The Emergence of Buddhism

Book excerpt: This brief survey tells the story of Buddhism as it unfolds through the narrative of the Brahmanical cosmology from which Buddhism emerged, the stories and myths surrounding the Buddha's birth, the Buddha's path to enlightenment, and the eventual spread of his teachings throughout India and the world. Jacob N. Kinnard helps readers understand complex concepts such as the natural law of cause and effect (Karma), the birth/life/death/rebirth cycle (samsara), the everchanging state of suffering (dukkha), and salvation or the absence of all states (Mivana). Several illustrations, together with biographical sketches and primary sources, help to illuminate the extraordinary richness of the Buddhist traditon. "At last, a textbook on Buddhism that integrates new and old methods for telling the story of Buddhism's development in India and its expansion into other parts of Asia; this book is a jewel. Kinnard's skill as an interpreter of material culture in the history of South Asian religions gives him insight into content students of Buddhism should know. Students will appreciate the towering personalities and dramatic choices of the men and women who shaped the story of buddhism in India and Other parts of Asia." Elizabeth Wilson Professor and Chair of comparative Religion Maimi University, Ohio "In an admirably succint fashion, Jacob Kinnard traces the development of Buddhism in India during the first fifteen hundred years of its history there. In so doing he sets the stage for the consideration of Buddhist traditions elsewhere, always attened to the Social, economic, political, and relious contexts in which this development occurred, the author pays particular attention to the lifestory of the buddha and to the evolution of his ongoing presence in his teachings, his relics, his images, and the pilgrimage sites associated with him. All of this is nicely complemented by brief teachings his relics, his images, and the pilgrimages sites associated with him. All of this is nicely complemented by brief biographics of prominent Buddhist historical figures and by a judicious selections of translations of pali and Sanskrit texts. Clearly and engagingly written, this classroom-friendly volume will also be of interest to scholars of religion. John Strong Charles A. Dana Professor of Asian Studies, Bates College Author of The Experience of Buddhism and The Buddha: A Beginner's Guide