Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad

Informationen zum Autor Paul Gwynne is Lecturer in Comparative Religion in the General Education Program at the University of New South Wales, Australia, where he is also affiliated to the Law School. He has taught theology and religious studies in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and Melbourne, Australia. Dr Gwynne is the author of World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009), and Special Divine Action (1996). Klappentext This engaging and fascinating study compares the life and teaching of the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, the founders of three of the largest religions in the world. It explores how their lives, attitudes, and teachings, now followed by half of the world's people, relate to one another.Despite the vast literature on each figure, there are surprisingly few comparative studies, making this insightful book ideal for those studying comparative religion. The author's descriptive and context-rich account illuminates key themes - political and historical, as well as religious - that established the impact and long-lasting effect of each figure. Fascinating similarities and differences are explored between the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, enriching our understanding and dispelling myths about both the individual figures and the nature of religion. Zusammenfassung This cool, clear-sighted comparative study has no theological axe to grind. It offers a trusty thematic guide to the figureheads of three of the largest religions in the world. The comparative approach is descriptive and even-handed, highlighting both similarities and differences across a range of major areas. The thematic chapters cover: early life, followers, the core message, political attitudes, relations with women, and death.* The engaging writing and descriptive approach make this an ideal text for students, instructors and general readers. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface ixNotes xivMaps xv1 Sources 1The Delay in Writing 1Gospel Portraits 6Qur'an, Sira and Hadith 11Observations 162 Context 23The Ganges Plain 23Roman Palestine 28Arabia Deserta 34Observations 373 Early Years 44Heir to the Throne 44Son of the Carpenter 49Orphan and Merchant 54Observations 584 Turning Point 65The Four Sights 65Waters of the Jordan 71Night of Power 75Observations 805 Message 88Four Noble Truths 88Kingdom of God 94The Straight Path 100Observations 1066 Miracles 114Iddhi 114The Finger of God 118One or Many? 122Observations 1277 Followers 134The Third Jewel 134The Twelve Disciples 141Companions 147Observations 1548 Women 163The Renunciation 163Eunuch for the Kingdom 168Mothers of the Faithful 174Observations 1799 Politics 185The Enemy Within 185Messiah 191Ruler of Arabia 196Observations 20410 Death 212The Blacksmith's Meal 212Cross and Tomb 218In 'A'isha's arms 226Observations 230Conclusion 238Further Reading 245References 251Index 255...

Autorentext
Paul Gwynne is Lecturer in Comparative Religion in the General Education Program at the University of New South Wales, Australia, where he is also affiliated to the Law School. He has taught theology and religious studies in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, and Melbourne, Australia. Dr Gwynne is the author of World Religions in Practice: A Comparative Introduction (Wiley-Blackwell, 2009), and Special Divine Action (1996).

Klappentext
This engaging and fascinating study compares the life and teaching of the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, the founders of three of the largest religions in the world. It explores how their lives, attitudes, and teachings, now followed by half of the world's people, relate to one another. Despite the vast literature on each figure, there are surprisingly few comparative studies, making this insightful book ideal for those studying comparative religion. The author's descriptive and context-rich account illuminates key themes - political and historical, as well as religious - that established the impact and long-lasting effect of each figure. Fascinating similarities and differences are explored between the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad, enriching our understanding and dispelling myths about both the individual figures and the nature of religion.

Zusammenfassung
This cool, clear-sighted comparative study has no theological axe to grind. It offers a trusty thematic guide to the figureheads of three of the largest religions in the world. The comparative approach is descriptive and even-handed, highlighting both similarities and differences across a range of major areas. The thematic chapters cover: early life, followers, the core message, political attitudes, relations with women, and death. * The engaging writing and descriptive approach make this an ideal text for students, instructors and general readers.

Inhalt
Preface ix Notes xiv Maps xv 1 Sources 1 The Delay in Writing 1 Gospel Portraits 6 Qur'an, Sira and Hadith 11 Observations 16 2 Context 23 The Ganges Plain 23 Roman Palestine 28 Arabia Deserta 34 Observations 37 3 Early Years 44 Heir to the Throne 44 Son of the Carpenter 49 Orphan and Merchant 54 Observations 58 4 Turning Point 65 The Four Sights 65 Waters of the Jordan 71 Night of Power 75 Observations 80 5 Message 88 Four Noble Truths 88 Kingdom of God 94 The Straight Path 100 Observations 106 6 Miracles 114 Iddhi 114 The Finger of God 118 One or Many? 122 Observations 127 7 Followers 134 The Third Jewel 134 The Twelve Disciples 141 Companions 147 Observations 154 8 Women 163 The Renunciation 163 Eunuch for the Kingdom 168 Mothers of the Faithful 174 Observations 179 9 Politics 185 The Enemy Within 185 Messiah 191 Ruler of Arabia 196 Observations 204 10 Death 212 The Blacksmith's Meal 212 Cross and Tomb 218 In 'A'isha's arms 226 Observations 230 Conclusion 238 Further Reading 245 References 251 Index 255