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.
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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
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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.
An introduction places Buddhism in its historical and cultural contexts.
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. This series explores historical fictions and what we now believe to be historical truths. Each book focuses on a particular topic, such as a period, event, civilization, movement, religion, or person, and explores roughly 10 misconceptions. Chapters summarize the misconception, discuss how it arose and was propagated, and explain what is now taken as historical fact. The series helps readers think critically about the past and prepares them to be equally critical of the present.
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781440864049
Publisert
2019-10-11
Utgiver
Vendor
ABC-CLIO
Vekt
397 gr
Høyde
235 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
U, E, 05, 04
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
176

Forfatter

Biographical note

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.