LI V I N G

R ELIGION S

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 L IV ING
R EL IG IO NS
N I N T H E D I T I O N — M A R Y PAT F I S H E R

CONSULTANTS

CHRISTOPHER QUEEN Harvard University

DAMARIS PARSITAU Egerton University, Kenya

RITA SHERMA Taksha University

CHRISTOPHER CHAPPLE Loyola Marymount University

RODNEY L. TAYLOR University of Colorado at Boulder

JOHN BREEN International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, Kyoto

HILLEL LEVINE Boston University and International Center for Concilliation

MARY DOAK University of San Diego

OMID SAFI University of North Carolina

GURINDER SINGH MANN University of California, Santa Barbara

EILEEN BARKER London School of Economics

GEORGE D. CHRYSSIDES University of Birmingham

M. DARROL BRYANT Renison University College/University of Waterloo, Canada

Boston Columbus Indianapolis New York San Francisco Upper Saddle River
Amsterdam Cape Town Dubai London Madrid Milan Munich Paris Montréal Toronto
Delhi Mexico City São Paulo Sydney Hong Kong Seoul Singapore Taipei Tokyo

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 CONTENTS
Preface ix RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Damaris Parsitau 66
Teaching and learning resources xv Key terms 69
MAP Religions of the World Today xvi Review questions 69
TIMELINE xviii Discussion questions 69

CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 1
HIND UISM 71
R E L I G IOUS RESPONSES 1 Philosophical and metaphysical origins 72
Attempts to define religion 2 — The Indus Valley civilization 72
Why are there religions? 3 MAP The Indian Subcontinent 73
— Materialistic perspective: humans invented religion 3 TIMELINE Hinduism 74
— Functional perspective: religion is useful 4 — The Vedas 75
— Faith perspective: Ultimate Reality exists 7 Major philosophical systems 77
Understandings of Sacred Reality 10 — Samkhya 78
EXCLUSIVISM VS. UNIVERSALISM A letter from — Advaita Vedanta 78
I. H. Azad Faruqi 12 — Yoga 79
Ritual, symbol, and myth 14 Religious foundations and theistic paths 83
TEACHING STORY Descendants of the Eagle 17 — Shaktas 84
Absolutist and liberal responses to modernity 18 — Shaivites 87
BOX Angels Weep 19 — Vaishnavites 89
The encounter between science and religion 20 — The epics and Puranas 89
RELIGION IN PRACTICE When Science Approaches Religion 25 TEACHING STORY Hanuman, the Monkey Chief 93
Women in religions 26 The Hindu way of life 95
Negative aspects of organized religions 28 — Rituals 95
Lenses for studying religion 29 LIVING HINDUISM An Interview with Somjit Dasgupta 97
Key terms 30 — Castes, duties, and life goals 98
Review questions 31 RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Anna Hazare 100
Discussion questions 31 — Life stages 101
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Sacred Thread Ceremony 102
CHAPTER 2 — The guru 103
— Women’s position 103
I N D I G ENOUS SACRED WAYS 33 — Fasts, prayers, and auspicious designs 106
Understanding indigenous sacred ways 34 — Reverence of trees and rivers 106
MAP Distribution of Indigenous Groups 34 — Pilgrimages 107
Cultural diversity 36 — Festivals 108
The circle of right relationships 39 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Holi 110
— Relationships with spirit 40 Hinduism in the modern world 111
YORUBA TEACHING STORY Osun and the Power of Woman 42 — Modern movements 112
— Kinship with all creation 42 — Global Hinduism 113
— Relationships with power 46 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Dharmic Principles:
Spiritual specialists 48 The Swadhyaya Movement 114
— Storytellers and other sacred roles 48 — Hindu identity 117
— Mystical intermediaries 51 Key terms 118
LIVING INDIGENOUS SACRED WAYS An Interview with Review questions 119
Nadezhda Ananyevna Stepanova 54 Discussion questions 119
Group observances 55
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Sun Dance Way CHAPTER 4
of Self-Sacrifice 56
— Individual observances 59 JAI NISM 121
Globalization 60 The Tirthankaras and ascetic orders 121
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Orang Asli of Malaysia: Freeing the soul: the ethical pillars 123
Traditions Being Lost 62 — Karma 124
Development issues 64 TEACHING STORY The Story of Bahubali 124

