How did the universe come to exist? What is the nature of its creator? Is there a purpose to human existence? What is it to live a good life? The Routledge Dictionary of Religious and Spiritual Quotations offers not just one, but many, answers to these questions. Geoffrey Parrinder has drawn on all the great books of world religions - the Bible, the Qur'an, Zoroastrian Gathas, Hindu Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Jewish Mishnah, Sikh Adi Granth and Chinese Tao Te Ching - in this collection of over 3000 quotations. Discover the words of prophets, scholars and mystics on matters spiritual and moral, as well as Plato on sexuality, Freud on religion and Gandhi on violence. Originally published in 1990, The Routledge Dictionary of Religious Quotations is now reissued with a new preface by Geoffrey Parrinder.

This comparative study of African religion and psychology deals with the idea of the soul and the spiritual powers of man and animals in West African belief. Based on personal research supported by anthropological study, it covers most of the coast and hinterland from the Ivory Coast to Eastern Nigeria. It records beliefs in a future life; reincarnation; metamorphosis; ghosts; hysterical possession; soul-eating by witches; and the interpretation of dreams.

How did the universe come to exist? What is the nature of its creator? Is there a purpose to human existence? What is it to live a good life?
The Routledge Dictionary of Religious and Spiritual Quotations offers not just one, but many answers to these questions. Geoffrey Parrinder has drawn on all the great books of world religions - the Bible, the Qur'an, Zoroastrian Gathas, Hindu Vedas, Bhagavad Gita, Jewish Mishnah, Sikh Adi Granth and Chinese Tao Te Ching - in this collection of over 3000 quotations. Discover the words of prophets, scholars and mystics on matters spiritual and moral, as well as Plato on sexuality, Freud on religion and Gandhi on violence.
Originally published in 1990, The Routledge Dictionary of Religious Quotations is now re-issued with a new preface by Geoffrey Parrinder.

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most widely read Hindu scriptures in the Western world. Taking the form of a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and the divine Krishna on the eve of battle, it is concerned with the most profound aspects of social and religious duty, and the relationship of human beings to God. In its eighteen short chapters it explores the spiritual struggle of the human soul and the search for both the true self and eternal life, culminating in an unparalleled vision of God the omnipotent.

Written for both Christians and Muslims, for specialists as well as general readers, this book offers a study of Qur'anic teachings about the birth, life, work, death and resurrection of Jesus. Parrinder explores all ninety-three verses in the Qur'an in which Jesus is mentioned, setting them in the context of the work as a whole and drawing parallels with the Christian gospels, wherever possible. "A really excellent and objective survey" The Guardian "His tactfulness of approach is matched by his search for objectivity." Times Literary Supplement

Aiming to provide clues to the diverse forms and expressions of mysticism, by considering some of the major religious traditions of both East and West, this book explores two principal areas. These are monistic mysticism (seeking self-identity or union with the All) and theistic mysticism (seeking communion, but not identity, with God). The search for the mystical through drugs, sex and visions is also discussed, as is the relationship of the expert to the ordinary seeker.

An exploration of sex and religion together within the historical and contemporary contexts of each of the world's major living religions, from the ancient traditions and practices of both Eastern and Western religions to the modern influences of medicine, psychology and women's rights. The book covers a wide range of subjects, including marriage and celibacy, monogamy and polygamy, homosexuality, passion and love, veiling and harems, Yoga and Tantra, Yin and Yang, mystical union and symbolism.