This collection of primary scriptural materials--carefully edited for understanding--is a perfect accompaniment to any world religions text. Robert E. Van Voorst's informative introductions, charts of scripture canons, detailed annotations that explain more difficult language, illuminating vignettes, and other pedagogy--in addition to his meticulous editing of the selections themselves--make them accessible and interesting to first-time readers.\Organized to help readers compare the various scriptures and traditions, each religion's scriptural selections include such topics as history, doctrinal teachings, ethical systems, methods of organization, worship, devotion, ritual, and meditation. The introductory chapter introduces the art of reading scripture, with practical suggestions, a pronunciation guide for foreign words, and other aids.

1. Scripture Among the World's Religions. 2. Hinduism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use. Historical Origin and Development. Teaching Aditi and the Birth of the Gods (Rig-Veda 10.72) -- Two Philosophical Views of Creation (Rig-Veda 10.129; Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad 1.4.1-7) -- The God Indra (Rig-Veda 2.12) -- Rudra and Shiva (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 3.1-13) -- ''That You Are'' (Chandogya Upanishad 6.1-2, 9-11) Ethics Sin and Forgiveness (Rig-Veda 7.86) -- The Three Da's (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2) -- The Way of Asceticism (Mundaka Upanishad 2.1-3, 5-8, 10-13) -- Stages of Life for a Twice-Born Man (Laws of Manu 2.69-74, 191-201; 3.1-19; 6.1-9, 33-49) -- The Life of Women (Laws of Manu 3.55-60; 5.147-165) -- Organization Creation and the Caste System (Rig-Veda 10.90) -- The Four Castes (Institutes of Vishnu 2-1.17) -- The Outcastes (Laws of Manu 10.51-57) -- Ritual and Meditation The Gayatri Mantra (Rig-Veda 3.62.10) -- Devotion to Agni in Prayer and Sacrifice (Rig-Veda 1.1; Agni-Brahmana 1.1-19) -- Soma (Rig-Veda 8.48) -- Marriage (Rig-Veda 10.85.20-47) -- Cremation (Rig-Veda 10.16) -- Charms and Spells (Atharva-Veda 6.20; 7.70; 6.9; 3.16) -- Chanting of Om (Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.1-10) -- The Practice of Yoga (Shvetashvatara Upanishad 2.8-15) -- Selections from the Bhagavad Gita Two Tamil Poets, Appar and Tukaram [Appar:] -- Confession of Sin The Presence of God [Tukaram:] -- Waiting The Burden of the Past. 3. Buddhism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use. Historical Origin and Development. History. The Past Lives of Siddhartha Gotama (Jataka 190, Birth-Story of the Blessing of the Commandments) -- 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) -- The Death of Gotama Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.1-12, 33-35, 45-48) -- Teaching The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta 1-8) -- The Noble Eightfold Path (Dhammacakkapparattana Sutta 9-20) -- The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation (Buddhacarita 16.1, 28-50) -- The Essence of Buddhism (The Heart Sutra) -- A Mahayana View of the Buddha (Saddharma-Pundarika Sutra 2.36; 10.1) -- The Blessings of the Pure Land (Array of the Joyous Land Sutra) -- Ethics Conduct of the Monk (Dhammapada 25, 360-382) -- Admonition to Laity (Cullavagga, Dammikasutta 18-27) -- The Wisdom of the Buddha (Dhammapada 1-20) -- Organization. Founding of the Monastic Order (Mahavagga 1.6.10, 11-16, 27-30, 32, 34, 37) -- Founding of the Order of Nuns (Cullavagga 10.1.1-6) -- The Rules of Defeat for Monks and Nuns (Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma 1-4) -- Rules Requiring Formal Meetings of Monks (Patimokkha, Samghadisesa Dhamma 1-13) -- Ritual The Relics of the Buddha (Mahaparinibbana Sutta 6.58-60) -- Mindfulness in Meditation (Majjhima-nikaya, Satipatthanasutta 10.1-9) -- A Mahayana View of the Merit of Making Images (Taisho Shinshu Daizokyo 16.694) -- Tibetan Scripture to Guide the Soul after Death (Bardo Thodol 1.1-2) -- A Zen Koan, ''What Is Extraordinary?'' (The Blue Cliff Record 26) -- The Main Characteristics of the Falun Gong Movement (Li Hongzhi, Zhuan Falun, Lecture 1, Conclusion). 4. Jainism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use, Historical Origin, and Development. History. The Life of Mahavira (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.6-9, 14, 16-20, 22-25, 27) -- Teaching The Causes of Sin (Acaranga Sutra 1.1-2) -- The Road to Final Deliverance (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 28) -- Ethics Ahimsa (Sutrakritanga 1.7.1-9) -- Rules for Monastic Life (Uttaradhyayana Sutra 35) -- Organization The Five Great Vows (Acaranga Sutra 2.15.i-v) -- 5. Sikhism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origin and Development. Teaching. Selections from the Japji (Japji 1-3, 5-6, 9, 12-13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, Epilogue) -- Remembering God (Gauri Sukhmani, Mahala 5) -- Dancing for Krishna (Rag Gurji, Mahala 3) -- The Hindu Thread (Asa Ki Var, Mahala 1) -- Ethics Prayer for Forgiveness (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 5) -- Against the Use of Wine (Rag Bihagra, Mahala 1) -- Organization The Guru (Rag Gauri, Mahala 3) -- God's Power in the Sikh Community (Rag Gauri, Mahala 5) -- Ritual Hymn for the Installation of the Guru Granth (Rag Devgandhari, Mahala 5) -- A Marriage Hymn (Rag Asa, Mahala 5) -- Selections from the Dasam Granth Guru Gobind Singh's Story (Dasam Granth, Vichitar Natak 6) -- God as the Holy Sword (Dasam Granth, Vichitar Natak 6). 6. Confucianism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origin and Development. History. The Character of Confucius (Analects 2.4; 7.1-9, 19-24; 10.1-3, 8-12) -- Teaching The Way (Analects 16.2) -- The Goodness of Human Nature (Mencius 6.1.1-4, 6) -- Ethics The Virtues of the Superior Man (Analects 1.1-4, 6-9, 14; 15.17-23) -- Benevolence (Analects 4.1-6) -- 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) -- Propriety (Analects 3.3-4, 8, 12-14, 17-19) -- The Love of Learning (Analects 17.8-9) -- The Basis of Good Government (Great Learning 1, 3-7; 9.1, 3-5) -- Confidence and Prosperity in Government (Mencius 4.3, 9; 1.6.20-24) -- Ritual Divination (Classic of Changes 1, 47, 54) -- Songs for Sacrifice (Classic of Poetry: Kau 7; Minor Odes 10.1, 3; Minor Odes 5) -- Music and Morality (Classic of Rites 17.2.10-11, 15-16, 18) -- Attack on Buddhism (Ch'ang-li hsien-sheng wen-chi 39.2b-42). 7. Taoism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use, Historical Origin, and Development. Teaching. The Nature of the Tao (Tao Te Ching 1, 6, 25, 34; Chuang-tzu 29) -- The World (Tao Te Ching 7, 42, 52) -- The Relationship of Taoism to Confucianism (Pao-p'u Tzu 7.5a) -- Ethics Nonaction (Chuang-tzu 7) -- Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao (Tao Te Ching 16, 22, 33, 44) -- The Superior Man (Chuang-tzu 12) -- Government (Tao Te Ching 3, 18, 57, 64) -- On Death (Chuang-tzu 18) -- Reward and Retribution (T'ai-Shang 1) -- Ritual Methods of Prolonging Life (Pao-p'u tzu 15.6b-7a; 19.6b-7a) -- The Origins of Feng Shui (Zang Shu 1.1-4, 7-25, 30-43) -- 8. Shinto. Introduction. Selections from the Kojiki -- Preface to the Kojiki -- The Creation of Japan (Kojiki 1-5, 33) -- The Story of Emperor Yuryaku and the Woman Akawi-ko (Kojiki 154) -- 9. Zoroastrianism. Introduction. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origin and Development. History. The Call of Zarathushtra (Yasna 29) -- A Hymn of Praise to Zarathushtra (Yasht 24:87b-94) -- Teaching and Ethics Hymn to Ahura and the Purifying Fire (Yasna 36) -- Hymn to Ahura Mazda the Creator (Yasna 37:1-5) -- The Choice Between Good and Evil (Yasna 30) -- Judgment of the Soul on Chinvat Bridge (Menok I Khrat 2.110-195) -- Ritual The Place of the Gathas (Yasna 55:1-3) -- The Zoroastrian Confession (Yasna 12) -- The Four Great Prayers (From the Yasna) -- Disposal of the Dead (Vendidad, Fargard 65, 44-51). 10. Judaism. Introduction. Names. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origin and Development. History. The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9) -- The Call of Moses (Exodus 3:1-20) -- Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14:1-31) -- The Covenant with Israel (Exodus 19:1-8) -- A Psalm for David (Psalm 132) -- Ezra's Enforcement of Torah Observance (Ezra 9:1-7, 13-15; 10:1-12) -- Teaching The Oneness of God (Deuteronomy 6:1-9) -- God's Creation of the World (Genesis 1:1-31; 2:1-9, 15-25) -- The Revolt of Humanity (Genesis 3:1-24) -- Prayer for Divine Deliverance (Psalm 5) -- The Messianic King (Isaiah 11:1-9) -- The Final Judgment of the World (Daniel 7:1-14) -- Resurrection of the Dead (Daniel 12:1-3) -- Ethics The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-14) -- Laws on Slaves, Violence, and Property (Exodus 21:1-36; 22:15-26) -- Justice for All (Exodus 23:1-9) -- Holy War (Deuteronomy 20:1-20) -- Sexual Love (Song of Songs 1:1-2:17) -- God's Call to an Unfaithful People (Amos 4:1-13) -- Two Views of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-9, 20-33; Ecclesiastes 1:1-9) -- The Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31) -- Organization Sacrifice at the Ordination of Priests (Exodus 29:1-37) -- A Call to Be a Prophet (Isaiah 6:1-13) -- Women as Judges and Prophets (Judges 4:4-10, 12-16; II Kings 22:11-20) -- Ritual The Establishment of Circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14, 23-27) -- The Establishment of the Passover (Exodus 12:1-19, 24-27) -- The Observance of the Sabbath (Exodus 31:12-17) -- The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:1-5, 11-19, 29-34) -- Kosher and Nonkosher Foods (Leviticus 11:1-31, 41-45) -- Rabbinic Literature The Chain of Rabbinic Tradition: ''The Sayings of the Fathers'' (Mishnah, Aboth 1.1-18) -- An Exa. 11. Christianity. Introduction. Names. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origin and Development. History. The Birth of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:18-25) -- Jesus' Miracles (Luke 8:26-56) -- The Arrest, Trial, and Death of Jesus (Mark 14:43-50, 53-65; 15:1-41) -- The Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 16:1-8) -- The Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:6-11) -- The Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21) -- Persecution of the Apostles (Acts 5:27-42) -- The Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-21) -- Teaching The Parables of Jesus (Mark 4:1-34) -- The Divine Word Became Human (John 1:1-18) -- Nicodemus Visits Jesus (John 3:1-21) -- A Sinful Woman Forgiven (Luke 7:36-50) -- Results of Justification (Romans 5:1-11) -- The End of Time (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:1-21:4) -- Ethics The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) -- Directions Concerning Marriage (I Corinthians 7:1-16, 25-40) -- Love (I Corinthians 13:1-13) -- Ethics in the Christian Household (Ephesians 5:21-6:9) -- Being Subject to Authorities (Romans 13:1-10) -- The Fall of Rome (Revelation 17:1-18:5) -- Organization The Twelve Apostles and their Mission (Matthew 10:1-15) -- Matthew's Church Order (Matthew 18:1-10, 15-22) -- Peter as the Rock (Matthew 16:13-20) -- Qualifications of Bishops and Deacons (I Timothy 3:1-13) -- Women in the Early Church (Luke 10:38-42; I Corinthians 11:2-16; Galatians 3:25-28; I Timothy 2:8-15) -- Ritual Baptism (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 6:1-14) -- The Eucharist (Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29; John 6:25-40, 52-59) -- Confession and Anointing (James 5:13-18) -- Early Noncanonical Jesus Tradition The Gospel of Thomas (Gospel of Thomas 1-2, 13-14, 18, 22, 29, 49-50, 53, 83-84, 99, 101). 12. Islam. Introduction. Names. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origin and Development. History. The Call of Muhammad (Qur'an 96:1-19; 53:1-18) -- The Mission of Muhammad (Qur'an 11:1-16; 93) -- Opposition to Muhammad (Qur'an 52:30-49; 63) -- The Night Journey (Qur'an 17:1-2) The Flight to Medina (Qur'an 9:40) -- The Wives of Muhammad (Qur'an 33:28-33, 37-40, 48-49) -- The Death of Muhammad (Qur'an 21:34-36) -- Teaching God's Absolute Oneness (Qur'an 6:100-103; 112) -- God's Names (Qur'an 59:22-24) -- God's Power (Qur'an 24:41-46; 6:95-99) -- Predestination (Qur'an 42:8-13; 7:177-179) -- Jinn (Qur'an 72:1-15) -- Creation (Qur'an 15:16-48) -- Adam, Eve, and the Fall (Qur'an 2:29-37) -- The Holy Qur'an (Qur'an 42:50-53; 46:1-13; 2:87-91) -- On Unbelievers, Jews, and Christians (Qur'an 9:1-7, 3:38-50; 2:111-121, 132-137) -- Resurrection and Judgment (Qur'an 75:1-15; 69:14-35) -- Heaven and Hell (Qur'an 76:1-22; 56:1-39; 77:1-39) -- Ethics. The Conduct of Believers (Qur'an 17:23-38) -- Women (Qur'an 4:19-22, 34-39; 2:220-223, 227-233) -- Against Evil Magic (Qur'an 113; 114) -- The Different Dimensions of Struggle (Jihad) (Qur'an 6:16, 19-20; 48:11-21; 2:190-194, 216-218) -- Law Codes (Qur'an 4:1-10) -- Ritual The Opening of the Qur'an (Qur'an 1) -- Confession of Faith (Qur'an 57:1-7; 37:32-39) Prayer (Qur'an 2:142-149) -- Alms (Qur'an 107; 9:53-60) -- The Fast (Qur'an 2:183-186) -- Pilgrimage (Qur'an 2:125-129; 106; 2:196-199) -- The Mosque (Qur'an 24:36-38; 9:15-18) -- Selections from the Hadith -- On Innovations -- On Ritual Washings -- On Prayer -- On Alms -- On God -- On the Power of Reading the Qur'an -- O. 13. New Religious Movements. Introduction. Names. Overview of Structure. Contemporary Use Historical Origins and Development. The Scripture of Baha'i -- The Essence of Baha'i Teaching and a Sketch of the Life of Baha'u'llah (Shoghi Effendi, The Promised Day Is Come, Preface) -- Baha'i, Islam, and Christianity (The Bab, Qayyumu'l-Asma 1, 61-62) -- Baha'i Laws (Baha'u'llah, Kitab-I-Aqdas 1-2, 12-14, 16, 30-34, 45, 49, 56, 63-65, 149-150, 189) -- Baha'i Prayers (Short Obligatory Prayer, Medium Obligatory Prayer, Prayer for America) -- The Scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints -- Joseph Smith's Story (Pearl of Great Price, ''Joseph Smith--History 1'' 1-22, 25-35, 40-47, 59-62, 67-74) -- The First Description of the Book of Mormon (Book of Mormon, original title page) -- The Coming of Jesus Christ in 34 C.E. to the New World (Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11.1-41) -- Destruction of the Nephites and Burial of the Golden Plates (Book of Mormon, ''Mormon'' 6:1-3, 6-11, 16-22) Preparations for the Trek to Utah (Doctrine and Covenants 136.1-11, 17-24, 30-42) -- The Essence of Latter-day Saint Teaching (Pearl of Great Price, ''Articles of Faith'' 1-13) -- Church Pronouncements on Polygamy and Men of African Descent (Doctrine and Covenants, Official Declarations of 1890 and 1978) -- The Scripture of Christian Science -- Introduction to Christian Science Scripture and to the Work of Mary Baker Eddy (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Preface) -- The Essence of Christian Science Teaching (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ''Recapitulation'') -- Prayer and Its Role (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ''Prayer'') -- Interpretation of Genesis 1 (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ''Genesis'') -- Two Testimonials to Healing (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, ''Fruit. The Scripture of the Unification Church -- Dual Characteristics of the Universe and of Human Beings (Divine Principle 1.1.1.1) -- The Purpose of the Creation of the Universe (Divine Principle 1.1.3.1) -- The Spiritual and Physical Falls of Adam and Eve (Divine Principle 1.2.2.1-2) -- The Restoration of Humanity (Divine Principle 1.3, Introduction) -- Salvation Through the Second Messiah, the True Parent (Divine Principle 2, Introduction) -- The Advent of the Second Messiah as a Korean (Divine Principle 2.6, Introduction; 2.6.3.2-3).