This reader contains some of the most notable and instructive scriptures of the major Asian religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, and Zoroastrianism. It is a comprehensive and pedagogically sound presentation of the sacred literature of the Asia. A clear and consistent organization makes the text easy-to-use and understand. The first chapter examines the general phenomenon of scripture in the world's religions, its nature, use, and place in modern scholarship. Chapter 1 also introduces the reader to the art of reading scripture with practical suggestions, a pronunciation guide for foreign words, and other pedagogical aids. Each subsequent chapter presents the scripture of a single religion. Three or four vignettes about scripture and its usage open the chapter to draw the reader's interest and imagination. Then an introduction sets the context by explaining the overall structure, origin, development, and use of the scripture in its religion.

Preface.
Acknowledgements.

1. SCRIPTURE AMONG THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS.

A Brief History of Scripture Scholarship.
The Nature and Definition of Scripture.
The Uses of Scripture.
Advantages and Disadvantages.
Asian Scriptures and Modern Scholarship.
Scriptures and the World Wide Web.
The Plan of this Book.
A Guide to Pronunciation.

Suggestions on How to Read Scriptures.
Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

2. HINDUISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure.
Origin and Development.
Use.
Teaching.
Aditi and the Birth of the Gods - Rig-Veda.
The Creation Hymn - Rig-Veda.
Creation from Brahman - Brihad-Aranyaka Upanishad.
The God Indra - Rig-Veda.
The God Shiva - Shvetashvatara Upanishad.
That You Are - Chandogya Upanishad.
The Goddess Kali - Markandeya Purana, Devi-Mahatmya.
Organization.
The Creation of the Caste System - Rig-Veda.
The Four Castes - Institutes of Vishnu.
Ethics.
Sin and Forgiveness - Rig-Veda.
The Three Da's - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
The Ways of Asceticism - Mundaka Upanishad.
Stages of Life for a Twice-Born Man - Laws of Manu.
The Life of Women - Laws of Manu.
Ritual and Meditation.
The Gayatri Mantra - Rig-Veda.
Hymn to Agni - Rig-Veda.
The Meaning of the Agnihotra Sacrifice - Agni-Brahmana.
The Puja of a Yogin - Agni Purana.
Soma - Rig-Veda.
Marriage - Rig-Veda.
Cremation - Rig-Veda. Charms and Spells - Atharva-Veda.
Chanting of Om - Chandogya Upanishad.
The Practice of Yoga - Shvetashvatara Upanishad.

Appendix 1: Selections from the Bhagavad-Gita and the Bhagavata-Purana.
Appendix 2: Mohandas Gandi on the Bhagavad-Gita.
Appendix 3: Two Tamil Poets (Appar and Tukaram).
Appendix 4: Poems of Mira, a Hindi Female Saint.
Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

3. BUDDHISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure.
Origin and Development.
Use.
History.
The Past Lives of Gotama Buddha - Jataka.
The Life of Gotama Buddha - Selections from the Buddhacarita.
The Death of Gotama Buddha - Mahaparinibbana Sutta.
The Life of Milarepa - The Life of Milarepa. Teaching.
The Sermon on the Four Noble Truths - Dhammacakkapparattana.
The Skandhas and the Chain of Causation - Buddhacarita.
The Essence of Buddhism - The Heart Sutra.
A Description of Nirvana - Milinda-panha.
A Mahayana View of the Buddha - Saddharma-pundarika Sutra.
Poems of Early Nuns - Therigatha.
Ethics.
Conduct of the Monk - Dhammapada.
Admonition to Laity - Cullavagga, Dhammikasutta.
Wisdom of the Buddha - Dhammapada.
The Bodhisattva Ideal - Mahavastu.
Organization.
Founding of the Order - Mahavagga.
The Rules of Defeat - Patimokkha, Parajika Dhamma.
Rules Requiring Formal Meetings - Patimokkha Samghadisesa Dhamma.
The Order of Nuns - Cullavagga.
Ritual and Meditation.
The Relics of the Buddha - Mahaparinibbana Sutta.
Mindfulness in Meditation - Majjhima-Nikaya Satipatthanasutta.
The Merit of Making Images - Taisho Shinsu Daizokyo.
Scripture to Guide the Soul After Death - Bardo Thodol.

Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

4. JAINISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure. Origin, Development, and Use.
History.
The Life of Mahavira - Acaranga Sutra.
Teaching.
The World is Uncreated - Mahapurana.
The Causes of Sin - Acaranga Sutra.
Actions and Rewards - Acaranga Sutra.
The Road to Final Deliverance - Uttaradhyayana.
Organization.
The Five Great Vows - Acaranga Sutra.
Ethics.
Ahimsa - Sutrakritanga.
Rules for Monastic Life - Uttaradhyayana.
The True Monk - Uttaradhyayana.
Stories from Jaina Scriptures and Commentary - Avasyakasautra, Mulasuddhiprakarana.

Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

5. SIKHISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure.
Origin and Development.
Use.
Teaching.
Selections from the Japji. Remembering God - Gauri Sukhmani.
Creation of the World - Asa Ki Var.
Dancing for Krishna - Rag Gurji.
The Hindu Thread - Asa Ki Var.
Ethics.
Truth is the Basis of Conduct - Hymns of Guru Nanak.
Prayer for Forgiveness - Rag Bihagra.
Against the Use of Wine - Rag Bihagra.
Ritual.
Hymn for the Installation of the Guru Granth - Rag Devgandhari. A Marriage Hymn - Rag Asa.
Organization.
The Guru - Rag Gauri.
God's Power in the Sikh Community - Rag Gauri.

Appendix: Selections from the Dasam Granth.
Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

6. ZOROASTRIANISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure.
Origin and Development.
Use.
History.
The Call of Zarathushtra - Yasna.
A Hymn of Praise to Zarathshtra - Yasht.
Teachings.
Hymn to Ahura and the Purifying Fire - Yasna.
Hymn to Ahura Mazda the Creator - Yasna.
The Doctrine of Dualism - Yasna.
Ethics.
Personal Virtues - Denkard.
Six Ritual Obligations - Sad Dar.
Worship and Ritual.
The Place of the Gathas - Yasna.
The Zoroastrian Confession - Yasna. The Four Great Prayers - Yasna.
Disposal of the Dead - Vendidad, Fargard.

Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion. Suggestions for Further Reading.
Index.

7. CONFUCIANISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure.
Origin and Development. Use.
History.
The Character of Confucius - Analects.
Ethics.
The Virtues of the Superior Man - Analects.
Benevolence - Analects.
The Actions of Filiality - Classic of Rites.
The Attitude of Filiality - Analects.
Propriety - Analects. The Way - Analects.
The Love of Learning - Analects.
Early Debate Over the Goodness of Human Nature - Mencius. The Basis of Good Government - The Great Learning.
The Ruler as Example to the People - Analects.
Confidence and Prosperity in Government - Mencius.
Ritual.
Divination - Classic of Changes.
Songs for Sacrifice - Classic of Odes: Shang, Kau, Minor Odes.
Music and Morality - Classic of Rites.

Appendix: Two Later Developments of Early Themes. Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

8. TAOISM.

Introduction.
Overview of Structure.
Origin, Development, and Use.
Teaching.
The Nature of the Tao - Tao Te Ching, Chuang-tzu.
The World - Tao Te Ching.
Ethics.
Non-action - Chuang-tzu.
Individual Life in Harmony with the Tao - Tao Te Ching.
The Superior Man - Chuang-tzu.
Government - Tao Te Ching.
Great and Small Rulers - Chuang-tzu.
On Death - Chuang-tzu.
Reward and Retribution - T'ai-Shang.
Ritual.
Methods of Prolonging Life - Pao-p'u tzu.
The Life and Ascension of Shen Xi - Shenxian zhuan, Daozang jingua.
The Relationship of Taoism to Other Schools - Pao-p'u-tzu.

Appendix: A Complete Taoist Scripture.
Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.

9. SHINTO.

Introduction. Kojiki.
Nihongi.
Selections from the Kojiki and Nihongi.
Preface.
The Creation of Japan - Kojiki.
The Shrine at Ise - Nihongi.
Emperor Yuryaku and the Story of the Woman Akawi-ko - Kojiki.
Selections from the Norito.
Festival of the Gates.
Ritual Prayers for Forgiveness and Purification of Government Officials.
Glossary.
Questions for Study and Discussion.
Suggestions for Further Reading.