Encyclopedia of Buddhism
Copyright © 2008 by Edward A. Irons
6.9mb
This book is meant to serve as a general introduction to and resource for Buddhism and other major religious traditions of East Asia. We do not mention Islam or Christianity, traditions covered in other volumes. And although we provide introductions to Daoism, Shinto, Confucianism, and other religious practices in East and Southeast Asia, the primary focus of the volume is clearly on Buddhism, in all its forms.
Yet, as the reader will soon discover, it is impossible to cover every area in such a broad subject. Inevitably, we have had to choose certain emphases. In the text, we focus on key individuals, regions, places, and schools; on basic terms that may be useful to readers; and on themes of relevance today. These themes include art, popular festivals, ecology, the role of women, engaged Buddhism, globalization, sexuality, martial arts, psychology, titles, and war. Such topical themes reveal our own inclinations as much as current issues in the field of Buddhist studies, and if any issue of importance is overlooked, we can only plead guilty and trust that other sources exist that will cover the topic
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