The Rider Encyclopaedia Of Eastern Philosophy And Religion

With more than four thousand entries and over one hundred illustrations, this encyclopedia offers a complete survey of the four major religious traditions of Asia. It is designed not only for students and scholars but also to help general readers find their way through the thicket of unfamiliar words and concepts that are often encountered today in various fields such as the health professions, psychotherapy, the sciences, and the media. Among the subjects covered are: • Important terms such as chakra, karma, koan, nirvana, tantra, Tao, and yin-yang • The lives and teachings of mystics, philosophers, and masters of meditation • Basic texts and scriptures • Sects and schools of thought • Mythological figures and events In addition, pronunciation tables, a comprehensive bibliography, and a Ch'an/Zen Lineage Chart are provided.

Understanding Eastern Philosophy provides an accessible critical introduction to how some of the key philosophies of the East compare with those in the West. Starting from a discussion of the problems of distinguishing between religions and philosophies, Ray Billington presents a clear picture of the key tenets behind Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism and Confucianism. Moving on to compare the key themes of religious philosophy that cut across East and West, such as a belief in God, the soul, moral decision-making, nature and authority, Understanding Eastern Philosophy presents a fascinating and controversial picture of the contribution theistic religions have to make. With its belief in a personal God bestowing a particular version of 'truth', Ray Billington concludes that the universal mysticism characteristic of Eastern thought provides a more realistic and rewarding path than is commonly supposed in the West. Understanding Eastern Philosophy assumes no prior knowledge of religion or philosophy.

From The Beginning Of History, Religion And Philosophy Has Been Admittedly The Most Vital Force In Shaping The Civilization At Various Developmental Stages. Although Many Scholars Have Worked On The History Of Oriental Religio-Philosophical Tradition, But No Such Complete And Comprehensive Work On This Subject Is Available To Us. Keeping This In Mind, We Are Decided To Publish A Comprehensive Multi-Volume Encyclopaedia Of Oriental Philosophy And Religion In Four Phases Successively In Every Year. The Concentration Will Be Given On Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Sikhism And On Other Minor Oriental Religio-Philosophical Tradition. In The First Phase Of This Project, We Have Released 5 Volumes Hinduism (3 Vols.) And Judaism (2 Vols.). Here, We Have Drawn 320 Entries From Hindu Religio-Philosophical Tradition And 178 Entries From Jewish Religio-Philosophical Tradition Which Reflects Its Own Diversity And Puts Them Together Into A Cogent And Harmonious Picture.In The Second Phase We Are Going To Release 5 Volumes On Zoroastrianism, Jainism And Buddhism In 2006.Similarly In Third Phase 5 More Volumes Will Be Added On Shintoism, Taoism, Confucianism And Other South-East And East Asian Religio-Philosophical Concepts. In Last Phase 5 More Volumes Will Be Added On Islam, Sikhism And Other Minor Oriental Religion And Philosophy.The Task Which We Have Performed Here Is, No Doubt, Beset With Difficulties But We Shall Consider Our Labour Amply Rewarded If This Monumental Work Is Found Useful By Scholars And Readers.

This Element selectively examines a range of ideas and arguments drawn from the philosophical traditions of South and East Asia, focusing on those that are especially relevant to the philosophy of religion. The Element introduces key debates about the self and the nature of reality that unite the otherwise highly diverse philosophies of Indian and Chinese Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. The emphasis of this Element is analytical rather than historical. Key issues are explained in a clear, precise, accessible manner, and with a view to their contemporary relevance to ongoing philosophical debates.

A guide to common, ordinary, and rare philosophical, mystical, religious, and psychological terms from Hinduism, Buddhism, Ṣūfism, Islam, Zen, Taoism, the Sikhs, Zoroastrianism, and other major and minor Eastern religions.

Incorporating cultural and religious contexts, this unique Encyclopedia provides a vital guide to the main concepts and thinkers in Asian philosophy - starting with Abhidharma and ending with Zurvan. The main philosophical trends and thinkers in each geographical area are featured, with an emphasis on endtemporary developments and movements. The A-Z structured encyclopedia emphasizes that Asian philosophy is not merely an ancient form of thought but that it is a living philosophy, with roots in the past, and also a potent and animate presence today. This translates into the reciprocal exchange of theories between Eastern and Western thinking, for example of new schools of thought such as orientalism. Requiring no prior knowledge of philosophy, religion or Asian cultures, this book is essential reading for students, teachers and the interested individual who wishes to gain an understanding of the philosophical basis to Asian cultural systems.