A presentation of the world's predominant religions includes the essential elements and teachings of each, and a description of their similarities and differences

This book has seven basic chapters: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. These he calls the "Major Historical Religions." They all have sacred texts. This book was intended to be a brief survey without an in-depth analysis. A new section was added to The World's Religions. It is entitled "The Primal Religions." It describes a broad sweep of religions such as those practiced by the Australian Aborigines, by the Native American Indians of North and South America and the religions of the interior of Africa. Huston Smith's masterpiece explores the essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the native traditions of Australia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Emphasizing the inner--rather than the institutional--dimension of these religions, Smith devotes special attention to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He convincingly conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.

Huston Smith, the author of the classic bestseller The World's Religions, delivers a passionate, timely message: The human spirit is being suffocated by the dominant materialistic worldview of our times. Smith champions a society in which religion is once again treasured and authentically practiced as the vital source of human wisdom.

A world Bible for our time from Buddhist, Hindu, Confucian, Taoist, Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and primal religion sources! In this perfect companion to Huston Smith's bestselling The World's Wisdom, Philip Novak distills the most powerful and elegant expressions of the wisdom of humankind. Authentic, poetic translations of key texts are coupled with insightful introductions and "grace notes."

This classic companion to The World's Religions articulates the remarkable unity that underlies the world's religious traditions

For more than sixty years, Huston Smith has not only written and taught about the world’s religions, he has lived them. This Reader presents a rich selection of Smith’s writings, covering six decades of inquiry and exploration, and ranging from scholarship to memoir. Over his long academic career, Smith’s tireless enthusiasm for religious ideas has offered readers both in and outside the academy a fresh understanding of what religion is and what makes it meaningful. The Huston Smith Reader offers a comprehensive guide to understanding religion and spirituality as well as a memorable record of Huston Smith’s lifelong endeavor to enrich the inner lives of his fellow humans.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The purpose of this book is to listen to the many different religions around the world and find common themes. We cannot know for sure whether or not the voices we hear blend in strange, ethereal harmony, but we can listen carefully and with full attention to each voice. #2 The book does not attempt to give a rounded view of the religions considered. Each host differences that are too numerous to be delineated in a single chapter. The first question facing an author is how many to include, and which ones. #3 The full story of religion is not rose-colored. It includes human sacrifice and scapegoating, fanaticism and persecution, the Christian Crusades and the holy wars of Islam. It includes witch hunts in Massachusetts, monkey trials in Tennessee, and snake worship in the Ozarks. #4 The best religions in the world are those that enamor their followers with the Truth. However, institutions, which are made up of people with their inbuilt frailties, are built of vices as well as virtues.