Exploring the Life and Teachings of Mahayana Buddhists in Asia

Exploring the Life and Teachings of Mahayana Buddhists in Asia PDF Author: Ampere A. Tseng
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781536187021
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Buddhism is one of the world's oldest and largest religions having about 490 million followers. Mahayana Buddhists represent approximately two-thirds of the total Buddhist population. A large portion of Mahayanists resides in East Asia. They cannot be said to follow an undivided doctrine and have a unified religious lifestyle. Mahayana Buddhism, rather, consists of a multitude of ideas and practices with its followers holding various behaviors and attitudes. This book explores the lives and teachings of Mahayana Buddhists, who reside in Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Myanmar, as well as in the ancient Gandhara region (today's north Pakistan and east Afghanistan). The time frame covered is from the beginning of the Mahayana movement in the Ancient Gandhara region in the first several centuries of the Common Era to the present-day lifestyle and practices of the Mahayanists as they respond to 2020's COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the historical and doctrinal views of Mahayana Buddhism, the book features thematic chapters on topics, such as pandemic responses, Mahayana scriptures and sculptures, modern Mahayana teachings, charity, suicide, and ethnicity. The book also considers such social constructs as family and community and modern Buddhist movements in reshaping the traditional structures and cosmological beliefs of Chinese Mahayanists. In sum, this book is a unique effort to define the nature of Mahayana Buddhist life in the past and in the present as well as its teaching in Asia. It does so from various multidisciplinary perspectives"--

Exploring the Life and Teachings of Mahayana Buddhists in Asia

Exploring the Life and Teachings of Mahayana Buddhists in Asia PDF Author: Ampere A. Tseng
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781536187021
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
"Buddhism is one of the world's oldest and largest religions having about 490 million followers. Mahayana Buddhists represent approximately two-thirds of the total Buddhist population. A large portion of Mahayanists resides in East Asia. They cannot be said to follow an undivided doctrine and have a unified religious lifestyle. Mahayana Buddhism, rather, consists of a multitude of ideas and practices with its followers holding various behaviors and attitudes. This book explores the lives and teachings of Mahayana Buddhists, who reside in Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Myanmar, as well as in the ancient Gandhara region (today's north Pakistan and east Afghanistan). The time frame covered is from the beginning of the Mahayana movement in the Ancient Gandhara region in the first several centuries of the Common Era to the present-day lifestyle and practices of the Mahayanists as they respond to 2020's COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the historical and doctrinal views of Mahayana Buddhism, the book features thematic chapters on topics, such as pandemic responses, Mahayana scriptures and sculptures, modern Mahayana teachings, charity, suicide, and ethnicity. The book also considers such social constructs as family and community and modern Buddhist movements in reshaping the traditional structures and cosmological beliefs of Chinese Mahayanists. In sum, this book is a unique effort to define the nature of Mahayana Buddhist life in the past and in the present as well as its teaching in Asia. It does so from various multidisciplinary perspectives"--

Your Enlightened Mind Wants to Know

Your Enlightened Mind Wants to Know PDF Author: J. M. Walsh
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781478323419
Category : Mahayana Buddhism
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
What is Mahayana Buddhism? Author J.M. Walsh, a practicing Buddhist, sets out to answer this question by uncovering the earliest layers of the Mahayana tradition. Focusing on the teachings of one Buddhist school, he undertakes a metaphorical archaeological dig through Tantric, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian Buddhist sources. Citing an array of Buddhist teachers and scholars, he identifies connections to the ancient beliefs found along the Silk Road that link the world's major religions in a surprising way. He shares personal experiences that keep the narrative grounded in the reality of modern Buddhist practice.The diversity found in Mahayana, which leads some to view it as a meditative philosophy and others as a belief system filled with divine beings, is truly puzzling. Prominent in East Asia and Tibet, Mahayana differs greatly from the Theravada Buddhism of Thailand and Sri Lanka. The author leads Buddhists and those who are merely curious through an analysis of these competing strands, and identifies three different perspectives Mahayana could be said to represent: a cosmic law or Dharma; a practical life philosophy; and an emerging universal religion. All three views find support in the Mahayana tradition. His clear, logical writing and sound conclusions provide refreshing relief from religious dogma. His thoughts can serve as an antidote to the influence of fundamentalism in all its forms.Recommended by Independent Reviewers:Clarion Review - 5 Stars (out of five): "... Walsh offers a concise introduction to Buddhism, explores the significance of questioning the origins of teachings, and commences the often-returned-to listing of lineages, translators, and travels of Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings. Walsh also shares his deeply personal motivations for excavating the source of the Lotus Sutra, something he seamlessly weaves into the fabric of the book. The author's quest for clarity and understanding becomes a quest the reader might share. ... Walsh successfully pulls an immense amount of philosophical, esoteric, and practical information together into a profoundly meaningful conclusion that can leave the reader satisfied and potentially a little closer to realizing his or her Buddha nature."Kirkus Reviews: "Walsh investigates the origins of Mahayana Buddhism in his careful, honest search for truth on the spiritual path. Examining religious history can be a polarizing pursuit. The scarcity of tangible proof can lead to holes in the larger narrative, and faith can inspire both zealous belief and bitter skepticism. Walsh ... manages to avoid these pitfalls. His approach falls between scholarship and personal reflection; through investigating the many sources (but few facts) that surround the provenance of Mahayana texts ... Walsh triangulates a 'middle way' between skepticism and faith. ... any student of religious history will benefit from a reading. A sincere, penetrating history whose conclusions are both scholastically and spiritually sound."

