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Preface | xiii | ||
Acknowledgments | xv | ||
Chapter 1 | Asian Scriptures Among the World's Religions | 1 | |
A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship | 2 | ||
The Nature and Definition of Scripture | 4 | ||
The Uses of Scripture | 9 | ||
Advantages and Disadvantages | 11 | ||
Asian Scriptures and Modern Scholarship | 14 | ||
Scriptures and the World Wide Web | 15 | ||
The Plan of This Book | 16 | ||
A Guide to Pronunciation | 17 | ||
Suggestions on How to Read Scriptures | 18 | ||
Glossary | 20 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 20 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 21 | ||
Chapter 2 | Hinduism | 23 | |
Introduction | 23 | ||
Overview of Structure | 23 | ||
Origin and Development | 26 | ||
Use | 28 | ||
Teaching | 30 | ||
Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72) | 30 | ||
The Creation Hymn (Rig-Veda 10.129) | 30 | ||
Creation from Brahman (Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1-7) | 31 | ||
The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12) | 32 | ||
The God Shiva (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.1-13) | 33 | ||
"That You Are" (Chandogya Upanishad 6.1-2, 9-11) | 34 | ||
The Goddess as Kali (Markandeya Purana, Devi-Mahatmya 7.1-25) | 35 | ||
Organization | 36 | ||
The Creation of the Caste System (Rig-Veda 10.90) | 36 | ||
The Four Castes (Institutes of Vishnu 2.1-17) | 37 | ||
Ethics | 38 | ||
Sin and Forgiveness (Rig-Veda 7.86) | 38 | ||
The Three Das (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2) | 39 | ||
The Way of Asceticism (Mundaka Upanishad 2.1-3, 5-8, 10-13) | 39 | ||
Stages of Life for a Twice-Born Man (Laws of Manu 2.69-74, 191-201; 3.1-19; 6.1-9, 33-49) | 40 | ||
The Life of Women (Laws of Manu 3.55-60; 5.147-165) | 43 | ||
Ritual and Meditation | 44 | ||
The Gayatri Mantra (Rig-Veda 3.62.10) | 44 | ||
Hymn to Agni (Rig-Veda 1.1) | 45 | ||
The Meaning of the Agnihotra Sacrifice (Agni-Brahmana 1.1-19) | 45 | ||
The Puja of a Yogin (Agni Purana) | 46 | ||
Soma (Rig-Veda 8.48) | 47 | ||
Marriage (Rig-Veda 10.85.20-47) | 48 | ||
Cremation (Rig-Veda 10.16) | 50 | ||
Charms and Spells (Atharva-Veda 6.20; 7.70; 6.9; 3.16) | 50 | ||
Chanting of Om (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.1-10) | 51 | ||
The Practice of Yoga (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.8-15) | 52 | ||
Appendix 1 | Selections from the Bhagavad-Gita | 53 | |
Appendix 2 | Mohandas Gandhi on the Bhagavad-Gita | 63 | |
Appendix 3 | Two Tamil Poets, Appar and Tukaram | 64 | |
Appendix 4 | Poems of Mira, a Hindi Female Saint | 66 | |
Glossary | 66 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 67 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 67 | ||
Chapter 3 | Buddhism | 71 | |
Introduction | 71 | ||
Overview of Structure | 71 | ||
Origin and Development | 75 | ||
Use | 76 | ||
History | 77 | ||
The Past Lives of Gotama Buddha (Jataka 190) | 77 | ||
The Life of Gotama Buddha (Selections from the Buddhacarita) | 79 | ||
The Death of Gotama Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.1-14, 31-35, 45-48) | 84 | ||
The Life of Milarepa (The Life of Milarepa 2.7) | 86 | ||
Teaching | 88 | ||
The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta 1-8) | 88 | ||
The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation (Buddhacarita 16.1, 28-50) | 89 | ||
The Essence of Buddhism (Heart Sutra) | 90 | ||
A Tibetan Commentary on the Heart Sutra (Jewel Light Illuminating the Meaning) | 91 | ||
A Description of Nirvana (Milinda-panha 4.8.65-66) | 92 | ||
A Mahayana View of the Buddha (Saddharma-pundarika Sutra 2.36; 10.1) | 93 | ||
Poems of Early Nuns (Therigatha) | 95 | ||
Ethics | 96 | ||
Conduct of the Monk (Dhammapada 25.360-382) | 96 | ||
Admonition to Laity (Cullavagga, Dhammikasutta 18-29) | 97 | ||
Wisdom of the Buddha (Dhammapada 1-20, 157-166) | 98 | ||
The Bodhisattva Ideal (Mahavastu) | 100 | ||
Organization | 101 | ||
