Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Asia - India & South Asia    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - History    5. Buddhism - Theravada    6. History    7. Nepal    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Theravåada Buddhism    11. Buddhism    12. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

A Straight-Shooting Look at the State of the Sangha Today
This is a very important book, one that covers uncharted ground and grapples straightforwardly with the issues facing Japanese Buddhism today. In so doing, it also calls into question many of the assumptions and approaches prevalent in Buddhist Studies (both American and Japanese) and offers a much-needed reality check.
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Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - History    4. General    5. Japan    6. Office    7. Philosophy    8. Priests, Buddhist    9. Religion    10. Religion - Commentaries / Reference   

Subjects:  1. 1200-1253    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. Doctrines    5. Dåogen,    6. Eastern - Zen    7. Meditation    8. Philosophy    9. Religion    10. Såotåoshåu    11. Religion: general   

Editorial Review

In 629, a Chinese Buddhist monk named Hsuan Tsang left the Tang dynasty capital Chang-an (current-day Xian) and set off to India to see the principal shrines of his religion. His path was arduous, involving the passage of vast deserts and towering mountains, and the record he made of his years-long voyage served generations of travelers along the Silk Road until, finally, it was forgotten.Read more

Reviews (24)

A compelling Journey Through Central Asia
While not qualified to judge the author's comments on Buddhism, the book, for me, was one of the best travel books I've ever read.For some reason, Central Asia with its blood-stirring names -- Tashkent, Samarkand, the Silk Road, etc. -- has always fascinated me.Bernstein, in his 50s, did what I, now in my 60s, would have liked to have done but didn't -- travel the Silk Road and exotic points beyond.Perhaps his struggle with his mid-life crisis made his book all the more poignant to this old coot, but I found the story of the monk searching for truth and the story of the journalist searching for himself nicely completmentary.By the time I had finished this delightful book, I felt that I had accompanied the author along the way.And if Bernstein can do that for me, then I pronounce "Ultimate Journey" a helluva good read.

misses the mark
I'm a Buddhist, an international 3rd world traveler and I love travel writing.I thought I'd love this book and was very disappointed.The author should have taken the time to develop some Buddhist practice before launching into inaccurate intellectual Buddhist psycho babble.If you want to write about Buddhism, close the books and develop a mediation practice....everything else misses the mark.Without that perspective the book is boring.

travellogue and social commentary
_The ultimate Journey_Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Far East    2. Biography    3. Buddhism    4. Buddhism - History    5. China    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Priests, Buddhist    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. Xuanzang,    11. ca. 596-664    12. Travel / Asia / Far East    13. Xuanzang   

Subjects:  1. 3rd cent    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Buddhism - History    5. Buddhism - Zen    6. China    7. History    8. History: World    9. Priests, Buddhist    10. Reference    11. Religious    12. Tang Hoi,    13. Tæang Hòãoi,    14. Vietnam    15. Biography: general    16. Religion / Zen Buddhism    17. Zen Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. History    5. Japan    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions   

Subjects:  1. 13th cent    2. Buddhism    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - History    5. General    6. Historiography    7. History    8. Interior Design - General    9. Parakrama Pandita    10. Religion    11. Religion - World Religions    12. Sinhala Thupavamsa    13. Sri Lanka    14. StÃ¥upas    15. To 1505    16. History of religion   

Reviews (1)

The history of Buddhism's various branches
Distinguished professor of religious studies Carl Olson presents The Different Paths of Buddhism: A Narrative-Historical Introduction, a comprehensive introduction to the various branches of Buddhist tradition in both the Mahayana and Theravada schools, including the the Madhyamika school, the Yogacara school Pure Land devotionalism, Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and village folk Buddhist traditions. Chapters explore recurring themes in Buddhist narratives, philosophy and ethics in context, detailed technical examinations, scrutiny of the history of various schools, and much more. A smattering of black-and-white photographs illustrate this scholarly evaluation, ideal for those interested in acquainting themselves with the history of Buddhism's various branches. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. Religion    5. Religion - World Religions   

Subjects:  1. 2nd cent    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Buddhism - General    4. Buddhism - History    5. Madhyamika (Buddhism)    6. Mahayana Buddhism    7. Måadhyamika (Buddhism)    8. Nagarjuna,    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Buddhism    12. Religion / General   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Buddhism - History    3. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    4. Gautama Buddha    5. Relics    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

Academic Quality
An absolute must for anyone who wants to do an indepth study of Buddhism in China. Clearly explains the different ways of thinking in the various Buddhist schools in China.Read more

Subjects:  1. 780-841    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Buddhism    4. Buddhism - General    5. Buddhism - History    6. China    7. Historical - General    8. Religion    9. Religious    10. Zongmi,    11. Biography: general    12. Oriental & Indian philosophy    13. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Editorial Review

Much of what we hear about Buddhism today in the West focuses on its philosophy, and how it can change one's life. Throughout history, however, Buddhism's mythology, scriptures, heroes, and its promise for salvation from rebirth have been the Buddhist teachings that most people have known. Religion professor Donald Lopez has mastered a good deal of this immense lore and managed with Read more

Reviews (6)

A Scholar's Introduction to Buddhism
Donald Lopez, a professor of Buddhist and Tibetan Studies at the University of Michigan, is one of the best scholars who attempt to present a balanced, accurate picture of Buddhism as it has been practiced over the generations.His book "The Story of Buddhism" considers the actual practice of Buddhism, in all its diverse forms, in Asia, superstitions, magic, idiosyncracies, and all.In this way, it differs from most books that present Buddhism to Americans.These books typically focus on meditation, on the liberating, non-theistic character of the Buddha's teaching, and of Buddhism as a guide to life in the difficulties of secular 20th and 21st century America.Such works are valuable and important, but they fail to give the reader a historical sense of Buddhism. Some good information, but poorly organized
Lopez includes a lot of valuable information in this work.Probably more information than a beginner needs or wants.Also, I found the organization to be confusing.A much better book in this category, I felt, was Karen Armstrong's "Buddha".I also recommend "The Buddhist Handbook" by Snelling, although it is more idiosyncratic than the others.

Erudite and Insightful
Donald Lopez combines enormous erudition and a subltle artistic touch to take the reader behind the history, myths and practice of Buddhism. Appropriately titled the "story" rather than the "history", the book combines history, legend, anecdote, philosophy and anthropology to clarify and amplify on the numerous paths that we simplistically lump under the term "Buddhishm" while at the same time finding the common ground in all.The Book's effect is to break up what appears as a single point of light into a unified yet divergent spectrum of colors. Striking in its objectivity (the author does not hold back from revealing the all too human elaboration of the Buddha's message throughout history), the book is also a readable presentation of the author's insight into the essence of Buddhism and its potential for tranforming a person's life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - History    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Religion / Buddhism   

Reviews (1)

World-class Scholarship
I'm almost finished with _Zen Sanctuary of Purple Robes_ and I'm quite impressed with the organization and attention to detail.The Morrells have contributed heavily here to three fields -- Japanese history, Japanese literature, and Japanese Buddhism.The new and carefully-researched details they bring to light on the Tokeiji's history as sanctuary and, later, divorce temple for women, are both timely and historically valuable.In addition, their inclusion of much new translation also sets this book apart.Muju Ichien's (1226-1312) _Mirror for Women_ (1300), for instance, provides valuable insight into not only this monk's advice for women and men both, but into the general belief system of medieval Rinzai Buddhism as well.The volume also includes translation of numerous _senryu_ ("light verse," from the mid- to late Edo Period, 1603-1868), which particularly bring home the contemporary Japanese attitudes (both positive and negative) toward the Tokeiji as a unique refuge and recourse for women in domestic turmoil.The book's appendixes, endnotes, cross-referenced guide to cited texts, bibliography, and index complete this first-class effort.Well done indeed, and many thanks! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. Buddhism - Zen    5. Divorce    6. History    7. Japan    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Women's shelters    11. Religious communities & monasticism    12. Zen Buddhism   

Reviews (6)

Buddhism in Contemporary Tibet
For anyone interested in Tibetan Buddhism and what is going on in contemporary Tibet as a culture zone within China, this book is essential reading.Actually for anyone interested in the humanitarian side of helping Tibetans, it is essential reading as it explains the centrality of Tibetan Buddhism to Tibetan identity.As a student of Sogyal Rinpoche for many years, I am particularly interested in David Gemano's wonderful analysis of the impact of the work of Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche in East Tibet.Both he and Sogyal Rinpoche are regarded as reincarnations of Lerab Lingpa, the Dzogchen teacher of the 13th Dalai Lama.I am waiting for Gemano to write a whole book, expanding his insights.

