Scriptures of the East

by FIESER

• ISBN13: 9780070209794
• ISBN10: 0070209790
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-11-01
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages

Summary

This anthology of scriptures in English translation from the world's living religions of the East is a companion pull-out volume of Fieser's SCRIPTURES OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS. Scriptures of The East contains sacred writings of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto. Sections and subsections contain brief editor's introductions which discuss the nature and scope of scripture within each religion, and the history of the scripture presented. The book uses recent public-domain translations and is sensitive to competing translations.

Table of Contents

Preface	xv
Hinduism	1	(56)
Defining "Hinduism"	1	(1)
History of Hinduism and Hindu Scriptures	2	(5)
Selections from the Vedas	7	(11)
Creation of the Universe [Rig Veda I0.90: Purusha-Sukta]	7	(2)
Origin of the Gods [Rig Veda I0.72]	9	(1)
Indra, the Paradigmatic Warrior [Rig Veda 1.3]	9	(2)
Prayer to Agni, the God of Fire [Rig Veda I.1]	11	(1)
Burning Dead Bodies [Rig Veda 10.16]	11	(1)
The Beneficial Effects of Drinking Soma [Rig Veda 8.48]	12	(2)
Sex and the Yogin [Rig Veda 1.179]	14	(1)
A Clever Woman [Rig Veda 10.159]	14	(1)
The Horse Sacrifice [Rig Veda 1.162]	15	(1)
To the Fire Altar [Shatapatha Brahmana 10.5.4.1-16]	16	(1)
What is the Origin of the World? [Rig Veda 10.129]	17	(1)
Selections from Vedanta: The Upanishads and Their Commentaries	18	(8)
Yama's Instructions to Naciketas [Katha Upanishad selections]	18	(3)
Sacrifices Cannot Lead to the Ultimate Goal [Mundaka Upanishad, chapter 1]	21	(1)
Instructions on Renouncing the World [Aruni Upanishad 1-2]	22	(1)
Self-Effort and Liberation [Viveka-chudamani, pp. 40-41]	23	(1)
Maya [Viveka-chudamani, p. 49]	24	(1)
That Is You [Viveka-chudamani, pp. 72-74]	24	(1)
Qualified Nondualism: Ramanuja's Interpretation [Shri-bhashya, ch. 1]	25	(1)
Selections from Yoga	26	(4)
The Meaning of Yoga [Yoga-sutras and Yoga-bhashya, chapter 1]	26	(2)
Yogic Techniques [Yoga-sutras and Yoga-bhashya, chapter 2]	28	(1)
Yogic Attainments [Yoga-sutras and Yoga-bhashya, chapter 3]	29	(1)
Selections from Puranas and Epics	30	(11)
The Four Ages [Linga Purana 1.39.5-34, 48-70; 1.40.1-3,66cd-76]	30	(4)
The Lingam of Shiva [Brahmanda Purana 1.2.26.10-61]	34	(2)
Rama, A God Among Humans [Ramayana, ch. 1]	36	(2)
The Bhagavad-Gita: Arjuna's Refusal to Fight [Bhagavad-gita selections]	38	(3)
Selections from Devotional Literature	41	(3)
Praise of the Goddess [Devi-Mahatmya I.42-I.63]	41	(1)
Prayer for Identity with the Goddess [Saundaryalahari]	42	(1)
Mirabai's Mystical Marriage to Krishna [Poem by Mirabai]	42	(1)
Cheating on Her Husband [Poem by Mahadeviyakka]	43	(1)
Selections from Treatises on Dharma	44	(9)
Actions and Their Results [Manu-smriti selections]	44	(1)
The Four Stages of Life [Manu-smriti selections]	45	(2)
Leaving Home Life [Manu-smriti, ch. 6]	47	(1)
Duties of the Four Social Classes [Manu-smriti, chs. 4, 9, 8]	48	(2)
How Women Should Live [Manu-smriti, chs. 3, 5]	50	(1)
Manu's Instructions on Finding the Right Mate [Manu-smriti, ch. 3]	51	(2)
Glossary	53	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	54	(3)
