Living Religions - Eastern Traditions (Paperback)

~ Mary Pat Fisher (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Living Religions—Eastern Traditions is a highly readable and stimulating survey of the major global religions and new religious movements that originated in the East, with particular focus on how people are trying to live by them in today's world. Evocative illustrations enhance this approach; first-person interviews of ordinary people and boxes uncovering the spiritual roots of well-known public figures bring this book to life. Covering the key religions of India, China, and Japan, the social context, origins, teachers, scriptures, and historical development of each faith are carefully explored, with emphasis on how practitioners themselves understand their tradition from inside. For readers interested in a comprehensive book about eastern religions, as well as the clergy of various faiths, and workers in corporations that trade in India, China, and Japan.

From the Back Cover

Living Religions—Eastern Traditions is a highly readable and stimulating survey of the major global religions and new religious movements that originated in the East, with particular focus on how people are trying to live by them in today's world. Evocative illustrations enhance this approach; first-person interviews of ordinary people and boxes uncovering the spiritual roots of well-known public figures bring this book to life. Covering the key religions of India, China, and Japan, the social context, origins, teachers, scriptures, and historical development of each faith are carefully explored, with emphasis on how practitioners themselves understand their tradition from inside. For readers interested in a comprehensive book about eastern religions, as well as the clergy of various faiths, and workers in corporations that trade in India, China, and Japan.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; illustrated edition edition (May 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131829866
• ISBN-13: 978-0131829862
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,667 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars $.63 a page?, October 30, 2009

By	E. Godfrey (Eastish...) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Why anyone in his or her right mind would purchase this book separate from the greater Living Religions textbook is beyond me. Literally, for $5 more, you get 260 additional pages of material and I do not believe that the western traditions are just intrinsically less valuable. As I did the math in the product description, you are paying $.63 for each leaf of paper in this book, which to me seems to border on criminality.

Price aside, I think Fisher has put together a very good introduction to world religions (Asian religions in this case). Her greatest strength is her knack for incorporating a variety of different entry points that are sure to catch the attention of a variety of students. She addresses elements of history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy and real-world, modern day practices to get her point across. This is a very strong move on her part and should be commended. But, her strength is her weakness, as she doesn't get into much depth. Any teacher worth his or her salt should be able to pick up the slack here, but I prefer a textbook with a little more of a philosophical orientation.

Overall, I think Fisher is the bee's knees, but the pricing of this book is nothing short of silly.