Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 1 By Sir Charles Eliot

This is a direct reprint of the first (1921) edition, which remains the classic comparative study of two world religions. There are seven books in three volumes.

Sir Charles Eliot's "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2" is a gigantic work that provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, development, and historical circumstances of Hinduism and Buddhism. This scholarly masterwork demonstrates Eliot's remarkable comprehension of both of the main Asian religions and their effect on Indian and global cultures and society. Volume 2 dives into Hinduism's ancient roots, chronicling its development from the earliest Vedic traditions to the diverse and multifaceted belief systems which developed over time. He explores Hinduism's philosophical, mythical, and ritual parts, providing readers an in-depth knowledge of its many customs and beliefs. Furthermore, the book exhaustively traces Buddhism's rise, its founder, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), and the spread of this transforming spiritual movement throughout Asia. Eliot investigates not only the tenets and customs of Buddhism, but also its historical relationships with Hinduism and the larger social milieu. Some stories are brutal and weird, while others creep up on you and draw you in slowly. This version of "Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2" is both modern and legible, with an eye-catching new cover and professionally typeset manuscript.

The first volume of Eliot's engaging and comprehensive introduction to the Eastern faiths of Hinduism and Buddhism is presented here. Sir Charles Eliot sets out to explain and demystify the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, beliefs and cultures for a Western audience. His explanations - which are clear, readable and accessible - are derived from decades spent living in Asia and the Far East as a diplomat and administrator. Independently researching the religions of these localities was both his past time and an attempt at understanding the deep seated traditions held for thousands of years by the local peoples. We begin the first volume with a lengthy introduction, whereby Eliot lays out his intentions for his ambitious work. Following this, Eliot examines the earliest manifestations of faith in ancient India and Eastern Asia. The Vedic belief system in particular holds interest, while the traditions of meditation and asceticism are also examined. The book is logically divided into topical chapters, each of which concern specific subjects or figures significant to the Hindu or Buddhist religion, or both. Different types of faith lead Eliot to draw distinctions; the specific between Pali Buddhism for example occupy a great portion of this first volume. Although the title alludes only to Hinduism and Buddhism, Eliot also makes extensive allusion to Jainism and Islam. He is keen to note the fact that the spread and contest over influence of peoples to a large extent intertwine the histories of all the religions of the East. Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch manages to explain and introduce two of the world's major religions in a digestible, intriguing manner. Charles Eliot's writing style rarely strays to dryness, and each chapter remains close to its stated subject. There are few examples of religious studies as embracing and well-researched as Sir Charles Eliot's, immersed as he was in the cultures of the East.

This groundbreaking, first basic reference work on ancient religious beliefs collects and organizes available information on ten ancient cultures and traditions, including Greece, Rome, and Mesopotamia, and offers an expansive, comparative perspective on each one.

The 30th volume of Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion consists of two special sections, as well as two separate empirical studies on attachment and daily spiritual practices. The first special section deals with the social scientific study of religion in Indonesia. Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country whose history and contemporary involvement in the study of religion is explored from both sociological and psychological perspectives. The second special section is on the Pope Francis effect: the challenges of modernization in the Catholic church and the global impact of Pope Francis. While its focus is mainly on the Catholic religion, the internal dynamics and geopolitics explored apply more broadly.