Japanese Buddhism: A Cultural History (Paperback)

~ Yoshiro Tamura (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Upon reaching Japan, Buddhism, which was founded in India two thousand years ago, collided with an island civilization with its own firmly entrenched cultural and even religious infrastructure. The result, as the Japanese embraced this new, foreign-born religion, was a centuries long "chemical reaction" between religion and culture. This book, written by one of Japan's most outstanding scholars on Buddhism, traces that journey from the beginning through our own time. Japanese Buddhism examines how the religion shaped the people-with their own rich history-even as the people shaped the religion, with the result that Japanese Buddhism is unique in the world today. Delving deeply into the interplay between Buddhism and Japanese poetry, literature and even politics, this book is an invaluable addition to our understanding of Japan, Buddhism and the complex relationship between the two.

About the Author

Yoshiro Tamura was one of Japan's leading scholars of Buddhism. At the time of his death in 1989 he was professor of Buddhist studies at Tokyo's Rissho University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Kosei Publishing Company; 1st English Ed edition (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4333016843
• ISBN-13: 978-4333016846
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #760,946 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written- simple yet captivating, May 12, 2007

By	Bolokan Lucian "books lover" (Tel Aviv, ISRAEL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I've searched for a general introduction for the subject of Japanese Buddhism, I wanted to find a readable, fluent in style and information kind of a book. Among the first results I've found was Tamura's book. After I've looked at the table of content and saw the full scale of this impressive overlook into the subject, I decided to purchase it with no hesitation.I found the historical details and the philosophical explanations to be very clear, especially when comparing various Buddhist sects as "pure land", " Ten Dai" ,"shingon" and even "future Buddhism".
For me, the book was a "must" as I was starting writing my seminar on Japanese Buddhism, and I found it captivating not only in style, but also in the depth of the explanations it gave.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical view of Japanese Buddhism, December 20, 2006

By	Adelin Mcmillin "Granny Lyn" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wish I had this book in college going for a degree in Asian Humanities. The historic facts were well researched and yet, plainly written for academic understanding. Well done.