Research Guides: Asian Religions: General Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

General Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

The Encyclopedia of Religion.
Edited by Lindsay Jones.
2nd edition.
Thomson Gale, 2005. 15 volumes.
For print version locations see UofT Library 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.
The World’s Religions.
Edited by Peter B. Clarke and Peter Beyer.
Routledge, 2009.
For print version locations see the UofT Library Catalogue.
Great Thinkers of the Eastern World: The Major Thinkers and the Philosophical and Religious Classics of China, India, Japan, Korea, and the World of Islam.
Edited by I.P. McGreal.
HarperCollins Publishers, 1995.
An introduction to Asian philosophers and theologians and their works, this book offers basic biographies of great Asian thinkers, a summary and discussion of their ideas, and a bibliography. This book is useful to students wanting to look up quick references and find further readings.
Guide to the Gods.
By Marjorie Leach. Edited by M.O. Jones and F. Cattermole-Tally.
ABC-CLIO, 1992.
For print version locations see the UofT Library 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.
The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Hinduism.
By I. Fischer-Schreiber ... [et al.].
Shambhala, 1994.
This illustrated encyclopedia provides short entries for major figures, faiths, and philosophies of Asia. Its excellent bibliography provides further primary and secondary sources on Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Zen.