Buddhism (Paperback)

by J. Isamu Yamamoto (Author), Alan W. Gomes (Series Editor) "1. Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha a. The problem of constructing an accurate biography (1) The first attempt at composing a formal biography of Sid Gautama..." (more)
Key Phrases: noble truth, Jesus Christ, Nichiren Shoshu, Tibetan Buddhism (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Buddhism is from a series of brief books on contemporary religious movements, comparing what they believe with Christian doctrine and explaining effective ways of witnessing to their adherents.

From the Publisher
Fast, informed answers to the challenges of false religions This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five sections: A concise introduction to the group being surveyed An overview of the group's theology--in its own words Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group A bibliography with sources for further study A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to readers: Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with menu bar running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310489121
• ISBN-13: 978-0310489122
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,402,875 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A manual for Christian proselytizers, January 1, 2000

By A Customer

This book sets up Eastern religions as a series of strawmen and then provides tips for knocking them over. As an manual for Christian evangelical chauvinists it undoubtedly would provide a reassuring read. On the other hand, if you are interested in actually learning about these religious traditions Amazon stocks many other books that serve that purpose and are not written with the intent to disparage other faiths.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Why Contribute to the Cultural Genocide of Tibet?, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

As can be gathered from other reviews of this series, I do not condone the erosion of others religious beliefs. That said, Yamamoto is one of the better contributors to this series, and does credit to a calm and detailed delineation of Buddhist,Taoist,Confucian and Shinto beliefs.

I have major difficulties with the evangelical imperative in this series, though. As Chinese Communists have been trying to exterminate all traces of Tibetan Buddhism since their occupation of Tibet fifty years ago, I do not believe that it is justified to try to compound that crime through the erosion of Tibetan Buddhist beliefs still further, otherwise that civilisation might cease to exist altogether. Judging from Yamamoto's careful delineation of other Buddhist categories, I suspect that he might have more luck with Amida, Pure Land and Nichiren Buddhists than Tibetan or Zen Buddhists. Moreover, I also question why Yamamoto believes it self-evident that the a priori propositions of his faith are true, and not those of the various East Asian traditions that he cites. I incorporate zen practices into my own syncretist spirituality, and I like the reliance on personal responsibility that is involved here. I also hold that the principle of karmic responsibility means that people are accountable for their actions, and that the boddhisatva principle means that Buddhists are ethically obliged to serve others. Still, stripped of the evangelical propaganda, this is an excellent guide to a major religious tradition. If you read it, ignore the latter portion of the book.

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, informative guide to Eastern religions..., April 15, 2000

By A Customer

I found this guide to be an extremely helpful introduction to Eastern religions. In particular, the bibliography at the end of the book, which includes the Eastern classics such as the Tao Te Ching, the I Ching, the Analects, etc., plus other introductory texts of the major Eastern religions and schools of thought, balanced by various analyses from a Christian perspective of the differences between these religions and Christianity, is well worth the price of this brief guide. I have many of the Eastern classics in my library and plan to get them all, along with all the cited books related to these Eastern traditions, as well as the recommended Christian critiques. In this relativistic and pluralistic world, any work that affirms the differences between truth claims is welcome. I highly recommend it as a starting point to begin investigation.