Anthology of Asian Scriptures

by Van Voorst, Robert E.

• ISBN13: 9780534512460
• ISBN10: 0534512461
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780495170600
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-02-22
• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

ANTHOLOGY OF ASIAN SCRIPTURES is a reader containing some of the most notable and instructive scriptures of the major Asian religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism. It is a comprehensive and pedagogically sound presentation of the sacred literature of the Asia. ANTHOLOGY OF ASIAN SCRIPTURES is organized as follows: The first chapter examines the general phenomenon of scripture in the world's religions, its nature, use, and place in modern scholarship. Chapter 1 also introduces the reader to the art of reading scripture with practical suggestions, a pronunciation guide for foreign words, and other pedagogical aids. Each subsequent chapter presents the scripture of a single religion and is organized as follows: Three or four vignettes about scripture and its usage draw the reader's interest and imagination, then an introduction sets the context by explaining the overall structure, origin, development, and use of the scripture in its religion.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xv
Asian Scriptures Among the World's Religions	1	(22)
A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship	2	(2)
The Nature and Definition of Scripture	4	(5)
The Uses of Scripture	9	(2)
Advantages and Disadvantages	11	(3)
Asian Scriptures and Modern Scholarship	14	(1)
Scriptures and the World Wide Web	15	(1)
The Plan of This Book	16	(1)
A Guide to Pronunciation	17	(1)
Suggestions on How to Read Scriptures	18	(5)
Glossary	20	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	20	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	21	(2)
Hinduism	23	(48)
Introduction	23	(7)
Overview of Structure	23	(3)
Origin and Development	26	(2)
Use	28	(2)
Teaching	30	(6)
Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72)	30	(1)
The Creation Hymn (Rig-Veda 10.129)	30	(1)
Creation from Brahman (Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1-7)	31	(1)
The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12)	32	(1)
The God Shiva (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.1-13)	33	(1)
``That You Are'' (Chandogya Upanishad 6.1-2, 9-11)	34	(1)
The Goddess as Kali (Markandeya Purana, Devi-Mahatmya 7.1-25)	35	(1)
Organization	36	(2)
The Creation of the Caste System (Rig-Veda 10.90)	36	(1)
The Four Castes (Institutes of Vishnu 2.1-17)	37	(1)
Ethics	38	(6)
Sin and Forgiveness (Rig-Veda 7.86)	38	(1)
The Three Das (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2)	39	(1)
The Way of Asceticism (Mundaka Upanishad 2.1-3, 5-8, 10-13)	39	(1)
Stages of Life for a Twice-Born Man (Laws of Manu 2.69-74, 191-201; 3.1-19; 6.1-9, 33-49)	40	(3)
The Life of Women (Laws of Manu 3.55-60; 5.147-165)	43	(1)
Ritual and Meditation	44	(9)
The Gayatri Mantra (Rig-Veda 3.62.10)	44	(1)
Hymn to Agni (Rig-Veda 1.1)	45	(1)
The Meaning of the Agnihotra Sacrifice (Agni-Brahmana 1.1-19)	45	(1)
The Puja of a Yogin (Agni Purana)	46	(1)
Soma (Rig-Veda 8.48)	47	(1)
Marriage (Rig-Veda 10.85.20-47)	48	(2)
Cremation (Rig-Veda 10.16)	50	(1)
Charms and Spells (Atharva-Veda 6.20; 7.70; 6.9; 3.16)	50	(1)
Chanting of Om (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.1-10)	51	(1)
The Practice of Yoga (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.8-15)	52	(1)
Selections from the Bhagavad-Gita	53	(10)
Mohandas Gandhi on the Bhagavad-Gita	63	(1)
Two Tamil Poets, Appar and Tukaram	64	(2)
Poems of Mira, a Hindi Female Saint	66	(5)
Glossary	66	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	67	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	67	(4)
Buddhism	71	(46)
Introduction	71	(6)
Overview of Structure	71	(4)
Origin and Development	75	(1)
Use	76	(1)
History	77	(11)
The Past Lives of Gotama Buddha (Jataka 190)	77	(2)
The Life of Gotama Buddha (Selections from the Buddhacarita)	79	(5)
The Death of Gotama Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.1-14, 31-35, 45-48)	84	(2)
