PDF A History of the Jewish People by From Harvard University Press in History

Description

This is the first collection of Buddhist legends in Japan; and these stories form the repertoire of miraculous events and moral examples that later Buddhist priests used for preaching to the people. As Kyokai describes his own intentions; "By editing these stories of miraculous events I want to pull the people forward by the ears; offer my hand to lead them to good; and show them how to cleanse their feet of evil" (p.222).Nakamura's book is actually two works in one: first an introduction to the Nihon ryoiki; and then an annotated translation. The introduction analyzes the life of the author and the influence of earlier writings; and provides a valuable synthesis of the world view reflected in the work.The annotated translation renders the more than one hundred stories into English narrative; with copious notes. Difficult terms are identified in the text with the original Chinese characters; while historical matters and Buddhist technical terms are explained in the footnotes.