Covering all the Buddhist schools from Mahayana to Zen, this comprehensive, concise study is widely acknowledged as the classic introduction to the history of the Buddhist tradition. Authored by one the most distinguished scholars of Buddhism, it provides a compact summary of the tradition’s development, from the life of the Buddha in early north-east India to the twentieth-century exile of the Dalai Lama.
With skill, sympathy, and insight, Conze traces 2,500 years of Buddhist history, providing a lively explanation of the origins of Buddhism and its main doctrines. From homeless monks to the ancient symbol of the mandala, this authoritative guide is a perfect reference for students of all levels and a stimulating introduction for general readers interested in Buddhism and its teachings.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Edward Conze
Dr. Conze, widely known as a leading Buddhist scholar through his many publications (among them Buddhism: Its Essence and Development, which has become a classic), has published during the thirty years of his working life a great number of important articles which are scattered over many periodicals difficult or almost impossible to obtain. To meet a growing demand for the most important of these articles to be re-published we are presenting this volume which contains both translations and original essays: the indispensable report on Recent Progress in Buddhist Studies; the survey of Mahayana Buddhism which is still the only account based on the actual sources; the comparisons of Buddhist and European philosophy; the essay on Buddhist Saviours. The remaining articles deal with the Prajnaparamita on which the author is the leading authority in the West. The translations included will be specially welcome because reliable English translations of Buddhist texts are still rare. Thus this volume will be invaluable and indispensable for all students of religion and philosophy.
There are no reviews yet.