Karen Armstrong Livres

Read and cherished by thousands all over the world since it was first published in 1981, Through the Narrow Gate takes the reader on a spiritual journey that began one September day in 1962 when Karen Armstrong said good-bye to her family at London's King's Cross station and journeyed on to the convent in Tripton to become a nun. Through the Narrow Gate is by turns a book of spiritual revelation and an intimate look at life inside the cloistered walls of the convent.

St Paul is known throughout the world as the first Christian writer, authoring fourteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. But as Karen Armstrong demonstrates in this book, he also exerted a more significant influence on the spread of Christianity throughout the world than any other figure in history. It was Paul who established the first Christian churches in Europe and Asia in the first century, Paul who transformed a minor sect into the largest religion produced by Western civilization, and Paul who advanced the revolutionary idea that Christ could serve as a model for the possibility of transcendence

It is the most persistent myth of our time: religion is the cause of all violence. But history suggests otherwise. Karen Armstrong, former Roman Catholic nun and one of our foremost scholars of religion, speaks out to disprove the link between religion and bloodshed. * Religion is as old as humanity: Fields of Blood goes back to the Stone Age hunter-gatherers and traces religion through the centuries, from medieval crusaders to modern-day jihadists. * The West today has a warped concept of religion: we regard faith as a personal and private matter, but for most of history faith has informed people's entire outlook on life, and often been inseparable from politics. * Humans undoubtedly have a natural propensity for aggression: the founders of the largest religions - Jesus, Buddha, the rabbis of early Judaism, the prophet Muhammad - aimed to curb violence and build a more peaceful and just society, but with our growing greed for money and wealth came collective violence and warfare. * With the arrival of the modern all-powerful, secular state humanity's destructive potential has begun to spiral out of control. Is humanity on the brink of destroying itself? Fields of Blood is a celebration of the ancient religious ideas and movements that have promoted peace and reconciliation across millennia of civilization.

The centuries between 800 and 300 BC saw an explosion of new religious concepts. But why did Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, Jeremiah, Lao Tzu and all others emerge in this 500 year span? Armstrong examines this period and the connections between this disparate group of philosophers, mystics, and theologians.

One of the world's foremost commentators on religious affairs on the history (and destiny) of the world's most misunderstood religion. In the public mind, Islam is a religion of extremes: it is the world's fastest growing faith; more than three-quarters of the world's refugees are Islamic; it has produced government by authoritarian monarchies in Saudi Arabia and ultra-republicans in Iran. Whether we are reading about civil war in Algeria or Afghanistan, the struggle for the soul of Turkey, or political turmoil in Pakistan or Malaysia, the Islamic context permeates all these situations. Karen Armstrong's elegant and concise book traces how Islam grew from the other religions of the book, Judaism and Christianity; introduces us to the character of Muhammed; and demonstrates that for much of its history, the religion has been a force for enlightenment that promoted liberties for women and allowed the arts and sciences to flourish. ISLAM shows how this progressive legacy is today often set aside as the faith struggles to come to terms with the economic and political weakness of most of its believers and with the forces of modernity itself.

A raw, intensely personal memoir of spiritual exploration from one of the world's great commentators on religion.

'An amazingly wide-ranging book, showing that the world's religious texts can be a force for good today' John Barton, author of A History of the BibleIn our increasingly secular world, holy texts are at best seen as irrelevant, and at worst as an excuse to incite violence, hatred and division.

'Because 'God' is infinite, nobody can have the last word.' What is this thing, religion, which has supposedly been the cause of bloodshed and warring for centuries? What is 'God' and do we need 'Him' in our modern world? Karen Armstrong, bestselling author and one of the world's leading writers on religious affairs, has a refreshing and startling way of looking again at these questions. God is not a being to be 'believed in' as a child believes in Santa Claus; religion is not a story to be proven true or false, but a discipline akin to music or art that answers a deeply human need, and can teach us to discover new capacities of mind and heart

Jerusalem has probably cast more of a spell over the human imagination than any other city in the world. Held by believers to contain the site where Abraham offered up Isaac, the place of the crucifixion of Christ and the rock from which the prophet Muhammed ascended to heaven, Jerusalem has been celebrated and revered for centuries by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Such is the symbolic power of this ancient city that its future status poses a major obstacle to a comprehensive regional peace in the Middle East. This work traces the turbulent history of Jerusalem from the prehistoric era, the Biblical period, Jerusalem under the Byzantines, Arabs, Ottomans, British, Jordanians and since, 1967, the Israelis. It examines its political and cultural role through history, its personalities, art, architecture and the conflicts which have beset it for more than 2000 years.

