21st Century: The Age of Sophia - The Wisdom of Greek Philosophy and the Wisdom of the Buddha

by Seiyu Kiriyama

Book by Kiriyama, Seiya

Genres: Philosophy

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the author's choice to split the book roughly into two halves. The first half being an overview of the important Greek philosophers, and the second being Buddha's philosophy and the establishment of the author's sect of Buddhism in Japan dubbed 'Agon' Buddhism. I had never heard of Agon Buddhism before, and was surprised to hear that it was a sect formed by the author sometime in the 70's. I found it interesting that the sect is based off of the Hinayana teachings, or Buddha's direct words, instead of the massively popular Mahayana teachings that have prevailed in Japan, as well as China, Korea, and Vietnam. I actually did not know there was a sect like this in Japan. In fact, I had often wondered what became of the Hinayana teachings in Mahayana dominated countries.

I also found it interesting that he drew a connection between Platonic philosophy and Buddha's concept of Nirvana, as being freed from future rebirths. The two are similar, because apparently Plato stated that the soul is sort of 'trapped' in our bodies, which imperfectly perceive reality through our fallacious senses. Once we die, if a certain wisdom is realized, our soul is able to live in the "pure" realm of knowledge in supposed peace-similar to Buddha's nirvana. I found this unique because I have heard Platonic or Neo-Platonic philosophy explained as an antecedent for Christian theology, but not so much in a Buddhist antecedent.

I rated the book as a 3 because toward the end, it seemed to turn into more of a testimonial to the author's own sect, and not so much a comparison between Greek and Buddhist philosophies, which was the intention of the book set forth in the beginning.

[Thomas Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really thoughtful and well structured book that examines the parallels between Western and Eastern approaches to the concept of wisdom.

Not much to say. It was really interesting. Glad I gave it a go and I picked it up.

[Erotic Horizon]

21st Century: The Age of Sophia by Seiyu Kiriyama (2000)