Anthology of World Scriptures Eastern Religions

by Van Voorst, Robert E.

• ISBN13: 9780495170600
• ISBN10: 0495170607
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-31
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Van Voorst's ANTHOLOGY OF WORLD SCRIPTURES: EASTERN RELIGIONS includes readings on Feng Shui, Engaged Buddhism, and the Falun Gong movement. Included in this concise, affordable reader is coverage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto. Van Voorst's characteristic clarity makes this an easy-to-understand, dependable guide to the history, doctrines, ethical systems, structures and rituals of these major Eastern religions.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xvii
Eastern Scripture among the World's Religions	1	(22)
A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship	2	(1)
The Nature and Definition of Scripture	3	(5)
The Uses of Scripture	8	(2)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Eastern Religions through Their Scriptures	10	(4)
Eastern Scriptures and Modern Scholarship	14	(2)
Eastern Scriptures and the World Wide Web	16	(1)
The Plan of This Book	17	(1)
Suggestions on How to Read Eastern Scriptures	18	(5)
Glossary	19	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	19	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	20	(3)
Hinduism	23	(48)
Introduction	23	(1)
Overview of Structure	24	(2)
Use	26	(2)
Origin and Development	28	(2)
Teaching	30	(1)
Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72)	30	(1)
Two Philosophical Views of Creation (Rig-Veda 10.129; Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.7)	30	(2)
The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12)	32	(1)
Rudra and 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)
Ethics	36	(1)
Sin and Forgiveness (Rig-Veda 7.86)	36	(1)
The Three Da's (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2)	37	(1)
The Way of Asceticism (Mundaka Upanishad 2.1-3, 5-8, 10-13)	38	(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)	38	(4)
The Life of Women (Laws of Manu 3.55-60; 5.147-165)	42	(1)
Organization	43	(1)
Creation and the Caste System (Rig-Veda 10.90)	43	(1)
The Four Castes (Institutes of Vishnu 2.1-17)	44	(1)
The Outcastes (Laws of Manu 10.51-57)	45	(1)
Ritual and Meditation	45	(1)
The Gayatri Mantra (Rig-Veda 3.62.10)	45	(1)
Devotion to Agni in Prayer and Sacrifice (Rig-Veda 1.1; Agni-Brahmana 1.1-19)	46	(1)
The Puja of a Yogin (Agni Purana)	47	(1)
Soma (Rig-Veda 8.48)	48	(1)
Marriage (Rig-Veda 10.85.20-47)	49	(1)
Cremation (Rig-Veda 10.16)	50	(1)
Charms and Spells (Atharva-Veda 6.20; 7.70; 6.9; 3.16)	51	(1)
Chanting of Om (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.1-10)	52	(1)
The Practice of Yoga (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.8-15)	53	(1)
Selections from the Bhagavad-Gita	54	(8)
Later Developments of Scriptural Themes	62	(1)
Mohandas Gandhi on the Bhagavad-Gita (The Gospel of Selfless Action)	62	(2)
Two Tamil Poets	64	(1)
The Poems of Mira, a Hindi Female Saint	65	(6)
Glossary	66	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	66	(1)
Scriptures in Film	67	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	67	(4)
Buddhism	71	(58)
Introduction	71	(1)
Overview of Structure	72	(4)
Use	76	(1)
Origin and Development	77	(1)
History	78	(1)
The Past Lives of Siddhartha Gotama (Jataka 190)	78	(2)
The Life of Siddhartha Gotama (Buddhacarita)	80	(5)
The Death of Gotama Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.1-12,31-35,45-48)	85	(1)
Teaching	86	(1)
The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta 1-8)	86	(1)
The Noble Eightfold Path (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta 9-20)	87	(2)
The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation (Buddhacarita 16.1,28-50)	89	(1)
The Essence of Buddhism (The Heart Sutra)	90	(1)
A Description of Nirvana (Milindapanha 4.8.65-66)	91	(1)
