Contents:

1) General framework, page 1

2) Primal religions: Animism, magic, fertility cults, dualism, symbolism, spirit powers; High God religion or henotheism; the future of primal religions, p.2

3) Indian religions: Pre-Aryan: Pre-Aryan religion; the name Arya; Indus Valley, Aryan invaders; Indus Valley rites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa. Archaeological finds of importance for the study of Indian religions, p.9

4) Vedic religion: The Vedic age, compilation of the Vedas. Social conditions; religion; theology; deities, kathenotheism, p.14

5) Zoroastrianism: Zarathustra and his teaching; scriptures, temples, towers of silence, worship. History of Zoroastrianism, p.23

6) Brahmanism: The great and little traditions; the Upanisads. Fundamental ideas: brahman, atman, samsara, karma, caste, asramadhara (= the four stages of life). Aims of life: dharma, artha, kama, moksa, p.32

7) Jainism: The Jain religion. Tirthankaras. Parsvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara. Mahavira. Bhahrabahu, the 6th. leader after Mahavira. Doctrines: jiva, karma, ahimsa; omniscience, atheism, laymen, temples, worship, festivals, p.45

8) Buddhism: Gautama Buddha; the tradition; the basic teachings of the Buddha: The four Noble Truths. The Noble Eightfold Path. The ten fetters. Anatta (= non-existence of the soul); kamma (= works); nibbana (= emancipation, final bliss), pp. 53-62