I bought this because i live in a buddhist country and wanted to understand the foundations of their religion and culture a little more. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider buddhism one of the major. Clear, engaging and accessible, this essential book unpacks the history of buddhism and its ideas about self and mind, all in service of understanding how the west can best engage with the rising influence of this important and potent world view. In the second half the book shows us how to turn those requisites into a genuine living practice that embraces the whole of our life thus surely leading to the profound transformation that we all desire. The list is intended to include only those writers who have written books about buddhism, and about whom there is already a wikipedia article. This is an ideal coursebook for students of religion, asian philosophy and asian studies, and is also a useful reference for readers wanting an overview of. Reat covers the history of buddhism in a marvelously interesting and informative way that will appeal to the general reader. A history of the jews vintage book solomon grayzel babylonian exile to israel. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider buddhism one of. Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual, cultural, and social life of asia, and, beginning in the 20th century, it spread to the west.
Religionfacts does not necessarily endorse the contents of these books. The history of buddhism is similar to the history of china. The eight rival religions that run the world stephen prothero. This highly readable book is a welcomed edition for scholars and students of chinese buddhism, religion, history, and martial arts. From the time of shakyamuni buddha, based on whose teachings buddhism developed, to the present day, this religion has changed how millions of people view the world. The buddha was a charismatic leader who founded a distinctive religious community based on his unique teachings. The buddha shakyamuni or siddhartha gautama was born about 2565 years ago in what is now part of nepal. Discover the best history of buddhism in best sellers. Reynolds and charles hallisey buddhism in india luis o. However, he is believed to be the one who made buddhism popular. Beliefs and practices in ancient india there was no reason at all for the buddha to introduce another religion because at that time 2600 years ago there were already 62 religious cults in india alone. Donald s lopez jr, a buddhism scholar, also provides an invaluable overview of the foundations of buddhist beliefs. Foundations of the tradition buddhist religion, culture, and civilization frank e. Buddhist scholar donald lopez picks the best books on buddhism.
World historyworld religions wikibooks, open books for an. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. According to buddhist literature, it was prophesied that he would become a king if he stayed at home or a. The history of buddhism began with the life of the buddha in the 6th century bce and continues to the present day. Buddhism buddhism is a religion based largely around the teachings of the siddhartha gautama although his exact status is still controversial and changes by sect and is now the central religion of most of southeast asia, mongolia, sri lanka, and parts of china, nepal, india, and a small part of russia. History of buddhism buddhist history begins with the life and teachings of an indian prince named siddharta gautama, who lived around 500 bce. In that work, smith made the point that the concepts religion, religions, hinduism and buddhism are rather recent, of western origin, and, in an attempt to understand mankinds religiousness, inadequate. A history is a book on exactly that the history of buddhism. The buddhas teachings were preserved in the pali canon, which acts as an extensive analytical record written in pali, the buddhas native dialect. Topics include the formation of the buddhist canon, the cultural exchange between the east and west, and the. The panasian buddhist world buddhism in southeast asia donald k. Namse bangdzo bookstore offers a wide selection on buddhist books, fine tibetan buddhist art.
A contemporary guide to awakening stephen batchelor. Several months after the buddhas death, a period known as mahaparinibbana, 500 scholars and disciples of the buddha who had attained arahantphala, buddhisms highest level of sainthood, convened to discuss the preservation of the buddhas teachings. The history of buddhism spans from the 6th century bce to the present. Through a thorough examination of its early development in india, a new light is cast on littleknown aspects of buddhist history and its relevance to the understanding of buddhism today. After buddha became enlightened at the age of thirtyfive and realized that human suffering can be abolished, he set out to teach what he had learned on his path. A beginners guide book for true self discovery and living a balanced and peaceful life. Buddhism arose in the eastern part of ancient india, in and around the ancient kingdom of magadha now in bihar, india, and is based on the teachings of siddhartha gautama. Jun 27, 2016 according to buddhist belief, siddharta gautama isnt the first man to become buddha. In an era of hardening religious attitudes and explosive religious violence, this book offers a welcome antidote.
Buddhism, religion and philosophy that developed from the doctrines of the buddha, a teacher who lived in northern india between the mid6th and mid4th centuries bce. It covers thousands of years and several countries and cultures. In this video ill explain buddhism and well see who was the buddha. List of books and articles about buddhism in india online. The doctrinal foundations by paul s williams, buddhist religion. Best first book in the history of religions an authors first published monograph. A history of early buddhism religious studies cambridge core. Thompson deserves our thanks for taking us beyond easy claims of buddhist exceptionalism when it comes to spirituality and science.
This article has developed in response to a series of observations made over a decade ago by wilfred cantwell smith in his the meaning and end of religion. The fourth biggest religion in the world by number of followers, buddhism is split into different schools, of which theravada and mahayana are the most popular and wide. Buddhism arose, in and around the ancient kingdom of nepal and is based on the teachings of siddhartha gautama. Shakya is the name of the royal family into which he was born, and muni means able one. The religion evolved as it spread from the northeastern region of the indian subcontinent. Buddhism is a religion that was founded by siddhartha gautama the buddha more than 2,500 years ago in india.
