Ireland and Buddhism have a long history. Shaped by colonialism; contested borders; religious wars; empire and massive diasporas; Irish people have encountered Asian Buddhism in many ways over 14 centuries. From the thrill of travellers' tales in far-off lands to a religious alternative to Christianity; from the potential of anti-colonial solidarity to fears of "going native;" and from recent immigration to the secular spread of Buddhist meditation; Buddhism has meant many different things to people in Ireland. Knowledge of Buddhist Asia reached Ireland by the 7th century; with the first personal contact in the 14th - a tale remembered for 500 years. The first Irish Buddhists appeared in the political and cultural crisis of the 19th century; in Dublin and the rural West; but also in Burma and Japan. Over the next hundred years; Buddhism competed with esoteric movements to become the alternative to mainstream religion. Since the 1960s; Buddhism has exploded to become Ireland's third-largest religion. Buddhism and Ireland is the first history of its subject; a rich and exciting story of extraordinary individuals and the journey of ideas across Europe and Asia.
#1869879 in Books John Hunt Publishing 2006-02-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.44 x .76 x 8.22l; .71 #File Name: 1905047517240 pages
Review
2 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Karbala Shia Shiite IraqBy William Garrison Jr.The author of this enjoyable; easy-read book is a Shia Muslim who was born in Iraq in 1937 C.E. and after several decades of searching for the "meaning of life" became a renowned Sufi theology master and has written articles and books on Sufism. The author is a nice pious guy; trying to get along with everyone. What I enjoyed most about the first quarter of his book was the author's description of growing up as a Shiite in the city of Karbarla; where the Shiite's 3rd Imam Hoseyain (Hussain/Husayn) was martyred when he tried to entice Islam's caliph Yazid to give up his overbearing governance. This I found interesting in learning more details about the various religious practices of the Shia when they annually commemorate the death of Hoseyain during the Ashura parades. The middle half of the book details the author's life in getting an education in Britain and the U.S.; then setting up oil-consulting offices in London or the Middle East. The last quarter of the book details his finding Sufism while wandering through Asia in answering his nagging question: "what is the purpose of my life?" Other book reviewers gave this book high praise for the author's revelations in living the Sufi lifestyle. If you are Sufi-inclined; then you will like this very engaging book. But if you not so inclined; it is a little hard to accept the author seeing the Muslim prophet Mohammad (who died 1;400 years earlier) in one of his séances. Interestingly; the author does not discuss specific instructions on how to become a Sufi; you get that in his other books. This Muslim author believes that the Hebrew State of Israel should not exist; as he believes Jews can live well as a dhimmi under any Muslim government -- if they can just overlook the occasional anti-Semitic pogrom. The author did note that many Jews were killed in the 1940s around Baghdad during one bad era for the Jews; but the author thinks that Jews should overlook such occasional Islamic outbursts and view their corpses; apparently; as incidental speed-bumps as Muslims drive along life's highway towards finding nirvana with Mohammad's Allah. As he concludes his book: Wa'llahu a'lam -- "And Allah knows best."2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Of the TranscendentBy Ali AbbasTruly a spiritual auto-biography; and is very relevant for the times we live in. The richness of his life experience in the land that is so near and dear to our hearts; the dusty yet spiritually fulfilling land of Karbala; the challenges and the sense of spiritual and cultural dis-location he faces; when he leaves the place of his birth and longing; for studies in a foreign land; i.e UK.It is the dialectic between the sacred and profane; between the east and the west that touches the initial aspect of the book.He writes eloquently; yet acutely of the spiritual tradition that binds him; with the plethora of spiritual sayings from the Prophet; the imams of the ahl al-bayt; and the mystics in Islam: in the mirror of the dislocation and disfigurement of traditional values; and the opulence that comes with the over abundance of wealth not earned; and that of modernity.He also shares of his sojourn to many Countries; in search of his sustenance; and this is where his spiritual journey also begins. He meets spiritual masters from other traditions: non Islamic; and is able to sense the innate Spirituality that is common among seekers on the path. What he finds striking is how these spiritual masters encourage him to proceed with his journey within the realm of his own spiritual up-bringing. At times; they are able to speak a language that transcends cultural barriers.Now he seeks to resolve the dialectic between the sacred and the profane in a different context and worldThere is a sense that he imparts to his readers: to seek a spiritual master in the quest of seeking the Face of the Divine. He is associated with the Shadhili Tariqa; along with other spiritual orders; and speaks of his countenance with them as well. His journeys take him from continent to continent; from the Middle East; to the archipelagos of Malaysia; and then India. Not to forget the spiritual retreat in the United StatesThose who have have had the fortuity of growing in the bossom of a Husaniyyah; or those who grew in the bossom of the shrine of the Imams; will gather the sense of and importance that is aligned to his familys name. He writes of very personal matters: of those woman who tended to him; who were part and parcel of the spiritual up-bringing; and who served him and his family. An extended family; in blood and spirituality. He writes of their daily routine; yet more importantly; how these men and women lives revolved around the cognizance of and the presence of the spiritual beings in their midst. Karbala; signifying what it is; he also shares the joys of his child-hood: as ordinary as any other child would do so. it is life with its vibrancy; filled to the brim with a sense of a fulfillment; yet he looks back with a sense of nostalgiaThe book reminds us that one has to create this sense of spirituality that is transcendent of place and even time: values that are universal and also wishes to impart the reader on how to solve the apparent contradiction between living a life with the Cognizance of the Divine in the river of ModernityHe closes this with a saying from our Master; 'AliYour remedy is within you - but you do not sense itYour sickness is from you - but you do not perceive itYou presume that you are a small entityWhereas within you is concealed the vast worldYou are indeed that magnificent bookBy whose alphabet the hidden becomes evident.Therefore; you have no needs beyond yourselfYour essence and secrets are in you - if you can reflectIt is truly a call to Self Recognition; of marifah6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Finding Meanings in Everything that Happens in LifeBy Anjum JaleelThis is the story of a man who followed his destiny with utter trust and dependence on the Source of all existence and found meanings in the ever-changing world around him.Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri is a realized Sufi master who has the rare ability to dive into the realm of meaning in everything that happens to him and around him.Although this book is his autobiography; Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri takes the reader through the events that unfolded around him and provides a spiritually uplifting commentary on them; which may lead the reader to the deeper meanings behind the events of today.The book is an excellent read and leaves the reader with wanting for more. Hopefully there will be a sequal to this wonderful book; especially on his establishment of the Academy of Self Knowledge.
