South Asian Buddhism

"South Asian Buddhism" presents a comprehensive historical survey of the full range of Buddhist traditions throughout South Asia from the beginnings of the religion up to the present. Starting with narratives on the Buddha's life and foundational teachings from ancient India, the book proceeds to discuss the rise of Buddhist monastic organizations and texts among the early Mainstream Buddhist schools. It considers the origins and development of Mahayana Buddhism in South Asia, surveys the development of Buddhist Tantra in South Asia and outlines developments in Buddhism as found in Sri Lanka and Nepal following the decline of the religion in India. Berkwitz also importantly considers the effects of colonialism and modernity on the revivals of Buddhism across South Asia in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. "South Asian Buddhism" offers a broad, yet detailed perspective on the history, culture, and thought of the various Buddhist traditions that developed in South Asia. Incorporating findings from the latest research on Buddhist texts and culture, this work provides a critical, historically based survey of "South Asian Buddhism" that will be useful for students, scholars, and general readers.

ISBN 0415452481   Pages 256 ISBN13 9780415452489 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 408 Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd   Published in London Imprint Routledge   Height (mm) 234 Format Paperback   Width (mm) 156 Publication date 29 Jun 2009   Spine width (mm) 15 DEWEY 294.30954   Academic level General DEWEY edition DC22   Alternative ISBN 9780415452496

1		Formations : the Buddha and his dharma		1
2		Foundations : mainstream Buddhist texts and communities		33
3		Furcations : origins and development of the Mahayana		68
4		Consolidations : medieval systems of thought and practice		104
5		Reappraisals : later developments in the South Asian Buddhist world		139
6		Revivals : Buddhism and modernity in South Asia		172
		Appendix		206
		Glossary		217
		Bibliography		224
		Index		235

'This book is a most welcome survey of the history of South Asian Buddhism, which fulfills the need for a comprehensive and accessible presentation of Buddhism in South Asia. Berkwitz's clear presentational style and a range of periods he covers make this book relevant and accessible not only to scholars and students of Buddhism but also to everyone interested in the cultural and historical aspects of South Asia.' -- Vesna Wallace, Numata Professor of Buddhist Studies, University of Oxford 'An accessible and informative examination of the doctrinal, historical, and geographical development of Buddhism in South Asia ... In a succinct style, Berkwitz explores Buddhism's development in various communities as well as its mainstream texts ... To complement this fine survey, the author provides valuable information in the appended list of Buddhist concepts and an ample glossary of Pali and Sanskrit terms. Summing Up: Highly recommended.' -- W. J. Pankey, William Rainey Harper College, April 2010 CHOICE 'A smart, comprehensive survey of Buddhism in the South Asian countries of Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, as well as a valuable primer on recent scholarship on Buddhism in the region. Covering both ancient Indian and contemporary Buddhism in South Asia, the book manages to deal with a vast amount of information in only two hundred pages of text, plus an index and glossary.' -- Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly, summer 2010

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