Founding of the Order (Mahavagga 1.6.10, 11-16, 27-30, 32, 34, 37) | 101 | ||
The Rules of Defeat (Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma 1-4) | 102 | ||
Rules Requiring Formal Meetings (Patimokkha, Samghadisesa Dhamma 1-13) | 103 | ||
The Order of Nuns (Cullavagga 10.1.1-6) | 105 | ||
Ritual and Meditation | 107 | ||
The Relics of the Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.58-60) | 107 | ||
Mindfulness in Meditation (Majjhima-Nikaya, Satipatthanasutta 10.1-9) | 107 | ||
The Merit of Making Images (Taisho Shinshu Daizokyo, 16, no. 694) | 110 | ||
Scripture to Guide the Soul After Death (Bardo Thodol 1.1-2) | 112 | ||
Glossary | 113 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 114 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 115 | ||
Chapter 4 | Jainism | 117 | |
Introduction | 117 | ||
Overview of Structure | 117 | ||
Origin, Development, and Use | 118 | ||
History | 119 | ||
The Life of Mahavira (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.6-9, 14, 16-20, 22-25, 27) | 119 | ||
Teaching | 122 | ||
The World Is Uncreated (Mahapurana 4.16-31, 38-40) | 122 | ||
The Causes of Sin (Acaranga Sutra 1.1-2) | 123 | ||
Can Women Achieve Liberation? (Strinirvana-pariccheda 2, 4; Sutraprabrita 1.22-26) | 124 | ||
The World Is Full of Suffering (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 19.61-67, 71, 74) | 125 | ||
The Road to Final Deliverance (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 28) | 125 | ||
Organization | 127 | ||
The Five Great Vows (Acaranga Sutra 2.15i-v) | 127 | ||
Ethics | 128 | ||
Ahimsa (Sutrakritanga 1.7.1-9) | 128 | ||
Rules for Monastic Life (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 35) | 129 | ||
The True Monk (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 15.1-16) | 130 | ||
Stories from Jaina Scriptures and Commentary (Avasyakasutra 1.484.11-485.13; 2.200.11-201.12; Mulasuddhiprakarana, 179-180) | 131 | ||
Glossary | 134 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 134 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 134 | ||
Chapter 5 | Sikhism | 137 | |
Introduction | 137 | ||
Overview of Structure | 137 | ||
Origin and Development | 138 | ||
Use | 139 | ||
Teaching | 140 | ||
Selections from the Japji (1-3, 5-6, 9-10, 12-13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, 25, 28-29, 33, 37-Epilogue) | 140 | ||
Remembering God (Gauri Sukhmani, Mahala 5) | 145 | ||
Creation of the World (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1) | 146 | ||
Dancing for Krishna (Rag Gurji, Mahala 3) | 147 | ||
The Hindu Thread (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1) | 147 | ||
Ethics | 148 | ||
Truth Is the Basis of Conduct (Hymns of Guru Nanak) | 148 | ||
Prayer for Forgiveness (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 5) | 149 | ||
Against the Use of Wine (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 1) | 149 | ||
Ritual | 150 | ||
Hymn for the Installation of the Guru Granth (Rag Devgandhari, Mahala 5) | 150 | ||
A Marriage Hymn (Rag Asa, Mahala 5) | 150 | ||
Organization | 151 | ||
The Guru (Rag Gauri, Mahala 3) | 151 | ||
God's Power in the Sikh Community (Rag Gauri, Mahala 5) | 152 | ||
Appendix | Selections from the Dasam Granth | 152 | |
A | Guru Gobind Singh's Story (Vichitar Natak, 6) | 152 | |
B | God as the Holy Sword (Vichitar Natak, 1) | 153 | |
Glossary | 154 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 155 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 155 | ||
Chapter 6 | Zoroastrianism | 157 | |
Introduction | 157 | ||
Overview of Structure | 157 | ||
Origin and Development | 158 | ||
Use | 159 | ||
History | 160 | ||
The Call of Zarathushtra (Yasna 29) | 160 | ||
A Hymn of Praise to Zarathushtra (Yasht 24:87b-94) | 161 | ||
Teaching | 162 | ||
Hymn to Ahura and the Purifying Fire (Yasna 36) | 162 | ||
Hymn to Ahura Mazda the Creator (Yasna 37:1-5) | 163 | ||
The Doctrine of Dualism (Yasna 30) | 163 | ||
Ethics | 164 | ||
Personal Virtues (Denkard 6.23, 24) | 164 | ||
Six Ritual Obligations (Sad Dar 6.1-7) | 165 | ||
