The Encyclopedia of World Religions

531 Pages·2006·8.46 MB·English

by  Robert S. Ellwood

The Encyclopedia of
WORLD RELIGIONS
Revised Edition
This book was developed and written by DWJ BOOKS LLC.
General Editor:
Robert S. Ellwood
University of Southern California
Associate Editor:
Gregory D. Alles
McDaniel College
Advisers and Consultants:
Dr. Robert T. Anderson
Department of Religious Studies, Michigan State University
Dr. Frida Kerner Furman
Department of Religious Studies, DePaul University
Dr. Azim A. Nanji
Director, Institutes of Ismaili Studies
The Encyclopedia of
WORLD RELIGIONS
Revised Edition
ROBERT S. ELLWOOD
Distinguished Professor of Religion Emeritus
University of Southern California
General Editor
GREGORY D. ALLES
Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
McDaniel College
Associate Editor
For my family and the future
—Robert S. EllwSood, General Editor
To my children
—Gregory D. Alles, Associate Editor
The Encyclopedia of World Religions, Revised Edition
Copyright © 2007, 1998 by DWJ BOOKS LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage or retrieval systems, without
permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact:
Facts On File, Inc.
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New York NY 10001
ISBN-10: 0-8160-6141-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8160-6141-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The encyclopedia of world religions / Robert S. Ellwood, general editor; Gregory D.
Alles, associate editor. — Rev. ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8160-6141-6 (alk. paper)
1. Religions—Encyclopedias. I. Ellwood, Robert S., 1933– II. Alles, Gregory D.
BL80.3.E54 2006
200.3—dc22
2005056750
Facts On File books are available at special discounts when
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Text design by Erika K. Arroyo
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Printed in the United States of America
VB SG 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
C
. ONTENTS ,
List of Illustrations
vi
List of Maps and Tables
vii
Preface to the Revised Edition
viii
Preface to the Original Edition
ix
Introduction: What Is This Encyclopedia About?
x
ENTRIES A to Z
1
Topical Outline
491
Selected Bibliography
496
Index
499
L
IST OF
I
. LLUSTRATIONS ,
(cid:88)(cid:3)John Chilembwe performing a (cid:88)(cid:3)Sakyamuni preaching the Lotus Sutra
baptism ceremony 3 on the Vulture Peak 266
(cid:88)(cid:3)Bronze vessel used by Shang rulers (cid:88)(cid:3)Portrait of Martin Luther 268
to feast the ancestors 15 (cid:88)(cid:3)The birth of Mahavira 272
(cid:88)(cid:3)Botticelli’s The Annunciation 17 (cid:88)(cid:3)Prajnaparamita 273
(cid:88)(cid:3)Sacred cow 19 (cid:88)(cid:3)Engraving of Karl Marx 280
(cid:88)(cid:3)Zodiac 37 (cid:88)(cid:3)Mayan pyramid 285
(cid:88)(cid:3)Wooden bodhisattva 57 (cid:88)(cid:3)Kaaba crowded with pilgrims 286
(cid:88)(cid:3)Sitting Golden Buddha statue 63 (cid:88)(cid:3)Gilgamesh 290
(cid:88)(cid:3)John Calvin, portrait 70 (cid:88)(cid:3)Hebrew tablets 300
(cid:3)(cid:88)(cid:3)Canterbury pilgrims in 15th-century (cid:88)(cid:3)Dome of the Rock 302
manuscript 74 (cid:88)(cid:3)Shaman 314
(cid:88)(cid:3)The Cathedral of Notre-Dame 77 (cid:88)(cid:3)Passover Haggadah 335
(cid:88)(cid:3)Celtic goddess Epona 79 (cid:88)(cid:3)George Fox 367
(cid:88)(cid:3)Confucius, engraving 100 (cid:88)(cid:3)Page from the Qur’an 369
(cid:88)(cid:3)Sphinxes lining avenue of Temple of (cid:88)(cid:3)Muslim women praying 373
Amon at Karnak 131 (cid:88)(cid:3)Altar dedicated to Jupiter 396
(cid:88)(cid:3)Charles Darwin 141 (cid:88)(cid:3)Exterior of the tomb of Jalal
(cid:88)(cid:3)Noah’s ark 152 ad-Din ar-Rumi 397
(cid:88)(cid:3)Saint Francis of Assisi 157 (cid:88)(cid:3)Ceremony for the full moon 423
(cid:88)(cid:3)Mohandas Gandhi 170 (cid:88)(cid:3)Guru Nanak 424
(cid:88)(cid:3)Statue of Ganesa 171 (cid:88)(cid:3)Statue of Siva 426
(cid:88)(cid:3)A procession of believers sacrifi ces (cid:88)(cid:3)The Great Stupa 430
to Demeter 185 (cid:88)(cid:3)Star of David 434
(cid:88)(cid:3)Menorah 191 (cid:88)(cid:3)Ashkenazim synagogue interior 435
(cid:88)(cid:3)Indian dancers practice for Navratri 199 (cid:88)(cid:3)Mahakala 451
(cid:88)(cid:3)Ancient Greek cup 208 (cid:88)(cid:3)Torah scroll 453
(cid:88)(cid:3)Isis nursing the child Horus 219 (cid:88)(cid:3)Vishnu statue 467
(cid:88)(cid:3)Jainism symbol 228 (cid:88)(cid:3)Voodoo scene 469
(cid:88)(cid:3)The execution of Joan of Arc 242 (cid:88)(cid:3)Execution of an arsonist witch
(cid:88)(cid:3)Carl Gustav Jung portrait 249 by burning at the stake 477
(cid:88)(cid:3)Martin Luther King Jr. giving speech 254 (cid:88)(cid:3)Yin/Yang symbol 481
(cid:88)(cid:3)Krishna and Radha 258 (cid:88)(cid:3)Portrait of Bodhidharma (Daruma) 486
S vi
L
IST OF
M T
. APS AND ABLES ,
(cid:88) The Jewish scriptures, consisting of the (cid:88) Population of Jews in Europe before
Torah, the Prophets and the Writings 51 and after the Holocaust 206
(cid:88) Christianity at the time of the Schism, (cid:88) The peoples of Islam 222
1054 86 (cid:88) Religious sites in Japan 233
(cid:88) Sites of divinities worshipped by the
ancient Greeks 186
vii S
P
REFACE TO THE
R E
. EVISED DITION ,
Gratifi ed by the response to the initial publica- in the news, often in very controversial ways. Once
tion of The Encyclopedia of World Religions, again, faith has shown itself to be a major force
the editors have prepared a revised and much behind political and international events, as well
enhanced edition of this work. The new edition as within the hearts of individuals. Regardless of
contains 100 new articles on as many fresh topics, how one feels about religion’s role in society, now
from ACTS OF THE APOSTLES to VIETNAMESE RELIGIONS. more than ever, reliable and in-depth information
Numerous suggestions for further reading have about the world’s religions—an understanding
been added throughout. Many articles have also of its role both today and throughout history—is
been updated and expanded. The entire encyclope- essential to responsible modern citizenship. It is
dia has been carefully scrutinized to ensure accu- hoped that this encyclopedia will contribute to that
racy, to include the latest scholarship and infor- vital understanding.
mation, and to adequately represent recent world
—Robert S. Ellwood
events involving religion.
General Editor
The early years of the 21st century have
turned out to be a time in which religion is much
S viii
P
REFACE TO THE
O E
. RIGINAL DITION ,
Religion is one of the most important areas of the sacred songs and scriptures of religions, and
human life. It has caused wars, inspired great above all by meeting and talking with people
acts of compassion, and produced some of the of various religious backgrounds. In the United
most exalted literature and philosophy known to States today, people of almost all backgrounds
humanity. Yet it is often diffi cult to get informa- are accessible because temples of nearly all the
tion on the world’s religious traditions, informa- world’s religions can be found in most large cit-
tion that is not only simple and interesting to read ies. The religious world, in other words, not only
but also objective, not partial to the point of view is found in books but is also a living reality all
of one religious tradition or another. The purpose around us.
of The Encyclopedia of World Religions is to help As you use The Encyclopedia of World Reli-
you fi nd this kind of information. gions, you will fi nd that you often need to go from
We need always to recognize that religion one entry to another to fi nd certain new words or
can be looked at in two ways, from outside and ideas explained. To assist you in locating informa-
inside. The “outside” point of view means identi- tion on topics related to the entry in which you
fying some basic facts—for example, the history, begin to read, you will notice that some words
teachings, practices, and organization of a religion, within an article serve as cross-references and
facts that can be called out during research. The appear in SMALL CAPITAL LETTERS. A word in SMALL
“inside” point of view means taking a close look at CAPITAL LETTERS indicates that there is an entry
the people who live and worship in that tradition. within the encyclopedia for that word, an entry to
To truly understand a religion as it exists for real which you can refer for additional information. Be
people, then, you need to be able to get inside—to sure to look up any other words you do not under-
begin to understand the feelings of a religion’s stand in a dictionary or other reference book. Best
believers, their ways of looking at the world, and wishes, and welcome to the wonderful and fasci-
the things that are most important in their religious nating realm of the world’s religions.
lives. Gaining inside understanding does not mean
—Robert S. Ellwood
you have to agree with believers or even accept
General Editor
the representations of their beliefs; it just gives you
the ability to empathize with, or have a feeling for, Editor’s Note: In this encyclopedia, Japanese names
other peoples’ values. are written in the Japanese manner, with the sur-
Although an encyclopedia like this one can name fi rst; the surname is also in small-capital
easily provide material for the outside point of letters in cross-references. Terms derived from the
view, it is hoped it will make you interested Chinese language are transliterated according to
enough to want to also gather some inside per- the Wade-Giles system; when they appear as head-
spectives through further reading, especially in words in an entry, the Pinyin is also given.
ix S