Library: Asian Studies by Credo Reference: Religion

Theology

God: Topic Page
Divinity of the three great monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as many other world religions.
Theology: Topic Page
In Christianity, the systematic study of the nature of God and God's relationship with humanity and with the world....
Religion: Topic Page
A system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members an object of devotion; a code of behavior by which individuals may judge the personal and social consequences of their actions; and a frame of reference by which individuals may relate to their group and their universe.

Christianity

Christianity: Topic Page
Religion founded in Palestine by the followers of Jesus . One of the world's major religions, it predominates in Europe and the Americas, where...
Missionaries: Topic Page
For centuries, believers committed to a particular religion have endeavored to convert those with differing beliefs...

Atheism

Atheism: Topic Page
Nonbelief in, or the positive denial of, the existence of a God or gods. A related concept is agnosticism.

Confucianism

Confucianism: Topic Page
Its origins go back to the Analects (see Chinese literature), the sayings attributed to Confucius, and to ancient commentaries, including that of Mencius....
Confucius: Topic Page
Distressed by the constant warfare between the Chinese states and by the venality and tyranny of the rulers, he urged a system of morality and statecraft that would preserve peace and provide people with stable and just government....

Islam

Muhammad: Topic Page
c.570-632 Arab prophet and religious leader who founded Islam . He was born in Mecca. At the age of 25 he began working as a trading agent.
Islam: Topic Page
Major world religion founded by Muhammad in Arabia in the early 7th century AD. The Arabic word islam means ‘surrender’-specifically, surrender to the will of the one God.
Qur'an: Topic Page
The Qur'an is the Holy Book of Islam. Muslims treasure the text in its original Arabic as the literal word of God, the last of God?s books revealed to humanity, transmitted by the Prophet Muhammad.
Mosque: Topic Page
Building for worship used by members of the Islamic faith. Muhammad's house in Medina (A.D. 622), with its surrounding courtyard and hall with columns, became the prototype for the mosque where the faithful gathered for prayer.

Buddhism

Buddha: Topic Page

[Skt.,=the enlightened One], usual title given to the founder of Buddhism. He is also called the Tathagata [he who has come thus], Bhagavat [the Lord], and Sugata [well-gone]. He probably lived from 563 to 483 B.C.
Dalai Lama: Topic Page
Buddhism of Tibet, Mongolia, and parts of Nepal and northern India; a form of Mahāyāna Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced into Tibet in AD 640.
Buddhism: Topic Page
Religion and philosophy founded in India c.525 B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama, called the Buddha. The basic doctrines of early Buddhism include the "four noble truths": existence is suffering (dukhka); suffering has a cause, namely craving and attachment (trishna); there is a cessation of suffering, which is nirvana; and there is a path to the cessation of suffering.
Zen Buddhism: Topic Page
Buddhist sect of China and Japan. The name of the sect (Chin. Ch'an, Jap. Zen) derives from the Sanskrit dhyana [meditation].
Tibetan Buddhism: Topic Page
Form of Buddhism prevailing in the Tibet region of China, Bhutan, the state of Sikkim in India, Mongolia, and parts of Siberia and SW China.
Meditation: Topic Page
Act of spiritual contemplation, practised by members of many religions or as a secular exercise. It is a central practice in Buddhism and Hinduisum (the Sanskrit term is samādhi) and the movement for transcendental meditation.
Monasticism
From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Monastic life is bound by ascetical practices expressed typically in the vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience, called the evangelical counsels.
Cosmology: Topic Page
Area of science that aims at a comprehensive theory of the structure and evolution of the entire physical universe. Modern Cosmological.

Taoism

Taoism: Topic Page
Chinese philosophical system, traditionally founded by the Chinese philosopher Lao Zi in the 6th century BC.
Meditation: Topic Page
Act of spiritual contemplation, practised by members of many religions or as a secular exercise. It is a central practice in Buddhism and Hinduisum (the Sanskrit term is samādhi) and the movement for transcendental meditation.
Monasticism
From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Monastic life is bound by ascetical practices expressed typically in the vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience, called the evangelical counsels.
Cosmology: Topic Page
Area of science that aims at a comprehensive theory of the structure and evolution of the entire physical universe. Modern Cosmological.