Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations: Universalism, Constructivism and Near-Death Experience (Continuum Advances in Religious Studies Book 16)

Gregory Shushan challenges post-modern scholarly attitudes concerning cross-cultural comparisons in the study of religions. In an original and innovative piece of comparative research, he analyses afterlife conceptions in five ancient civilisations (Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica). These are considered in light of historical and contemporary reports of near-death experiences, and shamanic afterlife 'journeys'. __Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations__ is a significant study, for it presents a comprehensive new comparative framework for the cross-cultural study of myth and religion, while at the same time providing a fascinating exploration of the interface between belief and experience. Gregory Shushan Challenges Post-modern Scholarly Attitudes Concerning Cross-cultural Comparisons In The Study Of Religions. In An Original And Innovative Piece Of Comparative Research, He Analyses Afterlife Conceptions In Five Ancient Civilisations (old And Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian And Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, Pre-buddhist China, And Pre-columbian Mesoamerica). These Are Considered In Light Of Historical And Contemporary Reports Of Near-death Experiences, And Shamanic Afterlife 'journeys'. Conceptions Of The Afterlife In Early Civilizations Is A Significant Study, For It Presents A Comprehensive New Comparative Framework For The Cross-cultural Study Of Myth And Religion, While At The Same Time Providing A Fascinating Exploration Of The Interface Between Belief And Experience. Comparison, Universalism, And The Rehabilitation Of The Comparative 'similar' -- Early Civilizations, Contact, Diffusion, And Cultural Continuity -- Near-death Experience -- Old And Middle Kingdom Egypt -- Sumerian And Old Babylonian Mesopotamia -- Vedic India -- Pre-buddhist China -- Pre-columbian Mesoamerica -- Analysis Of Similarities And Differences -- The Interface Of Conception And Experience -- Alternative And Supplementary Theories -- Conclusions: Theoretical Eclecticism And A New Comparative Framework. Gregory Shushan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [210]-224) And Index. In an original and innovative piece of comparative research, Gregory Shushan analyses afterlife conceptions in five ancient civilisations (Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica). These are considered in light of historical and contemporary reports of near-death experiences, and shamanic afterlife 'journeys'. Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations is a significant study, for it presents a comprehensive new comparative framework for the cross-cultural study of myth and religion, while at the same time providing a fascinating exploration of the interface between belief and experience - as well as a challenge to post-modern scholarly attitudes concerning cross-cultural comparisons in the study of religions. The book was nominated for the 2011 Grawemeyer Award. Foreword by Gavin Flood Acknowledgements Abbreviations of Primary Sources Introduction Part I: Theory and Methodology in Concept and Application 1. Comparison, Universalism, and the Rehabilitation of the Comparative ‘Similar’ 2. Early Civilizations, Contact, Diffusion, and Cultural Continuity 3. Near-Death Experience Part II: Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations 4. Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt 5. Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia 6. Vedic India 7. Pre-Buddhist China 8. Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica Part III: Universalism and Culture-Specificity: An Interdisciplinary Approach 9. Analysis of Similarities and Differences 10. The Interface of Conception and Experience 11. Alternative and Supplementary Theories 12. Conclusions: Theoretical Eclecticism and A New Comparative Framework References Index Annotation Gregory Shushan challenges post-modern scholarly attitudes concerning cross-cultural comparisons in the study of religions. In an original and innovative piece of comparative research, he analyses afterlife conceptions in five ancient civilisations (Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica). These are considered in light of historical and contemporary reports of near-death experiences, and shamanic afterlife 'journeys'. Conceptions of the Afterlife in Early Civilizations is a significant study, for it presents a comprehensive new comparative framework for the cross-cultural study of myth and religion, while at the same time providing a fascinating exploration of the interface between belief and experience.> Challenges post-modern scholarly attitudes concerning cross-cultural comparisons in the study of religions. This title analyses afterlife conceptions in five ancient civilisations (Old and Middle Kingdom Egypt, Sumerian and Old Babylonian Mesopotamia, Vedic India, pre-Buddhist China, and pre-Columbian Mesoamerica).