Kukai and His Major Works: Kukai: Major Works [Paperback]

Yoshito S. Hakeda (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231059337 | ISBN-13: 978-0231059336 | Publication Date: October 15, 1972

Kukai, more commonly known by the honorific Kobo Daishi, was one of the great characters in the development of Janpanese culture. He was active in literature, engineering, calligraphy, and architecture and is represented in this work in terms of his major effort--the introduction of esoteric Buddhism from China, which resulted in the formation of the Shingou sect still active in Japan. Eight of his works are presented here.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kukai was a polymath who has achieved the status of demigod in popular legend: in part because of his virtuosity as a writer of Chinese, his books are too difficult to read by any but a very few scholars in Japan today. Hakeda's achievement in arriving at these lively and intelligible translations is of the highest order.

(Choice )

This book serves two functions remarkably well: being an easy to follow, lucidly written introductory work for the non-initiated, and providing for the expert for the first time in English eight of Kukai's major works.

(World Literature Today )

Language Notes

Text: English, Chinese (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (October 15, 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231059337
• ISBN-13: 978-0231059336
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #618,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Auspicious Introduction: Reader, Meet Kukai, November 29, 2004

By 

Myron Makewater "redcrosseknight" (Laramie) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kukai and His Major Works: Kukai: Major Works (Paperback)

This book was designed to introduce the non-Japanese world to Shingon Buddhism and the writings of its founder, Kukai (aka Kobo Daishi), and it does a good job at it. In the first third of the book, Hakeda provides useful biographical, historical, and doctrinal background. Translations of Kukai's writings follow, presented with clarity and nuance. The syle is lucid and elegant, if at times gender-biased and a bit stodgy. (This was first published in 1972 and took years to prepare.)

Kukai himself introduced Vajrayana Buddhism to Japan, much as Padmasambhava brought it to Tibet. His purpose as a writer, then, was to present his teachings in such a way as to preserve their integrity while ensuring their comprehensibility to an audience unfamiliar with this teaching. He did this brilliantly, singlehandedly founding a school of practice that is still alive and open for inquiries. For these reasons, Kukai's writings are a good place to start inquiring into Vajrayana practice generally.

In one passage that stands out particularly, a Buddhist monk exchanges questions and answers with an unnamed "patriot," who argues that the practice of Buddhism is actually a waste of the nation's resources, and therefore is nothing but trouble. (This may sound familiar to contemporary Buddhists, especially in the U.S.) You'll have to read the book to see how Kukai responds.

I'm grateful to Kukai and Prof. Hakeda for making these teachings available here and now.

Happy inquiry...

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Look at the Life, Though and Works of Kobo Daishi Kukai, May 10, 1999

By 

"a_blind_fool" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kukai and His Major Works: Kukai: Major Works (Paperback)

There has perhaps been no other more influential force in Japanese religious and societal beliefs than Kobo Daishi Kukai. This book tells the life of this colorful saint of the Japanese people, and presents an explanation of his thoughts and teachings. Here, the major religious writings of Kukai are translated, allowing the reader to glimpse at the depths of Japanese esoteric thought.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant biography on Kukai, April 2, 2009

By 

Gretchen Hintz (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kukai and His Major Works: Kukai: Major Works (Paperback)

I'm currently researching famous Japanese figures for a novel I'm writing. I purchased a few books focused on Kukai and Shingon Buddhism and this was definitely the most informative in getting a real understanding of Kukai, Shingon Buddhism, and the impact Kukai made upon Japan. The book is very thorough and feels incredibly authentic. Kukai made such a huge impact on Japan and it's sad that most of the western world does not even know he existed. This book was easy to pick up and read. Even one who barely understands Buddhism in general could benefit from this book, though it does go in-depth for the more experienced reader/researcher.