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 VI CONTENTS

— Ahimsa 125 — The Confucian virtues 209

RELIGION IN PRACTICE Jain Purification 127 — Divergent followers of Confucius 211
— Aparigraha 127 — The state cult 212
— Anekantwad 128 — Neo-Confucianism 213
Spiritual practices 128 — Confucianism under communism 214
Festivals and pilgrimages 131 — Confucianism in East Asia 217
LIVING JAINISM An Interview with M. P. Jain 132 LIVING CONFUCIANISM An Interview with Okada Takehito 218
World Jainism 133 Key terms 219
Key terms 135 Review questions 220
Review questions 135 Discussion questions 220
Discussion questions 135
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 5
SHINTO 222
BUDDHISM 137 The roots of “Shinto” 222
The life and legend of the Buddha 137 — Kinship with nature 223
TIMELINE Buddhism 139 — Relationships with the kami 224
The Dharma 143 TEACHING STORY Amaterasu Comes Out of the Cave 225
— The Four Noble Truths 143 — Shrines 226
— The Noble Eightfold Path to liberation 145 LIVING SHINTO An Interview with a Japanese Businessman 227
— The wheel of birth and death 146 MAP Major Shinto Shrines 229
TEACHING STORY The Great Ape Jataka Tale 148 — Ceremonies and festivals 230
— Nirvana 149 — Purification 232
Branches of Buddhism 150 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Purification by Waterfall 233
MAP The Spread of Buddhism 150 Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian influences 234
— Theravada: the path of mindfulness 151 State Shinto 235
— Mahayana: the path of compassion and wisdom 157 “Sect Shinto” 236
MAP Distribution of Forms of Buddhism in the World Today 158 Shinto today 237
— Chan and Zen: the great way of enlightenment 162 Key terms 240
CHART Major Branches of Buddhism 163 Review questions 240
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Zen Oxherding Pictures 164 Discussion questions 240
— Pure Land: devotion to Amitabha Buddha 166
— Nichiren: salvation through the Lotus Sutra 166 ZOROASTR IA NISM 242
LIVING BUDDHISM An Interview with Naoyuki Ogi 167
— Vajrayana: the indestructible path 169 CHAPTER 8
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE His Holiness the Dalai Lama 172
— Festivals 173 JUD A ISM 246
Buddhism in the West 175 A history of the Jewish people 246
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Life in a Western Zen Monastery 176 TIMELINE Judaism 247
Socially engaged Buddhism 180 — Biblical stories 248
Key terms 185 MAP The Early Israelites 250
Review questions 186 TEACHING STORY Abraham’s Willingness to Sacrifice Isaac 252
Discussion questions 186 BOX The Ten Commandments 255
— Return to Jerusalem 257
CHAPTER 6 — Rabbinic Judaism 261
— Judaism in the Middle Ages 265
D A O I S M A N D CONFUCIANISM 188 — Kabbalah and Hasidism 267
Ancient traditions 188 — Judaism and modernity 269
— Worship and divination 189 — The Holocaust 270
MAP Historic Sites of Daoism and Confucianism 189 MAP Jewish Populations and the Holocaust 273
— Cosmic balance 191 — Zionism and contemporary Israel 273
TIMELINE Daoism and Confucianism 192 Torah 278
Daoism—the way of nature and immortality 193 — The one God 278
— Teachings of Daoist sages 194 — Love for God 279
TEACHING STORY Three in the Morning 196 — The sacredness of human life 279
— Popular religion and organized Daoism 197 — Law 280
— Inner alchemy 199 LIVING JUDAISM An Interview with Eli Epstein 281
— Daoist sects 201 — Suffering and faith 282
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Lantern Festival 202 Sacred practices 283
— Daoism today 203 Holy days 286
Confucianism—the practice of virtue 207 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Passover Innovations 289
— Master Kong’s life 208 Contemporary Judaism 290

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 CONTENTS VII

— Major branches today 291 Review questions 375

CHART Major Branches of Judaism Today 291 Discussion questions 375
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Rabbi Michael Melchior 294
— Jewish feminism 296 CHAPTER 10
— Jewish renewal 298
Key terms 299 I SL AM 377
Review questions 300 Pre-Islamic Arabia 377
Discussion questions 300 TIMELINE Islam 378
The Prophet Muhammad 379
CHAPTER 9 The Qur’an 384
The central teachings 387
C H R ISTIANITY 302 — The Oneness of God and of humanity 387
Historical evidence 302 — Prophethood and the compass of Islam 388
Evidence of the Bible 303 — Human relationship to the divine 388
The life and teachings of Jesus 305 — The unseen life 389
— Birth 305 — The Last Judgment 390
— Preparation 306 The Five Pillars 391
— Ministry 307 — Belief and witness 391
MAP Jesus’ Ministry 308 — Daily prayers 392
LIVING CHRISTIANITY An Interview with David Vandiver 311 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Salaat 393
TEACHING STORY The Good Samaritan 312 — Zakat 394
— Challenges to the authorities 313 — Fasting 395
TIMELINE Christianity 315 — Hajj 395
— Crucifixion 316 LIVING ISLAM An Interview with Dr. Syed M. Hussain 398
— Resurrection and Ascension 319 Sunni and Shi’a 399
BOX Books of the New Testament 320 — Sunnis 400
The early Church 321 — Shi’a 401
— From persecution to empire 321 Sufism 402
MAP St. Paul’s Missionary Journeys 323 The spread of Islam 406
— Evolving organization and theology 324 MAP The Spread of Islam 406
— Early monasticism 326 TEACHING STORY Transformation by Islam 408
Church administration 327 — Islamic culture 408
MAP Distribution of Christians Today 328 — Eastward expansion 410
— East–West division 329 Relationships with the West 413
— Social chaos and the papacy 330 — Islam in the West 415
Intellectual revival and monasticism 331 Muslim resurgence 416
Medieval mysticism 332 — Tradition in modern life 418
The Protestant Reformation 333 RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Shirin Ebadi 420
RELIGION IN PRACTICE Russian Orthodox Kenoticism 334 — Outreach and education 421
CHART Major Divisions of Christianity Today 337 — Islam in politics 423
The Roman Catholic Reformation 339 — Islam for the future 430
Liberal trends 340 Key terms 431
The Second Vatican Council 341 Review questions 432
The Orthodox world today 342 Discussion questions 432
BOX Eastern Orthodox Church 343
— Distinctive features of Orthodox spirituality 344 CHAPTER 11
Central beliefs in contemporary Christianity 346
Sacred practices 348 SI KHISM 434
— Worship services and sacraments 348 Guru Nanak 434
— The liturgical year 351 The succession of Gurus 436
— Contemplative prayer 354 TIMELINE Sikhism 437
— Veneration of saints and angels 355 TEACHING STORY Guru Arjun Dev’s Devotion 438
Contemporary trends 357 Central beliefs 443
— Evangelicalism 360 Sacred practices 445
— Spirit-oriented movements 362 RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh 448
— The Great Reversal 366 Sikhism today 449
— Christian faith and justice 367 MAP The Punjab 450
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu 369 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Amrit Ceremony on Baisakhi 452
— Feminist Christianity 370 LIVING SIKHISM An Interview with Sheena Kandhari 454
— Creation-centered Christianity 371 Key terms 455
— Ecumenical movement 372 Review questions 456
Key terms 374 Discussion questions 456

