Anthology of World Scriptures

by Van Voorst, Robert E.

• ISBN13: 9780534191764
• ISBN10: 0534191762
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780534513337
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-01-01
• Publisher: Wadsworth Pub Co
• More Book Details

Summary

Presenting scripture readings in the context of their usage within the major religious traditions themselves and taking account of recent scholarship on the role of scriptures in religion, this anthology allows students to encounter world religions in a direct and meaningful way. ANTHOLOGY OF WORLD SCRIPTURES is a collection of the most notable and instructive scriptures of the major living religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Also included are the most important scriptures of the new religious movements: Baha'i, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Christian Science Church, the Unification Church, and the Church of Scientology. Supported by introductions to the readings by the editor, this anthology provides the most comprehensive and pedagogically sound access to the sacred literature of the world available in a single volume.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiv
Acknowledgments	p. xvi
Scripture Among the World's Religions	p. 1
A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship	p. 2
The Nature and Definition of Scripture	p. 4
The Uses of Scripture	p. 10
Advantages and Disadvantages	p. 12
World Scriptures and Modern Scholarship	p. 15
Scriptures and the World Wide Web	p. 17
The Plan of This Book	p. 18
A Guide to Pronunciation	p. 19
Suggestions on How to Read Scriptures	p. 20
Glossary	p. 22
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 23
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 23
Hinduism	p. 25
Introduction	p. 25
Overview of Structure	p. 25
Origin and Development	p. 28
Use	p. 30
Teaching	p. 32
Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72)	p. 32
The Creation Hymn (Rig-Veda 10.129)	p. 32
Creation from Brahman (Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1-7)	p. 33
The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12)	p. 34
The God Shiva (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.1-13)	p. 35
"That You Are" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.1-2, 9-11)	p. 36
Organization	p. 37
The Creation of the Caste System (Rig-Veda 10.90)	p. 37
The Four Castes (Institutes of Vishnu 2.1-17)	p. 38
Ethics	p. 39
Sin and Forgiveness (Rig-Veda 7.86)	p. 39
The Way of Asceticism (Mundaka Upanishad 2.1-3, 5-8, 10-13)	p. 39
Stages of Life for a Twice-Born Man (Laws of Manu 2.69-74, 191-201; 3.1-19; 6.1-9, 33-49)	p. 40
The Life of Women (Laws of Manu 3.55-60; 5.147-165)	p. 43
Ritual and Meditation	p. 45
The Gayatri Mantra (Rig-Veda 3.62.10)	p. 45
Hymn to Agni (Rig-Veda 1.1)	p. 45
The Meaning of the Agnihotra Sacrifice (Agni-Brahmana 1.1-19)	p. 45
Soma (Rig-Veda 8.48)	p. 46
Marriage (Rig-Veda 10.85.20-47)	p. 47
Cremation (Rig-Veda 10.16)	p. 49
Charms and Spells (Atharva-Veda 6.20; 7.70; 6.9; 3.16)	p. 50
Chanting of Om (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.1-10)	p. 51
The Practice of Yoga (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.8-15)	p. 51
Selections from the Bhagavad-Gita	p. 52
Non-Sanskrit Sources (Two Tamil Poets)	p. 63
Glossary	p. 64
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 65
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 65
Buddhism	p. 69
Introduction	p. 69
Overview of Structure	p. 69
Origin and Development	p. 73
Use	p. 74
History	p. 75
The Past Lives of Gotama Buddha (Jataka 190)	p. 75
The Life of Gotama Buddha (Selections from the Buddhacarita)	p. 77
The Death of Gotama Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.1-14, 31-35, 45-48)	p. 82
Teaching	p. 84
The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta, 1-8)	p. 84
The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation (Buddhacarita 16.1, 28-50)	p. 85
The Essence of Buddhism (The Heart Sutra)	p. 86
A Mahayana View of the Buddha (Saddharma-pundarika Sutra 2.36; 10.1)	p. 87
Ethics	p. 89
Conduct of the Monk (Dhammapada 25.360-382)	p. 89
