A History of Religion East and West

The religious traditions of Asia and Europe, the 'East' and 'West' of the title, are sometimes regarded as being in sharp contrast with each other, the one 'mystical', the other 'prophetic'. Whenever their religions are not so contrasted they are usually treated in isolation from each other: the religion of Israel, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Dr Ling, however, stresses that there is considerable overlap and interpenetration between the two types and areas, and that it is important to see the historical inter-relation between these religions and to observe how, during given periods of history, there are parallel developments or significant divergences. He covers the period 1500 B.C. to the present time, providing an outline of the development of Asian and European religious traditions and institutions, and discussing the social and economic factors involved in the development of religous traditions, although he shows that such factors alone do not account for the religious life of man. Dr Ling goes on to interpret the contemporary significance of these religions and their potential for the future life of humanity. He suggests that the present stage of religious advance is characterised by open-endedness towards the future; not all religions exhibit this character, but none has yet exhausted the possibilities of development. This book is intended for use an an introduction to the study of religion. Although reference is made in the text to sources of further information, the book can be used without reference to them.

Autorentext

Trevor Ling

Inhalt

Acknowledgements Introduction Chronological Table CHAPTER ONE: NOMADS, PEASANTS AND KINGS Religion in the early city-civilisations of Asia Out of Mesopotamia and out of Egypt Religion in India during the early Vedic period (1500-1000 B.C. approx.) Yahweh and the Hebrew monarchy, to 926 B.C. Religion in India during the later Vedic period (1000-500 B.C. approx.) Summary and comment on Chapter One CHAPTER TWO: PROPHETS AND PHILOSOPHERS The prophetic tradition of Israel (926-520 B.C.) Zarathustra, the prophet of Iran (618-541 B.C. approx.) Gautama the Buddha, the prophet of India (563-483 B.C.) The sophistication of primitive religion Summary and comment on Chapter Two CHAPTER THREE: SCRIBES, MONKS AND PRIESTS Judaism from the Exile to the Fall of Jerusalem (587 B.C.-70 C.E.) Early Buddhism (500 B.C.-70 C.E.) The reorientation of Brahmanism (500 B.C.- 70 C.E.) The rise of Christianity, to 70 C.E. Summary and comment on Chapter Three CHAPTER FOUR: CREEDS AND CONFORMITY Christianity: from Jewish sect to Roman state-religion (70-500 C.E.) The emergence of Hinduism (70-500 C.E.) The Hinduisation of Buddhism (70-600 C.E.) Summary and comment on Chapter Four CHAPTER FIVE: RELIGION AND CIVILISATION The Rise of Islam (600-750 C.E.) The expansion of Buddhism (600-1100 C.E.) Summary and comment on Chapter Five CHAPTER SIX: THEOLOGIANS, POETS AND MYSTICS Medieval Hinduism (500-1500 C.E.) The Rise and Fall of Medieval Christendom (500-1500 C.E.) Islam comes of age (750-1500 C.E.) Buddhist civilisation in Asia Beyond India (1000-1800 C.E.) Religious Contrasts and Conflicts (1500-1800 C.E.) Summary and comment on Chapter Six CHAPTER SEVEN: RELIGION AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY Religion in the West, 1800 to the present Hinduism in the modern period, 1800 to the present Islam in the modern period, 1707 to the present Buddhism in the modern period, 1800 to the present Summary and comment on Chapter Seven Epilougue: Religious belief and the future General Bibliography Sectional Bibliography Glossary and Index