Water: a source of inspiration Introduction, Water and Animism, Water and Hinduism, Water and Buddhism, Water and Judaism, Water and Christianity, Water and Islam, Other world religions, Conclusions: from water wisdom to wise water management?

As one of the crucial life-sustaining elements, it is only natural that water has given rise to a multitude of beliefs, both religious and spiritual. These range from ancient mythologies and the fundamental nature beliefs of indigenous societies to the contemporary teachings of the major world religions. One common thread running through all of these is a reverence for water. But paradoxically enough, despite the deep respect for water and its prominent place in cultural and religious beliefs, in everyday life water is often taken for granted, polluted, spilled and fought over. How is it possible that in many societies with so much water wisdom this hasn’t resulted in wise water management but rather the opposite? And can religion still become an alley in achieving sufficient, safe and clean water for all? Let’s find out…

We’ll take a cultural and religious journey across the continents and the main world religions, starting in this chapter with the oldest known form of human religion, also referred to as animism or nature religions.