Jacobson presents Buddhism unencumbered by Western categories and concepts, free from the cognitive bias, from the concept-oriented, definition-minded preoccupations inherited from the ancient Greeks. It is an interpretation of the central ideas that have characterized all forms of Buddhism for 25centuries.
Kenneth K. Inada notes that “Jacobson has explored a field with authority and force. . . . He is at the ‘cutting edge’ where others must now listen and follow.”
According to Herbert Guenther, “This book is undoubtedly a major contribution to the field of sociophilosophical and sociocultural studies and to an understanding of the impact Buddhist thinking has on the contemporary Western mind.”
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
“Understanding Buddhism is one of the most beautiful and least-known books on Buddhism in English, a series of fresh, often stunningly original, essays.”
—Huston Smith and Philip Novak, Buddhism: A Concise Introduction
“Understanding Buddhism is at once historical, philosophical, dialogic, and humanistic. Jacobson’s approach is profoundly intercultural and universal.”
—Kenneth K. Inada
“Understanding Buddhism is an extremely well organized study, reflecting clear thinking and lucid style. . . . The scholarly approach is outstanding. . . . The width and depth of the author’s knowledge of both Western and Buddhist traditional ideas are far beyond what is often presented as a comparative study.”
—Herbert Guenther
“Understanding Buddhism is an extremely well organized study, reflecting clear thinking and lucid style. . . . The scholarly approach is outstanding. . . . The width and depth of the author’s knowledge of both Western and Buddhist traditional ideas are far beyond what is often presented as a comparative study.”
—Herbert Guenther
About the Author
Nolan Pliny Jacobson is the author of The Heart of Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhism: The Religion of Analysis, and Buddhism and the Contemporary World: Change and Self-Correction.
Product Details
Paperback: 228 pages
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press (March 19, 2010)