Admonition to Laity (Cullavagga, Dhammikasutta 18-29)	p. 90
The Wisdom of the Buddha (Dhammapada 1-20, 157-166)	p. 91
Organization	p. 92
Founding of the Order (Mahavagga 1.6.10, 11-16, 27-30, 32, 34, 37)	p. 92
The Rules of Defeat (Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma 1-4)	p. 94
Rules Requiring Formal Meetings (Patimokkha, Samghadisesa Dhamma 1-13)	p. 95
The Order of Nuns (Cullavagga 10.1.1-6)	p. 96
Ritual and Meditation	p. 98
The Relics of the Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.58-60)	p. 98
Mindfulness in Meditation (Majjhima-Nikaya, Satipatthanasutta 10.1-9)	p. 99
The Merit of Making Images (Taisho Shinshu Daizokyo, 16, no. 694)	p. 101
Scripture to Guide the Soul After Death (Bardo Thodol 1.1-2)	p. 104
Glossary	p. 105
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 105
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 106
Jainism	p. 109
Introduction	p. 109
Overview of Structure	p. 109
Origin, Development, and Use	p. 110
History	p. 111
The Life of Mahavira (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.6-9, 14, 16-20, 22-25, 27)	p. 111
Teaching	p. 114
The Causes of Sin (Acaranga Sutra 1.1-2)	p. 114
The Road to Final Deliverance (Uttaradhyayana 28)	p. 115
Organization	p. 117
The Five Great Vows (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.i-v)	p. 117
Ethics	p. 118
Ahimsa (Sutrakritanga 1.7.1-9)	p. 118
Rules for Monastic Life (Uttaradhyayana 35)	p. 118
The True Monk (Uttaradhyayana 15.1-16)	p. 119
Glossary	p. 120
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 121
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 121
Sikhism	p. 123
Introduction	p. 123
Overview of Structure	p. 123
Origin and Development	p. 124
Use	p. 125
Teaching	p. 126
Selections from the Japji (1-3, 5-6, 9-10, 12-13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, 25, 28-29, 33, 37-Epilogue)	p. 126
Remembering God (Gauri Sukhmani, M. 5)	p. 131
Creation of the World (Asa Ki Var, M. 1)	p. 132
Dancing for Krisna (Rag Gurji, M. 3)	p. 132
The Hindu Thread (Asa Ki Var, M. 1)	p. 133
Ethics	p. 134
Prayer for Forgiveness (Rag Bihagra, M. 5)	p. 134
Against the Use of Wine (Rag Bihagra, M. 1)	p. 135
Ritual	p. 135
Hymn for the Installation of the Guru Granth (Rag Devgandhari, M. 5)	p. 135
A Marriage Hymn (Rag Asa, M. 5)	p. 135
Organization	p. 136
The Guru (Rag Gauri, M. 3)	p. 136
God's Power in the Sikh Community (Rag Gauri, M. 5)	p. 137
Selections from the Dasam Granth	p. 137
Guru Gobind Singh's Story (Vichitar Natak, 6)	p. 137
God as the Holy Sword (Vichitar Natak, 1)	p. 139
Glossary	p. 139
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 140
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 140
Confucianism	p. 143
Introduction	p. 143
Overview of Structure	p. 143
Origin and Development	p. 145
Use	p. 146
History	p. 147
The Character of Confucius (Analects 2.4; 7.1-9, 19-24; 10.1-4, 8-12)	p. 147
Ethics	p. 149
The Virtues of the Superior Man (Analects 1.1-4, 6-9, 14; 15.17-23)	p. 149
Benevolence (Analects 4.1-6)	p. 150
The Actions of Filiality (Classic of Rites, 10.1, 4, 7, 10-11, 13-15)	p. 151
The Attitude of Filiality (Analects 2.5-8; 4.18-21; 13.18)	p. 152
Propriety (Analects 3.3-4, 8-9, 12-15, 17-19)	p. 153
The Way (Analects 16.2)	p. 154
The Love of Learning (Analects 17.8-9, 12)	p. 154
The Goodness of Human Nature (Mencius 6.1.1-4, 6)	p. 155
The Basis of Good Government (The Great Learning 1-7; 9.1, 3-9)	p. 157
The Ruler as Example to the People (Analects 2.18-20; 12.11, 17, 19; 13.5-6)	p. 158
Confidence and Prosperity in Government (Mencius 4.3, 9; 1.6.20-24)	p. 159
Ritual	p. 160
Divination (Classic of Changes 1, 47, 54)	p. 160
Songs for Sacrifice (Classic of Poetry, Shang 1; Kau 7; Minor Odes 10.1, 3, 5)	p. 162
Music and Morality (Classic of Rites 17.2.10-11, 15-18, 20-21)	p. 164
Glossary	p. 166
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 166
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 166
Taoism	p. 169
Introduction	p. 169
Overview of Structure	p. 169
Origin, Development, and Use	p. 170
Teaching	p. 171
The Nature of the Tao (Tao Te Ching, 1, 6, 25, 34; Chuang-tzu 29)	p. 171
The World (Tao Te Ching 7, 42, 52)	p. 172
