion Questions	25	(1)
Key Terms: Exploring the Sacred Paths	26	(1)
Beginnings of the Human Religious Adventure	27	(8)
Story of Humankind Before History	28	(3)
Religions of the Great Ancient Civilizations	31	(2)
Discussion Questions	33	(1)
Key Terms: Beginnings of the Human Religious Adventure	33	(2)
Part TWO: Religions Arising from India	35	(135)
Hindu Sacred Story and Historical Context	37	(20)
Foundations of the Hindu Tradition	37	(10)
The Formative Period of Hindiusm	38	(3)
Map • India	41	(3)
The Many Faces of the Hindu Tradition	44	(3)
Continuing Transformations in the Hindu Story	47	(5)
Shaping the Sacred Ways: Puranas and Tantras	48	(2)
Rethinking the Vedic Truth: Philosophical Systems	50	(1)
Muslim Presence and Impact in India	51	(1)
The Modern Era: Renaissance and Response to the West	52	(4)
Reform Movements and Thinkers	52	(1)
Independence and New Visions: Gandhi and Aurobindo	53	(1)
Hinduism in the World Today	54	(2)
Discussion Questions	56	(1)
Hindu Worlds of Meaning	57	(17)
The Ultimate Real: Brahman, God/Goddess	57	(5)
Brahman as Sacred Ultimate	57	(2)
God as Supreme Sacred Reality	59	(3)
Existence in the World: Dharma and Samsara	62	(4)
The World and Human Nature in Hindu Thought	62	(3)
Samsara and the Problem of Existence	65	(1)
Three Paths to Transformation and Liberation	66	(6)
The Path of Liberating Knowledge	66	(2)
The Path of Action	68	(1)
The Path of Devotion	69	(3)
Discussion Questions	72	(2)
Hindu Ritual and the Good Life	74	(19)
Rituals and Sacred Times of Hinduism	74	(9)
Vedic Rituals and Puja	74	(2)
Ascetic and Meditational Practices: Yoga	76	(1)
Ceremonies, Festivals, and Pilgrimages	77	(2)
Ritualizing the Passages of Life	79	(1)
Healing and Medicinal Practices: Ayurveda	80	(2)
Hindus and Sacred Art	82	(1)
Society and Wholesome Life	83	(7)
Structure of Hindu Society	83	(1)
Living According to Dharma	84	(5)
Hindu Visions for Society and the World	89	(1)
Discussion Questions	90	(1)
Key Terms: Hinduism	90	(3)
Buddhist Sacred Story and Historical Context	93	(17)
Story of the Buddha	93	(6)
Sacred Biography of the Buddha	94	(5)
Tripitaka: Word of the Buddha	99	(1)
Historical Transformations Shaping the Buddhist Way	99	(8)
Ashoka, the Second Founder of Buddhism	99	(1)
Theravada and Mahayana	100	(3)
Great Expansion of Buddhism in Asia	103	(1)
Map • Expansion of Buddhism	104	(3)
Buddhism in the Modern Era	107	(2)
Challenge from Without and Within	107	(1)
Revitalization of Buddhism Today	108	(1)
Discussion Questions	109	(1)
Buddhist Worlds of Meaning	110	(14)
The Ultimate: Dharma, Nirvana, Buddha	110	(4)
The Ultimate as Unconditioned Truth	110	(3)
Going for Refuge to the Buddha	113	(1)
Existence in the World	114	(4)
The Nature of the World	114	(3)
The Human Problem: Clinging	117	(1)
The Path to Nirvana and Buddhahood	118	(5)
Nirvana and the Noble Eightfold Path	118	(3)
The Mahayana Enlargement of the Path of Transformation	121	(2)
Discussion Questions	123	(1)
Buddhist Ritual and the Good Life	124	(18)
Ritual and Devotion in Buddhist Life	124	(8)
Central Rites and Ceremonies of Buddhists	124	(2)
Holy Days and Festivals	126	(1)
Rituals of the Changes of Life	127	(2)
Healing and Medicine in Buddhist Tradition	129	(1)
Artistic Practice Among Buddhists	130	(2)
Buddhist Society and the Good Life	132	(7)
Structure of Buddhist Society	132	(2)
Buddhist Vision of the Good Life	134	(3)
Dharma Model for Society and the World	137	(2)
Discussion Questions	139	(1)
Key Terms: Buddhism	140	(2)
The Path of the Jains	142	(12)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	142	(3)
Mahavira Becomes the Jina for Our Age	142	(2)
Historical Transformations in Jainism	144	(1)
Jain Worlds of Meaning	145	(3)
Ultimate Reality: Eternal Universe, Liberation	145	(1)
Karmic Matter and Eternal Souls	146	(1)
The Path of Liberation	147	(1)
Ritual and the Good Life	148	(4)
Ritual and Worship Among the Jains	148	(2)
Society and Ethics	150	(2)
Discussion Questions	152	(1)
Key Terms: Jainism	153	(1)
The Way of the Disciples: The Sikhs	154	(16)
Sacred Story and Historical Context	154	(5)
Nanak and the Other Gurus	154	(4)
Developments, Struggles, Transformations	158	(1)
Sikh Worlds of Meaning	159	(3)
The Sacred Ultimate: God	159	(1)
Divine Creation and Human Nature	160	(1)
The Path of Transformation	161	(1)
Worship and Moral Life in Sikhism	162	(7)
Ritual and Worship Among the Sikhs	162	(4)
Society and the Good Life	166	(2)
Map • Sikh Presence	168	(1)
Discussion Questions	169	(1)
Key Terms: Sikhism	169	(1)
Part THREE: Religions of China and Japan	170	(125)
Chinese Sacred Story and Historical Context	172	(26)
Foundings of the Chinese Traditions	172	(3)
Ancient Rulers and Worldviews	172	(3)
Map • East Asia	175	(1)
The Stories of Confucius, Laozi, and the Chinese Buddha	175	(10)
The Confucian Story	176	(3)
Laozi and the Beginnings of Daoism	179	(2)
Development of Popular Confucianism and Daoism	181	(2)
The Beginning of Chinese Buddhism	183	(2)
Transformations in the Chinese Traditions	185	(7)
Buddhist Expansion and Crystallization	185	(3)
Maturing of the Daoist Religious Path	188	(2)
Resurgence of the Way of Confucius: Neo-Confucianism	190	(1)
Persistence and Transformation of Popular Religion	191	(1)
Western Incursion and Revolutionary Climate	192	(5)
Foreign Religions and Western Domination	192	(1)
Revolutionary Movements and Communist Society	193	(2)
Religion in China Today	195	(2)
Discussion Questions	197	(1)
Chinese Worlds of Meaning	198	(21)
Sacred Reality in the Chinese Vision	198	(6)
Divine Powers: Shang Di and Tian	198	(2)
The Way of Nature: Dao	200	(2)
The Inner Principle of All: Neo-Confucian Metaphysics	202	(1)
Chinese Buddhist Vision of the Ultimate	203	(1)
Cosmos and Humanity	204	(6)
Origin of the Cosmos and Human Nature	204	(3)
Realities of Human Existence in the World	207	(3)
Paths of Transformation	210	(8)
The Confucian Path of Study and Ritual	210	(3)
Paths of Transformation in the Daoist Tradition	213	(3)
Buddhist Paths of Transformation in China	216	(2)
Discussion Questions	218	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life in China	219	(25)
Ritual Practices and Worship	219	(13)
Ritual in the Confucian Tradition	219	(1)
Daoist Rituals and Popular Religion	220	(4)
Buddhist Influences in Chinese Ritual Practices	224	(1)
Sacred Times in the Chinese Traditions	225	(2)
Rituals of the Life Cycle in China	227	(1)
Chinese Medicine and Healing Practices	228	(2)
Artistic Expression in Chinese Religions	230	(2)
Society and the Good Life	232	(9)
Structure of Chinese Society	232	(3)
The Confucian Vision of the Good Moral Life	235	(2)
Daoist Perspectives on the Good Life	237	(2)
Patterns and Paradigms for World Society	239	(2)
Discussion Questions	241	(1)
Key Terms: Chinese Religions	241	(3)
Japanese Sacred Story and Historical Context	244	(15)
Story of the Japanese People	244	(6)
Prehistoric Foundations of Japan	245	(1)
Sacred Nation: Stories of the Kami	246	(2)
Map • Japan: Major Cities and Religious Sites	248	(1)
The Coming of Buddhism and Chinese Culture	249	(1)
Continuing Transformations of the Japanese Way	250	(8)
Integrating the Buddhist Way into Japanese Religion	251	(3)
Unification of Japan and the Modern Period	254	(2)
Religion in Japan Today	256	(2)
Discussion Questions	258	(1)
Japanese Worlds of Meaning	259	(11)
Shinto Views of Sacred Reality and Human Life	259	(6)
Myriads and Myriads of Kami	259	(2)
Shinto Perspectives on the World and on Humans	261	(3)
Shinto Path of Purification	264	(1)
Ultimate Reality and the Path in Japanese Buddhism	265	(4)
Universal Buddha-Nature	265	(1)
Japanese Buddhist Perspectives on Human Existence	266	(1)
Buddhist Paths of Transformation in Japan	267	(2)
Discussion Questions	269	(1)
Ritual Practices and the Good Life in Japan	270	(19)
Japanese Ritual Practices	270	(10)
Ritual in the Rhythm of Daily Life	270	(3)
Sacred Times in Japan	273	(2)
Rituals of the Passages of Life	275	(1)
Healing and Medicine in Japan	276	(1)
Art in Japanese Religion	277	(3)
Society and the Good Life	280	(6)
Structure of Japanese Society: Sacred Community	280	(3)
The Good Life in the Japanese View	283	(3)
Discussion Questions	286	(1)
Key Terms: Japanese Religions	286	(3)
Epilogue	289	(6)
Discussion Questions	294	(1)
Glossary	295	(9)
Notes	304	(4)
Suggestions for Further Reading	308	(7)
Acknowledgments	315	(3)
Index	318