Re-Visioning "Kamakura" Buddhism (Studies in East Asian Buddhism, 11) (Paperback)

~ Richard K. Payne (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This collection of essays forms an historiographical examination of various aspects of Japanese Buddhism during the Kamakura era. Aspects such as religious practice, literature and institutional history help to illustrate the complexity and richness of Buddhism during this era and as a whole.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press; illustrated edition edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824820789
• ISBN-13: 978-0824820787
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #335,897 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening look at Kamakura Buddhism, October 5, 2007

By	Gerald Ford "pho_kin" (The Jack n' the Box at the corner) - See all my reviews

This book is actually not one, but severals essays regarding the emergence of Kamakura Period Buddhism (Zen, Jodo Shu, Nichiren, etc), and covers a wide array of topics. The general theme of the book is that researchers need to take a new look at the emergence of Kamakura-era Buddhist schools, and not apply Western notions of the Protestant Reformation to this era of Buddhist history. For example, some essays show how older schools like Shingon and Tendai continued to flourish during and after the Kamakura Period, while newer schools still maintained close ties with these older schools.

In general, I liked many of the essays and saw this fascinating period of Buddhist history in a new light. It has made me rethink assumptions I have made with regard to my own Buddhist faith as well.

I thought some essays were a little too narrow for my taste, or did not provide enough context into what they were talking about, so I had to give this book 4 stars. I think a researcher or grad student in East Asian studies will learn a great deal from this book though, so I highly recommend it to anyone studying Japanese Buddhist history.