Buddhism For Dummies

Buddhism For Dummies PDF Author: Jonathan Landaw
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119643260
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 403

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Book Description
Your hands-on guide to this widely practiced and ancient religion Buddhism, one of the world's most widely practiced religions, is a fascinating yet complex eastern religion that is rapidly spreading throughout western civilization. What does it mean to be a Buddhist? What are the fundamental beliefs and history behind this religion? Buddhism For Dummies explores these questions and more in this updated guide to Buddhist culture. You'll gain an understanding of the origins of this ancient practice and how they're currently applied to everyday life. Whether you're a searcher of truth, a student of religions, or just curious about what makes Buddhism such a widely practiced religion, this guide is for you. In plain English, it defines the important terms, explains the key concepts, and explores in-depth a wide range of fascinating topics. New and expanded coverage on all the schools of Buddhism, including Theravada, Tibetan, and Mahayana The continuing relevance of the Dalai Lama Updated coverage on daily observances, celebrations, styles, practices, meditation, and more Continuing the Dummies tradition of making the world's religions engaging and accessible to everyone, Buddhism For Dummies is your essential guide to this fascinating religion. P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, youre probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Buddhism For Dummies (9781118023792). The book you see here shouldnt be considered a new or updated product. But if youre in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. Were always writing about new topics!

Buddhists

Buddhists PDF Author: Todd Lewis
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118322088
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
Buddhists: Understanding Buddhism through the Livesof Practitioners provides a series of case studies ofAsian and modern Western Buddhists, spanning history, gender, andclass, whose lives are representative of the ways in whichBuddhists throughout time have embodied the tradition. Portrays the foundational principles of Buddhist belief throughthe lives of believers, illustrating how the religion is put intopractice in everyday life Takes as its foundation the inherent diversity within Buddhistsociety, rather than focusing on the spiritual and philosophicalelite within Buddhism Reveals how individuals have negotiated the choices, tensions,and rewards of living in a Buddhist society Features carefully chosen case studies which cover a range ofAsian and modern Western Buddhists Explores a broad range of possible Buddhist orientations incontemporary and historical contexts

Buddhism Across Asia

Buddhism Across Asia PDF Author: Tansen Sen
Publisher: Flipside Digital Content Company Inc.
ISBN: 9814519960
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 518

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Book Description
"e;Buddhism across Asia is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and spread of Buddhism in Asia. It comprises a rich collection of articles written by leading experts in their fields. Together, the contributions provide an in-depth analysis of Buddhist history and transmission in Asia over a period of more than 2000 years. Aspects examined include material culture, politics, economy, languages and texts, religious institutions, practices and rituals, conceptualisations, and philosophy, while the geographic scope of the studies extends from India to Southeast Asia and East Asia. Readers' knowledge of Buddhism is constantly challenged by the studies presented, incorporating new materials and interpretations. Rejecting the concept of a reified monolithic and timeless 'Buddhism', this publication reflects the entangled 'dynamic and multi-dimensional' history of Buddhism in Asia over extended periods of 'integration', 'development of multiple centres', and 'European expansion', which shaped the religion's regional and trans-regional identities."e; - Max Deeg, Cardiff University

