{"product_id":"dimensions-of-the-sacred-an-anatomy-of-the-worlds-beliefs-paperback-1","title":"Dimensions of the Sacred: An Anatomy of the World's Beliefs - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eNinian Smart\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA world-renowned religion scholar explores the world's major religions and comparable secular systems of thought in this unusually wide-ranging and accessible work. Ninian Smart considers Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, as well as Marxist-Leninism, Maoism, nationalism, and Native American, African, and other systems of belief. His goal is to advance our understanding of how we as human beings interact thoughtfully with the cosmos and express the exigencies of our own nature and existence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmart demonstrates that diverse systems of belief reflect several recurring themes: the tendency to worship, the contemplative life, story-telling, a view of history, ethical instruction, guidelines on bodily practices, rituals, and visual icons. He examines each of these themes in relation to specific belief systems. He points out that religions and comparable worldviews should be studied at least as much through their practices as through their beliefs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe result of twenty-five years of research, this comprehensive book is nothing less than an analysis of the entire pattern of human spiritual life, viewed through what Smart calls \"the grammar of symbols, the modes and forms in which religion manifests itself.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eDimensions of the Sacred\u003c\/i\u003e is arguably one of the most comprehensive and readable accounts of religion that we have had in the past thirty years. Not only does it provide a rich analysis of religious experience, but he also includes much that has been overlooked by other interpreters of the world's religions.--Richard D. Hecht, coauthor of \u003ci\u003eThe Sacred Texts of the World\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNinian Smart\u003c\/b\u003e is J. F. Rowny Professor of Comparative Religions at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Among his many books are \u003ci\u003eBuddhism and Christianity: Rivals and Allies\u003c\/i\u003e (1993), \u003ci\u003eChoosing a Faith\u003c\/i\u003e (1995), and \u003ci\u003eThe Religious Experience\u003c\/i\u003e (5th edition, 1996).\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 359\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.91 x 9.12 x 5.97 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 29, 1999\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42570846273632,"sku":"9780520219601","price":80.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0598\/1922\/9280\/files\/SkJQbFV1MDRsUjZ1QUtWZkJPY3grdz09.webp?v=1770695818","url":"https:\/\/bijoucc.myshopify.com\/products\/dimensions-of-the-sacred-an-anatomy-of-the-worlds-beliefs-paperback-1","provider":"CARIBBEAN CONNECT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}