Asian Texts - Asian Contexts: Encounters With Asian Philosophies and Religions

Teachers are currently being encouraged to expand their curricula to include non-western cultures. However, they are rarely given the means to do so. Jones (philosophy, Kennesaw State University) and independent scholar Klein asked several scholars of far eastern religion, philosophy, history and art to present texts from India, China and Japan along with suggestions for how they might be used in the classroom. They stress the importance of introducing students to other modes of thought as well as religious and cultural belief systems not based on monotheistic traditions. The different forms of Buddhism are discussed in several articles, as is Daoism. Teachers are encouraged to find similarities as well as differences among the philosophies. For example, the character of Ravana in the Ramayana may be seen as an embodiment of evil similar to the devil. The texts are intended for use by college level students in the humanities but high school teachers might find useful ideas, as well. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

David Jones is Professor of Philosophy at Kennesaw State University and editor of Confucius Now: Contemporary Encounters with the Analects. E. R. Klein is an independent scholar. Her books include People First! Professional and Business Ethics without Ethics.