The New York Times bestselling author of A History of God skillfully narrates the history of the Crusades with a view toward their profound and continuing influence." Holy War brings compassion, objectivity, breadth, and imagination to the most urgent crisis of our time." — The Boston PhoenixIn 1095 Pope Urban II summoned Christian warriors to take up the cross and reconquer the Holy Land. Thus began the holy wars that would focus the power of Europe against a common enemy and become the stuff of romantic legend. In reality the Crusades were a series of rabidly savage conflicts in the name of piety. And, as Armstrong demonstrates in this fascinating book, their legacy of religious violence continues today in the Middle East, where the age-old conflict of Christians, Jews, and Muslims persists.

A life of the prophet Muhammad by bestselling religious writer Karen Armstrong. Most people in the West know very little about the prophet Muhammad. The acclaimed religious writer Karen Armstrong has written a biography which will give us a more accurate and profound understanding of Islam and the people who adhere to it so strongly. Muhammad also offers challenging comparisons with the two religions most closely related to it - Judaism and Christianity.

In "Jerusalem," Karen Armstrong explores the city's profound significance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, tracing its tumultuous history from ancient times to the present. With meticulous research, she examines how differing concepts of holiness have shaped Jerusalem, making it a focal point of conflict and reverence. A compelling read for all.

Why does God exist? How have Judaism, Christianity, and Islam shaped the conception of God and influenced one another? In this insightful book, Karen Armstrong, a leading commentator on religious affairs, explores the evolution of humanity's perception of God from Abraham to today. The narrative begins with the Jews' transformation of pagan idol worship in Babylon into true monotheism, a groundbreaking concept at the time. Christianity and Islam emerged from this revolutionary idea, each adapting 'the One God' to meet the social and political needs of their adherents. Armstrong skillfully distills the intellectual history of monotheism, spanning classical philosophy, medieval mysticism, and the Reformation, into a compelling and accessible volume destined to become a classic. Praise for the work highlights its synthesis of complex ideas, offering insight and satisfaction to readers. Critics commend Armstrong's clarity and ability to simplify intricate subjects without losing depth. The book is described as absorbing and a rich source of knowledge, with one reviewer calling it the most fascinating study of the quest for God, praising Armstrong's genius in tackling such a profound topic.

One of the most potent forces bedevilling the modern world is religious fundamentalism. Armstrong explains how and why fundamentalists' understanding of religion and society differs so starkly from that of their contemporaries.

Buddhism is a faith that commands over 100 million followers throughout the world. Buddha stands with Christ, Confucius and Mohammed as someone who revolutionized the religious ideas of his time to advocate a new way of living. All that is known about Buddha comes from a collection of ancient writings that fuse history, biography and myth. Karen Armstrong distils from these the key events of Buddha's life: his birth as Siddhartha Gotama in the fifth century BC and his abandonment of his wife and son; his attainment of enlightenment under the Banyan tree (the moment he became a buddha, or enlightened one; his political influence; the divisions among his followers; and his serene death. Armstrong also introduces the key tenets of Buddhism: she explains the doctrine of anatta (no-soul) and the concepts of kamma (actions), samsara (keeping going), dhamma (a law or teaching that reflects the fundamental principles of existence) and the idealised state of nibbana (literally the 'cooling of the ego'). Since it promotes no personal god, Buddhism, writes Armstrong, 'is essentially a psychological faith'. In our own age of secular anxiety, she shows that it has profound lessons to teach about selflessness and the simple life. Karen Armstrong's short book is a magnificent introduction to the life and thought of this most influential of spiritual thinkers.