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 VIII CONTENTS

CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 13

N E W R E L I G I O US MOVEMENTS 458 R ELI GI ON IN THE

Social context of new religious movements 458 TWENTY- FIRST CENTUR Y 496
Charismatic leadership 461 Globalization 496
— Unification movement 461 Secularism 497
— Sathya Sai Baba 464 Religious pluralism 499
Offshoots of older religions 465 — Hardening of religious boundaries 499
— Mormon Church 465 — Religion after 11 September 501
— Jehovah’s Witnesses 467 Religion in politics 503
— Radhasoami 469 RELIGION IN PRACTICE Excerpts from
LIVING TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Obama’s Historic Cairo Speech 505
An Interview with Wolfgang Hecker 470 Interfaith movement 506
Combinations of older religions 471 — Responses to other faiths 507
— Caodaism 471 — Interfaith initiatives 508
— African-inspired syncretic religions 472 Religion and social issues 512
— Agon Shu 474 RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE Jimmy Carter 514
Universalism 475 Religion and materialism 516
— Theosophical Society 475 Religion and the future of humanity 518
— Baha’i 476 Key terms 519
RELIGION IN PRACTICE The Baha’i Model for Review questions 519
Governance of the World 478 Discussion questions 520
Social trends 479
— Ethnic identity: Rastafari 479
— Nature spirituality 481 Notes 522
— New Age spirituality 486 Glossary 535
— Invented religions 488 Index 544
Opposition to new religious movements 489 Credits 555
Will new religious movements last? 492
Key terms 493
Review questions 494
Discussion questions 494

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 PREFACE IX

PREFACE
Religion is not a museum piece but a vibrant force in the fires of hatred and violence. In the twenty-first century, as
lives of many people around the world. Living Religions is interest in religious participation grows, violence perpe-
a sympathetic approach to what is living and significant in trated in the name of religion is also growing. This ninth
the world’s major religious traditions and in various new edition follows this disturbing trend, while making distinc-
movements that are arising. This book provides a clear and tions between the basic teachings of religions, none of
straightforward account of the development, doctrines, which condones wanton violence, and the ways in which
and practices of the major faiths followed today. The religions have been politicized. Every religion is struggling
emphasis throughout is on the personal consciousness of with its responses to modernity, including fundamentalist
believers and their own accounts of their religion and its and exclusivist reactions to increasing pluralism within our
relevance in contemporary life. societies, and these struggles are discussed in each chapter.
Tied together by globalization, people around the world
have been affected by the global economic meltdown
What’s new in this edition? that began in the United States in 2008. The attitudes of
religions toward economic issues, including greed, mate-
This ninth edition of Living Religions has been thoroughly rialism, and the growing gap between rich and poor, are
revised and updated. In preparing the text I worked with examined throughout this edition.
an outstanding team of specialist consultants who provided People of many faiths are also looking at ways in which
detailed suggestions and resources for improving the text their religious practices and beliefs are interwoven with
in the light of recent scholarship. and affect the natural environment. This edition, therefore,
Old approaches to understanding and explaining reli- includes material on religious approaches to contemporary
gions are being increasingly challenged, so in this edition ecological concerns, such as pollution resulting from rapid
I have given special attention to sensitive issues raised industrialization in China, nuclear disaster in Japan, and
by current scholarship and by voices from within the ominous signs of climate change. Many other social issues
religions. Since the first edition of Living Religions, which are being taken up by religious leaders. Examples in this
was published in 1991, there have been sea changes in edition include structural injustice, corruption, HIV/AIDS,
understandings of Daoism and of Shinto, for instance, and and female infanticide.
the presumed history of an Aryan invasion of India and its This edition includes expanded coverage of women,
links to the Vedas is being carefully re-examined. Much with women’s voices and contributions woven into the
more emphasis is being placed on cultural customs, popu- discussion of each religion. Feminist theologies now span
lar spiritual practices, mixtures of religions, and varieties decades of work and have reached the point of self-criticism,
of religious ways, as opposed to distinct monolithic insti- rather than focusing largely on criticism of traditional
tutionalized religions, and this is reflected in new material patriarchal attitudes that barred women from roles of
woven throughout this edition. It is now more difficult to spiritual power. Obstacles to women’s expression of their
make sweeping generalizations about any religion, for they spirituality still exist, however, and are discussed within
do not fit the facts that are coming to light. the context of the various religious traditions.
Globalization increasingly shapes our lives, altering This new edition also preserves and improves upon the
cultures and bringing greater contact among people of dif- features that make Living Religions special.
ferent religions. It is harder than ever before to sort out
reified individual religions. The effects of globalization are, Personal interviews with followers of each faith provide
therefore, examined in each chapter of this new edition. interesting and informative first-person accounts of each
The crossing and merging of religious paths does not religion as perceived from within the tradition. I have pre-
always lead to greater unity, however. Although appre- sented these first-person quotations from many people, from
ciation and acceptance of the religious ways of others is a Shinto businessman in Japan to a young Sikh woman in
increasing in some quarters, interactions between differing London, in “Living…” feature boxes and also in excerpts
faiths are also leading to defensive hardening of bounda- woven throughout the text, such as new quotes about the
ries. Religious exclusivism has been used politically to stoke Jain practice of fasting to death at the end of life. There are

