Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought engages students with anecdotes, primary and secondary sources, an accessible writing style, and a clear historical approach. The text focuses on India, China, and Japan, while showing the relationships that exist between Eastern and Western traditions. Patrick Bresnan consistently links the past to the present, so students may see that Eastern traditions, however ancient their origins, are living traditions and relevant to modern times.
Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought provides the reader with a thorough and valuable overview of the historical development of the major Eastern religious and philosophical traditions, primarily in India, China, and Japan. The book is written in an engaging style that contains a variety of anecdotes, analogies, definitions, and supporting quotes from primary and secondary sources. Awakening helps the reader to recognize the interrelationships that exist among the various traditions, to appreciate the relevance of these traditions to the concerns of modern times, and to understand the major issues of interpretation regarding these traditions. The primary focus of Awakening is Hinduism and Buddhism, and they serve as the broad umbrellas that include a number of specific schools, each of which is treated individually. Other schools–such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto–are included at the appropriate place. Awakening is for all students and interested readers, whether new to the study of Eastern thought or not. New to the Seventh Edition: - A new Introduction - A clearer definition and explanation of "Yoga" (throughout Part 1) - A rewrite of the Aryan Migration section in Chapter 1, bringing it in line with current research - An added sub-chapter to Chapter 6, dealing with Kundalini Yoga - Further clarification of the meaning of Anatman in Chapter 10 - Emphasis on the contribution of Daoism to Chan Buddhism - Clearer presentation of the Life of Buddha (Legend vs. Reality) - Updated Study Questions - Two new videos added to the companion website Key Features: - An historical overview that attempts to show the development of Eastern philosophies, both within the individual traditions as well as within a broad but loosely unified system of thought - Abundantly uses stories in chapter overviews to engage student readers and to better explain Eastern thought - No background in Asian studies, philosophy, or religious studies is presumed, allowing any student to greatly benefit from reading this book - A functional, visually attractive web site www.patrickbresnan.com with author-produced videos on the content of the book, scores of pictures, and a comprehensive section on meditation
Eastern Philosophy: The Basics is an essential introduction to major Indian and Chinese philosophies, both past and present. Exploring familiar metaphysical and ethical questions from the perspectives of different Eastern philosophies, including Confucianism, Daoism, and strands of Buddhism and Hinduism, this book covers key figures, issues, methods and concepts. Questions discussed include: What is the ‘self’? Is human nature inherently good or bad? How is the mind related to the world? How can you live an authentic life? What is the fundamental nature of reality? Throughout the book the relationships between Eastern Philosophy, Western Philosophy and the questions reflective people ask within the contemporary world are brought to the fore. With timelines highlighting key figures and their contributions, a list of useful websites and further reading suggestions for each topic, this engaging overview of fundamental ideas in Eastern Philosophy is valuable reading for all students of philosophy and religion, especially those seeking to understand Eastern perspectives.
Part I: Hinduism and Related Traditions of South Asia -- 1. India before the Vedas. The Lay of the Land ; South Asia before the Vedic Age ; The Theory of Indo-Aryan Migrations ; Varna: The Caste System ; The Brahmin Caste ; Questions for Discussion -- 2. Veda and the Vedas. Yajna: The Vedic Sacrifice ; The Vedic Pantheon ; An Overview of Vedic Cosmology ; Questions for Discussion -- 3. Introduction to the Upanishads. Key Elements of the Upanishads ; An Overview of Vedanta Cosmology ; Questions for Discussion -- 4. The Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata ; The Opening Scene ; The Bhagavad Gita as Metaphor ; The Awakened Person ; Karma Yoga ; Raja Yoga ; Bhakti Yoga ; Questions for Discussion -- 5. Ashtanga Yoga. The General Nature of Yoga ; The "Eight Limbs" of Ashtanga Yoga ; Questions for Discussion -- 6. Darshana. The Orthodox Darshanas ; The Heterodox Darshanas ; Questions for Discussion -- 7. The Devotional Movement. The Trimurti ; Ramanuja ; The Hindu Temple ; Questions for Discussion -- 8. A Millennium of Strife. The Muslim Era ; The Modern Era ; Questions for Discussion -- Part II Shakyamuni Buddha and the Early Development of Buddhism -- 9. The Life Story of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Palace Youth ; The Sadhu Years ; The Awakening ; The Teaching Years ; Questions for Discussion -- 10. Basic Teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha. The Doctrine of Anatman ; The Four Noble Truths ; The Noble Eightfold Path ; Questions for Discussion -- 11. Theravada Buddhism. The Early Centuries ; Ashoka ; Theravada Buddhism ; Questions for Discussion -- 12. Mahayana Buddhism. Diversity and Religious Elements in Mahayana ; The Nature of Buddha ; Madhyamaka ; Yogacara ; The Bodhisattva ; Artistic Expression in Early Mahayana ; Questions for Discussion -- Part III Non-Buddhist Traditions of East Asia -- 13. Confucius and Confucianism. Confucius ; Mencius ; Other Voices from the Period of a Hundred Philosophers ; Later Developments in the Evolution of Confucianism ; Questions for Discussion -- 14. Daoism. Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) ; Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu) ; Religious Daoism ; Questions for Discussion -- 15. Shinto. The Shinto Creation Story ; The Shinto Shrine and Festival ; Historical Development of Shinto ; Questions for Discussion -- Part IV Buddhism in China and Japan -- 16. Early Buddhism in China. Buddhism in the Tarim Basin ; Tiantai Buddhism ; Huayan Buddhism (Hua-Yen) ; Pure Land Buddhism ; Persecution and Recovery ; Questions for Discussion -- 17. Tibetan Buddhism. The Establishment of Buddhism in Tibet ; The General Character of Buddhism in Tibet ; An Historical Overview of Buddhism in Tibet ; Questions for Discussion -- 18. Chan Buddhism. Bodhidharma ; Huineng ; After Huineng ; Questions for Discussion -- 19. Zen Buddhism. Japan before Zen ; Rinzai and Soto Zen ; The Zen Monastery ; Zen and the Arts ; Questions for Discussion.
