The World's Religions & Interreligious Dialogue

Introduction

This research guide is meant to serve primarily as an introduction to five of the world's great religious traditions - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. Sources that explore a dialogue between these religions have also been included. Many of the resources selected are subject specific encyclopedias and books designed to give an overview of each religion's history, teachings, principle beliefs, rituals, and practices. For a more in-depth study of any of the religions, it is suggested that you consult the library's online catalog and conduct a subject search with the religion's name being the subject (ex: Buddhism, Hinduism, etc). You may also wish to explore the web sites focusing on religion that can be found on the library's home page under "Humanities/Theology" Please consult a librarian if you need any assistance.

Selected Titles

Jewish-Christian Dialogue: One Woman’s Experience (Boys, Mary C.)

This small volume is the text of the 1997 Madeleva Lecture in Spirituality (sponsored by the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana). Mary Boys, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and a professor of Theology, reflects on her involvement in Jewish-Christian dialogue, and the challenge of living a Christian commitment in a pluralistic world. Boys looks especially at what interreligious exchange can offer by using the following five stories: 1) A Jewish-Buddhist Encounter, 2) A Christian-Islamic Encounter, 3) A Christian-Hindu Encounter, 4) A Catholic-Jewish Encounter I, and 5) A Catholic-Jewish Encounter II. 

Hinduism and Christianity (Brockington, John)

Brockington examines selected themes from the Christian and Hindu religions and discusses the issues of central importance to them both. Choosing themes that he feels are significant for both religions, Brockington attempts to maintain a balance between doctrine and practice. The themes include: 1) The Nature of the Divine, 2) Divine Interaction with Mankind, 3) Authority and Mediation, 4) Devotionalism and Personal Piety, 5) Mediation and Asceticism, 6) Social Values and Morality, 7) Teleology: Meaning and Ends, 8) Contact, Conflict, and Dialogue.

What We Can Learn from the East (Bruteau, Beatrice)

Reflecting on the stories and wisdom of Eastern spiritual traditions, Bruteau's insights challenge Christians to use these teachings to deepen their own spiritual lives. Burteau finds parallels between Eastern religions and Christianity that call for Christians to remain open to ideas that at first seem incompatible to the Christian faith.

Interreligious Dialogue: The Official Teaching of the Catholic Church ( 1963-1995) (Pontifical Council For Interreligious Dialogue)

This book is a collection of the Pontifical Magisterium’s (papal teaching authority) statements on subjects related to interreligious dialogue. Covering the period between 1963 to 1995, it includes statements from Pope Paul IV, Pope John Paul I, and Pope John Paul II to various assemblies. This work offers the user the theological motivations for interreligious dialogue as explained by the Magisterium. Examples of statements include: "Message to the Faithful of Islam", "Message to the Indigenous People of the Americas", and "To Followers of Various Religions of Japan".

Christianity and the World Religions: Paths of Dialogue with Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism (Kung, Hans, ed)

After his colleagues present the main tenets of Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, world renowned theologian Hans Kung offers a "Christian Response" to the values and challenges each of these religions present to Christianity. By presenting the ideas, teachings, and doctrines of these religions, Kung’s aim is to stimulate further the conversation and dialogue between adherents of these four religions.

Zen Gifts to Christians (Kennedy, Robert SJ)

Zen Gifts to Christians was written specifically for an audience of Christians who wish to explore Zen as a means of enriching their spiritual lives. Kennedy structures his work around a series of twelfth century ox-herding pictures from China, with the ox representing our true nature and the herder the seeker of truth. Poetry is interspersed throughout the book to aid in reflection.

Jewish-Christian Debates: God, Kingdom, Messiah (Neusner, Jacob and Bruce Chilton)

Neusner and Chilton address three fundamental religious questions: how do we know God, how do we live, and what do we hope for.

Muslims and Christians Face to Face (Zebiri, Kate)

Zebiri, a lecturer in Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of London, presents the central issues in Muslim-Christian relations by exploring Muslim’s writings on Christianity and Christianity’s writings on Islam. Zebiri surveys both scholarly and popular literature to discover the contrasts and similarities between the two religions, and analyzes the reasons why Muslims and Christians at times fail to communicate and understand each other.

Encyclopedias/Dictionaries

Oxford Dictionary of World Religions

This dictionary of over 1000 pages includes both long and short definitions of the world's religions and includes entries on their leaders, doctrines, practices, creeds, holy sites, prayers, etc.

A guide to the historical development, beliefs, and practices of the world's religions. Includes extensive articles devoted to the major religious traditions - their beliefs and history, major sects that have arisen, and other significant topics. Includes maps and illustrations.

World Religions: An Introduction For Students

This book can serve as an introduction to the study of the world's religions. It is very readable and its authors do not assume any previous knowledge on the user's part. It includes chapters on: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. There is an emphasis on living religion, what is means to be a Jew, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or Sikh, in the modern day world.

Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy & Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, & Zen

This one volume encyclopedia offers a survey of the four major religious tradions of Asia. Entries define terms and concepts, and cover subjects such as mythological figures, teachings of the mystics, sects and schools of thought, and basic texts and scriptures.

The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam

A single volume work on all aspects of Islam. Includes a chronology, maps (including a map of Mecca), and color photos.

Sourcebook of the World's Religions: An Interfaith Guide to Religion & Spirituality

The Sourcebook includes essays, documents, prayers, and sacred texts of all the major religious and spiritual traditions. In addition to providing portraits of 19 religious traditions, the Sourcebook explores how these different traditions can work together to create a more harmonious world. A discussion of spiritual philosophies and a directory of organizations working on interfaith dialogue and peace and justice is included.

The Muslim Almanac: A Reference Work on the History, Faith, Culture, and Peoples of Islam

Examines the formation of the worldwide Muslim community from a historical perspective.

A Popular Dictionary of Islam

A dictionary of Islamic words and terms that the general public is likely to hear or encounter while reading. Can serve has an introduction to the diverse aspects of the Islamic religion, theology, philosophy, ritual, law, history, art, and architecture. Includes brief biographical sketches of eminent Muslims and Islamic scholars throughout history.

The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism (M'cBrien, Richard P., ed)

A comprehensive encyclopedia of Catholicism offering the user an account of Catholic belief and practices. The Encyclopedia is wide in scope, includes over 4,000 entries, and provides a concise introduction to all aspects of Catholic life and history including its doctrines and theologies, spiritualities, sacraments, liturgies, art and literature, saints, popes, and biographies of influential Catholics. Articles vary in length from a small paragraph to lengthy feature articles on doctrinal and moral questions. Articles and terms concerning both the pre-Vatican II and post Vatican II church are included. The encyclopedia uses inclusive language and contains illustrations and photographs.

Handbooks

 How to be a Perfect Stranger: The Essential Religious Etiquette Handbook

A "How-To" guidebook, for people of all faiths, that offers practical information and advice for those visiting the worship services or religious rituals of friends of different faiths. Answers questions such as: What will happen? What do I wear? What do I do and say? Will there be food? Should I bring a gift? Includes a glossary of religious terms and a calendar of religous holidays & festivals.

Web Sites