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 X PREFACE

new interview boxes—which focus on how practitioners of defined and highlighted in boldface when they first appear,
each faith experience the beliefs and rituals of their tradi- are included in an extensive glossary; many of these are
tion—in the Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism, Shinto, also listed and defined at the end of each chapter for
and Sikhism chapters. immediate understanding and review. Useful guides to the
pronunciation of many words are included in the glossary.
Eighteen Religion in Practice feature boxes portray the All the Review Questions and Discussion Questions at
spiritual activities and beliefs of religious groups or indi- the end of each chapter have been revised for this edi-
viduals, such as the indigenous American sun dance and tion. Updated Suggested Reading lists and Additional
the Hindu sacred thread ceremony, providing fascinating Internet Resources, which provide suggestions for gener-
insights into significant practices and festivals. The special ally accurate and useful websites, are available on the
feature box in the Buddhism chapter, “Life in a Western MyReligionLab website.
Zen Monastery,” has been revised and updated because of
the death of its founding abbot, John Daido Loori Roshi,
and the subsequent evolution of the community. Chapter-by-chapter revisions
Eight Religion in Public Life feature boxes portray the Chapter 1: Religious Responses has been revised and
spiritual roots of people who are making significant contri- updated with increased reference to non-Western perspec-
butions to modern society, such as Jimmy Carter, the Dalai tives on the study of religion. There is expanded discussion
Lama, and Desmond Tutu. Three new Religion in Public of the categorization and labeling of specific religious tradi-
Life boxes have been added in this new edition, featur- tions. New material on the definition of religion includes
ing Damaris Parsitau, a Maasai woman who has become a art and quotations that refer to dynamic processes rather
respected scholar and mentor for her people; Anna Hazare, than fixed entities. Music plays an important role in many
leader of a widespread grassroots movement against cor- religious practices, so its effects and uses are now explored
ruption in India; and Rabbi Michael Melchior, a Jewish in this chapter. There is a new discussion of the profound
peacemaker trying to bring religious perspectives to bear effects of globalization, a theme that is followed through-
on political tensions and impasses in Israel. out this edition. The chapter ends with a discussion of the
hermeneutics of “intersubjectivity,” an engaged approach
Eleven Teaching Story feature boxes contain tales that to understanding other people’s religions. New images in
serve as take-off points for discussions about core values this chapter include Jewish women praying at the Western
embedded in each faith. Wall and Lisa Bradley’s evocative painting Passing Shadow.

An enhanced image program provides fifty-five new imag- Chapter 2: Indigenous Sacred Ways has been revised
es, which, along with over two hundred existing images, with special attention to African spiritual traditions and
help to bring religions to life. Many of the new photographs their interactions with other religions in the diaspora.
are my own, from countries I have visited while doing The peacekeeping traditions of the Cheyenne Nation and
personal research for this edition. Narrative captions offer the forest-protecting efforts of Kenyan indigenous groups
additional insights into the characteristics and orientation are described. The combining of traditional and modern
of each tradition and the people who practice it. lifestyles is explored with particular reference to the
Maasai, including a feature box on university professor
Quotations from primary sources throughout the book Damaris Parsitau and a photo of a Maasai man riding his
give direct access to the thinking and flavor of each tradi- camel while talking on his cellphone. The cooperative
tion. New memorable quotations include a passage from matriarchal social structures and theology of the Igbo of
the Lotus Sutra illustrating belief in the Eternal Buddha. Nigeria are discussed, including the efforts of Igbo women
MyReligionLab icons in the margins point to entries in the to combat the destructive effects of World Bank and IMF
second and third editions of An Anthology of Living Religions, economic policies.
a companion volume of primary source material that fol-
lows the same organization as Living Religions, as well as to Chapter 3: Hinduism encompasses increasing attempts by
other relevant documents on the MyReligionLab website. Indians to explain their own religions rather than being
defined by Western scholars. Tantra has mystified Western
Pedagogical aids are included throughout the text. A list observers, so this edition includes expanded discussion of
of Key Topics at the beginning of each chapter helps read- tantric rites from Dr. Rita Sherma’s perspective. The rela-
ers organize their thinking about the material. Key Terms, tionship between worship of the divine in female form and

