The book presents the life, period and writings of Thiruvalluvar, the great Dravidian
Saint and Philosopher. His writings are known as Thirukkural, a great Dravidian
literature, which is incomparable with any other writings.
The author asserts that in comparison with the Bible, the Quran and other worldly
scriptures; Thirukkural preach a Universal code of life and conduct. The basis for its
immortal and universal appeal is to be seen in its secular character, clarity of thought,
depth of understanding, perception of the unshifting foundations of human life.
The scholarly work makes a comparative study of religious ethics of Hinduism, Jainism,
Buddhism, Christianity and Islam with that of the Thirukkural. The similarities and
dissimilarities between the two and critical comments on the study of religions will
assist the readers in understanding that the importance of ethics in life is beyond any
religion.
Contents
Preface
Technical Words
Religious Symbols
1. Introduction
1.1 Major Branches of Philosophy and their Significance
1.2 The Function of Philosophy
1.3 The Philosophy of Religion
1.4 The Major Religions
1.5 Ancient Tamil History - A Glance
1.6 The Life of Thiruvalluvar
1.7 Thirukkural
1.8 Aim
1.9 Hypothesis
1.10 Methodology
1.11 Scope
2. Hindu Religious Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
2.1 Hindu Sects
2.2 Hindu Religion
2.3 Comparison of Hindu Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
3. Jaina Religious Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
3.1 A Brief Biography of Sage Vardhamana Mahavira
3.2 The Sects of Jainism
3.3 The Main Tenets of Jainism
3.4 Comparison of Jaina Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
4. Buddhist Religious Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
4.1 The Life of Lord Buddha
4.2 The Sects of Buddhism
4.3 The Philosophy of Buddhism
4.4 The Comparison of Buddhist Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
5. Christian Religious Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
5.1 The Holy Bible
5.2 Ethics of the Old Testament
5.3 Ethics of the New Testament
5.4 Comparison of Christian Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
6. Islamic Religious Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
6.1 The Main Tenets of Islamism
6.2 The Philosophy of Islamic Religion
6.3 Comparison of Islamic Ethics and Thirukkural Ethics
7. Findings of Conclusion
Bibliography
Dr. S. Muthu Kumar studied BD from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune;
M.Th. in `Religion and Philosophy' from Asia Institute of Theology, Bangalore; MA in
`Philosophy and Religion' from Madurai Kamaraj University; M.Phil. in `Philosophy of
Religion' from Annamalai University and PhD in `Comparative Dravidian Literature and
Philosophy' from Dravidian University. He is the Dean of Academics and Head of the
Department of Religion and Philosophy at New Life College, Bangalore. He teaches Major
World Religions, Philosophy, Christian Ethics, Contemporary Religious Movements and
Christian Response to other Faiths to B.Th., M.Div. and M.Th. levels. He taught Christian
Ethics, New Age Movements, Christianity and Thirukkural at STM in Malaysia. He is married
and blessed with two sons.
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