The Story of Buddhism: A Concise Introduction - Hardcover

Smith, Huston; Novak, Philip

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060506962 ISBN 13: 9780060506964

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Synopsis

Going well beyond the masterful presentationof Buddhism in the bestselling The World's Religions, Huston Smith and his premier student Philip Novak offer an expert, contemporary, yet highly readable and incisive guide to the heart of this vibrantly diverse and rapidly growing tradition, one that has an increasing presence and importance on the American scene. Smith is universally regarded as the leading authority on the world's religious traditions, and Novak is an award-winning professor of world religions and a Buddhist practitioner immersed in the contemporary worlds of American and Asian Buddhism.

Smith and Novak respectfully cover the essential teachings, practices, and historical development of Buddhism in all its rich variety. Beginning with the life and legend of the Buddha, Buddhism explores core Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, nirvana, and emptiness. The authors go on to discuss the split between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, the continued divisions of Mahayana into Pure Land, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, and the confluence of Hinduism and Buddhism in India. The second half of the book follows the global migration of Buddhism and its continuing diversification and development in the West, especially in America. This compelling work by two great scholars -- a legendary teacher and his long-time student and colleague -- is the most insightful, up-to-date, and accessible introduction to this great and immensely appealing religious tradition available today.

About this title

Review

“A valuable primer on Buddhism East and West, old and new.” (David Loy, author of A Buddhist History of the West)

“Stellar...outstanding....Highly recommended.” (Library Journal)

“Those seeking to dip a toe into Buddhism will find this an inviting pond.” (Dallas Morning News)

“A useful primer for those new to the study of Buddhism.” (Indianapolis Star)

“This book is an impressive and accessible overview of the core teachings [of Buddhism]. (Inquiring Mind Magazine)

Synopsis

Going well beyond the masterful presentation of Buddhism in the bestselling The World's Religions, Huston Smith and his premier student Philip Novak offer an expert, contemporary, yet highly readable and incisive guide to the heart of this vibrantly diverse and rapidly growing tradition. Smith is universally regarded as the leading authority on the world's religious traditions, and Novak is an award-winning professor of world religions and a Buddhist practitioner immersed in the contemporary worlds of American and Asian Buddhism. Smith and Novak respectfully cover the essential teachings, practices, and historical development of Buddhism in all its rich variety. Beginning with the life and legend of the Buddha, Buddhism explores core Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, nirvana, and emptiness. The authors go on to discuss the split between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, the continued divisions of Mahayana into Pure Land, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism, and the confluence of Hinduism and Buddhism in India.

The second half of the book follows the global migration of Buddhism and its continuing diversification and development in the West, especially in America. This compelling work by two great scholars - a legendary teacher and his long-time student and colleague - is the most insightful, up-to-date, and accessible introduction to this great and immensely appealing religious tradition available today.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0060506962
• ISBN 13: 9780060506964
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 242