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Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
 
 

Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

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4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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  • This item: Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Damien Keown

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Editorial Reviews

Review


"Damien Keown's book is a readable and wonderfully lucid introduction to one of mankind's most beautiful, profound, and compelling systems of wisdom. The rise of the East makes understanding and learning from Buddhism, a living doctrine, more urgent than ever before. Keown's impressive powers of explanation help us to come to terms with a vital contemporary reality."--Bryan Appleyard, columnist, The Sunday Times (London)
"The perfect book for anyone seeking to learn more about this religion....Holistic in its approach, Buddhism gives readers insight into an ancient and profound religion."--Medium
"An excellent and highly readable account of a complex and multifarious subject."--New Straits Times


Product Description

This accessible volume covers both the teachings of the Buddha and the integration of Buddhism into daily life. What are the distinctive features of Buddhism? What or who is the Buddha, and what are his teachings? How has Buddhist thought developed over the centuries, and how can contemporary dilemmas be faced from a Buddhist perspective? Words such as "karma" and "nirvana" have entered our vocabulary, but what do they really mean? Keown has taught Buddhism at an introductory level for many years, and in this book he provides a lively, challenging response to these frequently asked questions.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 152 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 15, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0192853864
  • ISBN-13: 978-0192853868
  • Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #81,646 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Damien Keown
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Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Say, do you have a book I can read about this Buddha stuff?, June 2, 1999
By A Customer
I wish I had read this book when I was first attempting to learn about Buddhism, because it is clear, concise, accurate, and (usually) respectful. It briefly covers the historical Buddha, the development and foundations of the different major branches, and the major themes, beliefs, and ideas. People are always asking me for a book that "explains Buddhism" and I always want to offer them something that has a good chance of opening their eyes. I used to give "What the Buddha Taught" but I plan on giving this in the future. Even though studious Buddhists may already know all the information here, it is still beautiful to read again in its simplicity and profunity. Also, a great biography.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very valuable insights in a very short introduction, February 15, 2001
By A Customer
This is not only an accessible volume, but also a very insightful one. Damien Keown has a good understanding of Buddhism and presented it in a short and simple format. Yet within its simplicity lies many valuable pearls and insights that are rarely seen in books of this size. There is the brief discussion on what is suffering in which he explain to great clarity why certain terms were used and what they mean. His dicussion on ethics is excellent. I would strongly recommend it to any reader, be it those only seeking a brief introduction or those who are already very well read on Buddhism.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Rapid religion, January 26, 2001
By Sarakani (Harrow United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
The quality of a factual book should be judged by its lack of overt partiality, comprehensiveness, sources and ability to make you think and ask questions. This book scores well on all points and above all reads like an essay which you can zap through.

It contains a good bibliography for follow up reading and includes details of the the award winning "Journal of Buddhist ethics" on the web which was partly established by the author. Apart from the author's erudition his book is backed up by other experts and has been reviewed by his students.

Above all the book analyses what is meant by religion (as Buddhism does not easily fit this classification) and provides a modern interpretation of this system of thought from all its major perspectives. The treatment of Mahayana Buddhism short, yet precise and on the whole Keown concentrates on highlights. Towards the end is a discussion on Buddhism in the West. The book also provides useful comparisons with other religions.

Compared to many small and "cheap" introductions to Buddhism, this book is fairly impeccable. It is not perfect (2 tiny errors I identified with regards to scriptural quotations) but will lead anyone interested to work out what Buddhism is for him or herself, rather than being spoon fed as it were. I was however, disappointed that the book ended so fast - and glad at the follow up leads left, by this trustworthy writer.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Short and sweet.
This is a great series I discovered while studying at Oxford. The books are short (hence the title) overviews written by scholars for a lay audience. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jeffrey Small

4.0 out of 5 stars Lives up to its title, fluently and accessibly
Finishing Damien Keown's "Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction" (Oxford UP, 1996), I compared his understanding to the book immediately prior that I had reviewed on Amazon, "god Is... Read more
Published 19 months ago by John L Murphy

5.0 out of 5 stars Brief Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism is a subject that has spawned a huge and bewildering number of books, all meant to encourage the Westerner in understanding its message and way. Read more
Published on May 25, 2007 by John F. Schilke MD

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4.0 out of 5 stars Bodhisattva won't you take me by the hand?
If Steely Dan was your only introduction to Buddhism then you need to get this book. I am so glad that I found these "A Very Short Introduction" books. Read more
Published on January 8, 2006 by D. F SHAFER

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Very Informative
The book while well written, has too many instances of false information. The book tends to group specific practices together as if every school of thought is the same. Read more
Published on December 11, 2005 by No one special

3.0 out of 5 stars Academic but biased towards Tibetan Buddhism
This book is well written and scholarly, but has a definite Mahayana and Tibetan bias. For instance, the assertion that reincarnation and states of future existance (hell beings,... Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic introduction
The Very Short Introductions series continues to engage me with each volume I read. Buddhism has been an area of potential interest for me for a while as a student of Philosophy... Read more
Published on February 16, 2004 by alexliamw

5.0 out of 5 stars Short and sweet
Part of a series by Oxford University Press, this book, 'Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction', follows the same format as other texts in the Very Short Introduction series -- it... Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend the Damien Keown version (May 2000)
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Published on April 21, 2003

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