Marietta Stepaniants' introductory text allows a distinctively Eastern way of thinking to come forth. Four interpretive essays open the book showing how Indian, Chinese and Islamic traditions responded to these questions: How did philosophy arise? What is the origin of order in the universe? What is human nature? What is truth? A fifth, unique, essay shows how Eastern thought has dealt with Western contact in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the second half of the book, original writings—ancient and modern—are placed in their cultural context by the author and give access to the thinkers' specific arguments. Unlike any other text, Introduction to Eastern Thought includes Islamic philosophies alongside Indian and Chinese traditions. This broader sense of 'the East,' the combination of interpretive essays and original sources, the sense of Eastern philosophies as alive and ongoing, are unrivalled by any other textbook. Comparisons within and across traditions make Introduction to Eastern Thought an excellent text for students familiar with Western philosophy or beginning philosophy students.
Understanding Eastern Philosophy provides an accessible critical introduction to how some of the key philosophies of the East compare with those in the West. Starting from a discussion of the problems of distinguishing between religions and philosophies, Ray Billington presents a clear picture of the key tenets behind Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism and Confucianism. Moving on to compare the key themes of religious philosophy that cut across East and West, such as a belief in God, the soul, moral decision-making, nature and authority, Understanding Eastern Philosophy presents a fascinating and controversial picture of the contribution theistic religions have to make. With its belief in a personal God bestowing a particular version of 'truth', Ray Billington concludes that the universal mysticism characteristic of Eastern thought provides a more realistic and rewarding path than is commonly supposed in the West. Understanding Eastern Philosophy assumes no prior knowledge of religion or philosophy.
This book deals neither with the historical and cultural setting of oriental viewpoints, nor even with the religious beliefs and ritual practices that characteristically provide a context for these viewpoints, but rather with a systematic and critical analysis of oriental perspectives as alternative philosophical positions. At the same time, Hackett provides a succinct historical framework, so that the student may place these systems in perspective.
Introducing Eastern Philosophy makes clear the Eastern view of ultimate reality, the emphasis on selfless ethics, and the quest for Enlightenment. This is an ideal guide for the Western reader to the historical and philosophical basis of Eastern cultures.
First published in 1952, The Eastern Philosophers provides a straightforward account of the life and work of the great thinkers of the East and attempts to show, in terms intelligible to the ordinary reader, with what remarkable insistence the greatest of these thinkers dwell upon common themes. It discusses themes like Babylonia and Israel; Zoroaster; Hinduism; the Buddha and Buddhism; the Hindu systems; the Chinese Sages and Mohammed and Islam. The book raises three fundamental questions –what are the basic differences between Eastern and Western thought? What does the Western World owe it to the thought of the East and vice versa? In the third place, to what extent is a rapprochement possible between the two worlds of thought? This book is an essential read for students of Philosophy in general and Eastern Philosophy in particular.
Key Concepts in Eastern Philosophy provides an extensive glossary of the main terms and concepts used in Eastern philosophy. The book includes definitions of philosophical ideas linked to the national traditions of: * Persia * India * Islamic world * China * Japan * Tibet including concepts from: * Zoroastrianism * Hinduism * Sufism * Islam * Confucianism * Shintoism * Taoism * Buddhism Each entry includes a guide for further reading and critical analysis, and is cross-referenced with associated concepts and is in easy-to-use A-Z format.
