An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices / Edition 2

by Peter Harvey

Overview

In this new edition of the best-selling Introduction to Buddhism, Peter Harvey provides a comprehensive introduction to the development of the Buddhist tradition in both Asia and the West. Extensively revised and fully updated, this new edition draws on recent scholarship in the field, exploring the tensions and continuities between the different forms of Buddhism. Harvey critiques and corrects some common misconceptions and mistranslations, and discusses key concepts that have often been over-simplified and over-generalised. The volume includes detailed references to scriptures and secondary literature, an updated bibliography, and a section on web resources. Key terms are given in Pali and Sanskrit, and Tibetan words are transliterated in the most easily pronounceable form, making this is a truly accessible account. This is an ideal coursebook for students of religion, Asian philosophy and Asian studies, and is also a useful reference for readers wanting an overview of Buddhism and its beliefs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521676748
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/22/2012
Series:	Introduction to Religion
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	547
Sales rank:	799,259
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Peter Harvey is Emeritus Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Sunderland. He is author of An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues (Cambridge University Press, 2000) and The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvāna in Early Buddhism (1995). He is editor of the Buddhist Studies Review.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The Buddha and his Indian context; 2. Early Buddhist teachings: rebirth and karma; 3. Early Buddhist teachings: the four true realities for the spiritually ennobled; 4. Early developments in Buddhism; 5. Mahāyāna philosophies: the varieties of emptiness; 6. Mahāyāna holy beings, and Tantric Buddhism; 7. The later history and spread of Buddhism; 8. Buddhist practice: devotion; 9. Buddhist practice: ethics; 10. Buddhist practice: the Sangha; 11. Buddhist practice: meditation and cultivation of experience-based wisdom; 12. The modern history of Buddhism in Asia; 13. Buddhism beyond Asia; Appendix on canons of scriptures; Web resources; Bibliography; Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Harvey's An Introduction to Buddhism is an admirably lucid, concise, and comprehensive exposition of the historical development and spread of Buddhism." Teaching Philosophy

"...the most comprehensive and detailed English-language introduction to the entirety of Buddhism in its historical development." Adris

"Peter Harvey's Introduction to Buddhism is to be recommended; in its breadth and scope it is without serious rival as an introductory volume...Harvey is to be congratulated on a rounded and sensitive presentation of Buddhist thought and practice." Times Literary Supplement

Editorial Reviews

"Harvey's An Introduction to Buddhism is an admirably lucid, concise, and comprehensive exposition of the historical development and spread of Buddhism." Teaching Philosophy

"...the most comprehensive and detailed English-language introduction to the entirety of Buddhism in its historical development." Adris

"Peter Harvey's Introduction to Buddhism is to be recommended; in its breadth and scope it is without serious rival as an introductory volume...Harvey is to be congratulated on a rounded and sensitive presentation of Buddhist thought and practice." Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher