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How should we view religions that are different from our own? In a world where misunderstandings and disagreements between cultures and faiths are commonplace, this fascinating book, the first in a new series called Studies in Comparative Religion, helps us put other faiths in context and addresses the problem of encountering conflicting religious forms. Featuring 23 fascinating articles from religious scholars and the personal accounts of the remarkable individuals who have lived theses encounters first hand.
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Studies in Comparative Religion Crossing Religious Frontiers Articles by Abhishiktananda Rodney Blackhirst Titus Burckhardt Ananda K. Coomaraswamy James S. Cutsinger Michael Oren Fitzgerald René Guénon HH the 68th Jagadguru of Kanchi Peter Kingsley Patrick Laude Marco Pallis Frithjof Schuon Timothy Scott William Stoddart Thomas Yellowtail Edited by Harry Oldmeadow METAPHYSICS . COSMOLOGY . TRADITION . SYMBOLISM STUDIES IN COMPARATIVE RELIGION The First English Journal on Traditional Studies — established 1963 Studies in Comparative Religion is devoted to the exposition of the teachings, spiritual methods, symbolism, and other facets of the religious traditions of the world, together with the traditional arts and sciences which have sprung from those religions. It is not sectarian and, inasmuch as it is not tied to the interests of any particular religion, it is free to lay stress on the common spirit underlying the various religious forms. One of our primary aims is to meet the need for accurate information created by the now world-wide interest in the question of “ecumenical relations” between the great religions, by providing a forum where writers of proven authority can exchange views on various aspects of religious life, doctrinal, historical, artistic and mystical, not forgetting the element of personal experience and reminiscence. By collecting accurate information about the great religions under their many aspects and rendering them available to interested readers we feel we are fulfilling a very pressing need of our time and also contributing in a practical manner to the cause of inter-religious understanding. If there is to be an effective measure of this understanding at any level this can only be on the basis of accurate presentation both of teachings and facts. An ill-informed benevolence is no substitute for genuine insight, based on information that is neither willfully distorted nor confined to the surface of things. In this manner we think that we are best serving the interest of our readers in their search for truth. (Excerpt from the Introduction to our first publication, almost fifty years ago) Crossing Religious Frontiers Studies in Comparative Religion Edited by Harry Oldmeadow Crossing Religious Frontiers: Studies in Comparative Religion © 2010 World Wisdom, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission, except in critical articles and reviews. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Crossing religious frontiers / edited by Harry Oldmeadow. p. cm. -- (Studies in comparative religion) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-935493-55-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Religion--Philosophy. 2. Tradition (Philosophy) I. Oldmeadow, Harry, 1947BL51.C715 2010 201’.5--dc22 2010027777 Printed on acid-free paper in USA. For information address World Wisdom, Inc. P.O. Box 2682, Bloomington, Indiana 47402-2682 www.worldwisdom.com CONTENTS Editorial vii I. Principles MARCO PALLIS On Crossing Religious Frontiers 3 FRITHJOF SCHUON Religio Perennis 13 RENÉ GUÉNON Not Fusion but Mutual Understanding 18 JAGADGURU SRI CHANDRASEKHARENDR