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 PREFACE XI

the everyday status of Hindu women is also examined, and contemporary Daoist nun Huang Zhi An in the nunnery
biographies of some important female gurus and discussion she helped establish.
of Hindu ecofeminism have been added. New material
clarifies issues of caste, illustrated by a new Religion in Chapter 7: Shinto has been extensively revised according
Public Life box on the extremely popular village devel- to the latest scholarship about the evolution of Shinto and
oper and crusader against corruption in government Anna its ambiguous position amidst overlapping religious ways
Hazare. The huge Kumbha Mela ceremony is discussed as in today’s Japan. A new Living Shinto box featuring an
an example of the organic way in which things happen interview with a Japanese businessman illustrates the way
during Hindu events. Hinduism’s trend of influencing and in which people may worship at Shinto shrines without
being influenced by other religious cultures is noted as considering themselves Shinto. New images include a
part of globalization. New images in this chapter include a Shinto priest performing a ritual and an open-air shrine in
woman worshiping a statue of Durga with oil lamps and a Kyoto with small toriis placed by pilgrims.
man paying reverence to a Shiv lingam.
Zoroastrianism includes new reference to home-centered
Chapter 4: Jainism includes a new discussion of the tradi- worship facing a light source.
tional practice of fasting unto death under certain circum-
stances, as well as new material on Jains in the diaspora Chapter 8: Judaism features expanded discussion of the
and meditation based on Jain traditions. There is a new growth of the Jewish state in Israel and its interaction
photo of the late Acharya Tulsi. with other religions, including peace-building initiatives
alongside the age-old desire for a secure homeland. A
Chapter 5: Buddhism features a revised and expanded new Religion in Public Life box features Rabbi Michael
timeline and a revised map showing the distribution of four Melchior, who has been deeply involved in the peace
major forms of Buddhism in East Asia. Mahayana belief in effort. New images include a scale model of the Second
the Eternal Buddha is elaborated, with a quotation from Temple and a retreat bringing together Arabs and Jews for
the Lotus Sutra. A new Living Buddhism box features an inter-communal leadership training.
interview with Naoyuki Ogi of Japan about his ways of
relating to Amida Buddha and his preparing to serve as the Chapter 9: Christianity includes slight condensation and
priest of his home temple. Buddhist tantra is explained, clarification of Christian history in the light of current
with special reference to the great tantric Vajrayana scholarship. Experiences of Mexican, Russian, and Chinese
adept Yeshe Tsogyel and her teacher and consort, who Christians help to fill out the picture of global Christianity.
helped to carry Buddhism to Tibet. The celebration of the Responses of the Vatican to sexual abuses by clergy are
Buddha’s birthday in Japan during cherry-blossom season updated, along with its refusal to support ordination of
is described. The steadfast efforts of Buddhist Aung San women as priests. The growing split between liberal and
Suu Kyi to bring democracy to Burma are chronicled, up to conservative factions within denominations and the form-
her landslide victory in 2012, with a quote about the dan- ing of new alliances across denominational boundaries
gerous politics of dissent. Other contemporary examples is discussed. New quotations from Ecumenical Patriarch
of Engaged Buddhism have also been added. New images Bartholomew, the “Green Patriarch,” address our respon-
in this chapter include a children’s graveyard in Kyoto sibility to preserve our natural environment. New images
with Kannon (Quan Yin) protecting those who have died include the blessing of the animals on St. Francis’s feast day
young and a political rally at a statue of Dr. Ambedkar, and the Mexican posadas celebration.
who organized a mass conversion of untouchables in India
to Buddhism. Chapter 10: Islam features updated material on contem-
porary Islam, particularly with reference to politics. It
Chapter 6: Daoism and Confucianism has an expanded includes new text on the Prophet Muhammad and his
description of the divinization of a young girl who was ulti- ancestors, commentary on the esoteric meaning in the
mately declared the “Consort of Heaven,” as well as new Qur’an, and spiritual experiences evoked by fasting. New
discussions of religious aspects of Confucianism. Professor material discusses recent laws banning the wearing of
Yu Dan, who has popularized Confucian values through religious garments in public; persistent misunderstandings
her best-selling book and television appearances, is intro- of Islam by non-Muslims; the “Arab Spring” of 2011; and
duced, and the Confucian sage Okada Takehito is featured American reactions to the death of Osama bin Laden. The
in a new Living Confucianism box. New images include hopes of progressive Muslims are explained. New images
Chinese graves littered with firecracker wrappers and the include burqa-clad women eyeing modern clothing in a

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 XII PREFACE

shopping mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and partici- Acknowledgments