A fair and balanced look
Having traveled extensively through Tibet and Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, and lived in Beijing, I was interested in reading a book recommended to me as "a true look". First of all, the comments of the first reviewer are absolutely dead wrong.Having read the Chinese propaganda, and really lived the Chinese propaganda, this is not it.Rather, it is one of the only pieces of scholarship about Tibet in recent history that doesn't fall victim to the Western agenda of portraying Tibet as sympathetically as possible.This is a complex issue, and both sides have done their best to skewer public opinion in their favor; however, to accuse these men of simply being mouthpieces of the Communist party is doing a great disservice to what is truly a breath of fresh air.For a good look at propaganda, go to a Beastie Boys concert.I applaud the editors for keeping politics out of their writing.I highly recommend this text to anyone curious about the real situation in Tibet.

Informative and challenging academic analysis
Having read the preceding comments, I find myself in sympathy with all of them to a certain extent (some more than others). Goldstein and Kapstein's informative and challenging edited collection is precisely that - acollection, and includes viewpoints from a variety of academic researcherson Tibet. AS a result, it does not constitute the accepted 'word' on Tibet,nor in fact does it present ANY single viewpoint. Certainly, it does notdeserve the accusations heaped on it by the first reviewer, but at the sametime, the editors DO come to a particular view of Tibetan politicalconsciousness that not everyone wouyld agree with. That view, if I mightsummerise, is roughly that the national identity generated around TibetanBuddhism is not necessarily a prelude to full-blown Tibetan nationalism,and therefore that Tibetan Buddhism can be allowed to flourish by theChinese authorities without it necessarily generating sympathy for theindependence movement). Personally I do not agree with this perspective,and it is clear that the writers are attempting to produce an academicanalysis which, as the Tibetan writer Tsering Shakya has recently arguedfor, cuts a path between the various absolute "black-or-white"political positions that surround the Tibet issue. At the same time, theauthors take odds with the widespread view that ALL Buddhism in Tibet isforbidden, and argue that (thankfully) many Tibetans are capable ofnegotiating a meaningful Buddhist revival despite Chinese communist rule(the extent to which this holds true in the 2 years since this book waspublished is another issue). As a result, it IS possible to read thiscollection as proposing an analytical agenda which is not exactly"on-message" in terms of the position of certain pro-Tibetgroups, but that is a LONG way from saying that it is Chinese politicalorthodoxy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Asia - China    4. Buddhism    5. Buddhism - History    6. Buddhism - Tibetan    7. China    8. History    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Tibet    12. Tibet (China)    13. Anthropology    14. Cultural studies    15. International relations    16. Religion / General    17. Tibetan Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Buddhism - General    3. Buddhism - History    4. Buddhism - Sacred Writings    5. China    6. History    7. Hongzhou (Sect)    8. Medieval    9. Religion    10. Religion - World Religions    11. Zen Buddhism    12. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (3)

A very useful short history
Since its founding around 25 centuries ago, Buddhism has spread widely and diversified into numerous schools of thought and practice. Summarizing this long history and describing succinctly the many schools of Buddhism is not easy. Yet Andrew Skilton has accomplished this feat with apparent ease. And making something look easy is the hardest task any scholar can face.
Mahayana Propaganda
I have a great respect for books, and I have at least as much respect for the Buddha Dharma, so it shocks even me to say that in my entire life I have only thrown away one book - and I mean into the trash - and this is it. One of the dark aspects of Buddhism is the pejorative way in which the Mahayanna traditions of Buddhism - Zen and Tibetan Buddhism - treat their Theravadan brothers. This book is full of just such treatment. For example, at one point in the book, the author states that one school of Theravadan Buddhism emphasized the four "Brahma Viharas" (the "noble qualities" of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity), even though - as he puts it - "there is no canonical evidence to support such a practice." This is simply not true. The Pali Sutthas are full of discourses on the Brahma Viharas. At one point they state that in a previous lifetime, the Buddha "became one with Brahma" by practicing the Brahma Viharas. This is just one modest example of the completely misleading way in which this book is written, and it doesn't begin to capture the negative tone it has toward Theravadan Buddhism. If you want to learn Buddhist history, do not read this book. It will give you a completely misguided impression of what that history really is. It is primarily Mahayana propaganda.

Know Where You Came From?
In the West, I find many Buddhists are primarilly interested in the pragmatic and practical aspects of the faith, so there doesn't tend to be a lot of interest in what gets typically written off as dry, irrelevant history. The ahistorical bent of certain aspects of Buddhist thought lends its weight to this. Knowing what has already happened, however, can be a good pointer for figuring out where you are, and an understanding of the history and development of Buddhism is a great help in this respect. Since most people don't have the interest, time, or patience to wade through a major work on the subject, Skilton's book will fill their need. A mere couple hundred pages in length, he surveys events in brief eight to twelve page chapters that are easy to read without being simplistic. One gains insight into the great sweep of Buddhism across Asia from Japan in the East right over to Persia in the West. There is also a topically organized, extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources to further any interest the main text has raised. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - General    2. Buddhism - History    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. RELIGION - EASTRN RELIGN TRD HC    6. Religion / Buddhism   

