Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Primal Wisdom
The Earliest Humans
Primal Religions
African Tribal Religions
Australian Aboriginal Religion
Polynesian Oral Traditions
Native American Religions
Summary
Transitions

2 Hindu Wisdom
Early Religions in India
The Vedic Period
The Upanishads
The Bhagavad Gita
Summary
Transitions

3 Buddhist Wisdom
Religion of Compassion
The Life of Siddhartha Gautama
Branches of Buddhism
Buddhist Scriptures
The Buddha's Teachings
Theravada (Hinayana) Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism
    Tibetan Buddhism
    Zen Buddhism
    Pure Land Buddhism
    Nichiren Buddhism
The Dhammapada
Summary
Transitions

4 Jain and Sikh Wisdom
Two Religions Arising in India
Jainism
    Mahavira's Life
    Jain Scriptures
    The Digambara Order (Sky-Clad)
    The Shretambara Order
    Worldview
    The Soul
    Ahimsa (Non-violence)
    Liberation
Sikhism
    Life of Guru Nanak
    The Teachings of Guru Nanak
    Karma and Rebirth
    Sikh Discipline
    The Ten Gurus 
    Sikh Scripture
    Sikh Worship
Summary
Transitions

5 Chinese Wisdom (Taoism and Confucianism)
Religion in Early China
Yin and Yang
The Five Classics
Two Religions of China
Taosim
    Taoist Teachings
Conficianism
    Life of Confucius
    The Teacher
    Confucian Ethics
    View of Heaven
Summary
Transitions

6 Jewish Wisdom
The Hebrew Bible
The Creation
The Garden of Eden
Disobedience
The Story of the Great Flood
The Story of Abraham
The Story of Moses
The Prophets
Wisdom Literature
The Talmud
Summary
Transitions

7 Christian Wisdom
Early Christianity
Christian Scripture
The Story of Jesus
The Life of Jesus (From Scripture)
Jesus' Teachings
Selected New Testament Passages
Summary
Transitions

8 Islamic Wisdom
The Final Revelation
Origins of Islam
The Story of Muhammad
Muhammad's Call and Mission (From the Koran)
The Teachings Selections from the Koran
Summary Transitions

Promotional Information

Price examines religions across the world, offering an insight into each tradition's views of the world, through their scriptural texts and spiritual practices.

About the Author

Joan Price is a retired professor of Philosophy from Mesa Community College, Arizona, USA.

Reviews

Reviewed in Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 27, No. 1.