This work offers a nuanced exploration of the role of religion in human life, drawing on historical insights to address the needs of our polarized age. From the Paleolithic era to the present, the author details humanity's quest for a sacred reality, referred to by various names such as God, Brahman, Nirvana, Allah, or Dao. While focusing primarily on Christianity, the discussion encompasses Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Chinese spiritualities, examining the declining impulse toward religion today, where many either reject God or question faith's relevance. The text poses critical questions about why God has become unbelievable and how contemporary views on divinity differ from those of our ancestors. With depth and insight, the author illustrates how the changing world has altered the significance of religion for individuals and society. She emphasizes that religion is not meant to provide answers that human reason can address; that is the role of logos. Instead, religion's purpose is to help us navigate complex realities creatively and peacefully. Furthermore, it is presented as a practical discipline, requiring dedicated intellectual effort and a compassionate lifestyle to transcend self-centeredness.

Through comparison with other prophets and mystics the author examines Muhammad's spiritual ideas, and uses the facts of his life - from which Muslims have drawn instruction for centuries - to make the tenets of Islam clear and accessible for readers of all faiths.

The award-winning author of A History of God shares practical recommendations for promoting world peace by cultivating one's intrinsic tendencies for compassion, outlining a program for achieving mindfulness and engaging in acts of kindness.

'KAREN ARMSTRONG IS A GENIUS' A.N. Wilson In this hugely powerful book, Karen Armstrong argues that if we want to avert environmental catastrophe, it is not enough to change our behaviour- we need to learn to think and feel differently about the natural world - to rekindle our spiritual bond with nature. For most of human history, and in almost all the world's cultures, nature was believed to be sacred, and our God or gods to be present everywhere in the natural world. When people in the West began to separate God and nature in modern times, it was not just a profound breach with thousands of years of accumulated wisdom- it also set in train the destruction of the natural world. Taking themes that have been central to the world's religious traditions - from gratitude and compassion to sacrifice and non-violence - Armstrong offers practical steps to help us develop a new mindset to reconnect with nature and rekindle our sense of the sacred. Sacred Nature reveals the most profound connections between humans and the natural world. It speaks to anyone interested in our relationship with nature, worried about the destruction of our environment, and searching for new ways of thinking to shape the action needed to save our planet. 'One of our best living writers on religion' Financial Times 'Karen Armstrong is one of the handful of wise and supremely intelligent commentators on religion' Alain de Botton

An American imam offers answers for today's toughest questions about Islam, and a vision for a reconciliation between Islam and the West. One of the pressing questions of our time is what went wrong in the relationship between Muslims and the West. Continuing global violence in the name of Islam reflects the deepest fears by certain Muslim factions of Western political, cultural, and economic encroachment. The solution to the current antagonism requires finding common ground upon which to build mutual respect and understanding. Who better to offer such an analysis than an American imam, someone with a foot in each world and the tools to examine the common roots of both Western and Muslim cultures; someone to explain to the non-Islamic West not just what went wrong with Islam, but what's right with Islam. Focused on finding solutions, not on determining fault, this is ultimately a hopeful, inspiring book. What's Right with Islam systematically lays out the reasons for the current dissonance between these cultures and offers a foundation and plan for improved relations. Wide-ranging in scope, What's Right with Islam elaborates in satisfying detail a vision for a Muslim world that can eventually embrace its own distinctive forms of democracy and capitalism, aspiring to a new Cordoba - a time when Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all other faith traditions will live together in peace and prosperity.

In this extensive and original account of the evolution of belief, Karen Armstrong examines Western society's unerring fidelity to the idea of One God and the many conflicting convictions it engenders.

The idea of a single divine being - God, Yahweh, Allah - has existed for over 4000 years, but the history of God is also the history of human struggle. While Judaism, Islam and Christianity proclaim the goodness of God, organized religion has too often been the catalyst for violence and ineradicable prejudice. This controversial account of the evolution of belief examines Western society's unerring fidelity to the idea of One God and the many conflicting convictions it engenders.