pating in a Muslim reality TV show in Malaysia.
In order to try to understand each religion from the inside,
Chapter 11: Sikhism has been updated with reference to I have traveled for many years to study and worship
the latest scholarship. Additions include an explanation of with devotees and teachers of all faiths, and to interview
the symbolic meaning of the story of Guru Nanak’s disap- them about their experience of their tradition. People of
pearance in the river, the history behind Emperor Jehangir’s all religions also come to the Gobind Sadan Institute for
torture of Guru Arjun Dev, a quotation from Guru Arjun Advanced Studies in Comparative Religions, in New Delhi,
Dev explaining the spiritual signifance of community wor- where it is my good fortune to meet and speak with them
ship, the history of attempts by some Sikhs to distinguish about their spiritual experiences and beliefs.
themselves from Hindus, and contemporary experiences of In preparing this book, I have worked directly with
Sikhs in the diaspora. There is a new Living Sikhism inter- consultants who are authorities in specific traditions and
view with a young Sikh woman in England who has never who have offered detailed suggestions and resources. For
lived in India and is trying to study her Sikh roots. A new breadth of scholarship, I have engaged the help of a new
image shows the Guru Granth Sahib being read. group of consultants for each edition. For this ninth edi-
tion, a number of extremely helpful and dedicated scholars
Chapter 12: New Religious Movements has been exten- have carefully reviewed the various chapters and made
sively revised with the help of two important scholars in this excellent suggestions for their improvement.
field. Some relatively new movements are discussed, includ- Dr. Hillel Levine of Boston University, Director of the
ing Agon Shu in Japan, which combines Shinto, Buddhist, International Center for Conciliation, flew to meet me
and Daoist practices, and invented religions such as Jediism. in Israel and drove me all over the country at his own
Discussion of older “new” movements is updated to include expense, introducing me to significant people from many
the Unification Movement’s split between followers of two walks of life to help me better understand the complexities
of Rev. Moon’s sons, a warning from Mormon leaders about of interactions among the various religions living together
the disintegration of the traditional family, the controversial there. Dr. Christopher Queen of Harvard University, world-
Mormon practice of proxy baptism of dead non-Mormons, renowned scholar of Engaged Buddhism, met me in Kyoto,
and issues surrounding the refusal of blood transfusions by where we stayed in a traditional ryokan and together
Jehovah’s Witnesses. Responses to criticism are illustrated explored Buddhist and Shinto holy places. He brought his
by a perceptive quotation from a leader in the Unification dear translator, Naoyuki Ogi, who then stayed on volun-
Movement. New images include devotees at the death tarily as my invaluable guide and helper in Kyoto and also
ceremonies for Satya sai Baba and members of the Baha’i in Tokyo.
religion demonstrating in support of seven followers accused My other specialist consultants for this edition have
and jailed in Iran for alleged spying. been similarly helpful. They include Damaris Parsitau,
Egerton University, Kenya; Rita Sherma, Taksha University;
Chapter 13: Religion in the Twenty-first Century has Christopher Chapple, Loyola Marymount University; Rodney
been updated to explore the two-way influences of glo- L. Taylor, University of Colorado at Boulder; John Breen,
balization on religious cultures, including the long history International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, Kyoto;
of Hindu effects on American culture and contemporary Mary Doak, University of San Diego; Omid Safi, University
European bans on the wearing of religious garb, especially of North Carolina; Gurinder Singh Mann, University of
Muslim burqas. New interfaith efforts discussed include the California, Santa Barbara; Eileen Barker, London School of
latest developments in Kazakhstan, inter-religious schools Economics; George D. Chryssides, University of Birmingham;
reflecting the philosophy of a Turkish theologian, and the and Darrol Bryant, Renison University College/University of
International Center for Conciliation’s leadership training Waterloo. Robin Rinehart of Lafayette College revised and
to deal with “pained memory.” Religious perspectives are updated the Review Questions, Discussion Questions, and
offered on social issues such as the bioethics of cloning, Additional Internet Resources for each chapter.
terrorism, and consumer greed. The importance of deep All the consultants understood what makes Living
reflection on historical political differences associated with Religions special and gave generously of their time and
religions is underscored by a quotation from a Yemeni knowledge to help improve this edition. I am extremely
prince. New images in this chapter include a mural from grateful for their sensitive, knowledgeable, and enthusi-
an interfaith day-care center in Israel and international astic help, and also for the assistance of the many scholars
participants in the World Forum of Spiritual Culture in who have served as consultants to the previous editions
Astana, Kazakhstan. and are acknowledged therein.

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 PREFACE XIII

Many other people have helped with insights and edition through its development and production with bril-
resources. Among them are Noordin Kassam, David Peck, liance, patience, and extraordinary helpfulness. Mari West
Neeraj Gupta, Lee Bailey, Karma Lekshe Tsomo, Erica has worked hard to find the new illustrations that so enhance
Rothschild, Daniele Goldberg, Bill Roberts, Efrat Meyer, this edition. Designer Jo Fernandes has put everything
Morio Skywalker, Wang MinQin, Kevin Fan, Mr. Liu, together beautifully. And at Pearson, Nancy Roberts and
Frank Kaufmann, Wolfgang Hecker, Elinore Detiger, Afe Nicole Conforti have been discerning and supportive.
Adogame, Azad Faruqi, George Renner, Rev. Tobias Mboya Finally, I cannot adequately express my gratitude to my
Jairo, Rev. Ambrose Obong’o Mbuya, Nina Zaltsman, own revered teacher, Baba Virsa Singh of Gobind Sadan.
Tatiana Slonimskaya, Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov, Hans- People of all faiths from all over the world came to him for
Peter Dürr, Adin Steinsaltz, Mohan Jashanmal, Robert his spiritual blessings and guidance. In the midst of sectarian
Chase, Hiromi Yano, Rev. Tomokazu Hatakeyama, Megumi conflicts, his place is an oasis of peace and harmony, where
Wada, Masamichi Tanaka, Kyohei Mikawa, Katsuhiro permanent volunteers and visitors from ninety countries
Kohara, Eisho Nasu, Katsuyuki Kikuchi, Kazumasa regard each other as members of one human family. May
Osaka, Koichiro Yoshida, Arvind Sharma, Iman Valeria God bless us all to move in this direction.
Porokhova, Grigoriy Moshnenko, Kurakbayev Kairat, Yuri
Ageshin, Larisa Trunina, Willi Augustat, Raman Khanna, Mary Pat Fisher
Yair Lior, David Rosen, Kher Albaz, Orly Peer, Alza Shefer, Gobind Sadan Institute for Advanced Studies
Yair Levin, Danny Ivri, Alex Zaltsman, Leonid Feigin, in Comparative Religions
Ester Raydler, Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan,
A. H. Dawood Al-Azdi, Sara Nazarbaeva, Rabbi Michel For this ninth edition the reviewers were Michael Bradley, Georgia
Melchior, Udita Panconcelli, Diane Stinton, Rajiv Malhotra, Perimeter College; Jenny Caplan, Sinclair Community College;
Somjit DasGupta, Bob Maat, Sulekh Jain, Shugan Jain, Barbara Darling-Smith, Wheaton College; Marianne Ferguson,
Buffalo State College; Alison Jameson, Lehigh Carbon Community
Eli Epstein, Rev. Fred Strickert, Rev. Tobias Jairo, Alan
College; Charles Johnson, Washtenaw Community College; Ivory
Nykamp, Paramjit Kaur, and Jaswinder Singh. Lyons, University of Mount Union; Carolyn Medine, University
As always, Laurence King Publishing has provided of Georgia; Chris Newcomb, Bethune-Cookman University; and
me with excellent editorial help. Melanie Walker, Jodi Cristobal Serran-Pagan, Valdosta State University.
Simpson, and Kara Hattersley-Smith have guided this

