duPont Library: Religious Studies 301: Methodologies in Religious Studies: Primary Texts

What are Primary Sources?

What Are Primary Resources?

Original records created at the time historical events occurred or well after events in the form of memoirs and oral histories. May include letters, diaries, manuscripts, journals, speeches, newspapers, interviews, memoirs, government documents, photographs, audio recordings, film or video recordings, research data, and objects or artifacts such as works of art or ancient roads, buildings, and tools. In addition to the links provided here, you might want to investigate one or more of the Primary Source databases offered by duPont Library here.

Primary Texts from Many Religious Sources

Access to Insight
"Access to Insight is an HTML website dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and useful information concerning the practice and study of Theravada Buddhism, as it has been handed down to us through both the written word of the Pali canon and the living example of the Sangha."
The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
"The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America includes over 275 cathedrals, churches, and missions throughout the United States and Canada."
Baha'i of the United States
"Bahá'u'lláh, the latest of these Messengers, taught that a just and peaceful global society is now possible. For more than a century, Bahá'ís in the United States have striven to give expression to the oneness of humanity, a core principle of their faith, by seeking to eliminate racial prejudice, advance the equality of women and men, and build vibrant spiritual communities that reflect the human family in all its diversity."
The Brick Testament
"The Brick Testament is the largest, most comprehensive illustrated Bible in the world with over 4,500 illustrations that retell more than 400 stories from The Bible."
Buddhanet
"BuddhaNet is a not-for-profit organisation affiliated with the Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc, which was first established as a Vipassana Meditation Centre in 1992 in Sydney by an Australian meditation monk Ven. Pannyavaro. BDEA has since evolved as a Buddhist Information and Education Service."
Catholic Online
News and information center for Roman Catholic Christianity
Chabad Lubavitch
"Chabad-Lubavitch is a philosophy, a movement, and an organization. It is considered to be the most dynamic force in Jewish life today."
The Electronic Intifada
"The Electronic Intifada is an independent online news publication and educational resource focusing on Palestine, its people, politics, culture and place in the world."
The Episcopal Church
"The Anglican Communion is the gathering of Anglican and Episcopal churches from around the world. Today, the Anglican Communion comprises more than 80 million members in 44 regional and national member churches in more than 160 countries. The Episcopal church is part of the Anglican Communion, and is comprised of 109 dioceses in 16 nations."
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
"The Orthodox Church today, numbering over 250 million worldwide, is a communion of self governing Churches, each administratively independent of the other, but united by a common faith and spirituality."
Internet Sacred Text Archive
Comprehensive source for older primary and secondary texts from a wide range of religious traditions
ISKCON
The official website for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The Ismaili
"The Ismaili Muslims are a culturally diverse community living in over 25 countries around the world. They adhere to a 1,400 year tradition of Shi'a values that are expressed through a commitment to a search for knowledge for the betterment of self and society."
Jainism.org
"Welcome to Jainism.org, your definitive resource on JAINISM."
K.C. Hanson
A hub site for the study of the Ancient Near East and the Bible maintained by K.C. Hanson
Light Planet
Information from all corners of the Internet on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
Maklumat Hal Ehwal Islam
Major website for Malaysian Islam
Nation of Islam
The official website of the prominent African American religious and political organization
A Quaker Page
"This page indexes Quaker-specific historical materials available, here and elsewhere."
Reform Judaism
"This site was created and is maintained by the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) with assistance and contributions from scores of professionals and lay leaders in Reform congregations throughout North America."
The Salem Witchcraft Site
Collected primary source data on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Sikhs.org
"The Worlds First Sikh Website, Celebrating 17 Years Online, Launched December 1994"
Southern Baptist Convention
"The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has grown to be a network of more than fifty thousand cooperating churches and church-type missions banded together to make an impact for God’s Kingdom."
Taoism Initiation Page
"The site is created and maintained by a small group of people interested in Taoism matters and inspired by Master Lu. It belongs to the Way of Perfect Emptiness , a non-profit organization committed to promote the ancient Taoist teachings."
United Methodist Church
"The people of The United Methodist Church are part of the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States."
Wicca.org
Informative site for the church and school of Wicca

Jessie Ball duPont Library

Religious Studies 301: Methodologies in Religious Studies

What are Primary Sources?

What Are Primary Resources?

Primary Texts from Many Religious Sources