Karen Armstrong analyses how the Bible was collected into one work, how it became accepted as Christianity's sacred text and how it continues to exercise profound political and philosophcal influence, as well as religious control, over the world around us

This brilliant, readable synthesis of the history of mythology and the function it serves to humanity is the launch title of the groundbreaking publishing event, The Myths. oHuman beings have always been mythmakers.o So begins Karen ArmstrongAEs concise yet compelling investigation into myth: what it is, how it has evolved, and why we still so desperately need it. She takes us from the Paleolithic period and the myths of the hunters right up to the oGreat Western Transformationo of the last five hundred years and the discrediting of myth by science. The history of myth is the history of humanity, our stories and beliefs, our curiosity and attempts to understand the world, which link us to our ancestors and each other. Myths help us make sense of the universe. Heralding a major series of retellings of international myths by authors from around the world, ArmstrongAEs characteristically insightful and eloquent book serves as a brilliant and thought-provoking introduction to myth in the broadest sense -- and explains why if we dismiss it, we do so at our peril.

Kniha provází historickým, filozofickým, intelektuálním a sociálním vývojem monoteistických náboženství. Seznamuje s kontexty a předpoklady, z nichž plynula odlišená pojetí Boha, a současně poukazuje na základní podobnosti uvádí řady zajímavých paralel.

Karen Armstrong erzählt die faszinierende Geschichte einer der bedeutendsten geistigen Revolutionen der Weltgeschichte. Zwischen dem 9. und 2. Jahrhundert vor Christus entstanden in vier Erdteilen religiöse und philosophische Traditionen, die bis heute für die Menschheit zentral sind. Armstrong begibt sich auf eine Entdeckungsreise zu den Lehren der Achsenzeit, einer Epoche, in der ein neues menschliches Bewusstsein entstand. Diese Zeit brachte die großen Glaubensrichtungen hervor: Hinduismus und Buddhismus aus Indien, Taoismus und Konfuzianismus aus China, Rationalismus aus Griechenland und Monotheismus aus der Region des heutigen Israel. Sie zeigt, dass jede dieser Weltanschauungen auf ähnliche Probleme mit vergleichbaren Antworten reagierte. Die Urväter dieser geistig-religiösen Revolution – Buddha, Sokrates, Konfuzius und Hesekiel – wollten keine ultimative Wahrheit aufzwingen, sondern betonten, wie man lebte. Mitgefühl und Toleranz wurden zu zentralen Tugenden. Armstrongs Abhandlung ist nicht nur eine umfassende Ideengeschichte der Weltreligionen, sondern auch ein eindringliches Plädoyer zur Besinnung auf die ursprünglichen Quellen unseres Glaubens, unserer Philosophie und Moral. In Zeiten von Gewalt und religiöser Intoleranz ist das Buch besonders lehrreich und legt den gemeinsamen Kern der großen Glaubensrichtungen offen.

Tradotta in più di duemila lingue, la Bibbia è il libro più diffuso e più letto nella storia dell'umanità. In questo contributo Karen Amnstrong ne segue e ne analizza la genesi, svelando la complessità e la contraddittorietà di un documento creato da centinaia di persone nel corso di migliaia di anni. Armstrong parte dalle origini dei primi antichissimi libri del Vecchio Testamento prendendo via via in esame tutti gli elementi che hanno contribuito a formare il testo sacro della cristianità. Dalla pratica ebraica del Midrash al culto di Gesù, dal ruolo delle lettere di san Paolo nell'ambito della Riforma alla manipolazione delle rivelazioni a opera del fondamentalismo cristiano, l'autrice esplora i vari contesti in cui i 66 libri che compongono la Bibbia hanno visto la luce, spiega come si sia arrivati a un'opera unica e soprattutto mostra come il libro su cui si fonda la cristianità continui a esercitare la sua influenza politica e filosofica, oltre che religiosa, sul mondo moderno.

