Reviews (2)

a wonderful introduction to the history of Zen
Basically the book is just what it claims to be: a history of Zen Buddhism in China (it says "India" because it discusses the precursors to Zen in the Mahayana tradition and yoga). It is perfect for students interested in the topic.
Recommended for advanced students and scholars of Buddhism and religious history
Zen Buddhism: A History India And China is a new edition of volume 1 of the classic two- volume history by Heinrich Dumoulin (1905-1995), one of the world's most renowned Zen scholars. Covering the emergence of Zen through India and China, the new edition also includes additional notes by James W. Heisig of the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture; a new introduction by John R. McRae of Indiana University exploring recent developments in the study of Zen; and the complete original text. An excellent, thoroughly researched, in-depth history especially recommended for advanced students and scholars of Buddhism and religious history.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - History    2. Buddhism - Zen    3. History    4. History Of Religion (General)    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Zen Buddhism    8. Oriental & Indian philosophy   

Reviews (8)

Fascinating History and European Characters - And an Engrossing Search
This is really good book in every aspect (writing, research, choices of what to include, even the cover, layout, and paper!). If you are even slightly interested in Buddhism, or just an appreciator of good history, you will enjoy this book.

Lucid, heartbreaking, inspiring, masterful!
As a modern Theravadin Buddhist, I pride myself on adhering to the Buddha's "original teachings," or at least as close as one can come to them. Thanks to this masterful book by Charles Allen, I know now the circuitous (and fortuitous) path the Dhamma took to reach a contemporary American's experience. The story is amazing, and actually reads like an adventure novel -- one that pleasingly replaces violent derring-do with intellectual cliffhangers and edge-of-your-seat escapes.This may sound like a strange way to describe a book about philology, archaeology, and academic squabbles, but read the book and I think you'll agree it is highly appropriate. We in the West who are blessed enough to have been exposed to the Buddha's teaching owe a huge debt of thanks to these intrepid adventurers, and any reader of The Search for the Buddha will be glad to give thanks to Charles Allen and his publisher as well. HIGHLY recommended for all Buddhists, as well as for people interested in Indian history and comparative religion.

The Vagabond's Tale
I guess my favorite character in this immensely entertaining and instructive book would have to be Alexander Csoma de Koros a "Hungarian vagabond" (as Charles Allen characterizes him), born in Transylvania in 1784, who "had been obsessed from an early age with the idea of discovering the origins of the Hungarian people."As Allen explains "of the various theories about their origins, the one he favoured was that they were descendants of the tribe of Attila the Hun whose original homeland lay somewhere to the east of the high Pamirs." His quest led him, almost by accident, to the culture and (more important) to the language of Tibet.He compiled a Tibetan-English dictionary, making himself virtually the first Western master of this vast and complicated civilization.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India & South Asia    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - History    4. History    5. History: World    6. Religion - World Religions   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art, Buddhist    4. Asia    5. Asian    6. Buddhism    7. Buddhism - History    8. History - Medieval    9. Reincarnation    10. Reincarnation in art    11. Religious Buildings    12. Subjects & Themes - Religious    13. Architecture    14. Oriental art   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Asia - General    3. Asia - Southeast Asia    4. Buddhism    5. Buddhism - History    6. Eastern - Buddhism    7. Eastern - General    8. Ethnic conflict    9. History    10. Just war doctrine    11. Philosophy    12. Religion - World Religions    13. Religious aspects    14. Social aspects    15. Sri Lanka    16. Philosophy / Eastern    17. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (1)

Exploring the power of non-violent social transformation
Buddhism At Work: Community Development, Social Empowerment, And The Sarvodaya Movement by George D. Bond examines how the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka has sought to enlighten society through Buddhist and Gandhian ideals. Exploring the power of non-violent social transformation and the enduring strength of grassroots efforts, Buddhism At Work offers contemporary readers with a moving testimony to the positive power of collective will and labor. Buddhism At Work is a core addition to any dedicated Buddhist Studies personal reading list or academic library collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. Buddhism and social problems    5. Community development    6. General    7. Lanka Jatika Sarvodaya Shramad    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Religious aspects    11. Sarvodaya movement    12. Sri Lanka    13. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - History    3. History    4. India    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. History / Ancient / General    8. Non-Christian religions   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Asia - China    4. Asian    5. Buddhism - History    6. Cave temples, Buddhist    7. China    8. History - Medieval    9. Mural painting and decoration,    10. Mural painting and decoration, Buddhist    11. Mural painting and decoration, Chinese    12. Sutrapitaka    13. Tripitaka    14. ASIA    15. Painting & paintings   

Subjects:  1. 1222-1282    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Buddhism - History    7. Japan    8. Nichiren,    9. Priests, Nichiren    10. Religious    11. Biography: historical   

Reviews (4)

A New Favorite
In the past half year I have been studying Buddhism, and of all the books I have read, this is my favorite.I love how it combines primary source poetry, lovingly translated to preserve its measure and tone, with historical background that covers each Buddhist woman studied, as well as placing her in her original historical context.A well-reseached work, the author has extensive footnotes allowing the reader to follow up on particular items of interest.I highly recommend this book.

Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves
First Buddhist Women: Poems And Stories Of Awakening tells the true story of the wives, mothers, teachers, courtesans, prostitutes, and travelers who became the first female followers of the Buddha. Professor Susan Murcott offers a translation and extensive commentary upon the Therigatha, the earliest know collection of women's religious poetry, and contemplates issues of spiritual enlightenment and societal demands that are as important today as they were thousands of years ago. First Buddhist Women is written with a decidedly objective eye, observing equally both the positive aspects that Buddhism brought to the lives of women, particularly those women who pursued enlightenment or joined the sangha, and the negative aspects, especially those who were in effect widowed when their husbands renounced the earthly world following Buddha's example. Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves.
Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves
First Buddhist Women: Poems And Stories Of Awakening tells the true story of the wives, mothers, teachers, courtesans, prostitutes, and travelers who became the first female followers of the Buddha. Professor Susan Murcott offers a translation and extensive commentary upon the Therigatha, the earliest know collection of women's religious poetry, and contemplates issues of spiritual enlightenment and societal demands that are as important today as they were thousands of years ago. First Buddhist Women is written with a decidedly objective eye, observing equally both the positive aspects that Buddhism brought to the lives of women, particularly those women who pursued enlightenment or joined the sangha, and the negative aspects, especially those who were in effect widowed when their husbands renounced the earthly world following Buddha's example. Highly recommended for women's and Buddhist studies shelves.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - History    3. Buddhist nuns    4. India    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Women And Religion (General)    8. Women in the Tripiòtaka    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Religion / Buddhism / History   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - History    2. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Nonfiction    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Buddhism    8. Religion / Buddhism / History    9. Religion / Buddhism / Tibetan   

Reviews (1)

Reality Check for Soto Buddhism
This book was a fine example of scholarship in many ways, especially in the way it brings Soto Zen Buddhism down to earth andhelps fill in the gaps in our knowledge of Tokugawa Period Buddhism (usually ignored as "decadent"--an ahistorical slur that sheds no light on the issues). In some ways it reminded me of the fine work Gregory Schopen has done with Indian Buddhism, or with what Bernard Faure might achieve if he would learn to write and stop dropping names of French Postmodernists.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - History    2. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    3. Buddhism - Zen    4. Eastern - Zen    5. Philosophy    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Social aspects    9. Sotoshu    10. Såotåoshåu    11. Anthropology    12. Asian and Asian American Studies    13. Religion / Zen Buddhism    14. Zen Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - History    2. General    3. Religion    4. Religious    5. ASIA    6. Birth    7. Buddhism    8. Gautama Buddha    9. Pre-existence    10. History   

Reviews (1)

The Afterlife Comes Alive
I had no idea that so much fascinating information about death and the afterlife could be gleaned from ancient Chinese manuscripts.The author does an amazing job of reconstructing actual religious practice.Also makes great connections to Buddhist philosophy and rituals that are important everywhere in the Buddhist world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. Medieval    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - History    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Biography: general    5. Islam    6. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    7. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - History    5. General    6. Religion    7. Religion - Contemporary Issues    8. Religious   

Reviews (3)

