Religion & Philosophy

Pilgrimage and Faith: Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam explores pilgrimage as experienced in Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim faith communities. It addresses shared goals of personal development and communal solidarity as deep human needs. Unique in scope, this richly illustrated catalogue addresses religious diversity in a global perspective. Dating from the 12th century to the present day, ninety-five historical objects and mementos of present-day pilgrimages are beautifully presented in their context with a collection of essays by leading international scholars. Fine examples include sculptures in wood and limestone from France and copper and bronze from Tibet, a pilgrimage itinerary book from Japan, stained glass from the Middle Ages, a Renaissance enameled chalice from Italy, a lavish embellished Quran from Iran, and Islamic prayer scrolls in silver amulet casings. By studying objects of supreme artistic skill along with mass-produced objects and personal acquisitions such as stones or soil from the holy place, the scholars shed new light on the continuity of pilgrimage and faith - the past and the present and the motivations and experiences of persons of all social strata.

The 20th century was a fascinating period of profound political, social and economic changes in Indonesia. These changes contributed to the diversification of the religious landscape and as a result, religious authority was redistributed over an increasing number of actors. Although many Muslims in Indonesia continued to regard the ulama, the traditional religious scholars, as the principle source of religious guidance, religious authority has become more diffused and differentiated over time. The present book consists of contributions which all deal with the multi-facetted and multidimensional topic of religious authority and aim to complement each other. Most papers deal with Indonesia, but two dealing with other countries have been included in order to add a comparative dimension. Amongst the topics dealt with are the different and changing roles of the ulama, the rise and role of Muslim organisations, developments within Islamic education, like the madrasa, and the spread of Salafi ideas in contemporary Indonesia.

The author, whose career has been in both paediatrics at NUS and as an Anglican clergyman, writes of his views on the God-given destinies of Israel and some Asian countries.

Information is given about the Christian missionary organisation which since the 1960s have originated from Churches and Christian groups within Singapore. Many of these are seen to relate to the pioneering work of Dr Tan Kok Beng (b. 1940).

The author uses a simple story of two dogs fighting to illustrate how we need to fight any negativitiy within ourselves to achieve what we want for ourselves.

With over fifteen hundred entries and forty-six illustrations, A Concise Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen is the most complete compact reference work of its kind available in the English language. It is designed not only for students and meditators but also as a tool to help familiarise all readers with Buddhist terms and concepts - such as chakra, karma, koan, nirvana, and tantra - that are encountered with increasing regularity in the literature of a wide range of fields today. The lives and teachings of important philosophers and meditation masters, the variety of practices, the basic texts and scriptures, and the range of sects and schools of thought are among the subjects covered. Pronunciation tables, a comprehensive bibliography, and a Ch'an/Zen lineage chart are also provided.

This is an account of the religious movement De Jiao, which emerged in China as "A Society for the Recitation of Sutra" during Japanese Occupation of the country in the 1930s and 1940s. It was originally associated with Teochew religious practices and mediums and is now banned in China but has spread throughout the Southeast Asian diaspora. It includes spirit writing, uses mediums, and has many syncretic elements which reinforce aspects of Chinese identity. Chapters explore the De Jiao approach to Buddhist and to Muslim presence and to its own unity/diversity. De Jiao's approach to globalism and to China itself are ongoing concerns. Invocation texts are in the Appendix with a bibliography and index.

Since Indonesia's independence, there has been an ongoing tension between the attempts of Muslims to shape society in conformity with the tenets of Islam and the efforts of successive governments to control Islam as a political and social force. In this monograph, first published in 1978, Deliar Noer examines the politics of the Indonesian government for controlling and regulating Islam. The main chapter topics are: The Ministry of Religion; Islamic Religious Education; Islamic Law and Courts; Administration of the Raj; and Council of Ulama. With glossary.

The Tibetan Book of the Dead, or Bardo Todol, is one of the great classics of Tibetan literature. The Bardo Todol is as relevant a guidebook to daily living as it is to a successful death and transmigration. This volume is a fresh look at this timeless classic. It brings together a range of stunning images with a contextual analysis and abridged translation.

Humanism has a strong presence in classical Islam, be it in theological, philosophical, ethical, legal and literary traditions. For Muslims, the humanism that they understood is essentially a religious humanism where the affirmation of tauhid (monotheism) is central. More importantly, the social dimension forms an integral part of Islamic humanistic ideals where the nurturing of man through education affirms the exaltation of man's reasoning power, ethical accountability, and spiritual freedom. This essay traces key aspects of religious humanism as found in the Islamic traditions, particularly in the domains of theology, Sufism, philosophy and ethics. It offers rich insights into the works of various classical Muslim thinkers and outlines the humanistic agenda that are relevant for today's contemporary society.