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P001-020_PRELIMS_LR9_REPRO FINAL.indd 14 24/09/2012 16:12
 TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES XV

TEACHING AND
LEARNING RESOURCES
FOR LIVING RELIGIONS
Whether you want to enhance your lectures, create tests, Instructor’s Manual with Tests
or assign outside material to reinforce content from the For each chapter in the text, this valuable resource
text, you and your students will find the most compre- provides a chapter outline, preview questions, lecture
hensive set of instructional materials available with Living topics, research topics, and questions for classroom dis-
Religions, Ninth Edition, to reinforce and enliven the study cussion. In addition, test questions in multiple choice
of world religions. and essay formats are available for each chapter; the
answers are page-referenced to the text. For easy access,
this manual is available within the instructor section
MyReligionLab of MyReligionLab for Living Religions, Ninth Edition, or
MyReligionLab provides engaging experiences that per- at www.pearsonhighered.com
sonalize, stimulate, and measure learning for each student.
Key components include: My Test
This computerized software allows instructors to create
• MyReligionLibrary features over 30 sacred texts and their own personalized exams, to edit any or all of the
over 100 secondary source articles on a wide range existing test questions, and to add new questions. Other
of religious topics to help students better understand special features of this program include random generation
course material. of test questions, creation of alternate version of the same
• NPR Program Broadcasts, including 90 selections rel- test, scrambling question sequence, and test preview before
evant to the study of religion, help students engage with printing. For easy access, this software is available within
the material. the instructor section of MyReligionLab for Living Religions,
• The Pearson eText lets students access their textbook Ninth Edition, or at www.pearsonhighered.com
anytime and anywhere they want.
• A personalized study plan for each student helps them PowerPoint Slides
succeed in the course and beyond. These PowerPoint slides combine text and graphics for each
• Assessment tied to every video, application, and chap- chapter to help instructors convey anthropological princi-
ter enables both instructors and students to track ples in a clear and engaging way. In addition, Classroom
progress and get immediate feedback. With results feed- Response System (CRS) In-Class Questions allow for
ing into a powerful gradebook, the assessment program instant, class-wide student responses to chapter-specific
helps instructors identify student challenges early—and questions during lectures for teachers to gauge student
find the best resources with which to help students. comprehension. For easy access, they are available within
• Class Prep collects the very best class presentation the instructor section of MyReligionLibrary for Living
resources in one convenient online destination, Religions, Ninth Edition, or at www.pearsonhighered.com
so instructors can keep students engaged throughout
every class. The Prentice Hall Atlas of World Religions
Through the use of over 50 visually arresting maps,
Please see your local Pearson representative for access to this atlas shows the origins, historical development, and
MyReligionLab. present state of all the world’s religions.

P001-020_PRELIMS_LR9_REPRO FINAL.indd 15 24/09/2012 16:12

 Predominant forms of religions in the world today

GREENLAND
ALASKA

ICELAND
AY

DEN
W FINLA
CANADA UNITED OR
N

SWE
KINGDOM E
DENMARK
IRELAND NETH
POLAND
GER.
CZ
EC
BEL. H. R
EP.
AUST.
SWIT.
ROM.
FRANCE ITALY CRO.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SPAIN

PORTUGAL Mediterranea
GREEC
n
Se
a

O
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

OCC
OR
M
MEXICO ALGERIA LIBYA E
WESTERN
SAHARA
CUBA
HAITI
BELIZE MAURITANIA
MALI NIGER
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA SENEGAL
CHAD S
GAMBIA
EL SALVADOR BURKINA
NICARAGUA FASO BENIN
GUINEA BISSAU GUINEA
GUYANA

GHANA
COSTA RICA VENEZUELA NIGERIA
SURINAM N
SIERRA LEONE O
PANAMA O C.A.R.
TOGO ER
FRENCH GUIANA LIBERIA M
COLOMBIA CÔTE CA
D’IVOIRE UGAN
EQUATORIAL

O
ECUADOR GUINEA GABON

NG
CO
ZAIRE

PERU
BRAZIL

ANGOLA ZAM

BOLIVIA ZIM

PARAGUAY NAMIBIA
BOTSWA

Indigenous religions CHILE SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Hinduism and Islam

