Revised and updated, the third edition of this highly acclaimed anthology surveys all the major religious traditions--Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and African religions--and also covers Zen Buddhism, Shinto, and the religious experience in America. Ideal for courses in world religions and comparative religion, it introduces the unique claims, hopes, and wisdom of each tradition in its own voice, through substantial excerpts from its scriptures, prophets, and authors. "I have tried to pay heed," Eastman writes in his Preface, "to A. C. Bouquet's warning of many years ago that the study of religion may sink to the level of collecting dead insects or pressed flowers, which in the process lose all their color and reality. There is not much excuse for a dreary book about a subject as inherently interesting and provocative as the world's religions."
The following selections are new to the third edition: Diana L. Eck's "Frontiers of Encounter," Barbara Stoler Miller on Yoga, R. K. Narayan's story "Chudala," Julia Ching's "Confucianism in Perspective," Thomas Merton on Chuang Tzu, Joseph M. Kitagawa's "The Way of the Kami," Ian Reader on Shinto, Vincent Mulago on African Religions, and "A Personal Note" by John Hick.
Industry Reviews
"A very rich source to enable students to get a 'taste' of influential traditions."--Mary Anne Foley, University of Scranton
"A very creative, interesting introduction to world religions--a hybrid text."--Gaston Espinosa, Westmont College
"An outstanding anthology and clear expositions."--Allen Howard Podet, Buffalo State College
"An excellent supplementary book for World Religions courses because it quotes primary sources."--Marianne Ferguson, Buffalo State College
"Excellent selection from recent studies of religion from the original texts. Eastman covers a great deal of ground in 500 pages and does it carefully and intelligently."--Dan O'Bryan, Sierra Nevada College
"An excellent survey for use in introductory level courses at the seminary level. It helps to bring students into the world of religion beyond the Judeo-Christian tradition."--Philip Wickari, San Francisco Theological Seminary/Graduate Theological Union
"A thorough, comprehensive book with a variety of presentations to meet different kinds of audiences."--Ralph R. Covell, Denver Seminary
"The Ways of Religion was just what I was looking for. It provides substantial sections of writings (including Scripture) from various traditions without being overwhelming to students. Its inclusion of contemporary writings adds to it relevancy as well."--Joel J. Heim, Carroll College
Praise for the previous edition (first 4 quotes): "In my twenty-five years of teaching world religions this is the first book on the subject that I have liked, with the sole exception of Huston Smith's World Religions. Unlike the latter, this is an anthology and a very excellent one at that. Eastman's book will be a boon to students."--Ramesh Patel, Antioch College
"An excellent mixture of restrained but clear commentary with multiple selections of primary texts from the great traditions of humankind. The sense and sentiment, taste and feel emerge from the stories and sacred texts."--Michael Barnes, University of Dayton
"A most useful introduction."--Randall Balmer, Barnard College, Columbia University
"An excellent anthology...thoroughly recommended for study and general interest."--Geoffrey Parrinder
