Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Geoffrey C. Goble is assistant professor of religious studies at the University of Oklahoma. He was a postdoctoral fellow in East Asian religion at Washington University in St. Louis and taught at DePauw University and Indiana University.One of the world's most popular religions, Buddhism is also one of the most misunderstood. This reference overviews misconceptions related to Buddhism and reveals the truths behind the myths.
Buddhism is practiced by millions of adherents around the world. Originating in ancient India, it spread throughout Asia and then to the West, and it exists in multiple traditions. Despite its popularity, it is also the subject of many misconceptions. This book examines those misconceptions along with the historical truths behind the myths.
The book begins with an introduction that places Buddhism in its historical and cultural contexts. This is followed by chapters on particular erroneous beliefs related to the religion. Chapters explore whether Buddhism is a singular tradition, if it is a religion or a philosophical system, if it is rational and scientific, whether the Buddha was an ordinary human, and other topics. Each chapter summarizes the misconception and how it spread, along with what we now believe to be the underlying truth behind the falsehood.
Quotations and excerpts from primary source documents provide evidence for the mistaken beliefs and the historical truths. The book closes with a selected, general bibliography.
Preface
Introduction
1. Buddhism Is Not a Religion
2. Buddhism Is Singular
3. The Buddha Was an Ordinary, Historical Man
4. Buddhism Is Rational and Scientific
5. Buddhism Is Psychology
6. Buddhism Is a Pacifist Tradition
7. Zen Buddhism Is the Essence of Japanese Culture
8. The Dalai Lama Is the Pope of Buddhism
Bibliography
Index
Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Did the Egyptians really worship animals and gods with animal heads? History is full of misconceptions that have been passed down as historical facts and become rooted in the popular imagination. Books in the Historical Facts and Fictions series help readers think critically about the past and prepare them to be equally critical of the present.
· Each book focuses on a particular topic and begins with a summary essay of that period, event, or movement to introduce the topic to readers
· Each chapter tackles misconceptions head-on by taking a historical fiction and exploring what people think happened
· The next section explores why the story took hold in the public imagination, enabling readers to understand the political, social, and economic context of the time and how it contributed to the belief
· The third section explores what really happened, supported by extensive analysis and primary sources, so readers have an informed understanding of historical facts