Religious Studies Collection (11 vols.)

Written 2,500 years ago by Chinese general Sun Tzu, The Art of War is a treatise on military strategy. Many believe that the principles in this text transcend warfare and have practical applications to the conflicts and crises faced in everyday life. Translator and annotator, Thomas Huynh guides readers through Sun Tzu’s work, explaining the different principles.

Millions of people turn daily to one of India’s holy books, the Bhagavad Gita, to instruct their spiritual practice. Composed in Sanskrit verse thousands of years ago, this text tells the story of a distraught warrior on the verge of battle and the counsel he receives from Krishna in human form. In just 700 lines, the Gita presents concise teachings on such topics as the immortality of the soul, meditation and yoga, worship and sacrifice, and the ideal of selfless action.

The Book of Mormon: Selections Annotated & Explained explores this epic that is read by more than twelve million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) as the keystone of their faith. Probing the principal themes and historical foundation of this narrative, Jana Riess focuses on key selections that offer insight into contemporary Mormon beliefs and scriptural emphases, such as the atonement of Christ, the nature of human freedom, the purpose of baptism, and the need for repentance from sin. She clarifies the religious, political, and historical events that take place in the ancient communities of the Book of Mormon and their underlying contemporary teachings that serve as the framework for spiritual practices that lie at the core of Mormon life.

The Chuang-tzu is the second major text of the Taoist tradition. It was compiled in the third century BCE and follows the lead of the oldest of all Taoist texts, the Tao-te-ching (Book of the Tao and Its Potency). Using parable, anecdote, allegory, and paradox, the Chuang-tzu presents the central message of what was to become the Taoist school: a reverence for the Tao—the “Way” of the natural world—and the belief that one is not truly virtuous until one is set free from the burden of circumstance, personal attachments, tradition, and the desire to reform the world. Leading Taoist scholar Livia Kohn provides a modern translation of key selections from this text and accessible commentary on Taoist principles.

Twenty-six centuries after their origination, the principles laid down in the Analects of Confucius still act as the foundation of Chinese philosophy, ethics, society, and government, and play a formative role in the development of many Eastern philosophies. In this intriguing look at the meaning of the Analects, Rodney L. Taylor, the foremost American researcher of Confucius as a religious and spiritual figure, explains their teachings. He shows how Confucius advocates learning and self-cultivation to follow the “path of the sage” or “way of heaven.”

Alongside an updated version of the classic translation by Sinologist James Legge, Taylor provides informative and accessible commentary that illuminates the meaning behind selected passages from the Analects.

The Dhammapada (Path of the Buddha’s Teachings) is read by millions of Buddhists all over the world.

Originally composed in the ancient language of Pali, this text paints contrasting portraits of three levels of human existence—the fool, the wise one, and the enlightened one—and addresses specific aspects of experience, conduct, and belief that characterize the transformation from one of these modes of being to another.

Drawn from tribes across North America, Native American Stories of the Sacred is a careful retelling of traditional stories. The stories include Son of Light’s quest to win back his captured wife from the monstrous Man-Eagle; humble Muskrat’s self-sacrifice to establish solid land so other beings might live; Water Spider’s solution for retrieving fire for all the animals; and White Buffalo Calf Woman’s gift of the sacred pipe to the people.

Indian mystic Ramakrishna taught that all religions are the revelation of God in his diverse aspects to satisfy the manifold demands of human minds. Many saw Ramakrishna as a saint or as a divine incarnation and a “supremely realized self.” Millions of devotees follow his message. This volume includes selections of Ramakrishna’s teachings and accessible commentary on their meanings.

Reportedly written by a sage named Lao Tzu over 2,500 years ago, the Tao Te Ching is one of the most succinct spiritual texts ever written. The Tao Te Ching distills into poetry centuries of spiritual inquiry into the Tao—the “Way” of the natural world, the organizing principle of the universe. This volume includes insightful commentary, along with a new translation from the original Chinese. Lin’s translation has been lauded by critics for its accuracy and lyrical beauty.

Some of life’s greatest questions include “Who am I?”, “Where did I come from?”, “Where am I going?”, “How shall I live?”, and “Why?” In this volume, Rabbi Rami Shapiro explores major world religions’—Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and more—answers to these questions.

In his Meditations, Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius recorded his perspectives on Stoic philosophy. With facing-page commentary that explains the writings, author Russell McNeil provides a guide to key passages from Aurelius’ collected journal entries.