Essential Sacred Writings from Around the World: A Thematic Sourcebook on the History of Religions

By Mircea Eliade

Book Overview

Originally published as From Primitives to Zen , this comprehensive anthology contains writings vital to all the major non-Western religious traditions, arranged thematically. Here are colorful descriptions of deities, creation myths, depictions of death and the afterlife, teachings on the relationship between humanity and the sacred, religious rituals and practices, and prayers and hymns. Mircea Eliade, a recognized pioneer in the systematic study of the history of the world's religions, includes excerpts from the Quran, the Book of the Dead, the Rig Veda, the Bhagavad Gita, the Homeric Hymns, and the Popol Vuh, to name just a few. Oral accounts from Native American, African, Maori, Australian, Aborigine, and other peoples are also included. Here is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the world's religions and myths. In an outstanding collection, Eliade demonstrates humanity's diversity as well as the universal threads that unite us all.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0028IDIJM
• ISBN13: 9780062503046
• Release Date: December 1991
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 672 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great read

Not exhaustive by any means, but if you are looking to read sacred texts from many different religions, then this is a fabulous overview. A little from here, a little from there...it can help to give a person a general idea of what was taught and help a reader to know what they may be interested in looking into further. This book is sizable too, you get your money's worth without a doubt.