A pedagogically rich introduction to the world's major religious traditions, from their origins, through their development, to their meaning and practice in today's society

Based on the bestselling two-volume World Religions: Eastern and Western Traditions, A Concise Introduction to World Religions, Fourth Edition, is ideal for single-semester courses. Renowned expert contributors trace the origins and evolution of the major traditions, explain their essential teachings, outline their practices, and examine their interactions with modern culture and society, while insightful introductory and concluding essays suggest countless avenues for further reflection and study. Engaging pedagogy throughout helps students appreciate and understand world religions: "Focus" boxes provide insight into rituals or practices that are specific to each religion; "Tradition at a Glance" boxes offer an insightful overview of each tradition, facilitate comparative analysis, and serve as quick review references; "Sites" boxes indicate locations of special significance to each tradition; "Document" boxes highlight key passages from each tradition's sacred texts; "Sacred Texts" tables outline the process of compiling and revising the fundamental texts for each tradition as well as their oral, legal, and ritual uses; Chapter study questions and glossaries, detailed maps, timelines, and recommended websites and further readings provide students with additional support.

Roy C. Amore, a member of the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Windsor, holds the Ph.D. degree from Columbia University. He has contributed to Death and Eastern Thought, Religious Systems and Psychotherapy, and the Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religion. His book Two Masters, One Message compares the lives and teachings of Buddha and Christ.

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"A Concise Introduction to World Religions is a highly readable and rounded survey of the foundational doctrines and practices, and the historical development, of the world's major religions. Its informative chapters, combined with its extensive supplemental resources, provide helpful materials for instructors to use in designing and teaching an introduction to world religions course." --Judson B. Murray, Wright State University

"This is one of the best and most thorough world religions textbooks currently in use. It is well organized and has a good deal of supplemental aids." --Clayton Crockett, University of Central Arkansas

"The book's main strength is the introduction to each chapter that engages students with modern concerns. In addition, the history of each religion is complete, but written in a very accessible style." --Jeffrey Scholes, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs