An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and PracticesIn this second 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 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. |
Contents
1 | |
8 | |
Rebirth and Karma | 32 |
The Four True Realities for | 50 |
Early Developments in Buddhism | 88 |
The Varieties of Emptiness | 114 |
Mahayana Holy Beings and Tantric Buddhism | 151 |
The Later History and Spread of Buddhism | 194 |
Devotion 737 | 237 |
Other editions - View all
An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices Peter Harvey No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
actions activities Amitabha Arahat arising Asia attained Avalokites’vara awakening become benefit Bodhisattva body Buddha Buddha-nature Buddhahood Burma calm Canon centres century Chan chanting China Chinese consciousness defilements deity developed Dharma Dharma-body dukkha early Eastern Buddhism emphasized empty existence fifth figure final first five flow Gelugpa Gombrich Gotama Harvey idea India influence influential insight Japan Japanese jhana karma karmic karmic fruitfulness laity Lama lives Lotus Madhyamika Mahayana meditation mental mind monastery monastic monks and nuns nature Nichiren Nirvana Noble Northern one’s ordained Pali Pali Canon path Perfection of Wisdom person phenomena practice Prebish and Baumann precepts Pure Land rebirth reborn reflected religion ritual samatha Sangha Sanskrit Sarvastivadins Satra seen Southern Buddhism specific Spiritually Ennobled Sri Lanka Stapa stream-entry Sutra Sutta Tantras tantric Tathagata-garhha teachings temples texts Thailand Theravada things thought thusness Tibet Tibetan tradition translated True Realities Vinaya vipassana visualized Yogacara