A Mahayana View of the Buddha (Saddharma Pundarika Sutra 2.36; 10.1)	92	(2)
Poems of Early Nuns (Therigatha)	94	(1)
The Blessings of the Pure Land (Array of the Joyous Land Sutra)	94	(4)
Ethics	98	(1)
Conduct of the Monk (Dhammapada 25, 360-382)	98	(1)
Admonition to Laity (Cullavagga, Dammikasutta 18-29)	99	(1)
The Wisdom of the Buddha (Dhammapada 1-20, 157-166)	100	(1)
The Bodhisattva Ideal (Mahavastu)	101	(1)
Organization	102	(1)
Founding of the Order (Mahavagga 1.6.10, 11-16, 27-30, 32,34,37)	102	(2)
The Rules of Defeat for Monks and Nuns (Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma 1-4)	104	(1)
Rules Requiring Formal Meetings of Monks (Patimokkha, Samghadisesa Dhamma 1-13)	105	(2)
The Order of Nuns (Cullavagga, 10.1.1-6)	107	(2)
Ritual and Meditation	109	(1)
The Relics of the Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.58-60)	109	(1)
Mindfulness in Meditation (Majjhima-nikaya, Satipatthanasutta 10.1-9)	110	(2)
A Mahayana View of the Merit of Making Images (Taisho Shinshu Daizokyo 16, no. 694)	112	(2)
Tibetan Scripture to Guide the Soul after Death (Bardo Thodol 1.1-2)	114	(2)
A Zen Koan, ``What Is Extraordinary?'' (The Blue Cliff Record 26)	116	(2)
Later Developments of Scriptural Themes	118	(1)
Enlightenment according to Milarepa, a Founder of Tibetan Buddhism (The Life of Milarepa 2.7)	118	(2)
The Main Characteristics of Falun Gong (Li Hongzhi, Zhuan Falun, Lecture 1, Conclusion)	120	(2)
A Contemporary Statement of Buddhist Essentials (Thich Nhat Hanh, Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings)	122	(7)
Glossary	124	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	125	(1)
Scriptures in Film	125	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	126	(3)
Jainism	129	(15)
Introduction	129	(1)
Overview of Structure	129	(1)
Origin, Development, and Use	130	(1)
History	131	(1)
The Life of Mahavira (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.6-9, 14, 16-20, 22-25,27)	131	(2)
Teaching	133	(1)
The World Is Uncreated (Mahapurana 4.16-31, 38-40)	133	(1)
The Causes of Sin (Acaranga Sutra 1.1-2)	134	(1)
Can Women Achieve Liberation? (Strinirvana-pariccheda 2, 4; Sutraprabrita, 1.22-26)	135	(1)
The World Is Full of Suffering (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 19.61-67, 71, 74)	136	(1)
The Road to Final Deliverance (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 28)	136	(2)
Ethics	138	(1)
Ahimsa (Sutrakritanga 1.7.1-9)	138	(1)
Rules for Monastic Life (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 35)	139	(1)
The True Monk (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 15.1-16)	140	(1)
Organization	141	(1)
The Five Great Vows (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.i-v)	141	(1)
Later Developments of Scriptural Themes	141	(1)
Stories from Jaina Commentaries (Avasyaka 1.484.11-485.13; Mulasuddhiprakarana 179-180)	141	(3)
Glossary	144	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	144	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	144	(89)
Sikhism	147	(18)
Introduction	147	(1)
Overview of Structure	147	(1)
Use	148	(1)
Origin and Development	149	(1)
Teaching	150	(1)
Selections from the Japji (Japji 1-3, 5-6, 9, 12-13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, Epilogue)	150	(3)
Remembering God (Gauri Sukhmani, Mahala 5)	153	(1)
Creation of the World (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1)	154	(1)
Dancing for Krishna (Rag Gurji, Mahala 3)	154	(1)
The Hindu Thread (Asa, Ki Var, Mahala 1)	155	(1)
Ethics	156	(1)
Truth Is the Basis of Conduct (Hymns of Guru Nanak)	156	(1)
Prayer for Forgiveness (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 5)	156	(1)
Against the Use of Wine (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 1)	157	(1)
Organization	157	(1)
The Guru (Rag Gauri, Mahala 3)	157	(1)
God's Power in the Sikh Community (Rag Gauri, Mahala 5)	158	(1)
