A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Concise Encyclopedia of World Faiths) [Paperback]

John Powers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000 | Series: Concise Encyclopedia of World Faiths

From the teachings of the early masters to the growth of the tradition in the West, this authoritative new reference tool contains over 900 entries supplying information on all the key doctrines, practices, and figures central to Buddhism.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Powers is professor of Asian Studies at Australian National University. He is the author of 16 books and more than 50 academic articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oneworld (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851682333
• ISBN-13: 978-1851682331
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,659,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short but thorough, February 16, 2002

By 

Theophanu (Hattiesburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Concise Encyclopedia of World Faiths) (Paperback)

This is an impressive pocket resource for Buddhism. Unlike some earlier reviewers, I did read it from cover to cover, and am very impressed. Powers' explanations of basic Buddhist concepts is very clear and straightforward. Of course in a work like this he had to be selective, but the range of entries is staggering, with good choices of what to include as most representative/interesting. He covers all the main Buddhist traditions, including modern western Buddhist movements. My only complaints are that he puts disproportionate stress on the twentieth century and on Tibetan Buddhism. His coverage of southeast Asia and Sri Lanka is very light. But it's definitely a VERY good reference work for anyone interested in Buddhism.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very handy reference tool, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Concise Encyclopedia of World Faiths) (Paperback)

I found this an exceptionally reliable and useful one volume reference book for my studies. For its size, it has an impressive coverage of terms, history etc. It is also affordable. I highly recommend it.

10 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Little Research Would Go A Long Way, October 5, 2000

By 

Michael J. Mccormick (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Concise Encyclopedia of World Faiths) (Paperback)

I picked this book up in the bookstore and read the selections dealing with Nichiren Buddhism. They focus entirely on Soka Gakka and the Nichiren Shoshu as if they were the only two schools of Nichiren Buddhism. The book does not even mention the mainstream school of Nichiren Buddhism in Japan, the Nichiren Shu, or the other legitimate Nichiren Buddhist sects like the Kempon Hokke Shu, the Honmon Butsuryu Shu or others. It does not mention that in Japan the Soka Gakkai is regarded as a cult, and the Nichiren Shoshu is a very tiny fringe sect that is not really regarded as Buddhist even by the mainstream Nichiren groups. The discussions of the Gohonzon and Odaimoku are likewise very shallow and do not hint at the deep spirituality of Nichiren Buddhism. As one of the first ministers-in-training with the Nichiren Shu, I was very disappointed to see this. John Powers needs to talk to Professor Jacqueline Stone of Princeton U. before he writes another word about Nichiren Buddhism. If the other entries of this volume show the same lack of research and care then this book deserves negative stars. I will leave that for members of other schools of Buddhism to decide.