A Superb Introduction
Originally published in 1955, E. A. Burtt's "Teachings of the Compassionate Buddha" remains in print nearly half a century later for a very simple reason - it is a concise yet comprehensive introduction to Buddhist thought. ~"What the world thinks of as life is really death"~
This is a comprehensive primer on Buddhist thought.Simple, but informative.Burtt begins with an excellent synopsis on the nature of religion and religious thought in general.It covers the two main branches of Buddhism- Hinayana (or Theravada) and Mahayana.It seems to be that the Theravadins are the followers of more conventional Buddhism with an orthodox canon, whereas the Mahaynas are more universal in their ideas and use later basic writings.Using the Tathagata's words, other things are argued e.g. taking on the life of a monk.The parables are very helfpful, and the one sticking to me most is the one about the acceptance of death.(mustard seed)There is less coverage pertaining to the Theravada school.These ideas of the Mahayanans I find more attracted to, except in some work from the later centuries where they start to argue for things like subjective idealism.The Mahayana religious ideal I do advocate however[pp. 124] 'The central idea in Buddhist teaching is the gospel of universal salvation based on the idea of the fundamental oneness of all beings."

great summary of Theravada and Mahayana differences
hey, i'm the first reviewer! ahem, imho, this book helps buddhists to understand the reasons forthe Mahayana 'split' from the Theravada tradition.This is the best brief popular-level discussion of this i haveseen yet. prof Burtt divides the book evenly into selections from Theravadaand Mahayana and has an essay in the middle on the causes and motivationsfor the split.Someone familiar with Theravadan sources looking for anintroduction to Mahayana sources would benefit from this book, as well asvice versa. Too often, contemporary Buddhist books tend to blur thedistinction and beginners cant be sure which tradition references comefrom.Anyway, many key selections are included in this book, from theDhammapada to the Lotus Sutra. It would make a nice source book for groupstudy, as well as being a good source for devotional study.namaste! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Religion - World Religions    3. Buddhism    4. Religion / Buddhism / History   

Reviews (1)

Grind your axe somewhere else
These sages' examples of bravery and devotion are inspiring.Their words, deeds, and teachings stand alone like all great masters. I feel blessed to have seen, read and spoken their sacred words.For that I am greatful, however, what these sages do not need is a rude and angry woman standing on their shoulders with an axe to grind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Buddhism    4. Buddhism - History    5. Buddhism - Zen    6. Buddhist nuns    7. Buddhist women    8. Religion    9. Women    10. Women And Religion (General)    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Religion / Buddhism / History   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Buddhism - History    3. Eastern - Buddhism    4. Philosophy    5. History-Ancient - Egypt    6. Philosophy / Eastern / Buddhism    7. Religion-Buddhism - History   

Reviews (2)

Concise and Inspiring!
This CD is about 90 minutes long.I think it's perfect because it's not so long that it's overwhelming or daunting to listen to the whole thing, even in one sitting.I already knew a little bit about Buddhism, but through the CD I learned about the history, specific principles it's based on, etc.The first 60 minutes are simple, concise and very inspirational descriptions of the different aspects of Buddhism.The last 30 minutes contains two guided meditations - one is a Mindfulness Meditation and one is a Loving-Kindness Meditation.So beautiful and inspiring!Would definitely recommend this CD.

Almost too short.
I bought this CD in hopes of listening to it several times; picking up new things here and there, but really, it is just as the title says "beginner's guide." Guess I was expecting a little bit more...I listened to it twice, then moved on.If you are totally 100% new to Buddhism, then this in an okay introduction; though perhaps you money would be better spent on The Complete Idiot's Guide to Zen Living or Buddhism for Dummies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Inspirational/Philosophy    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - History    5. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    6. Religion    7. Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

From its inception to its expansion during the middle ages and modern Zen movements
Zen Buddhism: A History Japan is the new edition of volume two of Zen scholar Dumoulin's classic two-volume reference of the history of Zen. Specifically focusing upon the development of Zen in Japan from its inception to its expansion during the middle ages and modern Zen movements, Zen Buddhism: A History Japan has now been enhanced with notes by James W. Heisig of the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture and a new introduction by Victor Sogen Hori of McGill University. Zen Buddhism: A History Japan is an extensive, in-depth, scholarly, superbly written and presented resource and reference, intended especially for scholars, historians, and students of Zen Buddhism due to its thorough detail.
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Subjects:  1. Buddhism - History    2. Buddhism - Zen    3. History    4. History Of Religion (General)    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Zen Buddhism    8. Philosophy