Anthology of World Scriptures

Front Cover......Page 1
Title Page......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
CONTENTS......Page 7
PREFACE......Page 20
1 Scripture Among the World’s Religions......Page 26
A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship......Page 27
The Nature and Definition of Scripture......Page 29
The Uses of Scripture......Page 33
Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Religions Through their Scriptures......Page 35
World Scriptures and Modern Scholarship......Page 38
The Plan of This Book......Page 41
Suggestions on How To Read Scriptures......Page 42
Questions for Study and Discussion......Page 44
Companion Website......Page 45
2 Hinduism......Page 46
Overview of Structure......Page 47
Contemporary Use......Page 50
Historical Origin and Development......Page 51
Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72)......Page 53
Two Philosophical Views of Creation (Rig-Veda 10.129; Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1–7)......Page 54
The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12)......Page 55
Rudra and Shiva (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.1–13)......Page 56
‘‘That You Are’’ (Chandogya Upanishad 6.1–2, 9–11)......Page 57
The Three Da’s (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2)......Page 59
The Way of Asceticism (Mundaka Upanishad 2.1–3, 5–8, 10–13)......Page 60
Stages of Life for a Twice-Born Man (Laws of Manu 2.69–74, 191–201; 3.1–19; 6.1–9, 33–49)......Page 61
The Life of Women (Laws of Manu 3.55–60; 5.147–165)......Page 64
Creation and the Caste System (Rig-Veda 10.90)......Page 65
The Four Castes (Institutes of Vishnu 2–1.17)......Page 66
The Outcastes (Laws of Manu 10.51–57)......Page 67
Devotion to Agni in Prayer and Sacrifice (Rig-Veda 1.1; Agni-Brahmana 1.1–19)......Page 68
Soma (Rig-Veda 8.48)......Page 69
Marriage (Rig-Veda 10.85.20–47)......Page 70
Cremation (Rig-Veda 10.16)......Page 72
Charms and Spells (Atharva-Veda 6.20; 7.70; 6.9; 3.16)......Page 73
The Practice of Yoga (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.8–15)......Page 74
SELECTIONS FROM THE BHAGAVAD GITA......Page 75
The Presence of God......Page 85
The Burden of the Past......Page 86
Scriptures in Film......Page 87
Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 88
Companion Website......Page 89
3 Buddhism......Page 90
Introduction......Page 91
Overview of Structure......Page 92
Contemporary Use......Page 96
Historical Origin and Development......Page 97
The Past Lives of Siddhartha Gotama (Jataka 190, Birth-Story of the Blessing of the Commandments)......Page 98
The Life of Siddhartha Gotama (Buddhacarita 1.1–2, 9–10, 15–17, 19–21, 23–25, 34, 54, 59, 62, 72–74, 83; 2.24–26, 28–32; 3.1–8, 26–33, 40–44, 53–61; 5.7–20; 12.88–104; 14.1–9, 35–37, 64–68, 79–81)......Page 99
The Death of Gotama Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.1–12, 33–35, 45–48)......Page 104
The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta 1–8)......Page 105
The Noble Eightfold Path (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta 9–20)......Page 107
The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation (Buddhacarita 16.1, 28–50)......Page 108
The Essence of Buddhism (The Heart Sutra)......Page 109
A Mahayana View of the Buddha (Saddharma-Pundarika Sutra 2.36; 10.1)......Page 110
The Blessings of the Pure Land (Array of the Joyous Land Sutra)......Page 111
Conduct of the Monk (Dhammapada 25, 360–382)......Page 113
The Wisdom of the Buddha (Dhammapada 1–20)......Page 114
Founding of the Monastic Order (Mahavagga 1.6.10, 11–16, 27–30, 32, 34, 37)......Page 116
Founding of the Order of Nuns (Cullavagga 10.1.1–6)......Page 117
The Rules of Defeat for Monks and Nuns (Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma 1–4)......Page 119
Rules Requiring Formal Meetings of Monks (Patimokkha, Samghadisesa Dhamma 1–13)......Page 121
The Relics of the Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.58–60)......Page 122
Mindfulness in Meditation (Majjhima-nikaya, Satipatthanasutta 10.1–9)......Page 123
A Mahayana View of the Merit of Making Images (Taisho Shinshu Daizokyo 16.694)......Page 125
Tibetan Scripture to Guide the Soul after Death (Bardo Thodol 1.1–2)......Page 127
A Zen Koan, ‘‘What Is Extraordinary?’’ (The Blue Cliff Record 26)......Page 128