Milióny mužov a žien sa dnes odvrátili od Boha, odmietajúc akúkoľvek spojitosť s ním. Naši predkovia však podnikali dlhé púte, aby zažili posvätnú realitu, opisujúc svoje zážitky ako Boha, Brahmana, Nirvánu či Tao. V súčasnosti sa zvyšuje počet ateistov, ktorí s rovnakým zápalom ako misionári v minulosti hlásajú, že Boh neexistuje. Karen Armstrongová skúma otázku Boha nielen v diele História Boha, ale aj v publikácii Kauzu vyhral Boh. Dochádza k poznaniu, že obraz Boha sa v priebehu dejín formoval podľa potrieb ľudí. Pre tri monoteistické náboženstvá – židovstvo, kresťanstvo a islam – platí, že nový obraz Boha sa presadil, keď pomohol v každodenných starostiach. Armstrongová sleduje históriu viery od paleolitu po súčasnosť a ukazuje, že veda a náboženstvo predtým neviedli medzi sebou konflikt. Avšak veda zmenila tón ich dialógu, pričom význam slov ako viera a tajomstvo sa zásadne pretransformoval. Dnes ateisti aj teisti diskutujú o Bohu spôsobom, ktorý by našich predkov šokoval. Prečo je dnes ťažké veriť v Boha? Má Boh budúcnosť v ére vedeckého racionalizmu? Armstrongová verí, že pohľad do minulosti môže viesť k viere, ktorá sa prispôsobí potrebám nášho rozdeleného a nebezpečného sveta.

In De wenteltrap vertelt Karen Armstrong hoe ze in 1969, na zeven jaar, het klooster verlaat om in Oxford te studeren. Ze voelt zich als Doornroosje die na een lange sluimer in een vreemde, beangstigende wereld terechtkomt. In Londen volgen de jaren waarin ze haar gebrek aan ervaring inhaalt. Ze heeft relaties, loopt feesten af en maakt vrienden. Uiteindelijk vertrekt ze in 1982 als journaliste naar Jeruzalem. Daar verbreedt ze haar horizon, komt ze in contact met andere culturen en gaat ze zich verdiepen in de islam. Karen Armstrong wisselt in De wenteltrap haar persoonlijke herinneringen af met beschouwende stukken over het falen van de kerk, bidden, het wezen van het geloof, eenzaamheid en spiritualiteit. Rode draad is de zoektocht naar haar eigen, persoonlijke en integere manier van geloven. De wenteltrap is daarvan het openhartige, fascinerende en verhelderende verslag.

Od ústnej tradície do súčasnosti Biblie, v ktorej sa Boh nazýva striedavo "Jahve" a "Elohim". Sleduje vývoj tak hebrejskej Biblie, ako aj Novej zmluvy, aby poukázala na rôznorodé vplyvy, ktoré pomáhali pri formovaní týchto posvätných textov. Vychádzajúc zo židovského vyznávania midrašu a kresťanského kultu Ježiša a pokračujúc vplyvom Pavlových listov na reformáciu a manipuláciou Zjavení zo strany kresťanských fundamentalistov, autorka približuje kontexty, v akých treba rozumieť a vysvetľovať týchto šesťdesiat šesť kníh, objasňuje tiež sociálne potreby, na ktoré knihy reagujú. Súčasne poukazuje na nekompetentné a paradoxné postupy, ktoré neprestajne ovplyvňujú naše chápanie Biblie.Biblie, v ktorej sa Boh nazýva striedavo "Jahve" a "Elohim". Sleduje vývoj tak hebrejskej Biblie, ako aj Novej zmluvy, aby poukázala na rôznorodé vplyvy, ktoré pomáhali pri formovaní týchto posvätných textov. Vychádzajúc zo židovského vyznávania midrašu a kresťanského kultu Ježiša a pokračujúc vplyvom Pavlových listov na reformáciu a manipuláciou Zjavení zo strany kresťanských fundamentalistov, autorka približuje kontexty, v akých treba rozumieť a vysvetľovať týchto šesťdesiat šesť kníh, objasňuje tiež sociálne potreby, na ktoré knihy reagujú. Súčasne poukazuje na nekompetentné a paradoxné postupy, ktoré neprestajne ovplyvňujú naše chápanie Biblie.

