Buddha: a Graphic Guide

by Jane & Van Loon Hope, Borin

Paperback, 2008

Collection

Easy Reading

Status

Available

Call number

HOP-101

Publication

Icon Books Ltd (2008)

Description

This vast and complex non-theistic religion is woven into the fabric of Asian civilizations, from India to the Himalayan regions, China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and elsewhere. What is Buddhism really all about? Introducing Buddha describes the life and teaching of the Buddha, but it also shows that enlightenment is a matter of experiencing the truth individually, and by inspiration which is passed from teacher to student. 'An exemplary introduction ... persuasive and intelligently critical.' Times Educational Supplement

Media reviews

Times Educational supplement

Jane Hope's text is an exemplary introduction to a fascinating subject, being both persuasive and intelligently critical.

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NBD / Biblion

Dit boek munt uit in beknopte volledigheid, het is een duidelijke, direct op het essentiële gerichte tekst. Beginnend bij het leven van de Boeddha en de hoofdpunten van zijn leer (alleen jammer dat de 'Middenweg' geen afzonderlijke aandacht krijgt), wordt vervolgens in krachtige omtrekken elke

hoofdstroming van het boeddhisme, overeenkomstig de chronologie van hun ontstaan neergezet. De essentie van de verschillende Aziatische culturen waaraan het boeddhisme zich wist aan te passen, wordt eveneens weergegeven en er wordt ook plaats ingeruimd voor de gang van zaken in het Westen. Bij dit alles nemen de zwart-witillustraties van Borin van Loon aanzienlijk meer ruimte in dan de tekst, maar bij deze aanpak (hier en daar nadert de tekst een stripverhaal) zijn ze onmisbaar en bevorderen ze een vlot lezen. Een voortreffelijk boek. (Biblion recensie, Dr. A. Kurpershoek-Scherft.)

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User reviews

LibraryThing member misericordia

I didn't really know much about Buddhism when I got this book. It doesn't tell how to be a Buddhist, but it does tell you about the different kinds of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism and the current state of Buddhism. With most of the "Introducing" books it doesn't tell you everything in great

detail, it tells you enough to know where to go next. The graphic part of the book always help me associate images with concepts which helps me remember the concepts. So I rate the illustration better than just "comic" value, actually helpful. Page 145 and 146 has an excellent images that help me remember the meaning of the concept of reincarnation.
The reference section in the back, is useful for further study on the subject. I always find "Introducing" books a good starting point for finding out what a subject is about. I recommend the book for anyone who has a causal interest in what Buddhism is about. For a more serious look at Buddhism, well I don't know yet.

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2 more

LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen

I have been pretty sniffy about graphic novels but, I must admit that the factual application of the technique, as used by the 'for Beginners' series, works admirably. This book,as with others from the series which have crossed my reading table, is deceptively simple: it is written in a slightly

jokey fashion and every page is a sketch with a few tight notes around it. This tome is quickly read but, certainly supports a second reading. It is packed with as much information as one would expect to find in one containing ten times the 169 pages actually occupied.

This book takes us from the Buddha all the way through to modern day Buddhist theory with more than enough detail to satisfy casual interest, or to provide a solid basis from which the more serious student may launch an investigation of this ancient philosophy.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone wanting to acquaint themselves with Buddha.

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LibraryThing member Midst

'Buddha For Beginners' is a very entertaining book.

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