The Main Characteristics of the Falun Gong Movement (Li Hongzhi, Zhuan Falun, Lecture 1, Conclusion)......Page 129
Glossary......Page 131
Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 132
Companion Website......Page 133
4 Jainism......Page 134
Overview of Structure......Page 135
Contemporary Use, Historical Origin, and Development......Page 136
The Life of Mahavira (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.6–9, 14, 16–20, 22–25, 27)......Page 137
The Causes of Sin (Acaranga Sutra 1.1–2)......Page 139
The Road to Final Deliverance (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 28)......Page 140
Rules for Monastic Life (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 35)......Page 142
The Five Great Vows (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.i–v)......Page 143
Questions for Study and Discussion......Page 144
Companion Website......Page 145
5 Sikhism......Page 146
Overview of Structure......Page 147
Contemporary Use......Page 148
Historical Origin and Development......Page 149
Selections from the Japji (Japji 1–3, 5–6, 9, 12–13, 15, 17–18, 20–22, Epilogue)......Page 150
Remembering God (Gauri Sukhmani, Mahala 5)......Page 152
Dancing for Krishna (Rag Gurji, Mahala 3)......Page 153
The Hindu Thread (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1)......Page 154
Prayer for Forgiveness (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 5)......Page 155
The Guru (Rag Gauri, Mahala 3)......Page 156
God’s Power in the Sikh Community (Rag Gauri, Mahala 5)......Page 157
A Marriage Hymn (Rag Asa, Mahala 5)......Page 158
Guru Gobind Singh’s Story (Dasam Granth, Vichitar Natak 6)......Page 159
God as the Holy Sword (Dasam Granth, Vichitar Natak 6)......Page 160
Glossary......Page 161
Companion Website......Page 162
6 Confucianism......Page 163
Overview of Structure......Page 164
Contemporary Use......Page 166
Historical Origin and Development......Page 167
The Character of Confucius (Analects 2.4; 7.1–9, 19–24; 10.1–3, 8–12)......Page 168
The Goodness of Human Nature (Mencius 6.1.1–4, 6)......Page 170
The Virtues of the Superior Man (Analects 1.1–4, 6–9, 14; 15.17–23)......Page 172
Benevolence (Analects 4.1–6)......Page 173
The Actions and Attitudes of Filiality (Classic of Rites 10.1, 4, 7, 10–11, 13–15; Analects 2.5–7; 4.18–21; 13.18)......Page 174
Propriety (Analects 3.3–4, 8, 12–14, 17–19)......Page 176
The Basis of Good Government (Great Learning 1, 3–7; 9.1, 3–5)......Page 177
Confidence and Prosperity in Government (Mencius 4.3, 9; 1.6.20–24)......Page 178
Divination (Classic of Changes 1, 47, 54)......Page 179
Songs for Sacrifice (Classic of Poetry: Kau 7; Minor Odes 10.1, 3; Minor Odes 5)......Page 181
Music and Morality (Classic of Rites 17.2.10–11, 15–16, 18)......Page 183
Attack on Buddhism (Ch’ang-li hsien-sheng wen-chi 39.2b–42)......Page 184
Scriptures in Film......Page 185
Companion Website......Page 186
7 Taoism......Page 187
Overview of Structure......Page 188
Contemporary Use, Historical Origin, and Development......Page 189
The Nature of the Tao (Tao Te Ching 1, 6, 25, 34; Chuang-tzu 29)......Page 191
The World (Tao Te Ching 7, 42, 52)......Page 193
The Relationship of Taoism to Confucianism (Pao-p’u Tzu 7.5a)......Page 194
Nonaction (Chuang-tzu 7)......Page 195
Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao (Tao Te Ching 16, 22, 33, 44)......Page 196
The Superior Man (Chuang-tzu 12)......Page 197
Government (Tao Te Ching 3, 18, 57, 64)......Page 198
On Death (Chuang-tzu 18)......Page 199
Reward and Retribution (T’ai-Shang 1)......Page 200
Methods of Prolonging Life (Pao-p’u tzu 15.6b–7a; 19.6b–7a)......Page 201
The Origins of Feng Shui (Zang Shu 1.1–4, 7–25, 30–43)......Page 202
Questions for Study and Discussion......Page 204
Companion Website......Page 205
8 Shinto......Page 206
Introduction......Page 207
Preface to the Kojiki......Page 208
The Creation of Japan (Kojiki 1–5, 33)......Page 210
Glossary......Page 213
Companion Website......Page 214
9 Zoroastrianism......Page 215
Introduction......Page 216
Overview of Structure......Page 217
Historical Origin and Development......Page 218
The Call of Zarathushtra (Yasna 29)......Page 219
A Hymn of Praise to Zarathushtra (Yasht 24:87b–94)......Page 220
Hymn to Ahura and the Purifying Fire (Yasna 36)......Page 221
The Choice Between Good and Evil (Yasna 30)......Page 222
