This book offers a provocative rereading of the early history of Chan Buddhism (Zen). Working from a history-of-religions point of view that asks how and why certain literary tropes were chosen to depict the essence of the Buddhist tradition to Chinese readers; this analysis focuses on the narrative logics of the early Chan genealogies—the seventh-and eighth-century lineage texts that claimed that certain high-profile Chinese men were descendents of Bodhidharma and the Buddha. This book argues that early Chan's image of the perfect-master-who-owns-tradition was constructed for reasons that have little to do with Buddhist practice; new styles of enlightened wisdom; or "orthodoxy;" and much more to do with politics; property; geography; and; of course; new forms of writing.
#838591 in Books 2005-08-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.00l; 1.34 #File Name: 0520245989343 pagesNorman G. Finkelstein booksBeyond ChutzpahMisuse of Anti-SemitismAbuse of History
Review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Exceptional expose of Alan Dershowitz's 'The Case For Israel'By JohnThis is really two books in one. The first 85 pages are an excellent discussion of the misuse and abuse of the term anti-semitism. The points are well made but border on overkill.The best part of the book is the much longer; highly detailed expose of the dishonest attempt at "scholarship" by Harvard's Alan Dershowitz in his 'The Case For Israel' (2003). Finkelstein is very detailed with exhaustive documentation. This is not pleasant reading; specially for those who believe all the pro-Israeli mythology that pervades reporting in the US. Dershowitz is clearly exposed as a world class liar; sorry; there's just no polite way to say it.For anyone willing to listen to all the international bodies that have studied the issues - this is an eye opener that's almost too painful to read. I did not read it until January 2014 and found it still highly relevant almost a decade later.The Dershowitz issues are nicely updated in Howard Friel's excellent 'Chomsky and Dershowitz: On Endless War and the End of Civil Liberties' (2014).This is not fun reading but if you want an adult dose of reality this will reward your efforts.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Thanks Norman for a well documented book that serves to ...By Philip J; Hearn; Jr.Thanks Norman for a well documented book that serves to save us from Dershowitz and Harvard University's attempts to minimize Israel's atrocities.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Educational but rantingBy FrezzroThe book was eye opening re: Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. The only problem was it was at times more of a rant with withering legal case details. But it was most definitely educational and i feel i more fully understand the history and cultural issues that perpetuate the status quo.
