Many Peoples, Many Faiths

Explore Religions of our World.

For more than three decades this introduction to the world's religions, Many Peoples, Many Faiths, has combined factual information with empathic writing that seeks to convey the flavor of our planet's diverse religions and cultures. This classic work helps students gain a sense of each religion's unique characteristics while tackling some of today's most critical religious issues. It is written in an engaging style and has been fully updated--with fresh insights and information on each of the world’s major religions, along with new religious movements.

MyReligionLab is an integral part of the Ellwood program. Key learning applications include MyReligionLibrary, MyAtlas, more than 50 videos to help students understand the content in the book.

Teaching & Learning Experience

The teaching and learning experience with this program helps to:

Personalize Learning – MyReligionLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program. It helps students prepare for class and instructor gauge individual and class performance..
Improve Critical Thinking – Chapter Objectives at the beginning of each chapter and Questions for Review at the end of each chapter help readers build critical thinking and study skills.
Engage Students - Helpful maps, timelines, summary information tables, and glossary guide student’s learning.
Support Instructors – Teaching your course just got easier! You can create a Customized Text or use our Instructor’s Manual, Electronic “MyTest” Test Bank or PowerPoint Presentation Slides.

NOTE: MyReligionLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase the text with MyReligionLab, order the package ISBN:

0205925588 / 9780205925582 Many Peoples, Many Faiths Plus NEW MyReligionLab -- Access Card Package

Package consists of:

0205797113 / 9780205797110 Many Peoples, Many Faiths

0205871429 / 9780205871421 NEW MyReligionLab with Pearson eText -- Valupack Access Card

Robert Ellwood is Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Religion at the University of Southern Illinois. Born in Normal, Illinois, he received his B.A. from the University of Colorado, an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School, and a Ph.D. in History of Religion from the University of Chicago Divinity School, at which he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2009. He taught Eastern religions at U.S.C. 1967-1997, was a Fulbright research professor in New Zealand in 1988, and Goodwin-Philpott Eminent Scholar in Religion at Auburn University, Alabama, 1998-99. His research has focused on Japanese religion, new religious movements in the U.S. and elsewhere, mythology, and recent American religious history. His numerous publications include Religious and Spiritual Groups in Modern America, Mysticism and Religion, The Sixties Spiritual Awakening, The Politics of Myth, and Tales of Darkness: The Mythology of Evil, among other works. He now lives in Ojai, California.

In this Section:
1. Brief Table of Contents

2. Full Table of Contents

1. Brief Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Understanding the World’s Religious Heritage

Chapter 2: The Sacred in Nature

Chapter 3: Life against Time

Chapter 4: Wisdom Embarked for the Farther Shore

Chapter 5: Dragon and Sun

Chapter 6: One God, Many Words and Wonders

Chapter 7: Keeping Covenant with God in History

Chapter 8: Spreading the Word of God in the World

Chapter 9: Submitting to the Will of God

Chapter 10: Spirits Rising

2. Full Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Understanding the World’s Religious Heritage

Chapter Objectives

A New Day of Religious Encounter

Visiting a Strange Land

Conditioned and Unconditioned Reality

Doors and Windows to the Ultimate

Forms of Religious Expression

Descriptive and Critical Approaches

Religion, Governance, and Political Life

Religion Through Time

Religion, Governance, and Political Life

Women in World Religions

Fundamental Features of Religions

Chapter 2: The Sacred in Nature

First Peoples and Indigenous Religion

Chapter Objectives

Encountering First Peoples’ Indigenous Religion

The First Faiths

The Natural World in the Realm of the Sacred

Gods, Spirits, and the World

Initiation Rites of Men and Women

Shamans

Indigenous Tribal Religion of Ancient Europe and the Middle East

From Archaic Hunter/Gatherers to Agriculture and Its Effects on Religion and Culture

The Native Americans

Summary

Questions for Review

Suggested Readings on Prehistoric and Tribal Religions

Suggested Websites

Chapter 3: Life against Time

The Spiritual Paths of India

Chapter Objectives

The Face of India

The Hindu Tradition

The Practice of Hinduism Today

Hinduism, Governance, and Political Life

Women in Hinduism

Jainism

Sikhism

India in America

Summary

Questions for Review

Suggested Readings on the Religions of India

Suggested Websites

Chapter 4: Wisdom Embarked for the Farther Shore

The Journey of Buddhism

Chapter Objectives

A Religion of Transformation of Consciousness

The Life of the Buddha

Basic Buddhist Teaching

Theravada Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism

Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism

Chan or Zen Buddhism

Pure Land Buddhism

Buddhism, Governance, and Political Life

Women in Buddhism

Buddhism in America

Summary

Questions for Review

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Many Peoples, Many Faiths

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials