Ninian Smart on World Religions

John J. Shepherd

Contents: Preface; Part I Individual Traditions: (i) Buddhism: Mysticism and scripture in Theravada Buddhism; Theravada and processes: Nirvana as a meta-process; The dramatic effect of the Buddha on Western theories of religion. (ii) Hinduism: Indian arguments about the existence of God; The analogy of meaning and the tasks of comparative philosophy; Swami Vivekananda as a philosopher; Integral knowledge and the 4 theories of existence. (iii) Chinese Religions/Worldviews: Reflections on Chinese religious and other worldviews in regard to modernization; Maoism and religion; The bounds of religion and the transition from the Tao to Mao. (iv) Christianity: Myth and transcendence. (v) Islam: Islamic responses to the West; Salman Rushdie in a plural world. (vi) Shamanism: The 21st century and small peoples. (vii) New Religious Movements: Distinctively Californian spiritual movements. Part II Worldview Analysis: Religions in the Modern World: Religion and polity: reflections on the history of religions and the analysis of politics - a question of definition; Religion and nationalism in India and Sri Lanka; Buddhism, Sri Lanka, and the prospects for peace; The importance of diasporas. Part III Christian Theology of Religions and Interfaith Dialogue: Revelation, reason and religions; The relation between Christianity and other great religions; God's body; Soft natural theology Part IV Plurality of Religions: Religious Interpretations: The convergence of religions; A contemplation of absolutes; Models for understanding the relations between religions; Pluralism. Part V Plurality of Religions: Ethico-Political Implications: On knowing what is uncertain; The epistemology of pluralism: the basis of liberal philosophy; Does a universal standard of value need to be higher-order?; Worldview-pluralism: an important paradox and its possible solution. Part VI Conclusion: An ultimate vision. Appendices; Name index.