The Life of Milarepa (The Life of Milarepa 2.7)	86	(2)
Teaching	88	(8)
The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta 1-8)	88	(1)
The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation (Buddhacarita 16.1, 28-50)	89	(1)
The Essence of Buddhism (Heart Sutra)	90	(1)
A Tibetan Commentary on the Heart Sutra (Jewel Light Illuminating the Meaning)	91	(1)
A Description of Nirvana (Milinda-panha 4.8.65-66)	92	(1)
A Mahayana View of the Buddha (Saddharma-pundarika Sutra 2.36; 10.1)	93	(2)
Poems of Early Nuns (Therigatha)	95	(1)
Ethics	96	(5)
Conduct of the Monk (Dhammapada 25.360-382)	96	(1)
Admonition to Laity (Cullavagga, Dhammikasutta 18-29)	97	(1)
Wisdom of the Buddha (Dhammapada 1-20, 157-166)	98	(2)
The Bodhisattva Ideal (Mahavastu)	100	(1)
Organization	101	(6)
Founding of the Order (Mahavagga 1.6.10, 11-16, 27-30, 32, 34, 37)	101	(1)
The Rules of Defeat (Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma 1-4)	102	(1)
Rules Requiring Formal Meetings (Patimokkha, Samghadisesa Dhamma 1-13)	103	(2)
The Order of Nuns (Cullavagga 10.1.1-6)	105	(2)
Ritual and Meditation	107	(10)
The Relics of the Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.58-60)	107	(1)
Mindfulness in Meditation (Majjhima-Nikaya, Satipatthanasutta 10.1-9)	107	(3)
The Merit of Making Images (Taisho Shinshu Daizokyo, 16, no. 694)	110	(2)
Scripture to Guide the Soul After Death (Bardo Thodol 1.1-2)	112	(1)
Glossary	113	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	114	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	115	(2)
Jainism	117	(20)
Introduction	117	(2)
Overview of Structure	117	(1)
Origin, Development, and Use	118	(1)
History	119	(3)
The Life of Mahavira (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.6-9, 14, 16-20, 22-25, 27)	119	(3)
Teaching	122	(5)
The World Is Uncreated (Mahapurana 4.16-31, 38-40)	122	(1)
The Causes of Sin (Acaranga Sutra 1.1-2)	123	(1)
Can Women Achieve Liberation? (Strinirvana-pariccheda 2, 4; Sutraprabrita 1.22-26)	124	(1)
The World is Full of Suffering (Uttaradhyana Sutra 19.61-67, 71, 74)	125	(1)
The Road to Final Deliverance (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 28)	125	(2)
Organization	127	(1)
The Five Great Vows (Acaranga Sutra 2.15i-v)	127	(1)
Ethics	128	(9)
Ahimsa (Sutrakritanga 1.7.1-9)	128	(1)
Rules for Monastic Life (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 35)	129	(1)
The True Monk (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 15.1-16)	130	(1)
Stories from Jaina Scriptures and Commentary (Avasyakasutra 1.484.11-485.13; 2.200.11-201.12; Mulasuddhiprakarana, 179-180)	131	(3)
Glossary	134	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	134	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	134	(3)
Sikhism	137	(20)
Introduction	137	(3)
Overview of Structure	137	(1)
Origin and Development	138	(1)
Use	139	(1)
Teaching	140	(8)
Selections from the Japji (1-3, 5-6, 9-10, 12-13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, 25, 28-29, 33, 37-Epilogue)	140	(5)
Remembering God (Gauri Sukhmani, Mahala 5)	145	(1)
Creation of the World (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1)	146	(1)
Dancing for Krishna (Rag Gurji, Mahala 3)	147	(1)
The Hindu Thread (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1)	147	(1)
Ethics	148	(2)
Truth is the Basis of Conduct (Hymns of Guru Nanak)	148	(1)
Prayer for Forgiveness (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 5)	149	(1)
Against the Use of Wine (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 1)	149	(1)
Ritual	150	(1)
Hymn for the Installation of the Guru Granth (Rag Devgandhari, Mahala 5)	150	(1)
A Marriage Hymn (Rag Asa, Mahala 5)	150	(1)
Organization	151	(1)
The Guru (Rag Gauri, Mahala 3)	151	(1)
God's Power in the Sikh Community (Rag Gauri, Mahala 5)	152	(1)
Appendix: Selections from the Dasam Granth	152	(5)
Guru Gobind Singh's Story (Vichitar Natak, 6)	152	(1)
God as the Holy Sword (Vichitar Natak, 1)	153	(1)
Glossary	154	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	155	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	155	(2)
Zoroastrianism	157	(14)
Introduction	157	(3)
Overview of Structure	157	(1)
Origin and Development	158	(1)
