Buddhism [Paperback]

J. Isamu Yamamoto (Author), Alan W. Gomes (Series Editor)

Book Description

Series: Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements | Publication Date: March 1, 1998

In the second half of the twentieth century, the failure of Enlightenment rationalism and the spiritual bankruptcy of Western materialism have opened the door for Eastern religions, especially the nontheistic religions that promise enlightenment and peace of mind. Any major bookstore today has copies of the I Ching, the Tao Te Ching, and books on Taoism, Zen, and other forms of Buddhism. This volume and the volume on Hinduism in this series together present a comprehensive overview of Eastern religions, their views, and their impact on contemporary North America. This book includes - A concise introduction to Eastern religions - An overview of the movement's theology -- in their own words - A biblical response - Tips for witnessing effectively - A bibliography with sources for further study - A chart comparing the groups' beliefs with biblical Christianity - A glossary

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Fast, informed answers to the challenges of false religions This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: A concise introduction to the group being surveyed An overview of the group's theology--in its own words Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group A bibliography with sources for further study A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with menu bar running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

From the Author

J. Isamu Yamamoto is an editor in Elgin, Illinois, who was formerly associated with the California-based Spiritual Counterfeits Project

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310489121
• ISBN-13: 978-0310489122
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult > Cults & Demonism
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > General
  • #44 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Comparative Religion

More About the Author

J. Isamu Yamamoto is the author of several books. He is currently the inspirational editor for Publications International, Ltd., and a consulting editor for Christian Research Journal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Why Contribute to the Cultural Genocide of Tibet?, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Buddhism (Paperback)

As can be gathered from other reviews of this series, I do not condone the erosion of others religious beliefs. That said, Yamamoto is one of the better contributors to this series, and does credit to a calm and detailed delineation of Buddhist,Taoist,Confucian and Shinto beliefs.

I have major difficulties with the evangelical imperative in this series, though. As Chinese Communists have been trying to exterminate all traces of Tibetan Buddhism since their occupation of Tibet fifty years ago, I do not believe that it is justified to try to compound that crime through the erosion of Tibetan Buddhist beliefs still further, otherwise that civilisation might cease to exist altogether. Judging from Yamamoto's careful delineation of other Buddhist categories, I suspect that he might have more luck with Amida, Pure Land and Nichiren Buddhists than Tibetan or Zen Buddhists. Moreover, I also question why Yamamoto believes it self-evident that the a priori propositions of his faith are true, and not those of the various East Asian traditions that he cites. I incorporate zen practices into my own syncretist spirituality, and I like the reliance on personal responsibility that is involved here. I also hold that the principle of karmic responsibility means that people are accountable for their actions, and that the boddhisatva principle means that Buddhists are ethically obliged to serve others. Still, stripped of the evangelical propaganda, this is an excellent guide to a major religious tradition. If you read it, ignore the latter portion of the book.

22 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A manual for Christian proselytizers, January 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Buddhism (Paperback)

This book sets up Eastern religions as a series of strawmen and then provides tips for knocking them over. As an manual for Christian evangelical chauvinists it undoubtedly would provide a reassuring read. On the other hand, if you are interested in actually learning about these religious traditions Amazon stocks many other books that serve that purpose and are not written with the intent to disparage other faiths.

12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, informative guide to Eastern religions..., April 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Buddhism (Paperback)

I found this guide to be an extremely helpful introduction to Eastern religions. In particular, the bibliography at the end of the book, which includes the Eastern classics such as the Tao Te Ching, the I Ching, the Analects, etc., plus other introductory texts of the major Eastern religions and schools of thought, balanced by various analyses from a Christian perspective of the differences between these religions and Christianity, is well worth the price of this brief guide. I have many of the Eastern classics in my library and plan to get them all, along with all the cited books related to these Eastern traditions, as well as the recommended Christian critiques. In this relativistic and pluralistic world, any work that affirms the differences between truth claims is welcome. I highly recommend it as a starting point to begin investigation.