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Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
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The Encyclopedia of Religion. 
Edited by Lindsay Jones.
2nd ed. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005. 15 volumes.
[For print version locations see
UofT Catalogue]
One of the most complete and authoritative works on religion,
The Encyclopedia of Religion offers excellent coverage of Asian religions, including the various sects and divisions of the major faiths. Articles include bibliographies and important texts. Accessing subject matter is enhanced by a very thorough index in the first volume.
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Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion: Eastern and Western Thought.By W.L. Reese.
2nd ed. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press, 1996.
This single volume concisely describes the religions, philosophies, and important philosophers and theologians in the East and West. Cross-references to the other articles make it easy to expand on a topic. This work is aimed at students needing an introduction to philosophical or religious concepts.
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Eastern Definitions: A Short Encyclopedia of Religions of the Orient.By E.E. Rice.
Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1978.
An illustrated guide to common and rare philosophical, mystical, religious, and psychological terms from Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, Islam, Zen, Taoism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and other major and minor Eastern religions.
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Guide to the Gods. 
By Marjorie Leach. Edited by M.O. Jones and F. Cattermole-Tally.
Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 1992.
[For print version locations see
UofT Catalogue]
This dictionary covers almost all of the deities of the world's religions, including those of the East. Although the articles tend to be brief, this reference includes a thorough index and bibliography. It serves as a good starting point for further research.
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Historical Dictionary of Buddhism.By C.S. Prebish.
Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1993.
Prebish narrows his dictionary topics to significant persons, places, texts, events, doctrines, practices, and movements within the Buddhist tradition.