Use	159	(1)
History	160	(2)
The Call of Zarathushtra (Yasna 29)	160	(1)
A Hymn of Praise to Zarathushtra (Yasht 24:87b-94)	161	(1)
Teaching	162	(2)
Hymn to Ahura and the Purifying Fire (Yasna 36)	162	(1)
Hymn to Ahura Mazda the Creator (Yasna 37:1-5)	163	(1)
The Doctrine of Dualism (Yasna 30)	163	(1)
Ethics	164	(1)
Personal Virtues (Denkard 6.23, 24)	164	(1)
Six Ritual Obligations (Sad Dar 6.1-7)	165	(1)
Ritual	165	(6)
The Place of the Gathas (Yasna 55:1-3)	165	(1)
The Zoroastrian Confession (Yasna 12)	166	(1)
The Four Great Prayers (From the Yasna)	167	(1)
Disposal of the Dead (Vendidad, Fargard 6, section 5, 44-51)	167	(1)
Glossary	168	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	168	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	168	(3)
Confucianism	171	(30)
Introduction	171	(4)
Overview of Structure	171	(2)
Origin and Development	173	(1)
Use	174	(1)
History	175	(2)
The Character of Confucius (Analects 2.4; 7.1-9, 19-24; 10.1-4, 8-12)	175	(2)
Ethics	177	(12)
The Virtues of the Superior Man (Analects 1.1-4, 6-9, 14; 15.17-23)	177	(1)
Benevolence (Analects 4.1-6)	178	(1)
The Actions of Filiality (Classic of Rites, 10.1, 4, 7, 10-11, 13-15)	179	(1)
The Attitude of Filiality (Analects 2.5-8; 4.18-21; 13.18)	180	(1)
Propriety (Analects 3.3-4, 8-9, 12-15, 17-19)	181	(1)
The Way (Analects 16.2)	182	(1)
The Love of Learning (Analects 17.8-9, 12)	183	(1)
Early Debate over the Goodness of Human Nature (Mencius 6.1.1-4, 6)	183	(2)
The Basis of Good Government (The Great Learning 1-7; 9.1, 3-9)	185	(2)
The Ruler as Example to the People (Analects 2.18-20; 12.11, 17, 19; 13.4-6)	187	(1)
Confidence and Prosperity in Government (Mencius 4.3, 9; 1.6.20-24)	188	(1)
Ritual	189	(5)
Divination (Classic of Changes 1, 47, 54)	189	(1)
Songs for Sacrifice (Classic of Poetry, Shang 1; Kau 7; Minor Odes 10.1, 3; 5)	190	(3)
Music and Morality (Classic of Rites 17.2.10-11, 15-18, 20-21)	193	(1)
Appendix: Later Developments of Early Themes	194	(7)
Later Debate over Human Nature (Xunzi 3.150-151; Fuyan 3.1a-b)	194	(1)
Attack on Buddhism (Ch'ang-li hsien-sheng wen-chi 39.2b-42)	195	(1)
Advice for Reading Texts (Conversations of Master Chu 4.37-39, 41)	196	(1)
Neoconfucian Ethics (Chang Tsai, The Western Inscription)	197	(1)
Glossary	198	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	198	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	199	(2)
Taoism	201	(22)
Introduction	201	(2)
Overview of Structure	201	(1)
Origin, Development, and Use	202	(1)
Teaching	203	(3)
The Nature of the Tao (Tao Te Ching, 1, 6, 25, 34; Chuang-tzu 29)	203	(2)
The World (Tao Te Ching 7, 42, 52)	205	(1)
The Domain of Nothingness (Chuang-tzu, book 7)	206	(1)
Ethics	206	(6)
Nonaction (Chuang-tzu, book 7)	206	(1)
Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao (Tao Te Ching 16, 22, 33, 44)	206	(2)
The Superior Man (Chuang-tzu, book 12)	208	(1)
Government (Tao Te Ching 3, 18, 57, 64)	209	(1)
Great and Small Rulers (Chuang-tzu, book 1)	210	(1)
On Death (Chuang-tzu, book 18)	210	(1)
Reward and Retribution (T'ai-Shang, book 1)	211	(1)
Ritual	212	(4)
Methods of Prolonging Life (Pao-p'u-tzu 15.6b-7a; 19.6b-7a)	212	(2)
The Life and Ascension of Shen Xi (Shenxian zhuan, Daozang jinghua 5.11)	214	(1)
The Relationship of Taoism to Confucianism (Pao-p'u Tzu 7.5a)	215	(1)
Appendix: A Complete Taoist Scripture
(The True Scripture of the Great Emperor)	216	(3)
Glossary	219	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	220	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	220	(3)
Shinto	223	(13)
Introduction	223	(1)
The Kojiki	223	(1)
The Nihongi	224	(1)
Selections from the Kojiki and the Nihongi	224	(8)
Preface to the Kojiki	224	(3)
The Creation of Japan (Kojiki, chapters 1-5, 11, 33)	227	(3)
The Shrine at Ise (Nihongi, chapter 5)	230	(1)
Emperor Yuryaku and the Story of the Woman Akawi-ko (Kojiki, chapter 154)	231	(1)
Selections from the Norito
Festival of the Gates (Norito)	232	(1)
Ritual Prayer for Forgiveness and Purification of Government Officials (Norito)	233	(1)
Glossary	234	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	234	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	234	(2)
Index	236