The Different Paths of Buddhism

The Different Paths of Buddhism PDF Author: Carl Olson
Publisher: Rutgers University Press
ISBN: 0813537789
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
For centuries, Buddhist teachers and laypeople have used stories, symbols, cultural metaphors, and anecdotes to teach and express their religious views. In this introductory textbook, Carl Olson draws on these narrative traditions to detail the development of Buddhism from the life of the historical Buddha to the present. By organizing the text according to the structure of Buddhist thought and teaching, Olson avoids imposing a Western perspective that traditional texts commonly bring to the subject. The book offers a comprehensive introduction to the main branches of the Buddhist tradition in both the Mahayana and Theravada schools, including the Madhyamika school, the Yogacara school, Pure Land devotionalism, Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and village folk Buddhist traditions. Chapters explore the life and teachings of the Buddha in historical context, the early development and institutionalization of Buddhism, its geographic spread across Asia and eventually to the United States, philosophy and ethics, the relationship between monks and laity, political and ethical implications, the role of women in the Buddhist tradition, and contemporary reinterpretations of Buddhism. Drawn from decades of classroom experience, this creative and ambitious text combines expert scholarship and engaging stories that offer a much-needed perspective to the existing literature on the topic.

Impact of Buddhism on Socio-religious Life of the Asian People

Impact of Buddhism on Socio-religious Life of the Asian People PDF Author: Bhupender Heera
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Asia
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
The Book Analyses The Social And Cultural Transformation Of The People Of Asia, Particularly In Sri Lanka, China And Tibet Brought About By Buddhist Monks, Missionaries And Royal Personages In A Matter Of Centuries.

DK Eyewitness Books: Buddhism

DK Eyewitness Books: Buddhism PDF Author: Philip Wilkinson
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0756668301
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
This remarkable book explores the history and practice of Buddhism, beginning with the life of Buddha and continuing to the spread of Buddhism from Asia to the Western world. Beautiful photographs show the rituals, artifacts, and architecture that are important to the Buddhist tradition. See Buddha statues from many different countries and the Dalai Lama’s palace. Learn about the Wheel of Life and what the lotus flower symbolizes. Discover the Four Noble Truths, what life is really like for Buddhist monks, what happens during the Hana Matsuri festival, and much, much more! Explore the teachings and traditions of this ancient religion

The Flower of Chinese Buddhism

The Flower of Chinese Buddhism PDF Author: Daisaku Ikeda
Publisher: Middleway Press
ISBN: 1938252195
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
Beginning with the introduction of the religion into China, this chronicle depicts the evolution of Buddhism. The career and achievements of the great Kumarajiva are investigated, exploring the famed philosophical treatises that form the core of East Asian Buddhist literature. Providing a useful and accessible introduction to the influential Tien-t'ai school of Buddhism in Japan as well as the teachings of the 13th-century monk Nichiren, this examination places special emphasis on the faith of the Lotus Sutra and the major works of masters such as Hui-su, Chih-i, and Chanjan. From the early translations of the Buddhist scriptures to the persecution of the T'ang dynasty, this exploration illuminates the role of Buddhism in Chinese society, and by extension, in humanity in general.

The Heart Sutra

The Heart Sutra PDF Author: Kazuaki Tanahashi
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 1611803128
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
An illuminating in-depth study of one of the most well-known and recited Buddhist texts, by a renowned modern translator The Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra is among the best known of all the Buddhist scriptures. Chanted daily by many Zen practitioners, it is also studied extensively in the Tibetan tradition, and it has been regarded with interest more recently in the West in various fields of study—from philosophy to quantum physics. In just a few lines, it expresses the truth of impermanence and the release of suffering that results from the understanding of that truth with a breathtaking economy of language. Kazuaki Tanahashi’s guide to the Heart Sutra is the result of a life spent working with it and living it. He outlines the history and meaning of the text and then analyzes it line by line in its various forms (Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, Mongolian, and various key English translations), providing a deeper understanding of the history and etymology of the elusive words than is generally available to the non-specialist—yet with a clear emphasis on the relevance of the text to practice. This book includes a fresh and meticulous new translation of the text by the author and Roshi Joan Halifax.