In de periode van de negende eeuw tot ongeveer de tweede eeuw voor Christus ontwikkelden vier afzonderlijke streken religieuze en filosofische tradities die de mensheid tot op de dag van vandaag beïnvloeden: confucianisme en daoïsme in China, hindoeïsme en boeddhisme in India, monotheïsme in Israël, en filosofisch rationalisme in Griekenland. Deze periode, bekend als de 'axiale eeuw', speelde een cruciale rol in de spirituele ontwikkeling van de mensheid. Karen Armstrong onderzoekt in haar nieuwe boek de bijdragen van invloedrijke figuren zoals Boeddha, Socrates, Confucius en Ezekiel. Ondanks de verschillen benadrukken deze tradities een opmerkelijke overeenkomst: de nadruk op compassie boven haat en geweld. De wijzen van deze tijd streefden er niet naar om doctrines van één geloof te omarmen, maar om een leven te leiden dat geworteld was in geweldloosheid en empathie. Armstrong toont aan wat deze gelijkenis zegt over de religieuze impuls van de mens. Ze gaat verder dan spirituele 'archeologie' door te onderzoeken hoe deze oude overtuigingen een uitdaging kunnen vormen voor onze huidige beleving van religie. Dit werk is een ontdekkingsreis naar de vroege ervaringen van de mensheid, hun verlangens, verantwoordelijkheden en inspirerende oplossingen, geschreven in een erudiete en toegankelijke stijl.

Karen Armstrong, autorka bestsellerów poświęconych historii rozmaitych religii, w Buddzie opisuje postać, której myśli po 2500 latach wciąż poruszają świat. Wielu zna Buddę tylko jako zażywnego, pogodnego mężczyznę z jego ikonicznych wizerunków. Ale kim był naprawdę i w jakim świecie przyszło mu żyć? Co zdołał osiągnąć w ciągu osiemdziesięciu lat, które zrodziły jedną z największych religii świata? Autorka odpowiada na te i wiele innych pytań we wciągającej biografii. Łącząc ze sobą historię, filozofię, kulturę i mitologię, pokazuje fascynujący portret mężczyzny, którego przebudzenie nadal inspiruje miliony. Siddhartha zostaje tu ukazany na wielu poziomach czysto ludzkim i osobistym, duchowym, społecznym i historycznym. Armstrong opowiada o życiu człowieka gotowego do największych wyrzeczeń w poszukiwaniu prawdy, odnajdywaniu własnej drogi, dążeniu do kompromisu pomiędzy tradycją a własnymi doświadczeniami i przekonaniami. Na ścieżce, którą Budda dąży, nieraz się potyka i to sprawia, że po tylu latach historia ta nadal ma wymiar uniwersalny. Autorka skupia się również na tle społeczno-gospodarczym życia Buddy. Pokazuje warunki życia na Półwyspie Indyjskim, rozwój ośrodków miejskich, społeczeństwo wędrownych mnichów, a także przemiany cywilizacyjne i religijne zachodzące w Europie i Azji. Podążamy za Siddharthą krok po kroku, dostrzegając w Oświeconym nie boga, ale bliskiego nam człowieka.

Vertaald door Carola Kloos, Shirah Lachmann en Albert Witteveen.'De strijd om God' is Karen Armstrongs gezaghebbende beschouwing van het fundamentalisme. Aan de hand van stromingen als het protestantse fundamentalisme in de Verenigde Staten, de joodse orthodoxie in Israël en het moslimradicalisme in Egypte en Iran trekt Armstrong een vruchtbare vergelijking tussen verschillende soorten religieus fundamentalisme. Armstrong laat zien hoe verwant deze bewegingen eigenlijk zijn, en hoe radicalisme steevast gevoed wordt door angst voor de moderne wereld. Religieus fanatisme, stelt Armstrong, is een moderne verschijnsel bij uitstek, een monster dat wordt voortgebracht door onze eigen Westerse beschaving. 'De strijd om God' bevat een urgente analyse van de verontrustende groei van religieus fanatisme en biedt bovendien inspirerende suggesties voor vreedzame oplossingen.

