The Buddhist Way of Life - It's Philosophy & History

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THE BUDDHIST WAY OF LIFE

ITS PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY

This study of Buddhism Deals with the early tradition, followed by a brief consideration of its historicity, and the form the religion takes in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand. Then the main line of development, in India, China and Japan comes under survey. Limits of space prevent any reference to Tibetan and other lesser branches of the faith, but this account attempts to focus essential Buddhism in both its chief schools, the Lesser and Greater Vehicle, together with an estimate of the influence of philosophy on sect and of both on the practical affairs of history.

Preface The followers of Buddha, if we include those who are at the same time adherents of Confucianism, Taoism or Shinto, exceed those of any other faith, with the possible exception of Christianity. Like Christianity and Islam the religion of Buddha also claims to be a universal faith. Buddhism, therefore, is one of the world religions that specially call for a hearing. Though possessing the status of a religion it is, at heart, a philosophy, and it is impossible to do it justice without a certain amount of philosophical terminology, but no term is used without its significance being stated. Misunderstanding of the East often occurs on account of its theory of knowledge differing from ours in the West, and some Endeavour is made, in the course of this exposition, to explain that difference.

This study of Buddhism deals with the early tradition, followed by a brief consideration of its historicity, and the form the religion takes in Ceylon, Burma and Thailand. Then the main line of development, in India, China and Japan comes under survey. Limits of space prevent any reference to Tibetan and other lesser branches of the faith, but this account attempts to focus essential Buddhism in both its chief schools, the Lesser and Greater Vehicle, together with an estimate of the influence of philosophy on sect and of both on the practical affairs of history.

Some Pali and Sanskrit terms, for the Lesser and Greater Vehicle respectively, can hardly be avoided, but they have been used as sparingly as possible. N.B. thand ph are two sounds as in ant-hill and up-hill. Sanskrit e as in they; Pali the same, unless it is short, e.g., metta with e as in letter.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages