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Buddhism: A History
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 12, 2015
Buddhism is at least 2500 years old now, and ranks among the world's most ancient religions. It would be an understatement to say that no one book could adequately cover the entirety of this history, and the author here acknowledges this point. Any general survey has to start somewhere though, and this book was useful from that perspective.
The chapters trace the movement of Buddhism from its early, semi-legendary days with Shakyamuni Buddha, up to its current status as an international religion found in the West. Information about specific countries and their relationship with Buddhism is cursory, and if you want to find out more you'll have to acquire more detailed works or do some googling. But what emerges from this reading is a good bird's-eye view of where and how Buddhism developed--moving from its start in what is now Nepal/India, then into Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. As it traveled, it took on new forms and variations suited to the people or circumstances of that age. There is an interesting parallel with Christianity in that Buddhism is no longer a popular religion in its place of origin. Very few Indians identify as Buddhist, just as Christians are now a minority in the Middle East.
Something else which becomes clear while reading is that Buddhism was--and still is--not immune to human weakness. There is a popular myth among Westerners that Buddhists never participate in war or violence, which is not true. In Japan alone, Buddhist sects often fielded their own armies during the Warring States era, forming alliances with clan armies and participating in local politics. In China there were periods of grotesque corruption and greed among the Buddhist elite, which eventually diluted its message of simplicity and wisdom. In other words, Buddhism is a human thing like other religions, and is not perfect. However, it is highly adaptable and willing to accept change, which is reflected not only in its teachings, but in the journey it took to the present day.
The chapters trace the movement of Buddhism from its early, semi-legendary days with Shakyamuni Buddha, up to its current status as an international religion found in the West. Information about specific countries and their relationship with Buddhism is cursory, and if you want to find out more you'll have to acquire more detailed works or do some googling. But what emerges from this reading is a good bird's-eye view of where and how Buddhism developed--moving from its start in what is now Nepal/India, then into Central Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan. As it traveled, it took on new forms and variations suited to the people or circumstances of that age. There is an interesting parallel with Christianity in that Buddhism is no longer a popular religion in its place of origin. Very few Indians identify as Buddhist, just as Christians are now a minority in the Middle East.
Something else which becomes clear while reading is that Buddhism was--and still is--not immune to human weakness. There is a popular myth among Westerners that Buddhists never participate in war or violence, which is not true. In Japan alone, Buddhist sects often fielded their own armies during the Warring States era, forming alliances with clan armies and participating in local politics. In China there were periods of grotesque corruption and greed among the Buddhist elite, which eventually diluted its message of simplicity and wisdom. In other words, Buddhism is a human thing like other religions, and is not perfect. However, it is highly adaptable and willing to accept change, which is reflected not only in its teachings, but in the journey it took to the present day.
May 9, 2019
Dense, detailed, dry - though a few humorous anecdotes (or maybe antidotes is the better term) exist.
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July 22, 2022This is a very good history of Buddhism. Make no mistake, it's an academic treatment of the subject, so if you're looking for a popular writing style you'll be disappointed. But as an academic overview it's very well done.
I own a history of Christanity that made a similar attempt, but ended up being far too dense and detailed. Good as a reference book, but not to read end to end. This title, however, treads that line perfectly and relays the basic outline of Buddhism without skipping any essential details, or being overly verbose.
Reat also injects a very good explanation of the religion/philosophy itself, and is respectful to all branches and schools of Buddhism. Some of his concise explanations get to the heart of the religion quickly and accurately, which also makes this a good book to understand Buddhism itself, and not just it's history.
I own a history of Christanity that made a similar attempt, but ended up being far too dense and detailed. Good as a reference book, but not to read end to end. This title, however, treads that line perfectly and relays the basic outline of Buddhism without skipping any essential details, or being overly verbose.
Reat also injects a very good explanation of the religion/philosophy itself, and is respectful to all branches and schools of Buddhism. Some of his concise explanations get to the heart of the religion quickly and accurately, which also makes this a good book to understand Buddhism itself, and not just it's history.
September 28, 2015
A straight forward history. Dispassionate, a little dull, but well worth reading for anyone looking for an overview of the Buddhism's start and spread up to 1994.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews