Book Description

The study of religions concerns enduring question about religions, human society, and the meaning individuals and communities make in life. The study of different religions also facilitates interaction with people of other religions and their cultural, historical, intellectual, and social phenomena. This also provides a basic understanding of major religious traditions of the world, their-ethico-social and mystical approach to religion but more so a deep understanding of their fundamental principles and philosophical concerns such as ethical foundation, metaphysics and the nature and form of salvation. I also feel that studying such material is bound to give one richer and more sophisticated understanding of human beliefs and practices regarding sacred, numinous, spiritual and divine. Another reason why one should undertake study of different religions is the analysis of influential cultural definition of individual and social identity as it will contribute significantly and distinctively to our knowledge of human nature, global cultures, diversity and ethical standards and practices. This subject has assumed greater importance in the contemporary world as we are living in a pluralistic society which contains people belonging to diverse groups of religious cultures and traditions. Pluralistic societies now exist around the world which contain many different religious groups. There is constant mutual interaction between these groups in one and the same society. For maintaining civic peace, tranquility and harmony, it has become imperative for those religious groups to tolerate each other and build relationships. Pluralism is more than mere tolerance of differences – it requires knowledge of them. Tolerance is no doubt important but it does little to remove our ignorance of one another. In order to overcome preconceived notions, constituents of the society have to be educated to know the basics of those religions. This involves understanding people with different religious beliefs and knowing the fundamentals of their religions. In the contemporary world it is impossible for any one religion to exist in splendid isolation and ignore the others. In spite of science, technology and modernity dominated scenario religious freedom remains one of the most cherished and treasured liberaties of mankind. P/2 # 2 # Considering the significance and importance of this subject even many of the universities around the world have started Centres for the study of Comparative Religions. In these Centres specialized courses of study are provided to impart education and knowledge on different religions in order to combat the challenges posed by religious pluralism. Keeping this in view, I have briefly attempted to present in this monograph basic and fundamental aspects of all the major practising religions of the world so that we should be able to find common grounds of understanding for peaceful co-existence for the betterment of the society in which we live. The monograph, for easy comprehension of readers, has been set out in four sections as follows – 1. Section I – Study of Different Religions: In this part are dealt: Religion its meaning – Importance of comparative study of religion –Different aspects and dimensions of religion. 2. Section II – Major Religions of the World: In this part are dealt major religions of the world and their fundamentals as I understand – Judaism – Christianity – Islam – Zoroastrianism – Hinduism – Jainism – Buddhism – Sikhism – Taoism – Confucianism – Shintoism. 3. Section III – Unity and Universality of Religions: In this part are dealt different prayers of religions and also subjects such as – Unity in Diversity – Unity of Religions and Metaphysics – Similarities in Religions – Essential Unity of all Religions. 4. Section IV – Essays on Religion : In this part are dealt subjects, such as, Religion and Science – Religion and Modernity – Secularism – Philosophy of Religion – Do we Need Religion – Inter-religious Dialogue. The approach taken in this book is one to understand the basic and fundamental principles shorn of their superfluous forms and formalities, rites and rituals, of all the major practicing religions of the world and to underscore points of commonalities in them regarding truth, spirituality, ethics and morals. I am of the firm conviction that the same essence and energy run through all the religions.