Allgemeinverständliche Einführung in das Leben des Propheten (um 570-632) und die Entwicklung und frühe Ausbreitung des Islams.

Religie > Wereldgodsdiensten

Mythen sind Geschichten aus der Kindheit der Welt. Der Auftakt eines weltweiten, literarischen Großprojektes: Namhafte internationale Schriftsteller erzählen die uralten Sagen der Menschheit neu. Karen Armstrong beschreibt in ihrem Einführungsband die Geschichte des Mythos, von den Anfängen in der Steinzeit mit den Mythen der Jäger und Schamanen bis zu den weltanschaulichen Umwälzungen der Neuzeit und schließlich der Moderne mit ihrer Diskreditierung des Mythos' durch die Naturwissenschaften. Die Geschichte des Mythos' ist in Armstrongs Deutung auch eine Geschichte der Menschheit und der Menschen, die stetig versuchen, nicht nur die Welt und das Universum, sondern auch das eigene Leben und Schicksal zu verstehen.

Karen Armstrong, autorka bestsellerów poświęconych historii rozmaitych religii, w „Buddzie” opisuje postać, której myśli po 2500 latach wciąż poruszają świat. Wielu zna Buddę tylko jako zażywnego, pogodnego mężczyznę z jego ikonicznych wizerunków. Ale kim był naprawdę i w jakim świecie przyszło mu żyć? Co zdołał osiągnąć w ciągu osiemdziesięciu lat, które zrodziły jedną z największych religii świata? Autorka odpowiada na te i wiele innych pytań we wciągającej biografii. Łącząc ze sobą historię, filozofię, kulturę i mitologię, pokazuje fascynujący portret mężczyzny, którego przebudzenie nadal inspiruje miliony. Siddhartha zostaje tu ukazany na wielu poziomach – czysto ludzkim i osobistym, duchowym, społecznym i historycznym. Armstrong opowiada o życiu człowieka gotowego do największych wyrzeczeń w poszukiwaniu prawdy, odnajdywaniu własnej drogi, dążeniu do kompromisu pomiędzy tradycją a własnymi doświadczeniami i przekonaniami. Na ścieżce, którą Budda dąży, nieraz się potyka – i to sprawia, że po tylu latach historia ta nadal ma wymiar uniwersalny. Autorka skupia się również na tle społeczno-gospodarczym życia Buddy. Pokazuje warunki życia na Półwyspie Indyjskim, rozwój ośrodków miejskich, społeczeństwo wędrownych mnichów, a także przemiany cywilizacyjne i religijne zachodzące w Europie i Azji. Podążamy za Siddharthą krok po kroku, dostrzegając w Oświeconym nie boga, ale bliskiego nam człowieka.

Gewalt, Hass und Terror auf der Welt haben eine gemeinsame Wurzel: die ungleiche Verteilung von Macht und Reichtum. Für Karen Armstrong ist es deshalb die wichtigste Aufgabe unserer Zeit, eine Ordnung zu schaffen, in der alle Menschen und Völker in gegenseitigem Respekt miteinander leben können. Die Religion, die dazu einen wichtigen Beitrag leisten könnte, ist oft aber selbst ein Teil des Problems. Karen Armstrong ruft deshalb die Gläubigen in Christentum, Judentum, Islam, Buddhismus, Konfuzianismus und Hinduismus dazu auf, ihre Konflikte zu begraben und sich auf das zu besinnen, was sie alle miteinander verbindet: das Mitgefühl für die leidenden Menschen. Denn sie weiß: Angesichts der aktuellen Probleme und Herausforderungen gibt es nur einen Weg zu Frieden und Gerechtigkeit. Es ist die „Goldene Regel der Menschheit“ und die lautet: Behandle andere Menschen so, wie du selbst behandelt werden möchtest.

Levensbeschrijving van de stichter van de Islam (circa 570-632).