Ethics	p. 173
Non-action (Chuang-tzu, book 7)	p. 173
Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao (Tao Te Ching 16, 22, 33, 44)	p. 174
The Superior Man (Chuang-tzu, book 12)	p. 175
Government (Tao Te Ching 3, 18, 57, 64)	p. 176
On Death (Chuang-tzu, book 18)	p. 177
Reward and Retribution (T'ai-Shang, book 1)	p. 177
Ritual	p. 179
Methods of Prolonging Life (Pao-p'u tzu 15.6b-7a; 19.6b-7a)	p. 179
Glossary	p. 180
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 180
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 181
Shinto	p. 183
Introduction	p. 183
The Kojiki	p. 183
The Nihongi	p. 184
Selections from the Kojiki	p. 184
Preface to the Kojiki	p. 184
The Creation of Japan (Kojiki, Chapters 1-5, 11, 33)	p. 187
Emperor Yuryaku and the Story of the Woman Akawi-ko (Kojiki 154)	p. 190
Glossary	p. 191
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 191
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 191
Zoroastrianism	p. 193
Introduction	p. 193
Overview of Structure	p. 193
Origin and Development	p. 194
Use	p. 195
History	p. 196
The Call of Zarathushtra (Yasna 29)	p. 196
A Hymn of Praise to Zarathushtra (Yasht 24: 87b-94)	p. 197
Teaching	p. 198
Hymn to Ahura and the Purifying Fire (Yasna 36)	p. 198
Hymn to Ahura Mazda the Creator (Yasna 37:1-5)	p. 198
The Doctrine of Dualism (Yasna 30)	p. 199
Worship and Ritual	p. 200
The Place of the Gathas (Yasna 55:1-3)	p. 200
The Zoroastrian Confession (Yasna 12)	p. 200
The Four Great Prayers (From the Yasna)	p. 201
Disposal of the Dead (Vendidad, Fargard 6, section 5, 44-51)	p. 202
Glossary	p. 202
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 203
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 203
Judaism	p. 205
Introduction	p. 205
Names	p. 206
Overview of Structure	p. 206
Origin and Development	p. 208
Use	p. 211
History	p. 213
The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)	p. 213
The Call of Moses (Exodus 3:1-20)	p. 214
Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:1-31)	p. 215
The Covenant with Israel (Exodus 19:1-8)	p. 216
A Psalm for David (Psalm 132)	p. 216
Ezra's Enforcement of Torah Observance (Ezra 9:1-7, 13-15; 10:1-12)	p. 217
Teaching	p. 218
The Oneness of God (Deuteronomy 6:1-9)	p. 218
God as the Divine Shepherd (Psalm 23)	p. 219
God's Creation of the World (Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1-9, 15-25)	p. 219
The Revolt of Humanity (Genesis 3:1-24)	p. 221
Prayer for Divine Deliverance (Psalm 5)	p. 222
A Light to the Nations (Isaiah 42:1-7)	p. 223
The Messianic King (Isaiah 11:1-9)	p. 224
The Final Judgment of the World (Daniel 7:1-14)	p. 224
Resurrection of the Dead (Daniel 12:1-3)	p. 225
Ethics	p. 226
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-14)	p. 226
Laws on Slaves, Violence, Property (Exodus 21:1-36; 22:15-26)	p. 226
Justice for All (Exodus 23:1-9)	p. 228
Holy War (Deuteronomy 20:1-20)	p. 228
Sexual Love (Song of Songs 1:1-2:17)	p. 229
God's Call to an Unfaithful People (Amos 4:1-13)	p. 231
Two Views of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-33; Ecclesiastes 1:1-9)	p. 232
The Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)	p. 234
Organization	p. 234
The Ordination of Priests (Exodus 29:1-37)	p. 234
A Call to Be a Prophet (Isaiah 6:1-13)	p. 236
Women as Judges and Prophets (Judges 4:4-10, 14-16; II Kings 22:11-20)	p. 237
Ritual	p. 238
The Establishment of Circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14, 23-27)	p. 238
The Establishment of the Passover (Exodus 12:1-19, 24-27)	p. 238
The Observance of the Sabbath (Exodus 31:12-17)	p. 239
Offerings for the Forgiveness of Sin (Leviticus 4:27--5:10)	p. 240
The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-5, 11-19, 29-34)	p. 241
Kosher and Nonkosher Foods (Leviticus 11:1-31, 41-47)	p. 242
Selections from the Mishnah and Talmud	p. 243
The Sayings of the Fathers (Mishnah, Aboth 1.1-18)	p. 243
The Duty to Marry and Have Children (Babylonian Talmud, Yebamoth 61b-63)	p. 245
Praising God in Bad Times (Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth 5)	p. 246
Glossary	p. 247
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 247