The Lotus Sutra proclaims that a unitary intent underlies the diversity of Buddhist teachings and promises that people without exception can achieve supreme awakening. Establishing the definitive guide to this profound text, specialists in Buddhist philosophy, art, and history of religion address the major ideas and controversies surrounding the Lotus Sutra and its manifestations in ritual performance, ascetic practice, visual representations, and social action across history. With bibliography and index.

Is there life beyond what we experience in our power suits? Is there more to wealth than just meeting our obligations and purchasing our wants? Is there more to who you are than just the corporate title on your business card? Is there more to what you can give than what you own? The Executive's Journey has been written especially for the corporate executives who have dedicated their time and energy to building the career of a lifetime. Here, Wendy Ruth Tan challenges the conventional notions of work, wealth and self. She takes you on a journey in search of a lasting and fulfilling identity in the corporate executive - one of real personal power and one of making a real difference.

Kelantan, Malaysia and Aceh, Malaysia are both states which in recent years have sought to reinstate systems of Islamic law which pre-existed the Colonial period. This monograph analyses the conditions in which the demands have been made, the extent to which they have been met, and the sometimes differing ways in which Islamic law is now being observed in the two states. Bibliography.

An introductory exploration of Christian perspectives on issues of bioethics which increasingly face individuals, medical practitioners and researchers, administrators and makers of public policy as well as pastoral counsellors. Part 1 explores theological foundations for bioethics. Part 2 looks at current issues in healthcare, life and death decisions, human genetics and research of various kinds and Part 3 considers bioethics and the role of the Church including in public ethics.

This book had its foundation laid when R. Sharma was 6 years old and he experienced his first mystical encounter, which he termed as a "magic trick". Without his knowledge, the storyline for the book was being written out during his teenage and adolescent years through his myriad experiences. Today, the book with the help of divine intervention and guidance has become a reality because of R Sharma's need to understand the true purpose of human life. He takes us through a fascinating and unique personal journey that crosses the borders of values, cultures, race, religions, philosophies and doctrines. He shares with the reader his initial scepticism, disbelief, outward opposition to the events and incidences that would later unfold a deeper insight.

Author Daisaku Ikeda pieces together the fabric of events from the distant past with insightful conjecture to bring to the surface the basic pattern of how and why Buddhism came to be a major world religion. The major sections are: The Formation of the Buddhist Canon; The Theravada and the Mahasamghika; King Ashoka; Questions of King Milinda; Cultural Exchange between East and West; The Rise of Mahayana Buddhism; Vimalakirti and the Ideal of the Lay Believer; The Formation of the Lotus Sutra; The Spirit of the Lotus Sutra; and Nagarjuna and Vasubandhu. With glossary and index.

The scholarship and interest of his Western author has for long been devoted to the history and practice of tea-drinking. In this delicately illustrated book, the history of tea-drinking and production and the associated beliefs and philosophy are discussed and also related to the demands and needs of modern living. Ways of using tea and teawares, and of enabling tea-drinking space and habits are all discussed with the aim of increasing peace and thoughtful tranquillity in today's tea user. With black-and-white drawings and colour photographs.

The book looks at how religion in Singapore is being subjected to the processes of modernisation and change. The Singapore State has consciously brought religion under its guidance. It has exercised strong bureaucratic and legal control over the functioning of all religions in Singapore. The Chinese community and the Buddhist Sangha have responded to this by restructuring their temple institutions into large multi-functional temple complexes. There has been quite a few books written on the role of the Singapore State but, so far, none has been written on the topic - the relationship between state, society and religion. It will help to fill the missing gap in the scholarly literature on this area. This is also a topic of great significance in many Asian, particularly Southeast Asian, countries and it will serve as an important book for future reference in this area of research and comparative studies.

These six thoughtful papers by specialist academics are revisions of those given at the 2008 Singapore seminar on Muslim Reform in Southeast Asia. Two papers are on the religious context and theories of the Reform movements. Two papers offer perspectives of the different social contexts and dynamics of Reform in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. The significant roles played by higher educational institutions in Indonesia are also explored. With bibliographies and index.

From the nature-driven spirituality of Vedic India to the exstasies of medieval Islamic thought, the almost modern rationality of Confucianism and the striking simplicity of Japanese ritual, Eastern Philosophy provides a detailed but accessible account of the spiritual and intellectual challenges faced by sages in India, the Middle East and the Far East since the dawn of civilization. Presenting nearly 60 figures from all of the major Eastern philosophical traditions, Eastern Philosophy covers foundational figures such as Zoroaster and Mohammed as well as modern thinkers such as Nishida Kitaro, perhaps the preeminent modern Japanese philosophy. Here Hinduism and Islam, the Buddha and Rumi, yoga and emptiness, and the Bhagavad Gita and the Kama Sutra are all given their due, in this rich history of fundamental ideas, seminal books and intriguing personalities. Simplifying a complicated world of thought without diminishing it, Eastern Philosophy is an excellent choice for a wide range of readers.