Ritual and Meditation	159	(1)
Hymn for the Installation of the Guru Granth (Rag Devgandhari, Mahala 5)	159	(1)
A Marriage Hymn (Rag Asa, Mahala 5)	159	(1)
Later Developments of Scriptural Themes: The Dasam Granth	160	(1)
Guru Gobind Singh's Story (Dasam Granth, Vichitar Natak 6)	160	(1)
God as the Holy Sword (Dasam Granth, Vichitar Natak 6)	161	(4)
Glossary	162	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	162	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	163	(2)
Confucianism	165	(30)
Introduction	165	(1)
Overview of Structure	165	(2)
Use	167	(1)
Origin and Development	168	(1)
History	169	(1)
The Character of Confucius (Analects 2.4; 7.1-9, 19-24; 10.1-3,8-12)	169	(2)
Teaching	171	(1)
The Way (Analects 16.2)	171	(1)
The Goodness of Human Nature (Mencius 6.1.1-4, 6)	171	(2)
Ethics	173	(1)
The Virtues of the Superior Man (Analects 1.1-4,6-9,14; 15.17-23)	173	(1)
Benevolence (Analects 4.1-6)	174	(1)
The Actions and Attitudes of Filiality (Classic of Rites 10.1, 4, 7, 10-11, 13-15; Analects 2.5-7; 4.18-21; 13.18)	175	(2)
Propriety (Analects 3.3-4, 8, 12-14, 17-19)	177	(1)
The Love of Learning (Analects 17.8-9)	178	(1)
The Basis of Good Government (The Great Learning 1, 3-7;9.1, 3-5)	178	(1)
The Ruler as Example to the People (Analects 2.18-20; 12.11, 17, 19;13.4-6)	179	(1)
Confidence and Prosperity in Government (Mencius 4.3, 9; 1.6.20-24)	180	(1)
Ritual and Meditation	181	(1)
Divination (Classic of Changes 1, 47, 54)	181	(2)
Songs for Sacrifice (Classic of Poetry: Kau 7; Minor Odes 10.1,3; Minor Odes 5)	183	(2)
Music and Morality (Classic of Rites 17.2.10-11, 15-16, 18)	185	(1)
Later Developments of Scriptural Themes	186	(1)
Attack on Buddhism (Ch'ang-li hsien-sheng wen-chi 39.2b---42)	186	(1)
Advice for Reading Texts (Conversations of Master Chu 4.37-39,41)	187	(2)
Neo-Confucian Ethics (Chang Tsai, The Western Inscription)	189	(6)
Glossary	190	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	190	(1)
Scriptures in Film	190	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	191	(4)
Taoism	195	(26)
Introduction	195	(1)
Overview of Structure	195	(1)
Origin, Development, and Use	196	(3)
Teaching	199	(1)
The Nature of the Tao (Tao Te Ching 1, 6, 25, 34; Chuang-tzu 29)	199	(1)
The World (Tao Te Ching 7, 42, 52)	200	(1)
The Domain of Nothingness (Chuang-tzu 7)	201	(1)
The Relationship of Taoism to Confucianism (Pao-p'u Tzu 7.5a)	201	(1)
Ethics	202	(1)
Nonaction (Chuang-tzu 7)	202	(1)
Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao (Tao Te Ching 16, 22, 33,44)	203	(1)
The Superior Man (Chuang-tzu 12)	204	(1)
Government (Tao Te Ching 3, 18, 57, 64)	205	(1)
Great and the Small Rulers (Chuang-tzu 1)	206	(1)
On Death (Chuang-tzu 18)	206	(1)
Reward and Retribution (T'ai-Shang 1)	207	(1)
Ritual and Meditation	208	(1)
Methods of Prolonging Life (Pao-p'u Tzu 15.6b-7a; 19.6b-7a)	208	(2)
The Life and Ascension of Shen Xi (Shenxian zhuan, Daozang jinghua5.11)	210	(1)
Proper Sexual Methods for Men and Women (Yufang bijue 635-636)	211	(1)
The Origins of Feng Shui (Zang Shu 1.1-4, 7-25, 30-43)	212	(2)
A Complete Taoist Scripture (The True Scripture of the Great Emperor)	214	(7)
Glossary	217	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	218	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	218	(3)
Shinto	221	(12)
Introduction	221	(1)
Selections from the Kojiki and the Nihongi	222	(1)
Preface to the Kojiki	222	(2)
The Creation of Japan (Kojiki 1-5, 33)	224	(3)
The Shrine at Ise (Nihongi 5)	227	(1)
The Story of Emperor Yuryaku and the Woman Akawi-ko (Kojiki 154)	227	(1)
Selections from the Norito	228	(1)
Festival of the Gates (Norito, Prayer 44)	228	(1)
Ritual Prayer for Forgiveness and Purification of Governing Officials (Norito, Prayer 32)	229	(4)
Glossary	230	(1)
Questions for Study and Discussion	230	(1)
Scriptures in Film	231	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	231	(2)
Index	233