Jainism	57	(16)
History of Jainism	57	(2)
Jaina Scriptures	59	(2)
Selections from Jaina Scriptures	61	(10)
Mahavira, the Ascetic Paradigm [Acaranga-sutra and Kalpa-sutra selections]	61	(1)
Women Cannot Attain Liberation [Sutraprabrita]	61	(2)
Women Can Attain Liberation [Strinirvana-pariccheda]	63	(1)
Bondage and Liberation [Sutrakritanga 1.1.1]	64	(1)
The Worthlessness of Possessions, Friends, and Relatives [Acarangasutra 1.2.1-12]	64	(1)
The Importance of Equanimity [Uttaradhyayanasutra 2.24-37]	65	(1)
The World is Full of Suffering [Uttaradhyayanasutra 19.61-67, 71, 74]	66	(1)
Fasting Unto Death [Acarangasutra 1.7.105]	66	(1)
There is No Creator God [Mahapurana 4.16-31, 38-40]	67	(1)
Excerpts from the Sutra on Understanding the Meaning of the Categories [Tattvarthadhigama-sutra selections]	68	(3)
Glossary	71	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	71	(2)
Buddhism	73	(54)
History of Buddhism	73	(6)
Buddhist Scriptures	79	(2)
Selections from the Pali Canon	81	(17)
The Life of the Buddha [Lalita-vistara selections]	81	(2)
The First Sermon [Samyutta-nikaya 5.420-423]	83	(2)
The Buddha's Good Qualities [Digha-nikaya 1.4-10]	85	(1)
Criteria for Assessing Valid Teachings and Teachers [Anguttaranikaya 1.189]	86	(1)
Nirvana [Udana, ch. 8.1-4]	86	(1)
Dependent Arising [Samyutta-nikaya 3.90]	87	(1)
Questions that Should be Avoided [Majjhima-nikaya 3.72]	88	(2)
Selflessness [Samyutta-nikaya 3.59]	90	(1)
Instructions on Meditation [Saundarananda ch. 14-15]	91	(1)
Ordination of Women [Vinaya-pitaka, Cullavagga, ch. 10]	92	(2)
The Cessation of Suffering [Therigatha, psalm 47]	94	(1)
My Teacher [Therigatha, psalm 38]	95	(1)
The Joy of Release [Therigatha, psalm 22]	95	(1)
The Buddha's Last Days and Final Instructions [Mahaparinibbanasutta selections]	95	(1)
The Questions of King Milinda [Milinda-panho, 2.25-28]	96	(2)
Selections From Mahayana Scriptures	98	(14)
The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra [Prajnaparamita-hridaya-sutra]	98	(2)
Excerpts from the Diamond Sutra [Vajracchedika-prajnaparamita-sutra selections]	100	(1)
Why Bodhisattvas Are Superior to Hearers [Ashtasahasrikaprajnaparamita-sutra, ch. 11]	101	(1)
On the Differences between Men and Women [Vimalakirti-nirdeshasutra ch. 6]	101	(3)
The Lotus Sutra: Parable of the Burning House [Saddharma-pundarika-sutra, ch. 3]	104	(2)
Everything is Controlled by the Mind [Ratnamegha-sutra, from the Shiksha-samuccaya, ch. 6]	106	(1)
The Basis Consciousness [Samdhinirmocana-sutra, ch. 5]	106	(1)
Nagarjuna on Emptiness [Shunyata-saptati selections]	107	(1)
The Bodhisattva's Vows of Universal Love [Bodhicaryavatara, "Bodhicitta-parigraha"]	108	(1)
Tantric Skill in Means [Hevajra-tantra I.ix.2-3]	109	(1)
The Stage of Completion [Guhyasamaja-tantra; quoted in The Garland of Mahamudra Practices]	109	(1)
Women Should Be Honored [Candamaharoshana-tantra, p. 33]	109	(1)
Samsara and Nirvana Are One [Hevajra-tantra, ch. I.x.32-34, II.ii.43-44]	110	(1)
Using Desire to Eradicate Desire [Viryavajra's Commentary on the Samputa Tantra; quoted in Sngags rim chen mo, II.7]	110	(1)
The State of Pure Awareness [Hevajra-tantra I.x.8-12]	111	(1)
The Importance of the Guru [Tilopa, quoted in The Garland of Mahamudra Practices]	111	(1)
Selections from Tibetan Buddhist Texts	112	(4)
