Strategies in the Study of Religions: Volume 2: Exploring Religions in Motion

Main description: These previously scattered texts by Michael Pye are landmarks in the development of the study of religions, presented here as an international enterprise with roots in both European and East Asian culture. Following fundamental papers on method and theory in the first volume, this second volume uses case studies to explore a number of themes such as tradition, innovation, and syncretism. Wider themes such as civil identity, dialogue, and religious education illustrate the general relevance of the study of religions. The seven sections spanning both volumes are well designed for use in seminar assignments Foreword to Volume Two Editorial Note Part Four Comparing and Contrasting 4.1 Introduction to Part Four 4.2 On Comparing Buddhism and Christianity 4.3 Comparative Hermeneutics: A Brief Statement 4.4 Shinto and the Typology of Religions 4.5 Soteriological Orientations in Religion 4.6 ‘Polytheism’ and ‘Monotheism’ as a Problem in the Typology of Religions 4.7 Prayer and Meditation as Comparative Concepts 4.8 Purification and Transformation in Comparative Perspective Part Five Tradition and Innovation 5.1 Introduction to Part Five 5.2 Religious Tradition and the Student of Religion 5.3 Ernst Troeltsch and Gerardus van de Leeuw on Tradition 5.4 Elements of a General Theory of Innovation in Religion 5.5 New Religions in East Asia 5.6 Won Buddhism as a Korean New Religion 5.7 Aum Shinrikyō. Can Religious Studies Cope? 5.8 Distant Cousins: Transmitting New Japanese Religions to Brazil Part Six Transplantation and Syncretism 6.1 Introduction to Part Six 6.2 The Transplantation of Religions 6.3 Syncretism and Ambiguity 6.4 Syncretism versus Synthesis 6.5 Buddhism and Shintō on One lsland 6.6 Syncretism in Chinese Temples of South-East Asia and Taiwan Part Seven Some Contextual Questions: Identity, Plurality, Education, Dialogue, Peace 7.1 Introduction to Part Seven 7.2 Religion and Identity: Clues and Threads 7.3 Christian Churches and Political Change in Eastern Europe 7.4 Reflecting on the Plurality of Religions 7.5 The Study of Religions and the Dialogue of Religions 7.6 Presuppositions of an Integrative Religious Education 7.7 Peace in the Dialogue of Religions Author’s Publications Cited in the Present Work Consolidated Index to Volumes I and II

These two volumes present Pye’s methodological, theoretical, and field-based interests in the study of religions. Pye understands the study of religions to be an international enterprise with roots in both European and East Asian culture. This relates to his active role in the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), as a former General Secretary and President. The work is presented in seven sections, which could be used in teaching assignments. The first volume begins with a lively introduction on “Methodological Strategies,” followed by “East Asian Starting Points,” a radical attempt to overcome Eurocentrism, and “Structures and Strategies,” which tackles globally significant institutional and ideological questions. The second volume presents selected strands in the study of religions. “Comparing and Contrasting” is followed by “Tradition and Innovation,” including reference to specific new religions. “Transplantation and Syncretism” is a definitive package on syncretism and includes new materials from South-East Asia. Finally, “Contextual Questions” explores wider themes of identity, plurality, dialogue of religions, religious education, and peace. These show how relevant the study of religions can be –when it is distinctly and responsibly defined.

Volume 1. Exploring methods and positions. Methodological strategies East Asian starting points Structures and strategies Volume 2. Exploring religions in motion. Comparing and contrasting Tradition and innovation Transplantation and syncretism Some contextual questions : identity, plurality, education, dialogue, peace. Volume 1. Exploring Methods And Positions -- Volume 2. Exploring Religions In Motion. Michael Pye. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.