Princeton Readings in Religions is a new series of anthologies on the religions of the world representing the significant advances that have been made in the study of religions in the last thirty years This volume brings together the introductions to the first five volumes of this acclaimed series Religions of India in Practice 1995 Buddhism in Practice 1995 Religions of China in Practice 1996 Religions of Tibet in Practice 1997 and Religions of Japan in Practice 1999 The introductions to these volumes have been widely praised for their accessible clear and concise overviews of the religions of Asia providing both historical context and insightful analysis of Hinduism Jainism Sikhism Islam Buddhism Confucianism Taoism Shinto and Bon as well as many local traditions The authors of the chapters are leading scholars of Asian religions Richard Davis India Stephen Teiser China George Tanabe Japan and Donald Lopez Buddhism and Tibet They bring together the best and most current research on their topics while series editor Donald Lopez provides an introduction to the volume as a whole In addition to providing a wealth of detail on the history doctrine and practice of the religions of Asia the five chapters offer an opportunity for sustained discussions of the category of religion