Ultimate Reality [Chos bzhi rin po che'i phreng ba]	112	(1)
Bardo, the State Between Lives [Bardo thos grol selections]	112	(1)
Milarepa on Meditation [Rje btsun mi la ras pa'i rnam thar, pp. 49bff.]	113	(1)
Niguma on Mahamudra [Rang grol phyag rgya chen po, p. 162b.8-163a.6]	114	(1)
Instructions from Manjushri [Zhen pa bzhi bral]	114	(1)
The Triple Appearance [Rdo rje tshigs rkang, ch. 1]	115	(1)
Developing the Mind of Awakening [Lam rim chen mo, pp. 572.5,575.1]	115	(1)
Chinese and Japanese Buddhist Scriptures	116	(7)
Why Buddhism is Superior to Taoism and Confucianism (San lun hsuan i, ch. 1]	116	(1)
The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch [Platform Sutra 12-16]	117	(1)
Kukai: Exoteric and Esoteric Buddhism [Petition to Supplement the Annual Reading of Sutra in the Imperial Palace]	118	(2)
Dogen's Meditation Instructions [Shobogenzo selections]	120	(1)
The Mu Koan [Zen Comments on the Mumonkan, pp. 19-20]	120	(1)
Pure Land: Shinran on Amida's Vow [Tannisho, ch. 1,3]	121	(2)
Truth Decay: Nichiren on the Title of the Lotus Sutra [Hokke Damokushu selections]	123	(1)
Glossary	123	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	125	(2)
Sikhism	127	(20)
History of Sikhism	127	(5)
Sikh Scriptures	132	(1)
Selections from Sikh Scriptures	133	(10)
Nanak, the First Guru [Janam-Sakhi selections]	133	(1)
Guru Nanak's Death [Puratan Janam-Sakhi, pp. 111-115]	134	(1)
The Mul Mantra: The Basic Statement [Adi Granth 1.1]	135	(1)
Jap: The Meditation [Adi Granth 1.2]	135	(1)
The Divine Name [Adi Granth, "Siri Raga" selections]	135	(1)
Meditation on the Name [Adi Granth, "Siri Raga" 1]	136	(1)
Nudity Does Not Make One a Saint [Kabir Granthavali, pad 174]	137	(1)
Books and Learning Are of No Use [Kabir Granthavali, pad 191]	137	(1)
External Observances Are of No Use [Adi Granth, "Japji" 5]	137	(1)
On Hukam [Adi Granth, "Japji" 2]	138	(1)
On Haumai [Adi Granth, "Japji" 18]	138	(1)
The True Guru [Var majh Pauri, 25]	139	(1)
The Ecstasy of Mystical Union [Sakhi 9]	139	(1)
Guidelines for a Happy Marriage [Sukhamani 4.5]	140	(1)
Formation of the Khalsa [Tavarikh Guru Khalsa selections]	141	(1)
Justification for Use of Force [Japharnama selections]	142	(1)
God, the Sword Supreme [Bachiter Natak 1]	143	(1)
Glossary	143	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	144	(3)
Confucianism	147	(28)
History of Confucianism	147	(3)
Confucian Scriptures	150	(2)
Selections from Confucian Scriptures	152	(21)
Ssu-ma Ch'ien's Account of Confucius's Life [Shih-chi selections]	152	(2)
The Book of History [Shu-ching selections]	154	(1)
Confucius: Selections from the Analects [Lun-yu selections]	154	(6)
The Great Learning [Ta-hsueh]	160	(1)
The Doctrine of the Mean [Chung yung]	161	(1)
The Life of Mencius [Shih-chi selections]	162	(1)
Selections from the Mencius [Meng-tzu selections]	162	(4)
Hsun-tzu: The Nature of Human Beings is Evil [Xunzi, III.150-151]	166	(1)
Yang Hsiung: Human Nature is a Mixture of Good and Evil [Fu-yen 3.1a-b]	167	(1)
Han Yu: Attack on Buddhism and Taoism [Ch'ang-li hsien-sheng wen-chi, 39.2b-42]	168	(1)
Chou Tun-i: The Great Ultimate [T'ai-chi t'u shuo, ch. 1]	169	(1)
Chu-Hsi: Nature and Humanity [Chu-tzu wen-chi selections]	170	(1)
Wang Yang-Ming: The Meaning of the Great Learning [Inquiry on the Great Learning, ch. 1]	171	(2)
