
An Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism
With especial Reference to Chinese and Japanese Phases
William McGovern(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 9. September 2010
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-0-415-59124-9 (ISBN)
Description
William Montgomery McGovern's Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism was one of the first books on Mahayana Buddhism written for a Western audience. It predates influential English language overviews of Buddhism by D. T. Suzuki, A. Watts, and W. Rahula. The author was born in New York City in 1897 and spent his latter teenage years (1914-1917) training at the Nishi Hongwanji Mahayana Buddhist monastery in Kyoto, Japan. He founded the Mahayana Association at age eighteen and edited and published the journal "Mahayanist" while completing his studies at the monastery. Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism was written as part of a thesis which secured him his Buddhist degree and an honorary ordination as a Buddhist priest. Intended as a simplified and introductory text for a lay audience, the book reflects the unique perspective of a Westerner trained in Japan at a time when Mahayana Buddhism was little known in the West. Referencing Buddhist literature, it gives a short history of Buddhism and the divergence of schools of Buddhist philosophy, introduces the four noble truths, the philosophy of Karma, the nature of Buddhahood, reincarnation and the road to nirvana, Buddhist cosmology, and psychological and philosophical elements of Buddhist teachings. Although the divisions of non Mahayana Buddhist sects and philosophy described may be considered dated, Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism remains significant for its historical value in presenting Eastern religious and philosophical thought to Westerners at a pivotal time in history.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
General, Postgraduate, Professional, and Undergraduate
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
555 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-59124-9 (9780415591249)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

William McGovern
An Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism
With especial Reference to Chinese and Japanese Phases
Book
08/2013
1st Edition
Routledge
€76.60
Shipment within 15-20 days

William McGovern
An Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism
With especial Reference to Chinese and Japanese Phases
E-Book
10/2010
Routledge
€69.99
Available for download

William McGovern
An Introduction to Mahayana Buddhism
With especial Reference to Chinese and Japanese Phases
E-Book
10/2010
Routledge
€69.99
Available for download
Person
William McGovern
Content
Introduction: The Doctrinal Evolution of Buddhism. I Epistemology and Logic. II The Nature of the Absolute and Its Relation to the Universe. III The Trikaya - the Buddhist Doctrine of the Trinity. IV The Nature and Powers of Buddhahood. V Psyhology - Elemnts of Existence. VI The Wheel of Life and Road to Nirvana. Conclusion: A Short History of Buddhism and the Principal Buddhist Sects. Appendix: The Sacred Literature of the Buddhists.