Buddhism A to Z - Softcover

Ronald B. Epstein; Buddhist Text Translation Society

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881393533 ISBN 13: 9780881393538

Publisher: Buddhist Text Translation Society (BTTS), 2003

Synopsis

Compiled by a practicing Buddhist scholar, in direct and easy-to-understand language, Buddhism A to Z provides insights for the academic yet is not difficult for a beginner.
It includes definition of terms such as bodhisattva, sangha, karma, dharani or mantra, skandhas or heaps, sharira or relics, anuttara-samyak-sambodhi or perfect and complete enlightenment.
It contains brief biographies on great masters and monks, such as
1. Kumarajiva, the translator of the Lotus Sutra
2. Xuan Zang, the Chinese pilgrim who journeyed to India in search of Buddhist Sutra, whose life was fictionalized in Journey to the West or Adventures of Monkey King
3. Bodhidharma, the Indian monk who is considered the first Chinese patriarch and the founder of Shaolin Kungfu
4. Huineng, the author of the Sixth Patriarch Sutra
as well as Mahamaudgalayana, Ananda, Hanshan, and more.
It gives summaries of the major Mahayana sutras, including
1) Amitabha Sutra, which describes rebirth in the land of Ultimate Bliss or Sukhavati
2. Avatamsaka (Flower Adornment) Sutra, which details the bodhisattva path to Buddhahood
3. Lotus (Dharma Flower) Sutra, the major text studied by the Tiantai school which unites all previous Dharma teaching into one ultimate teaching
4. Surangama Sutra, the classic text for the Chan, or meditative school as well as the Heart Sutra, the Vajra (Diamond) Sutra and others.
The book also provides background information on Buddhas and Boddhisattvas such as Amitabha, Sakyamuni, Maitreya, Samantabhadra, Universal Worthy, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu and more.

About this title

About the Author:

Ronald Epstein received his BA from Harvard University and his PhD from University of California, Berkeley in Buddhism. He collaborated in the translation of the Heart Sutra and the Shurangama Sutra under the direction of Tripitaka Master Hsuan Hua. He has been teaching philosophy and religion at San Francisco State University for 30 years and is also a research professor at the Institute for World Religions in Berkeley .

Review:

An important and welcome achievement for Buddhism in the West. -- Bill Porter, author Road to Heaven: Encounters with Chinese Hermits

a comprehensive handbook, not only useful for the interested beginner but also a treasury of teachings for the experienced practitioner -- Ajahn Amaro, Co-abbot, Abhayagiri Monastery

provides the right mix of scholarly attention and accessible language --David Batstone, Department of Theology & Religious Studies, University of San Francisco

About this edition

• Publisher: Buddhist Text Translation Society (BTTS)
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0881393533
• ISBN 13: 9780881393538
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 284
• Editor: Buddhist Text Translation Society Editorial Committee