Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Penguin Classics (2004), Edition: New Ed, 556 pages
Description
While Buddhism has no central text comparable to the Bible or Koran, there is a powerful body of scripture from across Asia that encompasses the dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha. In this rich anthology, eminent scholar Donald S. Lopez, Jr., brings together works from a broad historical and geographical range, and from such languages as Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese. There are tales of the Buddhaʹs past lives, a discussion of qualities and qualifications for a monk, and an exploration of the many meanings of enlightenment. Together they provide a vivid picture of the Buddha and of the vast and profound nature of the Buddhist tradition. -- Publisher description.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AnnaOok
A very broad collection of scriptures from a variety of Buddhist schools, in modern translations (most of them new translations, and quite a few previously untranslated texts). The 1-page introductions to each piece by Lopez are intelligent and to the point. It gives a good idea of the size and
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diversity of traditional Asian buddhism. Show Less
LibraryThing member a1abwriter
I showed this book to one of my Buddhist friends and he explained what the difference between "pure land" and "Zen" Buddhism. With that knowledge in hand, I re-read this book. I found that what we have come to know here in America as Buddhism is, in truth “Zen” Buddhism. This book is more "pure
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land" with some ZEN in the back. Its worth the read to get some history and what the rest of the world practices but if your not a Buddhist or your just want somewhere to start to learn about Buddhism this is not the book for you. If you’re familiar with things and want some more "indepthness" then get this.To visualize the average American reading this book for the first time would be akin to being a Tibetan Buddhist not knowing anything about Christianity but wanting to learn and someone hands you the Dead Sea scrolls. It’s not a good place to start but it’s a nice middle ground Show Less
LibraryThing member JVioland
Interesting take on the basic beliefs.
Language
Physical description
608 p.; 5.11 inches
ISBN
014044758X / 9780140447583