Do religions justify and cause violence or are they more appropriately seen as forces for peace and tolerance? Featuring contributions from international experts in the field; this book explores the debate that has emerged in the context of secular modernity about whether religion is a primary cause of social division; conflict and war; or whether this is simply a distortion of the ‘true’ significance of religion and that if properly followed it promotes peace; harmony; goodwill and social cohesion. Focusing on how this debate is played out in the South Asian context; the book engages with issues relating to religion and violence in both its classical and contemporary formations. The collection is designed to look beyond the stereotypical images and idealized portrayals of the peaceful South Asian religious traditions (especially Hindu; Buddhist; Jain and Sufi); which can occlude their own violent histories and to analyze the diverse attitudes towards; and manifestations of violence within the major religious traditions of South Asia. Divided into three sections; the book also discusses globalization and the theoretical issues that inform contemporary discussions of the relationship between religion and violence.
#2069946 in Books R Kirkland 2004-06-17 2004-04-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .71 x 5.43l; .84 #File Name: 0415263220312 pagesTaoism The Enduring Tradition
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Clear Vision of Taoism and Taoist StudiesBy An File DubhI'm not sure why some people seem to have a hard time with this. Yes; the author has an argument; but he does not write in overly difficult or even overly scholarly language. Yes; he may challenge some of your assumptions about Taoism; if you are out of the loop of contemporary Taoist studies. (And; since this book came out in 2004; you would have to be way; way out of the loop!) If you've read anything beyond; say; the 1980s or anything beyond the more "new-agey" conceptions of Taoism; nothing in here should be that much of a surprise at this point -- in fact more recent Taoist scholarship has begun to pick up on the currents that Kirlkand put forward here (part of his argument being that Taoism is so much richer than many people up to 2004 realized; and that we need to begin to understand the totality of Taoist texts and practices). That said; this is still an important work even today; and Kirkland's analyses of Taoist texts known and some still lesser known are insightful and original. It is a good introduction to what is still roughly the state of the field now; and will very effectively shock the reader out of the illusions of myopic earlier prejudices and misinformation. And; if you are looking for ideas on Taoist practice; ch. 5 ("The Cultivated Life") is a useful; concise summation of the Taoist approach to meditation and what Kirkland terms "bio-spiritual" practices. Very worth reading.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Taoism: One of its best information sources in the Western World.By ChitwahSo far; in my opinion; this is absolutely the best available book on Taoism there is. It has a very helpful bibiliography. It is thorough; and for the Westerner who is seriously interested in the fantastic uniqueness of Tao; and its history and beliefs; this is probably THE SOURCE to build upon. Kirkland helped me to confirm what I beleived; for example; of where Carlos Castañeda probably actually got the strong; "original" ethics and belief systems he actually presented to us (thank you; even though you were a fraud and a bit of a nut case; Carlos) in the first four books he wrote. I believe Taoism as practiced by many is a wonderful religion and a wonderful philosophy of life; and its meditation system is as good as any. Kirkland also confirms the personal nature of the experience; and the duty to personal self-control and total self-responsibility in this Magnificent; Magic; Sacred Earth; Sky; and Time.16 of 20 people found the following review helpful. Criticism of Taoist ScholarshipBy sherpa01I bought this book because it had great reviews and it's hard to find good material on the practices and texts of Taoism beyond the level of Tao of Pooh and Taoism for Dummies. But upon reading this torture of a text I found the other reviewers must have had different interests than mine; for what I've found in the book is a state-of-the-union address on Taoist scholarship (mainly how 19th and 20th century translators have not taken into consideration this or that text or aspect of Chinese history) but as to a rigorous explanation of the different practices and beliefs of Taoists there is not much to go on in this book. The author seems more interested in showing off his scholarship of Chinese thought and presenting what Taoism IS NOT than of telling us what those texts he so profusely cites say about what Taoism IS.
