Buddhisms: An Introduction (beginner's Guides)
by John S. Strong /
2015 / English / EPUB
29.2 MB Download
Buddhisms: An Introduction represents a novel way of presenting
the whole of the Buddhist tradition in its unity and
multiplicity. Clear in its explanations, replete with tables and
suggestions for further reading, it should appeal to students,
yet also be of interest to scholars for some of its ways of
viewing the Buddha, his teachings, and the Buddhist community
through the ages.
Buddhisms: An Introduction represents a novel way of presenting
the whole of the Buddhist tradition in its unity and
multiplicity. Clear in its explanations, replete with tables and
suggestions for further reading, it should appeal to students,
yet also be of interest to scholars for some of its ways of
viewing the Buddha, his teachings, and the Buddhist community
through the ages.
The volume begins with an overview-introduction to the many
aspects of Buddhism by surveying the modern-day temples that
exist in Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace. It then recounts not
only the story of the Buddha’s life, but the ways in which
subsequent Buddhist traditions sought to overcome the absence of
the Buddha, after his death. Turning to Buddhist Doctrine, it
expands the notion of the Middle Way to depict the manner in
which Buddhism both avoided or incorporated the extreme teachings
extant in India in its time. It then goes on to show how the
theme of the Middle Way also helps us understand the transition
to later schools of Buddhist thought. Finally, it examines the
establishment and nature of Buddhist community life before going
on to show its development in the very different environments of
Thailand, Japan, and Tibet.
The volume begins with an overview-introduction to the many
aspects of Buddhism by surveying the modern-day temples that
exist in Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace. It then recounts not
only the story of the Buddha’s life, but the ways in which
subsequent Buddhist traditions sought to overcome the absence of
the Buddha, after his death. Turning to Buddhist Doctrine, it
expands the notion of the Middle Way to depict the manner in
which Buddhism both avoided or incorporated the extreme teachings
extant in India in its time. It then goes on to show how the
theme of the Middle Way also helps us understand the transition
to later schools of Buddhist thought. Finally, it examines the
establishment and nature of Buddhist community life before going
on to show its development in the very different environments of
Thailand, Japan, and Tibet.
Throughout, the author does not hesitate to lace his explanations
with personal anecdotes and insights gathered during over forty
years of studying Buddhism and travelling and living in Buddhist
countries.
Throughout, the author does not hesitate to lace his explanations
with personal anecdotes and insights gathered during over forty
years of studying Buddhism and travelling and living in Buddhist
countries.