World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction

A new and expanded edition of a highly successful textbook on world religions with a comparative approach which explores how six major religions are lived and expressed through their customs, rituals and everyday practices.

A new edition of this major textbook, exploring the world′s great religions through their customs, rituals and everyday practices by focusing on the ′lived experience′ This comparative study is enriched and broadened with the inclusion of a sixth religion, Daoism Takes a thematic, comparative and practical approach; each chapter explores a series of key themes including birth, death, ethics, and worship across all six religions at each time Broadens students′ understanding by offering an impartial discussion of the similarities and differences between each religion Includes an increased range of student–friendly features, designed to allow students to engage with each religion and extend their understanding

List of Boxes ix

List of Tables xi

List of Figures xiii

Preface xv

Note on Scriptural References xvi

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction 1

Part I Beyond Time and Space 13

1 Image 15

1.1 Introduction 16

1.2 The Second Commandment 16

1.3 Shirk 20

1.4 Incarnate Son 23

1.5 Murti 27

1.6 Opening the Radiance 31

1.7 The Three Bodies 34

Summary 37

Discussion Topics 39

Notes 39

Further Reading 41

2 Book 43

2.1 Introduction 44

2.2 Shruti and Smriti 44

2.3 Daozang 47

2.4 The Three Baskets 51

2.5 New Testament 54

2.6 Tanach 58

2.7 Qur an 61

Summary 64

Discussion Topics 67

Notes 68

Further Reading 69

Part II Within Time and Space 71

3 Ethics 73

3.1 Introduction 74

3.2 Dharma 74

3.3 Pancasila 77

3.4 Inner Power 81

3.5 The Ten Words 84

3.6 A New Commandment 87

3.7 The Greater Jihad 90

Summary 93

Discussion Topics 95

Notes 96

Further Reading 97

4 Birth 99

4.1 Introduction 100

4.2 Baptism 100

4.3 B rit Milah 104

4.4 Aqiqah 107

4.5 Birth Samskaras 109

4.6 The Buddhist Exception 113

4.7 Chinese Customs 115

Summary 116

Discussion Topics 118

Notes 119

Further Reading 120

5 Death 121

5.1 Introduction 122

5.2 The Wheel of Rebirth 122

5.3 The Last Sacrifice 126

5.4 Hun and Po 129

5.5 Resurrection of the Body 131

5.6 Salat al ]Janazah 135

5.7 First Fruits 139

Summary 142

Discussion Topics 145

Notes 146

Further Reading 148

6 Marriage 151

6.1 Introduction 152

6.2 Nikah 152

6.3 Under the Huppah 155

6.4 Householder and Forest ]Dweller 159

6.5 Bride of Christ 163

6.6 The Renunciation 166

6.7 Arts of the Bedchamber 169

Summary 172

Discussion Topics 175

Notes 175

Further Reading 178

7 Food 181

7.1 Introduction 182

7.2 Cuisines of Immortality 182

7.3 Ahimsa and Samadhi 185

7.4 Blessed Leftovers 189

7.5 Bread and Wine 191

7.6 Kosher 195

7.7 Halal 198

Summary 201

Discussion Topics 203

Notes 203

Further Reading 206

8 Clothing 207

8.1 Introduction 208

8.2 The Veil of Modesty 208

8.3 Kippah, Tefillin and Tallit 212

8.4 The Thread and the Mark 215

8.5 Vestments and Habits 218

8.6 Garments of the Gods 222

8.7 The Three Robes 225

Summary 227

Discussion Topics 229

Notes 229

Further Reading 231

Part III Time and Space 233

9 Year 235

9.1 Introduction 236

9.2 Four Seasons 236

9.3 Full Moons and Monsoons 240

9.4 Day of Brahma 244

9.5 The 78th Cycle 249

9.6 Harvests, History and High Holy Days 252

9.7 Lunar Year 258

Summary 262

Discussion Topics 263

Notes 264

Further Reading 266

10 Building 267

10.1 Introduction 268

10.2 Mosque 268

10.3 Synagogue 272

10.4 Church 275

10.5 Mandir 278

10.6 Temple Complex 281

10.7 Guan 284

Summary 287

Discussion Topics 290

Notes 290

Further Reading 292

11 Journey 293

11.1 Introduction 294

11.2 The Sacred Ford 294

11.3 Reverencing the Mountain 299

11.4 Traces of Tathagata 303

11.5 The Quest of the Magi 307

11.6 Aliyah 312

11.7 Hajj 315

Summary 319

Discussion Topics 321

Notes 321

Further Reading 323

Conclusion 325

Glossary 331

Select Bibliography 343

Index 351

Paul Gwynne lectures in comparative religion in the General Education Program of the University of New South Wales. He completed his doctoral studies in Rome and has taught theology and religious studies in Indonesia and at the Melbourne College of Divinity. His previous books include Special Divine Action (1996), the first edition of World Religions in Practice (2008, Wiley Blackwell) and Buddha, Jesusand Muhammad: A Comparative Study (2014, Wiley Blackwell).