This book is a revised and updated edition of a popular work, which looks at the world's religions in terms of world history, and as constantly developing systems of belief. Religions are described through their symbols, rituals, followers, architecture and art. References, statistics, maps and pictures have been updated and added, illuminating the true nature of each religion. The text has been thoroughly revised to highlight recent developments in world religion.
A well-annotated, impartial anthology of key texts from world religions--including the primitive, ancient, and esoteric alongside the living faiths of both Western and Eastern cultures ... The excerpts are grouped by faiths and subclassified by type: sacred narratives, doctrines, rituals, institutional expressions, experience, and ethics
Designed for introductory courses in World Religions and Religious Studies, this book offers a comprehensive overview of diverse belief systems across the globe. It emphasizes key themes, practices, and historical contexts of various religions, encouraging critical thinking and comparative analysis. The text aims to foster an understanding of the complexities of faith and spirituality, making it accessible for students new to the subject while providing a solid foundation for further exploration in religious studies.
The Interplay Between the Upanishads and Catholic Theology
Exploring the interplay between Hinduism and Christianity, this work delves into the connections between the Upanishads and Catholic theology. Based on lectures delivered in Delhi, it offers a unique perspective on the spiritual and philosophical dialogues between these two faiths. First published in 1968, it invites readers to consider how these traditions can inform and enrich one another.
Some Methodological Questions
The book explores the scientific study of religion, distinguishing it from theological practice. Ninian Smart advocates for a phenomenological approach to examining religious attitudes without assuming divine existence. He critiques projectionist theories, particularly those of Berger, and analyzes rationality within both religious and anthropological contexts. This work addresses key issues regarding the academic status of religion, aiming to establish a more rigorous framework for its study.
Offering a comprehensive exploration of global philosophical and religious traditions, this work by Ninian Smart serves as an insightful introduction to the major belief systems across the world. It encompasses diverse perspectives, providing readers with a thorough understanding of various philosophies and religions, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the richness of human thought and spirituality.
This is the fascinating biography, first published in 1985, of the remarkable Bengali religious leader Swami Pranavananda who lived in the turbulent years of the early twentieth century. The story of his life has to some extent been eclipsed by the struggle for Indian independence, but his extraordinary personal qualities, his determined asceticism, his high ideals of social service and commitment to Hindu solidarity all serve to set him apart from his contemporaries and entitle him to be better known by political and religious historians of the period.
Una Visión única de las religiones del mundo en su contexto geográfico. La Religión Hoy.Una valoración mundial y regional de la religión en el mundo moderno, combinando los mapas con análisis estadísticos. Geografías Histórica de las Religiones. Un resumen a grandes rasgos de los principales acontecimientos y temas de la historia mundial qeu han influido y condicionado el desarrollo geográfico de las diferentes religiones. Religiones del Mundo. Un estudio en profundidad de las religiones del mundo, desde sus orígenes hasta la actualidad. Esta sección, que consta de diez capítulos, constituye una fuente de información accesible y de gran rigor tanto para el especialista como para el público en general.