Ritual | 165 | ||
The Place of the Gathas (Yasna 55:1-3) | 165 | ||
The Zoroastrian Confession (Yasna 12) | 166 | ||
The Four Great Prayers (From the Yasna) | 167 | ||
Disposal of the Dead (Vendidad, Fargard 6, section 5, 44-51) | 167 | ||
Glossary | 168 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 168 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 168 | ||
Chapter 7 | Confucianism | 171 | |
Introduction | 171 | ||
Overview of Structure | 171 | ||
Origin and Development | 173 | ||
Use | 174 | ||
History | 175 | ||
The Character of Confucius (Analects 2.4; 7.1-9, 19-24; 10.1-4, 8-12) | 175 | ||
Ethics | 177 | ||
The Virtues of the Superior Man (Analects 1.1-4, 6-9, 14; 15.17-23) | 177 | ||
Benevolence (Analects 4.1-6) | 178 | ||
The Actions of Filiality (Classic of Rites, 10.1, 4, 7, 10-11, 13-15) | 179 | ||
The Attitude of Filiality (Analects 2.5-8; 4.18-21; 13.18) | 180 | ||
Propriety (Analects 3.3-4, 8-9, 12-15, 17-19) | 181 | ||
The Way (Analects 16.2) | 182 | ||
The Love of Learning (Analects 17.8-9, 12) | 183 | ||
Early Debate over the Goodness of Human Nature (Mencius 6.1.1-4, 6) | 183 | ||
The Basis of Good Government (The Great Learning 1-7; 9.1, 3-9) | 185 | ||
The Ruler as Example to the People (Analects 2.18-20; 12.11, 17, 19; 13.4-6) | 187 | ||
Confidence and Prosperity in Government (Mencius 4.3, 9; 1.6.20-24) | 188 | ||
Ritual | 189 | ||
Divination (Classic of Changes 1, 47, 54) | 189 | ||
Songs for Sacrifice (Classic of Poetry, Shang 1; Kau 7; Minor Odes 10.1, 3; 5) | 190 | ||
Music and Morality (Classic of Rites 17.2.10-11, 15-18, 20-21) | 193 | ||
Appendix | Later Developments of Early Themes | 194 | |
Later Debate over Human Nature (Xunzi 3.150-151; Fuyan 3.1a-b) | 194 | ||
Attack on Buddhism (Ch'ang-li hsien-sheng wen-chi 39.2b-42) | 195 | ||
Advice for Reading Texts (Conversations of Master Chu 4.37-39, 41) | 196 | ||
Neoconfucian Ethics (Chang Tsai, The Western Inscription) | 197 | ||
Glossary | 198 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 198 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 199 | ||
Chapter 8 | Taoism | 201 | |
Introduction | 201 | ||
Overview of Structure | 201 | ||
Origin, Development, and Use | 202 | ||
Teaching | 203 | ||
The Nature of the Tao (Tao Te Ching, 1, 6, 25, 34; Chuang-tzu 29) | 203 | ||
The World (Tao Te Ching 7, 42, 52) | 205 | ||
The Domain of Nothingness (Chuang-tzu, book 7) | 206 | ||
Ethics | 206 | ||
Nonaction (Chuang-tzu, book 7) | 206 | ||
Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao (Tao Te Ching 16, 22, 33, 44) | 206 | ||
The Superior Man (Chuang-tzu, book 12) | 208 | ||
Government (Tao Te Ching 3, 18, 57, 64) | 209 | ||
Great and Small Rulers (Chuang-tzu, book 1) | 210 | ||
On Death (Chuang-tzu, book 18) | 210 | ||
Reward and Retribution (T'ai-Shang, book 1) | 211 | ||
Ritual | 212 | ||
Methods of Prolonging Life (Pao-p'u-tzu 15.6b-7a; 19.6b-7a) | 212 | ||
The Life and Ascension of Shen Xi (Shenxian zhuan, Daozang jinghua 5.11) | 214 | ||
The Relationship of Taoism to Confucianism (Pao-p'u Tzu 7.5a) | 215 | ||
Appendix | A Complete Taoist Scripture (The True Scripture of the Great Emperor) | 216 | |
Glossary | 219 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 220 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 220 | ||
Chapter 9 | Shinto | 223 | |
Introduction | 223 | ||
The Kojiki | 223 | ||
The Nihongi | 224 | ||
Selections from the Kojiki and the Nihongi | 224 | ||
Preface to the Kojiki | 224 | ||
The Creation of Japan (Kojiki, chapters 1-5, 11, 33) | 227 | ||
The Shrine at Ise (Nihongi, chapter 5) | 230 | ||
Emperor Yuryaku and the Story of the Woman Akawi-ko (Kojiki, chapter 154) | 231 | ||
Selections from the Norito | |||
Festival of the Gates (Norito) | 232 | ||
Ritual Prayer for Forgiveness and Purification of Government Officials (Norito) | 233 | ||
Glossary | 234 | ||
Questions for Study and Discussion | 234 | ||
Suggestions for Further Reading | 234 | ||
Index | 236
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