The message and the book

This survey of the sacred writings of the major religions of the world offers an introduction to the ideas and beliefs upon which great faiths are built. Under the expert guidance of the author, a religious scholar, readers explore the key texts of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Confucian, Daoist, and Shinto traditions. The author discusses some four hundred books, among them such well-known sacred texts as the Bible and the Quran, but also spiritual writings by theologians, philosophers, poets, and others. He provides commentary on each text, describing the content and core tenets of the work and quoting pertinent passages. He also sets the writings in religious and historical contexts, showing how they have influenced, and in many cases continue to influence, artistic, musical, literary, and political traditions. This book's primary focus is to teach the meaning and significance of primary religious texts of civilizations around the globe.