Religious life in history series. 

xv, 342 pages : 24 cm; Map: The World of Buddhism --The Buddha's Awakening --The Social and Religious Context of Early Buddhism --Issues in Early North Indian Thought --The Quest for Awakening --The Birth and Youth of the Bodhisattva --The Great Renunciation --The Bodhisattva's Studies and Austerities --Temptation by Mara --The Awakening --The Lessons of Awakening --The Regularity of Phenomena --Nirvana --The Awakening as Paradigm --The Buddha as Teacher and Power Figure --The Response to the Awakened One --The Buddha Begins Teaching --The First Encounter --Setting the Wheel of Dharma in Motion --An Analysis of the First Discourse --The Four Noble Truths --The Stages of Awakening --The Spread of the Religion --Taking Refuge --The Development of the Sangha --The Middle Years --The Last Days and Beyond --Buddhist Devotionalism --The Etiquette of Devotion --The Development of Early Indian Buddhism --The Formation of the Canons --The Early Monastic Lineages --The Early Councils and the Attitude toward Sectarianism --Norms for Religious Life --The Code of Discipline for Monks --Communal Governance --The Life of the Monks --The Life of the Nuns --The Laity --Asoka --Abhidharma --The Lists (Matrka) --Points of Controversy: The Nature of the Individual --Points of Controversy: The Nature of Existence --Past-Life Narratives --Jatakas and the Perfections --Avadanas and the Buddha-Field --The Stupa Cult --The Period of the Three vehicles --Social Background --The Cult of Maitreya.; "The most comprehensive, insightful, and up-to-date introduction to Buddhism available, this text traces the religion of Awakening from its origins to its spread throughout Asia and the world. Combining historical narrative with contextual analysis in a clear and engaging style, the authors present a full and balanced portrait of the Buddhist religion in terms of ritual, devotionalism, institutions, doctrine, and meditation practice. Of special interest are the discussions of women's contributions to the Buddhist tradition and the portraits of current religious life, both lay and monastic, drawn from all the major living Buddhist cultures of Asia." "In this Fourth Edition, both Part One (the Indian development of Buddhism) and Part Two (Buddhism beyond India) have been substantially revised. Incorporated throughout the text are findings from the most recent scholarship as well as original research by the authors on Buddhism in its early, Tantric, Southeast Asian, and Western forms. Helpful citations in the text, glossary, and index highlight themes of interest in comparative religion together with cross-cultural developments in such distinctly Buddhist teachings as Karma, emptiness, and the nature of Awakening."--Jacket.; 

34984055