The religion evolved as it spread from the northeastern region of the indian subcontinent through. Richard holloway retells the entire history of religionfrom the dawn of religious belief to the twentyfirst centurywith deepest respect and a keen commitment to accuracy. E and the belief system continues to the present day. Jan 19, 2020 a brief history of buddhism the history of buddhism begins in the sixthcentury b. The history of religions school sought to account for this religious diversity by connecting it with the social and economic situation of a particular group.
We sometimes think of a religion as having a single sacred text, whether it is the bible or the torah or. According to buddhist belief, siddharta gautama isnt the first man to become buddha. One of the great world religions, it is divided into two main schools. A brief history of buddhism the history of buddhism begins in the sixthcentury b. Books on history of buddhism namse bangdzo bookstore. The best books on buddhism five books expert recommendations. A history of buddhism namgyal monastery institute of. Buddhism encompasses an enormous diversity of practices and traditions, yet the basic teachings of the buddha remain the clear light at the center of all. Pali is considered the classical language of buddhism, and the documents preserved in pali make up the tipitaka as well as other buddhist. A history of buddhism the teachings of the historic buddha form the basis of the buddhist worldview and practice. The founder of buddhism in this world is buddha shakyamuni.
Jul 15, 2017 in this video ill explain buddhism and well see who was the buddha. The teachings of buddhism evolved over a long period of time, spreading from the indian subcontinent into other parts of asia. Buddhism is an indian religion founded on the teachings of a mendicant and spiritual teacher called the buddha the awakened one, c. Buddhism plain and simple you might want to digest this book slowly, a few pages at a time. Is there some highly recommended books about history of.
It covers a massive amount of ground in a fairly compact volume. The origin of buddhism points to one man, siddhartha gautama, the historical buddha, who was born in lumbini in presentday nepal during the 5th century bce. According to buddhist tradition, the sheltered young prince was shocked by the suffering he saw outside his palace walls, so he left his life of luxury to seek answers. This book is a remarkable labor of scholarship and dedicationi cannot recommend it highly. Typically, religions were divided into stages of progression from simple to complex societies, especially from polytheistic to monotheistic and from extempore to organized. Ambedkar,religious leader, an indian jurist, political leader, buddhist activist, philosopher, thinker. Some of the members of that community were, like the buddha himself, wandering ascetics. Buddhism is the first of the world religions to expand from its place of origin. A book for all those who are interested in the teachings and philosopy of buddha. Pierce salgueros buddhism and medicine is an amazingly rich and comprehensive collection of studies of texts and observed practices from all over the asian lands where buddhisms manifestations made extensive contributions to the cultures.
Buddhism a brief overview of the history of buddhism buddhism was believed to have started in india by siddhartha gautama. Buddhism is the fourth largest world religion with an estimated 350 million followers spanning the globe. If, on the other hand, youre secular but looking to bring some aspects of buddhism into your life, robert wrights why buddhism is true is an excellent starting point. Is there some highly recommended books about history of buddhism. Buddhism is a 2,500yearold religion and philosophy that originated in india, but has spread through most of asia and to a lesser degree to other parts of the world. Although zen teacher steve hagen has a knack for putting the philosophy of buddhism in a plain and simple package, it may take a while to sink in. Clear, engaging and accessible, this essential book unpacks the history of buddhism and its ideas about self and mind, all in service of understanding how the west can best engage with the rising influence of this important and potent world.
Buddhism is a religion that was founded by siddhartha gautama the. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today. Others were laypersons who venerated the buddha, followed certain aspects of his teachings, and provided the wandering ascetics with the material. However, newar buddhism has retained a distinct identity, and nearly all practices, art forms and castes remain.
Theravada buddhism is carried eastwards into southeast asia, in an upsurge of indian trade from the 1st century ad. Rather than the founder of a new religion, siddhartha gautama was the founder and leader of a sect of wanderer ascetics sramanas, one of many sects that existed at that time all over. Butons history of buddhism in india and its this fourteenthcentury tibetan classic serves as an excellent introduction to basic buddhism as practiced throughout india and tibet and describes the process of entering the buddhist path through study and reflection. Early texts have the buddhas family name as gautama pali. The history of buddhism is the story of one mans spiritual journey to enlightenment, and of the teachings and ways of living that developed from it. Buddhism a brief overview of the history of buddhism. The merchants and sailors are either buddhist or hindu, and. All are available for purchase on click book images for details. In chapters, he discusses the buddha in history and legend. May 20, 2014 the origin of buddhism points to one man, siddhartha gautama, the historical buddha, who was born in lumbini in presentday nepal during the 5th century bce.
The reader will learn about how buddhism migrated to and affected the cultures of various countries, including china, japan, korea, vietnam, and others. Buddhism during the rana dynasty 18461951 there is an incorrect assumption that, due to perceived similarity to tantric hinduism, that modern newar buddhism in nepal has largely been absorbed into mainstream hinduism. He was born as a royal prince in 624 bc in a place called lumbini, which was originally in northern india but is now part of nepal. The cambridge history of china has more than 10 volumes to cover the history of china, and. A collection of handselected books on buddhism, chosen on the basis of apparent usefulness and quality.
85 390 447 756 147 776 307 1088 179 1614 544 232 793 1390 1133 229 1137 607 685 89 882 1491 1566 779 1467 1124 162 1325 1208 685 482 51 2 265 1047 478 377 596 229