This is the first comprehensive resource on the subject of love in the teachings of the world's major religions, cultures, and philosophies. Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions is the first reference work to offer a comprehensive portrait of love in the context of the classic and contemporary literature of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, as well as other cultures and philosophies. Like no volume published to date, it reveals the full richness of religious teachings on love in all its many forms, exploring an extensive range of topics that offer philosophical, psychological, and religious perspectives to guide the quest for the meaning of love. Encyclopedia of Love in World Religions features approximately 300 subject entries, as well as insightful biographic sketches of preeminent thinkers, all written by a multidisciplinary team of some of the foremost scholars on the subject. Entries examine both general and culture-specific interpretations of love: not just the dichotomy of spiritual and physical love, but the full emotional spectrum of love in relationships and practices. Collectively, they encompass love's integral--and sometimes conflicting--role in shaping beliefs and behavior in a vastly diverse world. 300+ entries covering notions of love that include emotions, actions, and relationships as expressed in world religions, philosophies, and cultures Contributions from nearly 200 distinguished international scholars representing diverse religious traditions and cultures A vivid and informative illustration program of classic art, drawings, and photographs representing love in the full spectrum of the world's spiritual cultures Bibliographies of key sources for each entry, with citations from a variety of disciplines (religion, philosophy, history, anthropology, and more) Indexes organized by concepts, titles of classic texts, and religions