Judgment of the Soul on Chinvat Bridge (Menok I Khrat 2.110–195)......Page 223
The Place of the Gathas (Yasna 55:1–3)......Page 225
The Zoroastrian Confession (Yasna 12)......Page 226
The Four Great Prayers (From the Yasna)......Page 227
Glossary......Page 228
Companion Website......Page 229
10 Judaism......Page 230
Introduction......Page 231
Overview of Structure......Page 232
Contemporary Use......Page 235
Historical Origin and Development......Page 238
The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–9)......Page 239
The Call of Moses (Exodus 3:1–20)......Page 240
Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:1–31)......Page 241
The Covenant with Israel (Exodus 19:1–8)......Page 242
A Psalm for David (Psalm 132)......Page 243
Ezra’s Enforcement of Torah Observance (Ezra 9:1–7, 13–15; 10:1–12)......Page 244
The Oneness of God (Deuteronomy 6:1–9)......Page 245
God’s Creation of the World (Genesis 1:1–31; 2:1–9, 15–25)......Page 246
The Revolt of Humanity (Genesis 3:1–24)......Page 248
Prayer for Divine Deliverance (Psalm 5)......Page 249
The Final Judgment of the World (Daniel 7:1–14)......Page 250
Resurrection of the Dead (Daniel 12:1–3)......Page 251
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–14)......Page 252
Laws on Slaves, Violence, and Property (Exodus 21:1–36; 22:15–26)......Page 253
Holy War (Deuteronomy 20:1–20)......Page 255
Sexual Love (Song of Songs 1:1–2:17)......Page 256
God’s Call to an Unfaithful People (Amos 4:1–13)......Page 258
Two Views of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1–9, 20–33; Ecclesiastes 1:1–9)......Page 259
The Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10–31)......Page 260
Sacrifice at the Ordination of Priests (Exodus 29:1–37)......Page 261
A Call to Be a Prophet (Isaiah 6:1–13)......Page 262
Women as Judges and Prophets (Judges 4:4–10, 12–16; II Kings 22:11–20)......Page 263
The Establishment of Circumcision (Genesis 17:9–14, 23–27)......Page 264
The Establishment of the Passover (Exodus 12:1–19, 24–27)......Page 265
The Observance of the Sabbath (Exodus 31:12–17)......Page 266
The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1–5, 11–19, 29–34)......Page 267
Kosher and Nonkosher Foods (Leviticus 11:1–31, 41–45)......Page 268
The Chain of Rabbinic Tradition: ‘‘The Sayings of the Fathers’’ (Mishnah, Aboth 1.1–18)......Page 269
An Example of Rabbinic Debate: The Duty to Marry and Have Children (Babylonian Talmud, Yebamoth 61b–63)......Page 271
Glossary......Page 272
Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 273
Companion Website......Page 274
11 Christianity......Page 275
Names......Page 276
Overview of Structure......Page 277
Contemporary Use......Page 278
Historical Origin and Development......Page 280
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:18–25)......Page 282
Jesus’ Miracles (Luke 8:26–56)......Page 283
The Arrest, Trial, and Death of Jesus (Mark 14:43–50, 53–65; 15:1–41)......Page 284
The Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1–8)......Page 286
The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1–21)......Page 287
Persecution of the Apostles (Acts 5:27–42)......Page 288
The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1–21)......Page 289
The Parables of Jesus (Mark 4:1–34)......Page 290
The Divine Word Became Human (John 1:1–18)......Page 291
Nicodemus Visits Jesus (John 3:1–21)......Page 292
A Sinful Woman Forgiven (Luke 7:36–50)......Page 293
The End of Time (Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 20:1–21:4)......Page 294
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7)......Page 296
Directions Concerning Marriage (I Corinthians 7:1–16, 25–40)......Page 299
Ethics in the Christian Household (Ephesians 5:21–6:9)......Page 301
Being Subject to Authorities (Romans 13:1–10)......Page 302
The Fall of Rome (Revelation 17:1–18:5)......Page 303
The Twelve Apostles and their Mission (Matthew 10:1–15)......Page 304
Matthew’s Church Order (Matthew 18:1–10, 15–22)......Page 305
Qualifications of Bishops and Deacons (I Timothy 3:1–13)......Page 306
Women in the Early Church (Luke 10:38–42; I Corinthians 11:2–16; Galatians 3:25–28; I Timothy 2:8–15)......Page 307
Baptism (Matthew 28:16–20; Romans 6:1–14)......Page 308
The Eucharist (Matthew 26:17–19, 26–29; John 6:25–40, 52–59)......Page 309
Confession and Anointing (James 5:13–18)......Page 310
