Oxford dictionary of world religions, The

By John Westerdale Bowker

Book Description

For seekers exploring the vast landscape of human spirituality, this comprehensive reference opens doorways to understanding religious traditions across cultures and centuries. John Westerdale Bowker presents an authoritative guide that spans the complete spectrum of world religions, offering both quick insights and deeper explorations for curious minds.

Within these pages, readers discover over 8,200 carefully researched entries that illuminate religious movements, sacred texts, influential figures, and holy sites from around the globe. The work extends beyond basic definitions to explore profound themes that connect all spiritual paths, including prayer practices, mystical experiences, cosmological beliefs, and the role of art and music in worship.

Whether you seek to understand ancient wisdom traditions, contemporary spiritual movements, or the philosophical foundations that shape religious thought, this dictionary serves as your knowledgeable companion. Each entry draws from the latest scholarly research while remaining accessible to general readers, making complex theological concepts clear and meaningful.

The extensive topic index guides you through major spiritual themes like meditation practices, death rituals, sacred symbols, and mystical traditions such as Sufism and Zen. Hundreds of carefully selected quotations, many translated specifically for this volume, bring authentic voices from diverse faith traditions directly to your study.

This reference transforms casual curiosity into deeper understanding, supporting anyone seeking to broaden their spiritual horizons through knowledge of humanity's rich religious heritage.