Letters of Nichiren (Hardcover)

~ Philip Yampolsky (Editor), (Translator), others (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Burton Watson's translation of the collected letters of Nichiren reminds me of an archaeological excavation, whereby a whole cross section of thirteenth-century Japan is laid bare. Here, too, the goal is mainly to preserve historical artifacts. Nichiren's letters to his disciples have been expertly sorted and catalogued, and they tell an enigmatic story about the time in which he lived. Through Watson's lyrical skill as a translator, Nichiren's own voice has found its way into the English language. -- Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

Product Description

-- Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231103840
• ISBN-13: 978-0231103848
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,709,107 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Nichiren Daishonin's Most Important Writings, March 13, 2000

By A Customer

Nichiren (1222-1282) was a figure of central importance in the history of Japanese Buddhism as the founder of an orthodox form of Buddhism which strictly adheres to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Letters of Nichiren is a collection of seventy-three letters to disciples and other followers. Written throughout years of persecution and exile, these letters are as much a source of inspiration today as they were to his contemporaries.

The Kamakura period (1185-1333) in which Nichiren lived was a time of great unrest, when threats of foreign invasion, natural disasters, famines, and epidemics ravaged the country. The letters gathered in this volume display Nichiren's conviction that the chaotic state of his country could be attributed to a failure to follow the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, which is considered to be the foremost of Shakyamuni's teachings.

While communicating the major doctrinal themes, the vivid metaphors and clear arguments of Nichiren's correspondence also reveal the rhetorical flourish of a powerful spiritual guide. Alongside Burton Watson's lucid and accurate translations, editor Philip B. Yampolsky provides a brief introduction to each letter, notes, a glossary of terms, appendixes of Chinese and Sanskrit names, and a bibliography.

A companion volume to Selected Writings of Nichiren, published in 1990, this unique collection will appeal to Nichiren Buddhists as well as scholars and students of Buddhism, Japanese thought, religion, and history.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 31, 2002

By A Customer

Nichiren (1222-1282) was a figure of central importance in the history of Japanese Buddhism as the founder of an orthodox form of Buddhism which strictly adheres to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Letters of Nichiren is a collection of seventy-three letters to disciples and other followers. Written throughout years of persecution and exile, these letters are as much a source of inspiration today as they were to his contemporaries.

The Kamakura period (1185-1333) in which Nichiren lived was a time of great unrest, when threats of foreign invasion, natural disasters, famines, and epidemics ravaged the country. The letters gathered in this volume display Nichiren's conviction that the chaotic state of his country could be attributed to a failure to follow the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, which is considered to be the foremost of Shakyamuni's teachings.

While communicating the major doctrinal themes, the vivid metaphors and clear arguments of Nichiren's correspondence also reveal the rhetorical flourish of a powerful spiritual guide. Alongside Burton Watson's lucid and accurate translations, editor Philip B. Yampolsky provides a brief introduction to each letter, notes, a glossary of terms, appendixes of Chinese and Sanskrit names, and a bibliography.

A companion volume to Selected Writings of Nichiren, published in 1990, this unique collection will appeal to Nichiren Buddhists as well as scholars and students of Buddhism, Japanese thought, religion, and history.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, June 3, 2000

By A Customer

This volume, with its superb explanations and background, will appeal to Soka Gakkai members as well as anyone interested in Nichiren. Excellent.