The Buddhist Handbook: A Complete Guide to Buddhist Schools, Teaching, Practice, and History [Paperback]

John Snelling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1992

Explains all aspects of this ancient religion, from the early history, world view, meditation practices, and festivals of Buddhism to the westward migration of Buddhist thought and its contribution to the field of psychotherapy. Included are chapters on Who's Who in Buddhism (a modern Western perspective) and contemporary Buddhist activities in North America.

This is the first book to provide an overview of Buddhism worldwide. A consumer's guide to Buddhism, this handbook serves as the perfect introduction. Offers an orientation to the different schools, concepts, interpretations, teachers, and organizations throughout the Buddhist world.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book offers a comprehensive worldwide cultural and historical view of Buddhism. The initial chapters detail its spread from India into China, Asia, Tibet, Japan, and adjacent areas. Later chapters deal with Buddhism in Europe since World War II, the history of North American Buddhism, and the influence of Buddhism on psychotherapy. The book is indexed and the appendixes contain a who's who in Buddhism; World Buddhist Festival dates; the addresses of the major North American, European, and world Buddhist societies; and bibliographies for each chapter. The only deficiency is that it's not a good guide to the practical details of meditation--the author believes meditation needs to be practiced under the direction of a teacher. Recommended for large public and college libraries.
- Del Cain, V.A. Medical Ctr. Lib., Bedford, Mass.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Scientific American

Snelling is a fine writer: his prose is clear and readable, infused with intelligence and humor.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 337 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892813199
• ISBN-13: 978-0892813193
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lives Up to Its Subtitle, June 3, 2001

By 

Elbert D. Porter "giggle3" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Buddhist Handbook: A Complete Guide to Buddhist Schools, Teaching, Practice, and History (Paperback)

This book really is an excellent, comprehensive guide to Buddhism. It will orient you in the wide array of Buddhist practices going on today, with historical and conceptual background from the Indian roots of Buddhism, through its spread over Asia and into the West, so you can get a clear understanding of what the differences are between Zen, Theravada, the various Tibetan schools, etc. At the end is a "Who's Who" of contemporary teachers a Westerner might meet or want to know about; then a list of useful addresses in the US and Canada; a festival list; a "further reading" list; and an index. I want to keep this book on my shelf for long term reference.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great companion for Buddhists new and old, March 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Buddhist Handbook: A Complete Guide to Buddhist Schools, Teaching, Practice, and History (Paperback)

This is a great companion for anyone interested in Buddhism. Features include history and practice as well as suggestions for daily life. Also included is a resource for buddhist organizations worldwide. Easy read, but a complete reference.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great history of Buddhism with some deep thought too, April 8, 2007

By 

Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Buddhist Handbook: A Complete Guide to Buddhist Schools, Teaching, Practice, and History (Paperback)

This is a highly enjoyable book which covers the development & spread of Buddhism from its inception to the late 20th c. It includes all major types of Buddhism, explains a number of terms in each, provides short bios of major participants (up to 1991 or so), addresses of many Buddhist organizations, list of festivals, & some exposition of Buddhist principles. Most of the book is historical rather than explanatory, however. It can serve as a useful reference work (though can be read through) but is not a definitive work on Buddhist theology, philosophy, or psychology. I found much of the historical information fascinating; amazingly, the author shows how many 21st c. arguments/approaches began much earlier--which was unknown to me, but : p. 53: "As the Buddha himself foresaw, even the dharma itself is subject to change & degeneration." Snelling does discuss the ideas of soul, self, sutra/tantra, the roots of Buddhist social activism, the development of a Western brand of Buddhism (lay oriented, with less emphasis on a guru), psychoanalysis & meditation, women in Buddhism, etc. enough to whet one's appetite without satisfying the need. I like his consistently nonsectarian writing as well as his down-to-earth & matter-of-fact approach, esp. to the Westernization of Buddhism. Much has occurred since this book was published (so parts are a bit dated) but these events were, per this book, foreshadowed by what went before. While some updating would be nice (a new addition, hint, hint...) & it's hardly "A Complete Guide to Buddhist Schools, Teaching, Practice, & History" (it's a bit light on the teaching & practice portions), the present volume is still well worth having on one's bookshelf.