FRONT MATTER

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION

Globalization

Religion

About this Book

Notes and References

Part One RELIGION IN GLOBAL AND TRANSCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Chapter 2 Adam Smith and The Neo-Calvinist Foundations of Globalization

Introduction

Defining “Globalization”

Causes and Historical Development of Globalization

Calvinization and Trade Liberalization in the Work of Adam Smith

Conclusion

Notes and References

Chapter 3 Daniel Quinn on Religion: Saving the World through Anti-Globalism?

Introduction

Quinn’s Religion

Quinn on Religion in General

Saving the World

Further Criticisms

Conclusion

Notes and References

Chapter 4 Globalized Religion: The Vedic Sacrifice (Yajña) in Transcultural Public Spheres

Introduction

The Vedic Sacrifice (Yajña) in its Contemporary Form

Definition

Various forms of yajña

The Vedic Sacrifice (Yajña) in Contemporary Hindu Civilization

The development of Hindu civilization and its political and religious impact on the Indian subcontinent

Contemporary practices of yajña on the Indian subcontinent

The practice of yajña in a globalized Hindu civilization

The Hindu diaspora

Religious practices in the Hindu diaspora

Contemporary practices of yajña in the Hindu diaspora

Western Civilization and Christendom

Western civilization

The impact of religion on Western civilization

Challenges to Western civilization

Yajña in the West

Conclusion

Notes and References

Part Two COMPARATIVE AND PLURALISTIC APPROACHES

Chapter 5 Mary, Athena and Guanyin: What the Church, the Demos and the Sangha Can Teach Us about Religious Pluralism and Doctrinal Conformity to Socio-cultural Standards

Introduction

The Virgin Mary and Women’s Ordination

Guanyin and Buddhist Feminism

Athena and Greek Neo-paganism

Responses to Feminism

Responses to Pluralism

Orthodox Reactions

Conclusion

Notes and References

Chapter 6 The Globalization of the New Spirituality and its Expression in Japan: The Case of Mt Ikoma

Introduction

New Spirituality in Japan

New Spirituality as a Global Phenomenon

Neo-syncretism: Interaction between New Spirituality and Japan’s Religious Culture

Exploring the New Spirituality in Ikoma

The study area

Fasting training centers

Beliefs and practices

Structure and demographics

Kundalini Yoga Center

Neo-syncretism in Ikoma

“Overcoming modernity”: The sacralization of nature and the self

The sacralization of nature

The sacralization of the self

Conclusions

Notes and References

Primary Sources on Ikoma

Chapter 7 Globalization and religious resurgence: a comparative study of Bahrain and Poland

Religious Revival: Primary Considerations

Socio-economic factors

Religious fundamentalism

Moral revolution

Enemies of the moral order and the populist appeal

Hate rhetoric

National myths

Populism’s Acceptance

Assessment of economic conditions

Additional factors

A short-lived victory

Conclusion

References

Part Three RELIGION IN TAIWAN

Chapter 8 Religion in the Media Age: a Case Study of Da Ai Dramas from the Tzu Chi Organization

Introduction

Feminist Buddhism

Religion and the Media

Globalization and the Media

Taiwanese Buddhism and Tzu Chi

Da Ai Drama

Love from the Valley

Plot summary

Marriage and Family in Love from the Valley

Marriage and modernization

Kitchen and community

Family

Religion in Love from the Valley

Tzu Chi as a religion

Conclusion

References

Chapter 9 “Techno Dancing Gods”: Comicized Deity Images as Expressions of Taiwanese Cultural Identity

Introduction

Origins

Design Features

Appearances at International Sporting Events

Comicization and Tiers of Sacredness

Conclusion

Notes and References

Chapter 10 Rituals of Identity in Alid belief: Siraya Religion in Taiwan since 1945

Introduction

Ritual Practices and Siraya Identity

Ritual Practices and Chinese Identity

Conclusion

Appendix

Notes and References

END MATTER

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