The Gospel of Thomas (Gospel of Thomas 1–2, 13–14, 18, 22, 29, 49–50, 53, 83–84, 99, 101)......Page 311
Questions for Study and Discussion......Page 312
Companion Website......Page 313
12 Islam......Page 314
Name......Page 315
Overview of Structure......Page 316
Contemporary Use......Page 318
Historical Origin and Development......Page 319
The Call of Muhammad (Qur’an 96:1–19; 53:1–18)......Page 320
The Mission of Muhammad (Qur’an 11:1–16; 93)......Page 321
Opposition to Muhammad (Qur’an 52:30–49; 63)......Page 322
The Night Journey (Qur’an 17:1–2)......Page 323
The Wives of Muhammad (Qur’an 33:28–33, 37–40, 48–49)......Page 324
The Death of Muhammad (Qur’an 21:34–36)......Page 325
God’s Names (Qur’an 59:22–24)......Page 326
Predestination (Qur’an 42:8–13; 7:177–179)......Page 327
Jinn (Qur’an 72:1–15)......Page 328
Creation (Qur’an 15:16–48)......Page 329
The Holy Qur’an (Qur’an 42:50–53; 46:1–13; 2:87–91)......Page 330
On Unbelievers, Jews, and Christians (Qur’an 9:1–7, 3:38–50; 2:111–121, 132–137)......Page 332
Resurrection and Judgment (Qur’an 75:1–15; 69:14–35)......Page 334
Heaven and Hell (Qur’an 76:1–22; 56:1–39; 77:1–39)......Page 335
The Conduct of Believers (Qur’an 17:23–38)......Page 336
Women (Qur’an 4:19–22, 34–39; 2:220–223, 227–233)......Page 337
The Different Dimensions of Struggle (Jihad ) (Qur’an 6:16, 19–20; 48:11–21; 2:190–194, 216–218)......Page 339
Law Codes (Qur’an 4:1–10)......Page 341
Confession of Faith (Qur’an 57:1–7; 37:32–39)......Page 342
Prayer (Qur’an 2:142–149)......Page 343
The Fast (Qur’an 2:183–186)......Page 344
Pilgrimage (Qur’an 2:125–129; 106; 2:196–199)......Page 345
The Mosque (Qur’an 24:36–38; 9:15–18)......Page 346
On Ritual Washings......Page 347
On God......Page 348
On the Steps for Jihad Against Enemies......Page 349
Questions for Study and Discussion......Page 350
Companion Website......Page 351
13 New Religious Movements......Page 352
Introduction......Page 353
Names......Page 354
Overview of Structure......Page 355
Historical Origins and Development......Page 357
The Essence of Baha’i Teaching and a Sketch of the Life of Baha’u’llah (Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, Preface)......Page 359
Baha’i, Islam, and Christianity (The Bab, Qayyumu’l-Asma 1, 61–62)......Page 360
Baha’i Laws (Baha’u’llah, Kitab-I-Aqdas 1–2, 12–14, 16, 30–34, 45, 49, 56, 63–65, 149–150, 189)......Page 361
Baha’i Prayers (Short Obligatory Prayer, Medium Obligatory Prayer, Prayer for America)......Page 363
Joseph Smith’s Story (Pearl of Great Price, ‘‘Joseph Smith—History 1’’ 1–22, 25–35, 40–47, 59–62, 67–74)......Page 365
The First Description of the Book of Mormon (Book of Mormon, original title page)......Page 368
The Coming of Jesus Christ in 34 C.E. to the New World (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11.1–41)......Page 369
Destruction of the Nephites and Burial of the Golden Plates (Book of Mormon, ‘‘Mormon’’ 6:1–3, 6–11, 16–22)......Page 370
Preparations for the Trek to Utah (Doctrine and Covenants 136.1–11, 17–24, 30–42)......Page 371
The Essence of Latter-day Saint Teaching (Pearl of Great Price, ‘‘Articles of Faith’’ 1–13)......Page 372
Church Pronouncements on Polygamy and Men of African Descent (Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declarations of 1890 and 1978)......Page 373
Introduction to Christian Science Scripture and to the Work of Mary Baker Eddy (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Preface)......Page 376
The Essence of Christian Science Teaching (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ‘‘Recapitulation’’)......Page 377
Prayer and Its Role (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ‘‘Prayer’’)......Page 378
Two Testimonials to Healing......Page 379
Dual Characteristics of the Universe and of Human Beings (Divine Principle 1.1.1.1)......Page 381
The Purpose of the Creation of the Universe (Divine Principle 1.1.3.1)......Page 382
The Spiritual and Physical Falls of Adam and Eve (Divine Principle 1.2.2.1–2)......Page 383
The Restoration of Humanity (Divine Principle 1.3, Introduction)......Page 384
Salvation Through the Second Messiah, the True Parent (Divine Principle 2, Introduction)......Page 385
The Advent of the Second Messiah as a Korean (Divine Principle 2.6, Introduction; 2.6.3.2–3)......Page 386
Suggestions for Further Reading......Page 387
Companion Website......Page 388
INDEX......Page 389