Buddhist ideals of Enlightenment and the practice of meditation have caught the imagination of many in the Western world. For this book; author Andrew Powell and photographer Graham Harrison have traveled throughout the Far East; visiting Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka; Thailand; Burma; India; Nepal; Tibet; China; and Japan. They interviewed some of the religion's leading figures; including the Dalai Lama at his home in the foothills of the Himalayas.The book's powerful photographs immerse us in the landscapes of the East; revealing in touching detail the daily lives of both monks and laity. The text explores the major Buddhist traditions of Theravada; Tibetan Tantric Buddhism; and Zen; showing how they are withstanding the pressures and rapid changes of the late twentieth century. Together the author and photographer present a unique and beautiful portrait of one of the world's great spiritual and artistic traditions.
#816025 in Books Mary C Waters 1990-08-09 1990-08-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.80 x .54 x 6.00l; .73 #File Name: 0520070836224 pagesEthnic Options Choosing Identities in America
Review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Interesting read; flawed analysisBy Epoch WolfWhile I found the book to be an interesting study of suburban Catholics I did not find its conclusions to be valid.Mary C. Waters did a study of 60 suburban Catholics and applied her findings to every white American. She was trying to remove religion as a factor in her study which is a laudable goal. She forgot to take into account that the Catholic church is a very traditional/conservative institution. People attracted to the Catholic church are more likely to be concerned about family history and values and therefore their ethnic background. At no point did the book discuss this flaw in the study.The last chapter of the book has a discussion on racial issues that are not covered in other chapters. The discussion seems out of place for a book on the ethnicity of white europeans. At one point in the last chapter she uses a Dear Abby column to prove Asian ethnicity is not equivalent to Irish ethnicity.The book seems to be a product of academic curiosity combined with academic laziness.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Ethnic OptionsBy A CustomerMary Waters provides a provoking analysis and presentation of ethnic identity in American society. How people come to "choose" to identify in terms of ethnicity through influences of surnames; cultural practices and even diet are essential to understanding race/ethnicity. While the focus of the book is on Caucasians; I would consider Ethnic Options as a valid source for those looking to explore issues of ethnic identity.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Ethnic OptionsBy A CustomerMary Waters provides a provoking analysis and presentation of ethnic identity in American society. How people come to "choose" to identify in terms of ethnicity through influences of surnames; cultural practices and even diet are essential to understanding race/ethnicity. While the focus of the book is on Caucasians; I would consider Ethnic Options as a valid source for those looking to explore issues of ethnic identity.
