This book introduces the rich realities of the Buddhist tradition and the academic approaches through which they are studied. Based on personal experiences of Buddhism on the ground; it provides a reflective context within which religious practices can be understood and appreciated. The engaging narratives cover a broad range of Buddhist countries and traditions; drawing on fieldwork to explore topics such as ordination; pilgrimage; funerals; gender roles; and film-making. All the entries provide valuable contextual discussion and are accompanied by photographs and suggestions for further reading.
#10125465 in Books 2005-05-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.52 x .84 x 6.18l; 1.23 #File Name: 0415346525288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Should have gone for "tanha" insteadBy jonnosThis book contains a few interesting discussions on various Buddhist terms related to desire; but little that helps the reader understand the teachings better. It was perhaps not a good idea to concentrate on desire in general; it would probably be better to concentrate on tanha specifically; thereby linking to the four Noble Truths. The book may be more interesting for those with an interest in comparative religion.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Desired learning.By bookworm8An excellent read for anyone interested in Bhuddism or even philosophy in general. ALthough specialised; it is accessible to a 'lay' reader and raises some fascinating points. Worth the time and trouble to get hold of!
