Encyclopedia of Buddhism - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0028657187 ISBN 13: 9780028657189

Publisher: Macmillan Library Reference, 2003

Synopsis

"Buddhism is one [of] the world's major religions with influences reaching far beyond its origins in East Asia, yet it is surprising that it has taken so long for a comprehensive reference source on this religion to appear. Macmillan's work covers not only the familiar topics found in many existing titles on Buddhism but delves deeper. Some 250 experts have crafted scholarly yet accessible articles on nearly 500 topics ranging from rituals and practices to art and Western influence."--"Reference that rocks," American Libraries, May 2005.

About this title

Reviews

Buddhism, according to the editor in chief of this encyclopedia, "is one of the three major world religions, along with Christianity and Islam." Unlike the other two, however, Buddhism lacks substantial reference works in Western languages. The majority are single-volume works, defining terms, concepts, deities, etc. The Encyclopedia of Buddhism, on the other hand, "seeks to document the range and depth of the Buddhist tradition in its many manifestations."

The nearly 500 entries are alphabetically arranged, signed by their authors, and conclude with see references and supplemental bibliographies. Article length ranges from 50 to 4,000 words. There are illustrations throughout, including three maps on the diffusion of Buddhism in Asia as well as an eight-page insert of color plates in each volume. The set ends with several time lines of Buddhist history and a good index. Given the long history Buddhism has enjoyed and the many different cultural regions and national traditions in which it has developed, two volumes are not enough to do the subject justice. Consequently, the entries tend to be thematic and inclusive in nature, with specific mention of, say, an individual or place being made within a broader survey article. While the cosmological, doctrinal, and ritual aspects of Buddhism are covered extensively, entries also treat the cultural, social, and political contexts that have shaped and been shaped by Buddhist thought (e.g., Economics, Education, Law). Entries for geographic locations provide nice historical surveys of the development of Buddhism to the present day and include the U.S and Europe. Buddhism's interaction with other world religions and philosophies (e.g., Christianity and Buddhism, Communism and Buddhism, Jainism and Buddhism) is treated. Finally, recognizing that Buddhism is a force in the world today, the editor has included entries that provide Buddhist perspectives on issues of contemporary concern (e.g., Abortion, Gender, Modernity and Buddhism).

The editor is correct to point out that covering Buddhism in its entirety is impossible in so short a work. Nevertheless, the Encyclopedia of Buddhism is a welcome addition to the reference literature for the tradition itself and, more broadly, Buddhist and Asian studies. Public and academic libraries serving readers with interest in these areas would do well to acquire it. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Macmillan Library Reference
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0028657187
• ISBN 13: 9780028657189
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 2
• Editor: Buswell Robert E.