Buddhism SO
ARGENTINA AF
China: Remnants of Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism URUGUAY

Japan: Shinto, Buddhism, Sects

Christianity (Roman Catholicism, Protestantism,
Eastern Orthodox)
Islam
Judaism

Sikhism
Varied religions
Zoroastrianism

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 RUSSIAN FEDERATION

FINLAND

ESTONIA
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
BELARUS
KAZAKHSTAN
UKRAINE MONGOLIA
MOLDOVA UZBEKISTAN
ROM. NORTH
GEORGIA KOREA
KYRGYZSTAN JAPAN
AZER. TUR SOUTH
ARMENIA KM TAJIKISTAN
ENIS KOREA
TURKEY TAN
GREECE

SYRIA AFGHANISTAN NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN

LEB. CHINA
ISRAEL IRAQ IRAN
NEP
AL
JORDAN PAKISTAN
KUWAIT BANGLADESH
EGYPT TAIWAN

SAUDI
INDIA LA
ARABIA OS
ERITREA OMAN
MYANMAR
(BURMA) PHILIPPINES
YEMEN THAILAND VIETNAM
SUDAN

ETHIOPIA
SRI LANKA CAMBODIA

I A
AL M A L AY S I A
M
UGANDA SO SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
KENYA

ZAIRE IN
D O PAPUA
TANZANIA N E S
I A NEW
GUINEA

ZAMBIA
MALAWI
INDIAN OCEAN
ZIMBABWE
MADAGASCAR
BOTSWANA

MOZAMBIQUE
SWAZILAND
AUSTRALIA
LESOTHO

SOUTH
AFRICA

NEW ZEALAND

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 18 BUDDHISM
TIMELINE 2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 1 CE 3

INDIGENOUS

HINDUISM Vedas Vedas first written Ramayana Code of Manu

heard down c.1500 BCE and compiled
Mahabharata 100–300 CE
in present
form after Patanjali systematizes
400 BCE Yoga Sutras by 200 BCE

JAINISM Series of 23 Life of Mahavira

Tirthankaras 599–527 BCE
before c.777 BCE
Digambaras and Svetambaras
diverge from 3rd century BCE

BUDDHISM Life of Theravada Buddhism Mahayana

Gautama develops 200 BCE–200 CE Buddhism
Buddha c.5th develops 1st
century BCE King Asoka spreads century CE
Buddhism c.258 BCE

DAOISM AND Life of Laozi Educational system based on

CONFUCIANISM c.600–300 Confucian Classics from 205 BCE

Life of Confucius Life of Zhuangzi

c.551–479 c.365–290

SHINTO Shinto begins in pre-history as local

nature- and ancestor-based traditions

JUDAISM Life of Abraham Moses leads David, King of Jerusalem falls

c.1900–1700 BCE Israelites out of Judah and Israel to Romans 70 CE
Egypt c.13th or c.1010–970 BCE
12th century BCE
First Temple destroyed;
Jews exiled 586 BCE

CHRISTIANITY Life of Jesus c.4 BCE–30 CE

Paul organizes early Christians
c.50–60 CE
Gospels written down c.70–95 CE

ISLAM

SIKHISM

INTERFAITH

2000 BCE 1500 1000 500 1 CE 3

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 BUDDHISM 19
300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 2000 CE

Ancient ways passed down and adapted over millennia

Tantras written Bhakti movement 600–1800 Life of Ramakrishna

down c.300 1836–1886

Jain monks establish

Jain centers outside
India 1970s–1980s

Life of Songstan Persecution of Ch’an Buddhism Buddhism spreads in

(c.609–650) who Buddhism begins to Japan as Zen the West 20th century
declares Buddhism in China 845 13th century
national religion Full ordination of nuns
of Tibet from 23 countries 1998

Cultural Revolution attacks

Japan imports Sung dynasty religions 1966–1976
Confucianism revives ritualistic Confucian revival in China;
to unite tribes Confucianism International Association of
into empire (“neo-Confucianism”) Confucianism established; Daoist
sects and temples re-established
1990–2000

Shinto name adopted State Shinto

6th century CE established 1868

Rabbinical Life of Expulsion of Jews The Holocaust 1940–1945

tradition Maimonides from Spain 1492 Independent state of Israel 1948
develops 1135–1204
Israeli wall for
1st to 4th The Baal Shem separation from
centuries Tov 1700–1760 Palestinians 2003

Centralization Split between Monastic orders Protestantism Second Vatican

of papal power Western and proliferate 1300s established 1521 Council 1962–1965
after 800 Eastern Orthodox
Spanish Inquisition Churches reopened
Churches 1054
established 1478 in USSR 1989

Life of Muhammad c.570–632 Akbar becomes European Terrorism and

Mogul emperor dominance counterterrorism
Spread of Islam begins 633
in India 1556 1800s–1900s increase 2001
Sunni–Shi’a split c.682
Islam’s cultural peak 750–1258 Muslim resurgence and OPEC 1970s

Life of Guru At death of Guru 300th anniversary

Nanak Gobind Singh (1708), of Khalsa 2003
1469–1504 living presence of the
guru is embodied in
Guru Granth Sahib
(scriptures)

Mogul emperor Akbar First International Human

initiates interfaith Unity Conference 1974
dialogues 1556–1605 Parliament of the World’s
Religions centenary
celebrations 1993

300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 2000 CE

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