Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations (Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "There is a Tibetan saying that just as every valley has its own language so every teacher has his own doctrine..." (more)
Key Phrases: Buddha Field, Central Asia, Lotus Siam (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This will without doubt become a standard textbook on the Mahayana. Argument and assertions are throughout backed up by reference to primary sources and there are citations or quotations from texts on almost every page." -- Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society

The work is in fact an admirable introduction to the Mahayana traditions, both for the undergraduate student and others who wish to explore the `Great Vehicle. Such a useful, up-to-date overview fills a real need. Moreover, its thorough references can be used as a basis for further study and research.
–Religious Studies

The work is in fact an admirable introduction to the Mahayana traditions, both for the undergraduate student and others who wish to explore the `Great Vehicle.' Such a useful, up-to-date overview fills a real need. Moreover, its thorough references can be used as a basis for further study and research.
–Religious Studies

This will without doubt become a standard textbook on the Mahayana. Argument and assertions are throughout backed up by reference to primary sources and there are citations or quotations from texts on almost every page.
–Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society

Product Description

This volume provides an up-to-date and accurate account of the principles of Mahayana Buddhism as they are found in both the Indo-Tibetan and East Asian forms of Mahayana. Throughout, the book places Buddhist doctrine within a historical and cultural context, and provides a basis for students to engage in their own further research into Buddhist theory and practice.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (July 26, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415025370
• ISBN-13: 978-0415025379
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #556,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buddhism with a Slight Spin, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

Mr. Williams has done a fantastic job of clearly and effectively laying down the foundations of the Mahayana movement. This movement, arguably the most colorful of the incarnations of Buddhist thought and theory, has a convoluted past, and Mr. Williams has expertly shown the reader the origins of the Mahayana and the origins of modern Buddhism. The only criticism that would in any way deter the reader from thinking this work to be one of the definitive in the doctrine is William's unfortunate tendency to mix his opinions which are for the most part religiously based, with philosophical quandries. Mr. Williams is the European Secretary for the International Association of Buddhist Studies, and I feel as such his opinion surfaces on several issues, most notably in the chapter on the Saddharmapundarika Sutra. The educated reader, or at least the reader able to assimilate William's position, can, however, easily overcome the minor references to academia based on faith rather than empirical knowledge. All minor biases aside, Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations is a superior work when compared to many mainstream texts used in Buddhist study, which tend to be more esoteric, or treat only specific facets of the huge diaspora that spawned Buddhist practice in so many countries. Mr. Williams has produced a great work of fantastic merit in regards to understanding Mahayana Buddhism, and should be lauded for his work which makes, in my humble opinion, a stupendous read.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy for any academic Buddhist library, March 3, 2003

By	Alan B. Cicco (Fairborn, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book extremely helpful on mutiple levels. Beyond the fact that Mahayana Buddhism suffers from a lack of cohesive literature combined, Williams counters this problem in his gathering of doctrine and his own insight on the history, evolution, and spread of Mahayana. He shows great detail to the evolution of each "school" and how it was affected by the geographic, ethnic, and cultural environments that fomred each branches specifics.

A historical paper trail is fomed for many of the major works attributed to Mahayanist thought, so that we see roots formed. This grants immense clearity to many misunderstanding about certain school ideologies that might appear completely unrelated until all the details are shown within Williams book.

Although there are no actual sutras translated, the book is a perfect starting point for philosophies, history, and a listing of many of the great Mahayana sutras, which one could then find available to start forming an actual library for practice and reference.

As a Priest in the Pure Land tradition and trained in both Mahayana and Theravadin, this book stands apart in my findings of authors that spread knowledge in quanity and quality instead of minute chunks for only lineage lip service.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book but Dense, September 30, 2008

By	Jack Daw "zendirtzendust" (Rapid City, SD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations (Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices) (Paperback)

I'll just make this quick. This is a great book if you already have a good foundation in Buddhist philosophy and some knowledge of the more popular schools. Otherwise this book may lose you. The first time I read this book, 8 years ago, I was fairly lost. After some time though, and armed with a better foundation of Buddhist thought, I picked up this book again found it highly interesting and very helpful in my own explorations.