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bible - Topical Studies    4. Bible.    5. Buddhism - History    6. Criticism, Textual    7. Genesis    8. O.T    9. O.T.    10. Old Testament - Single Book Studies    11. Religion    12. Religion - Biblical Studies    13. Biblical concordances & commentaries    14. Books of the Old Testament   

Subjects:  1. 8th cent    2. 8th cent.    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Buddhism    5. Buddhism - General    6. Buddhism - History    7. Dohakosa    8. Dohåakoâsa    9. General    10. Religion    11. Religion - World Religions    12. Sarahapada,    13. Sarahapåada,    14. Spiritual life    15. Religion & Theology | Buddhism    16. Religion / Buddhism    17. Tibetan Buddhism   

Reviews (4)

In Vajrayana a good guy wears a black hat--3.5*
This history of the Karmapas reads more like novel than biography though it provides considerable biography & hagiography concerning Karmapas (heads of the Karma Kagyu branch of Tibetan Buddhism), especially the current controversy over the identity of the 17th Karmapa.Traditionally, the secondary Karma Kagyu lamas find a Karmapa via: clues left behind by a recently deceased Karmapa, dreams, visions, oracles, etc.Following the tragic death of one of them, the others cannot reach accord on the identity of the 17th Karmapa.There appear to be two factions: the Tai Situpa's & the Sharmapa's.Terhune was secretary to the Situpa; she seems to attempt fairness but does not succeed.For example, she says on p. 250: "Evening Mahakala prayers are required of the high lama & anyone who is serious of leading the spiritual life."This, of course, ignores other traditions--Western, Zen, etc.She seems to lack a higher level of abstraction.There are other books by Situpa supporters as well as one by a Sharmapa supporter & a Sharmapa website.It seems impossible for a westerner to reach a satisfactory conclusion based upon only these materials; scientifically there seem to be some errors in each, but it would be interesting to hear the Sharmapa's response to Terhune's saying he'd called the Dalai Lama a Chinese pawn.The situation reminds me of Deborah Tannen's "Argument Culture" based upon polarized views.Most of the allegations & court battles seem irrelevant to the main issue--e.g. whether there are one or two Karmapa Black Hats is irrelevant to the identity of the Karmapa.Unfortunately, modern legal & political methods failed to determine this, jeopardizing continuation of the Tulku system--where a major reincarnating lama inherits his prior life's assets, duties.Is this why the Dalai Lama indicated he will be the last one?It may reflect the westernization of Buddhism, for better AND worse.

Polotics and religion don't mix
If you are a person who believes that Buddhists, particularly high lamas, are above politics, this book will disillusion you right away. Unless you watch the world scene very closely, you probably are not aware of the saga of the Karmapa, the young reincarnation of one of Tibetan Buddhism's most revered and beloved teachers. Unfortunately, the current version, # 17, has been a pawn in an international power play between the Tibetans, Chinese, Indians, and factions of his own lineage, since he was recognized as a child. It is a fascinating story.
An inelegant propaganda book :)
With this book Lea Terhune, Tai Situ Rinpoche's secretary, simply takes several factious old assertions unsupported by facts and courts and proposes them again, but to a broader audience... it's just like trowing more mud on the mud and it's really nothing new in the Karmapa Controversy. In my opinion it's a very biased book simply stubbornly expressing -only one- of the controversy factions' views... very interesting is the fact that THIS BOOK HAS BEEN RESPONDED POINT BY POINT on the international - KARMAPA-ISSUE dot ORG - website. I suggest everyone to read both the book ALONG WITH the responses to it... it will surely be of great help in building up a fair personal point of view :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1985-    2. 20th century    3. Biography    4. Buddhism    5. Buddhism - General    6. Buddhism - History    7. Buddhism - Tibetan    8. China    9. History    10. Kar-ma-pa (Sect)    11. Kar-ma-pa lamas    12. Karma-pa XVII,    13. Ogyen Trinley Dorje,    14. Parapsychology    15. Parapsychology - General    16. Political History    17. Religion    18. Religion - World Religions    19. Tibet    20. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    21. Politics   

Subjects:  1. 1888-1959    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Buddhism - History    5. China    6. General    7. Generals    8. Historical - General    9. History    10. Military    11. Religion    12. Tibet    13. Tibet (China)    14. Tsarong, Dasang Damdul,    15. Religion / General