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 248
Christianity	p. 251
Introduction	p. 251
Names	p. 251
Overview of Structure	p. 252
Origin and Development	p. 254
Use	p. 256
History	p. 258
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:18-25)	p. 258
Jesus Denounces Pharisees and Lawyers (Luke 11:37-54)	p. 258
Jesus' Miracles (Luke 8:26-56)	p. 259
The Arrest, Trial, and Death of Jesus (Mark 14:43-50, 53-65; 15:1-41)	p. 260
The Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8)	p. 262
The Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:6-11)	p. 263
The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21)	p. 263
Persecution of the Apostles (Acts 5:27-42)	p. 264
The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-21)	p. 265
Teaching	p. 266
The Parables of Jesus (Mark 4:1-34)	p. 266
The Word Became Human (John 1:1-18)	p. 267
Nicodemus Visits Jesus (John 3:1-21)	p. 268
A Sinful Woman Forgiven (Luke 7:36-50)	p. 268
Results of Justification (Romans 5:1-11)	p. 269
The Resurrection of Christ and the Believer (I Corinthians 15:1-11, 35-58)	p. 270
The End of Time (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:1-21:4)	p. 271
Ethics	p. 272
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)	p. 272
Directions Concerning Marriage (I Corinthians 7:1-16, 25-40)	p. 276
Love (I Corinthians 13:1-13)	p. 277
Ethics in the Christian Household (Ephesians 5:21-6:9)	p. 278
Being Subject to Authorities (Romans 13:1-10)	p. 278
The Fall of Rome (Revelation 17:1-18:5)	p. 279
Organization	p. 280
The Twelve Apostles and Their Mission (Matthew 10:1-15)	p. 280
Matthew's Church Order (Matthew 18:1-22)	p. 281
Peter as the Rock (Matthew 16:13-20)	p. 282
Qualifications of Bishops and Deacons (I Timothy 3:1-13)	p. 282
Women in the Early Church (Luke 10:38-42; I Corinthians 11:2-16; Galatians 3:27-28; I Timothy 2:8-15)	p. 283
Ritual	p. 284
The Eucharist (Matthew 26:17-29; John 6:22-59)	p. 284
Baptism (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 6:1-14)	p. 286
Confession and Anointing (James 5:13-18)	p. 287
Glossary	p. 287
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 288
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 288
Islam	p. 291
Introduction	p. 291
Name	p. 292
Overview of Structure	p. 292
Origin and Development	p. 294
Use	p. 296
History	p. 297
The Call of Muhammad (96; 53:1-18)	p. 297
The Mission of Muhammad (11:1-16; 93)	p. 298
Opposition to Muhammad (52:30-49; 63)	p. 299
The Night Journey (17:1-2)	p. 300
The Flight to Medina (9:40)	p. 301
The Wives of Muhammad (33:28-40, 48-49)	p. 301
The Death of Muhammad (21:34-37)	p. 302
Teaching	p. 302
God's Absolute Oneness (6:100-103; 112)	p. 302
God's Names (59:22-24)	p. 303
God's Power (24:41-46; 6:95-99)	p. 303
God's Predestination (42:8-13; 7:177-182)	p. 304
Jinn (72:1-15)	p. 305
Creation (15:16-48; 16:1-17)	p. 305
Adam, Eve, and the Fall (2:28-37)	p. 307
The Holy Quran (42:50-53; 46:1-11; 2:81-85)	p. 308
Abraham and Relations to Judaism (37:82-110)	p. 309
Mary and Jesus, Relations to Christianity (3:38-50)	p. 310
Unbelievers, Jews, and Christians (9:1-7; 2:111-121, 132-137)	p. 311
Resurrection and Judgment (75:1-15; 69:14-35)	p. 312
Heaven and Hell (76:1-22; 56:1-39; 77:1-39)	p. 313
Ethics	p. 315
The Conduct of Believers (17:23-39)	p. 315
Women (4:19-22, 34-39; 2:220-223, 227-233)	p. 316
Against Evil Magic (113; 114)	p. 317
Holy War (48:11-21; 2:190-194, 216-218)	p. 318
Law Codes (4:1-10)	p. 319
Worship and Ritual	p. 320
The Opening of the Quran (1)	p. 320
Confession of Faith (57:1-7; 37:32-39)	p. 320
Prayer (2:142-149)	p. 321
Alms (107; 9:53-60)	p. 322
The Fast (2:183-186)	p. 322
Pilgrimage (2:124-130; 106; 2:196-199)	p. 323
The Mosque (24:36-38; 9:15-18)	p. 324
Selections from the Hadith	p. 325
On Innovations	p. 325
On Ritual Washings	p. 325
On Prayer	p. 325
On Alms	p. 326
On God	p. 326
On the Power of Reading the Quran	p. 326
On Judgment	p. 327
On Obeying Muhammad and the Ruler	p. 327
On the Martyr in Holy War	p. 327
Glossary	p. 327
Questions for Study and Discussion	p. 328
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 328
Index	p. 330
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