Chapter 1. Understanding Religion

What Is Religion?

Patterns among Religions

Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Religion

Key Critical Issues

Why Study the Major Religions of the World?

The Journey

Chapter 2. Indigenous Religions

Discovering Indigenous Religions

Studying Indigenous Religions: Learning from Patterns

Sacred Practices in Indigenous Religions

Indigenous Religions Today

Chapter 3. Hinduism

The Origins of Hinduism

The Upanishads and the Axis Age

Living Spiritually in the Everyday World

Devotional Hinduism

Hinduism and the Arts

Hinduism: Modern Challenges

Chapter 4. Buddhism

The Beginnings of Buddhism: The Life of the Buddha

The Basic Teachings of Buddhism

The Influence of Indian Thought on Early Buddhist Teachings

The Early Development of Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism: The Way of the Elders

Mahayana Buddhism: The "Big Vehicle"

Vajrayana Buddhism: The "Diamond Vehicle"

Buddhism and the Modern World

Chapter 5. Jainism and Sikhism

Shared Origins

Jainism

Background

Mahavira and the Origins of Jainism

Worldview

Jain Ethics

The Development of Jainism and Its Branches

Jain Practices

Jain Scriptures

Jain Art and Architecture

Sikhism

Background

Nanak and the Origins of Sikhism

The Worldview and Teachings of Nanak

The Development of Sikhism

Sikh Scriptures

Sikhism and the Modern World

Chapter 6. Daoism and Confucianism

Basic Elements of Traditional Chinese Beliefs

Daoism

The Origins of Daoism

The Basic Early Teachings

Daoism and the Quest for Longevity

The Development of Daoism

Daoism and the Arts

Daoism and the Modern World

Confucianism

The Dao in Confucianism

The Life of Confucius

Living According to Confucian Values

Confucian Literature

The Development of Confucianism

Confucianism and the Arts

Confucianism and the Modern World

Chapter 7. Shinto

The Origins of Shinto

The Historical Development of Shinto

Essentials of Shinto Belief

Shinto Religious Practice

Shinto and the Arts

Shinto Offshoots: The New Religions

Shinto and the Modern World

Chapter 8. Judaism

An Overview of Jewish History

The Hebrew Bible

Biblical History

Cultural Conflict during the Second Temple Era

The Development of Rabbinical Judaism

Questioning and Reform

Judaism and the Modern World

Jewish Belief

Religious Practice

Divisions within Contemporary Judaism

Jewish Identity and the Future of Judaism

Chapter 9. Christianity

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

Early Christian Beliefs and History

The Early Spread of Christianity

Influences on Christianity at the End of the Roman Empire

The Eastern Orthodox Church

Christianity in the Middle Ages

The Protestant Reformation

The Development of Christianity Following the Protestant Reformation

Christian Practice

Christianity and the Arts

Christianity Faces the Modern World

Chapter 10. Islam

The Life and Teachings of Muhammad

Essentials of Islam

The Historical Development of Islam

Sufism: Islamic Mysticism

Islamic Law and Philosophy

Islam and the Arts

Islam and the Modern World

Chapter 11. Alternative Paths

Origins of New Religions

Contemporary Paganism: Wicca and Druidism

Religions of the Yoruba Tradition: Santería, Voodoo, Candomblé

Theosophy

Scientology

Falun Gong

Cao Dai

Rastafarianism

Baha'i

New Religious Movements: A Special Role

Chapter 12. The Modern Search

Modern Influences on the Future of Religion

The Recurring Challenge of Change

Environmentalism: A Religious Phenomenon?

Eclectic Spirituality

Answer Key

Notes

Credits

Index

In each chapter:

First Encounter

Related Readings

Key Terms