This essential student textbook consists of seventeen sections, all written by leading scholars in their different fields. They cover all the religious traditions of Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Tibet, and East Asia. The major traditions that are described and discussed are (from the Southwest) Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam, and (from the East) Taoism, Confucianism and Shinto. In addition, the tradition of Bon in Tibet, the shamanistic religions of Inner Asia, and general Chinese, Korean and Japanese religion are also given full coverage. The emphasis throughout is on clear description and analysis, rather than evaluation. Ten maps are provided to add to the usefulness of this book, which has its origin in the acclaimed Encyclopedia of Religion, edited by Mircea Eliade of the University of Chicago.

The Bible : a history of interpretation and methods /Johanna Stiebert --An overview of the Old Testament /Lovemore Togarasei --Major theological themes in the Old Testament /Masego Kanis and Lovemore Togarasei --A survey of the New Testament /Lovemore Togarasei --Major themes in the New Testament /Tlali Lerotholi --Religion, race, gender, and identity /Musa Dube --Reading and understanding the Bible as an African /James N. Amanze --Introduction to Christian theology : its tasks and methods /James N. Amanze --African theology : a contextual analysis of Zimbabwe /Tabona Shoko --The role of liberation theology in the post-independent Africa and the world in the 21st century /Moji Africa Ruele --Major themes in Black theology /Francis C.L. Rakotsoane --What's in a name? : forging a theoretical framework for African women's theologies /Isabel Apawo Phiri and Sarojini Nadar --The theology of the African Independent Churches in Southern Africa : the case of Botswana /Obed N. Kealotswe --Introduction to religious studies /Francis C.L. Rakotsoane --Phenomenology of religion /Ezra Chitando --African Traditional Religion in contemporary Africa : challenges and prospects /James N. Amanze --Christianity in Africa in the 21st century /Fidelis Nkomanzana --Africa's Muslims : expressing their religious identity /Muhammed Haron --Hinduism and Buddhism : an introduction /Garth Mason --A general introduction to philosophy : its tasks and methods /T.A. Chimuka --Logic, critical thinking, and science /I.B. Ikpe --Introduction to epistemology /Louis M. Manyeli --African philosophy /John Ayotunde Bewaji --Moral theories /Simon Mawondo -- Applied ethics /Joseph B.R. Gaie --Philosophical metaphysics in Africa /Kipton Jensen.

Tat tvam asi is an extraordinary book enveloping the gamut of the Upanishadic insights in all their profundity and splendour. Its author is a literary genius with about40 books and compositions to his credit. The book, which has received over 12 awards from various institutions in India, is written in a style that is quiteUpanishadic and not easily comprehensible to the ordinary man. It also uplifts the imagination of the reader. This translation is an attempt to make Tat tvam asi reach aglobal audience unfamiliar with Upanishadic terms and concepts. It could not have been achieved without a background in Philosophy, both Indian and WesternNevertheless it was an arduous exercise to find suitable words to convey the correct meaning intended by the author. I am grateful to the author for giving me freedom to accomplish it in my own way as well as for accepting the translation as authentic Undertaking the work of translation was a highly satisfying and enrichingexperience. This translation, one hopes, will generate a renaissance in Upanishadic knowledge at an international level, as Tat tvam asi did in Kerala, when it was firstpublished.

Unlike many other ancient mythologies, Hinduism thrives in the modern world. One billion followers and countless others have been captivated by its symbolic representations of love, karma, and reincarnation. Handbook of Hindu Mythology offers an informative introduction to this dauntingly complex mythology of multifaceted deities, lengthy heroic tales, and arcane philosophies-all with a 3,000-year history of reinterpretations and adaptations. Williams offers a number of pathways by which to approach Hinduism's ever-changing gods and goddesses (e.g., Brahma, Vishnu, Siva), spiritual verses (such as the vedas), secular epics (including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata), myths within myths, devotional and esoteric traditions, psychic and yogic disciplines, and magical practices. With this handbook, readers can explore the history of Hindu mythology, follow a detailed timeline of key episodes and historical events, and look up specific elements of historical or contemporary Hinduism in a beautifully illustrated reference work. It is the ideal introduction to the origins of Hinduism, the culture that shaped it from antiquity to the present, and the age-old stories, ideas, and traditions that speak to the human condition as eloquently today as ever. Including annotated bibliographies, a glossary of cultural and mythological terms, and numerous illustrations, here is a gold mine of information on Hindu mythology. "