Pocket Guide to World Religions

by Winfried Corduan

Publisher:

IVP

, 2006

Overview

Here is a concise, informative guide for anyone looking for answers to basic questions about the world’s varied religions. In short, incisive chapters, Winfried Corduan introduces readers to 12 of the world’s major religions, including Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Daoism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Parsi, Shinto, and Sikhism. For each, he offers brief descriptions of its name, numbers, and distribution, key symbols, history, Scriptures, major beliefs, subgroups, worship practices, home practices, clothing, diet, and calendar. Also included are even briefer descriptions of 16 new religious movements and traditional or tribal religions. This book is for students, pastors, and other busy people who want the quick, bare-facts scoop on current religions.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Confucianism is about how to create a flourishing society” (Page 52)

“The shruti are those that were ‘heard’ from the gods by holy men, called rishis, a long time ago and recorded by them.” (Page 70)

“Most Hindus would agree that life is hard and full of suffering and, what’s worse, when you’re done with one life of suffering, you’re going to have another one and another one and so on.” (Page 71)

“The smriti are supposedly of lesser importance since they are only ‘received,’ which is to say, handed down by tradition” (Page 71)

“Pure Land Buddhism. In Japan today, the most popular form of Buddhism is called Pure Land Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu). Here the focus of worship is on a different Buddha, called Amida, who has an all-consuming compassion for human beings, particularly for common people who do not have the ability to put in all the effort necessary to attain nirvana. Amida made it easy on people by creating a paradise (the ‘pure land’). Anyone who is willing to accept the gift, no matter how sinful or deficient, will be reborn into the pure land. The paradise is a place of total bliss, and given the favorable circumstances, one can easily attain nirvana from there. Thus, Pure Land Buddhism celebrates the grace of Amida Buddha.” (Page 33)

Product Details

• Title: Pocket Guide to World Religions
• Author: Winfried Corduan
• Series: The IVP Pocket Reference Series
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Religions
• ISBNs: 9780830867080, 0830827056, 9780830827053, 0830867082
• Resource ID: LLS:PCKTGDWRLDRLGNS
• Resource Type: text.monograph.handbook
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-24T16:37:09Z

About Winfried Corduan

Winfried Corduan received his Ph.D. from Rice University and is professor of philosophy and religion at Taylor University in Indiana. He is the author of A Reasonable Faith: Basic Christian Apologetics and A Tapestry of Faiths.