Glossary	173	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	174	(1)
Taoism	175	(36)
History of Taoism	175	(4)
Taoist Scriptures	179	(2)
Selections from Taoist Scriptures	181	(26)
A Brief Account of Lao-Tzu's Life [Shih-chi, p. 63.2142]	181	(1)
Lao-tzu Instructs Confucius [Shih-chi, p. 63.2139]	181	(1)
Lao-tzu Converts the Barbarians [Hua-hu ching, p. 1266b]	182	(1)
Lao-tzu Becomes an Immortal [Hsi-sheng ching selections]	183	(1)
Lao-tzu: The Tao Te Ching [Tao te ching selections]	183	(5)
Wang-pi: Commentary on the Tao Te Ching [Lao-tzu 1.1.1a]	188	(1)
Visualizing the Tao [Lao-tzu tao te ching hsu-chui]	189	(1)
The Tao of Immortality [Lao-tzu tao te ching hsu chui 6.1.5ab]	190	(1)
Purity and Tranquillity [Ch'ing-ching ching]	191	(1)
Chuang-tzu's Life and Work [Shih-chi 63.2144]	191	(1)
The Tao is in Everything [Chuang-tzu, ch. 22]	192	(1)
The Value of Knowing Tao [Chuang-tzu, ch. 17]	192	(1)
The Pitfalls of Words and Concepts [Chuang-tzu, ch. 2]	193	(1)
The Value of Unlearning [Chuang-tzu chu 8.39a]	194	(1)
The Sage is Godlike [Chuang-tzu, ch. 2]	194	(1)
Dreams and Reality [Chuang-tzu, ch. 2]	195	(1)
Worldly Fame is Like a Dead Rat [Chuang-tzu, ch. 17]	195	(1)
Simplicity and Naturalness [Chuang-tzu, ch. 2]	196	(1)
The True Man [Chuang-tzu, ch. 6]	196	(1)
What the Sage Knows [Chuang-tzu, ch. 17]	197	(1)
A Person Without Feelings [Chuang-tzu, ch. 5]	197	(1)
An Old Useless Tree [Chuang-tzu, ch. 4]	198	(1)
Dragging His Tail in the Mud [Chuang-tzu, ch. 17]	199	(1)
Chuang-tzu's Wife Died [Chuang-tzu, ch. 18]	200	(1)
The Lady of Great Mystery [Biographies of Spirit Immortals, "The Lady of Great Mystery"]	200	(1)
Sun Bu-er: Immortality Practices for Women [Cultivating the Elixir; from Immortal Sisters]	201	(2)
Sexual Techniques for Men [Yu-fang pi-chui, "Sexual Instructions of the Master of Pure Harmony," 636]	203	(1)
Sexual Techniques for Women [Yu-fang pi-chui 635]	204	(1)
The Great Man [Ta-jen hsian-sheng chuang, ch. 1]	204	(1)
The Value of Drunkenness [Chiu te sung 47]	205	(1)
Transcending the World [Yuan you]	206	(1)
The Music of Tao [Hsi sheng ching selections]	206	(1)
Glossary	207	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	208	(3)
Shinto	211	(16)
History of Shinto	211	(2)
Shinto Scriptures	213	(1)
Selections from Shinto Scriptures	214	(10)
Birth of the Kami of Sun and Moon [Nihongi, ch. 1]	214	(1)
The Birth of Great Kami [Kojiki, ch. 1]	215	(1)
The Creation of Japan [Nihongi, ch. 1]	216	(1)
Izanagi Visits Izanami in the Netherworld [Kojiki, chs. 10,11]	217	(1)
Ameterasu Hides in a Cave [Kojiki, ch. 17]	218	(1)
The Shrine at Ise [Nihongi, ch. 5]	219	(1)
Why Japan is Special [Kitabatake Chikafusa]	220	(1)
Protecting the Stability of the Country [Nihongi, ch. 5, 6th and 7th years]	220	(1)
Prince Shotoku's Proclamation on Veneration of Kami [Nihongi, ch. 12]	221	(1)
Festival of the Gates [Norito, p. 44]	222	(1)
Prayer to Ameterasu During the Festival of the Sixth Month [Norito, pp. 60-61]	222	(1)
Prayer for Moving the Shrine of Ise [Norito, p. 67]	223	(1)
Mount Fuji [Manyoshi]	223	(1)
Life is Transitory [Manyoshi]	224	(1)
Glossary	224	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	225	(2)
Endnotes	227	(12)
Hinduism	227	(2)
Jainism	229	(1)
Buddhism	230	(4)
Sikhism	234	(1)
Confucianism	235	(1)
Taoism	236	(1)
Shinto	237	(2)
Acknowledgments	239