30 review for An Introduction to Buddhism: Teachings, History and Practices

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Ellison – Apr 19, 2018

   This is a text book. A good one, I think it, but it is a little dry, even dull, and all the chapters weren't of equal interest to me. It is a good overview of the different branches of Buddhist belief, their differing philosophies and practices and how and where they have flourished or not. This is a text book. A good one, I think it, but it is a little dry, even dull, and all the chapters weren't of equal interest to me. It is a good overview of the different branches of Buddhist belief, their differing philosophies and practices and how and where they have flourished or not.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Jessica Zu – Aug 08, 2020

   definitely needs to be paired with dictionaries so students can search for weird terms themselves. otherwise top-notch. i’m teaching it this semester. will report back how students respond to this book

3. 

   5 out of 5

   vlthm – Jun 03, 2013

   I've read a little about Buddhism but got really specialists advices and this one is so far my favorite. It's really concerned about a scientific perspective, gives you a lot of histories from the sutras and it's very extensive about the developments of Buddhism. It's neither a "propaganda" book to answer questions of health or mental states, which is very annoying from a historian perspective, but more about what is buddhism historically and also philosophically (the authors really dig into phi I've read a little about Buddhism but got really specialists advices and this one is so far my favorite. It's really concerned about a scientific perspective, gives you a lot of histories from the sutras and it's very extensive about the developments of Buddhism. It's neither a "propaganda" book to answer questions of health or mental states, which is very annoying from a historian perspective, but more about what is buddhism historically and also philosophically (the authors really dig into philosophy even if really quickly) To read...

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Sabio – Jul 15, 2007

   By far the best intro to Buddhism But this is for those with an academic bent -- not for those who just want to try meditating. Harvey is a great author and shows all sides of the various types of Buddhism. Just as Christianity has more than a hundred sects (OK, they like to call theirs "denominations"), so does Buddhism. There is no one thing called Buddhism. And each claims to be the original teaching. Yawn. Humans are so predictable. By far the best intro to Buddhism But this is for those with an academic bent -- not for those who just want to try meditating. Harvey is a great author and shows all sides of the various types of Buddhism. Just as Christianity has more than a hundred sects (OK, they like to call theirs "denominations"), so does Buddhism. There is no one thing called Buddhism. And each claims to be the original teaching. Yawn. Humans are so predictable.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Jake Bornheimer – Jan 15, 2013

   This book brings both scholarly accuracy and readability. An excellent introduction to the many and varied facets of Buddhism. It covers all the bases: the Southern, Eastern, and Northern varieties. I highly recommend this book for any prospective students of Buddhism.

6. 

   5 out of 5

   Eko – Dec 20, 2020

   This book accomplishes a lot and traces the history of various forms of Buddhism from beginning to present day throughout the world. The author addresses key nuances of various sects and how these play out regionally. I think the author must be a practitioner because this would be hard to capture as a scholar alone. As with most academic writing there were sections that read very dryly, but I would recommend this book to those interested in understanding the basics of Buddhism and how it is prac This book accomplishes a lot and traces the history of various forms of Buddhism from beginning to present day throughout the world. The author addresses key nuances of various sects and how these play out regionally. I think the author must be a practitioner because this would be hard to capture as a scholar alone. As with most academic writing there were sections that read very dryly, but I would recommend this book to those interested in understanding the basics of Buddhism and how it is practiced throughout the world.

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Chris May – Aug 03, 2017

   Clear, concise and well written account of the history, philosophy and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions. It is not simply a surface level overview but has some great analysis of key Buddhist concepts and philosophical arguments. It also has a very helpful further reading section of free electronic articles and texts for a deeper look at many of the topics covered.

8. 

   5 out of 5

   Ben Fairchild – Dec 19, 2008

   I am re-reading this because its for my exams. Buddhism is such an inspiring religion for me because it is very well versed in the practicalities of highly intense spiritual work i.e. meditation, which is light years away from the practise of all but very few Buddhists but is just about within my realm. This comes from its very strong monastic tradition. It is also runs parallel to Christianity in many ways (Buddha the man that became Dhamma v.s. Jesus the God that became man) and it is very fai I am re-reading this because its for my exams. Buddhism is such an inspiring religion for me because it is very well versed in the practicalities of highly intense spiritual work i.e. meditation, which is light years away from the practise of all but very few Buddhists but is just about within my realm. This comes from its very strong monastic tradition. It is also runs parallel to Christianity in many ways (Buddha the man that became Dhamma v.s. Jesus the God that became man) and it is very faith affirming when it does so. Y'know that little Buddha guy; he's okay but I'll take an eternity over a 'great eon' (apparently the time it takes for a 'world-system' to go through its cycle of evolution) any day!

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Frank Jude – Sep 21, 2008

   An excellent 'all-round' introduction, it strength is particularly in its treatment of history, major philosophical themes, and practices. Its weakness is due to its age. First published in 1990, its treatment of 'contemporary' Buddhism is terribly dated. However, reading it today makes the dramatic changes in the last 18 years all the more impressive. I'd recommend this to anyone wishing to explore the over-arching traditions of Buddhism up to the last century. An excellent 'all-round' introduction, it strength is particularly in its treatment of history, major philosophical themes, and practices. Its weakness is due to its age. First published in 1990, its treatment of 'contemporary' Buddhism is terribly dated. However, reading it today makes the dramatic changes in the last 18 years all the more impressive. I'd recommend this to anyone wishing to explore the over-arching traditions of Buddhism up to the last century.

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Allison – Sep 30, 2013

    This book has really great information, but the writing is very dry and hard to get through. My first Buddhism teacher got sick, and our new professor thinks this book is a snooze. I would give it two stars, but the substance of the text is very thorough for an introductory text.

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Sarja – Jun 06, 2014

    A great and comprehensive introduction to Buddhism - read it together with some source texts!

12. 

    5 out of 5

    Matias Altalef – Mar 20, 2015

    So incredibly dry and boring, I could not bring myself to finish it.

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Yupa – May 28, 2012

    Utile come introduzione generica per i non specialisti. A tratti affetto da un approccio un po' troppo "confessionale" e poco critico. Utile come introduzione generica per i non specialisti. A tratti affetto da un approccio un po' troppo "confessionale" e poco critico.

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Josiah Miller – Aug 26, 2015

    Well written and readable. accessed pdf online.

15. 

    4 out of 5

    Jono – Dec 08, 2009

    Very good, but a bit too in depth to quite be termed an introduction.

16. 

    5 out of 5

    Rodney M Shearing – Jun 07, 2015

    easy reading and very wide ranging study of Buddhism.

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Hollis – Feb 03, 2009

    A thorough introduction to the Buddhist religion.

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Jenna –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Amanda –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Tim Bancroft –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Revanth Ukkalam –

22. 

    5 out of 5

    Grant Wilder –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    Susan Eppley –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Aya –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Rebecca Giacomelli –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Lisa Rheinberg –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Stefan Detrez –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Selamu –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Bernadette –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    James –