Buddhism is a widely diverse religion; with many traditions handed down through the centuries. The newcomer seeking to understand the sometimes contradictory spiritual texts can find it daunting. A Buddhist and professor at Oxford University now unravels these varied religious threads and creates a wonderfully clear and compact look at Buddhist history. From the ancient Indian context to Buddhism in countries beyond; from the Mahayana sutras to Tantra; it presents an account of the religion's development up through the 19th century; its doctrines and its schools. But the study also covers the context in which Buddhism developed; the external events that had an impact on the religion. Using the most recent scholarship available; it reflects on the Buddha and his teachings; the paths to awakening; the development in the Sangha; the Tripitaka and the Abhidharma; the end of Buddhism in India; and the practice of Buddhism throughout Asia. A truly enlightening guide.
#1150112 in Books Zenith Press 2007-09-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.25 x 6.25l; 1.39 #File Name: 0760329826352 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Bravery; heroism; tradgedy; an unbelievably massive fire; and the most decorated crew in the US Navy.By J. OmastaFinally after all these years an author tells the whole story as nearlly as it can be told; ( too many of the knowledgeable crew are now deceased). The book (hardcover edition) is well illustrated; complete with diagrams of the ship and the bomb stikes. It is important that the reader grasp the enormous explosive nature of fully armed and fueled aircraft both on the flight deck and especiallly the hangar deck. It is not the power of a single 500kg bomb or a second 250kg bomb that can destroy a ship of this size; it is the fire and sustained explosions from all of those armed and fueled planes that nearly blew the USS Ben Franklin out of the water on March 19; 1945. The heroic efforts of the crew of the USS Ben Franklin and the crew of the USS Santa Fe for fighting the fires until they were under control are the primary reason that Franklin survived the day.My father was the ordinance officer for VMF-214 VMF-452. This book will go down as the definitive edition on the subject.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent!By LACARExcellent. Extremely well researched and the author tells the story well. It's not often I find a "history" book that I can't put down. Was looking for information about a friend I had who was on the USS Franklin and the book even mentioned a buddy of my friend who had been one of those died in the bombing. I wish he could have been around to have read the book because in his later years he liked to talk about that event.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Awesome!!By Irish LadyThis book was very close to home for me and my family. My Mother's 2nd oldest brother was on the USS Franklin for the duration of the war. He was a Fireman; and also worked in the boiler room; that's where he was when this happened to the Franklin. I could think of his experience through the whole book. My Uncle was on the ship when it sailed into NY harbor and he came home to upstate NY. The metal pieces in his head left him with terrible headaches; and the pictures in his mind of men jumping overboard with their helmets strapped under their chins only to have their necks broken when they hit the water. How many he saved by taking the strap or the helmet off; but the many he couldn't save; gave him nightmares for many years after. The one thing my Uncle never did; was to talk about this Inferno.
