The Making of Buddhist Modernism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Marriage & Family, History, Asian, Asia, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, Buddhism
Cover of the book The Making of Buddhist Modernism by David L. McMahan, Oxford University Press, USA
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David L. McMahan ISBN: 9780199884780
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA Publication: October 17, 2008
Imprint: Oxford University Press, USA Language: English
Author: David L. McMahan
ISBN: 9780199884780
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Publication: October 17, 2008
Imprint: Oxford University Press, USA
Language: English

A great deal of Buddhist literature and scholarly writing about Buddhism of the past 150 years reflects and indeed constructs a historically unique modern Buddhism even while purporting to represent ancient tradition timeless teaching or the "essentials" of Buddhism. This literature Asian as well as Western weaves together the strands of different traditions to create a novel hybrid that brings Buddhism into alignment with many of the ideologies and sensibilities of the post-Enlightenment West. In this book David McMahan charts the development of this "Buddhist modernism." McMahan examines and analyzes a wide range of popular and scholarly writings produced by Buddhists around the globe. He focuses on ideological and imaginative encounters between Buddhism and modernity for example in the realms of science mythology literature art psychology and religious pluralism. He shows how certain themes cut across cultural and geographical contexts and how this form of Buddhism has been created by multiple agents in a variety of times and places. His position is critical but empathetic: while he presents Buddhist modernism as a construction of numerous parties with varying interests he does not reduce it to a mistake a misrepresentation or fabrication. Rather he presents it as a complex historical process constituted by a variety of responses -- sometimes trivial often profound -- to some of the most important concerns of the modern era.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

A great deal of Buddhist literature and scholarly writing about Buddhism of the past 150 years reflects and indeed constructs a historically unique modern Buddhism even while purporting to represent ancient tradition timeless teaching or the "essentials" of Buddhism. This literature Asian as well as Western weaves together the strands of different traditions to create a novel hybrid that brings Buddhism into alignment with many of the ideologies and sensibilities of the post-Enlightenment West. In this book David McMahan charts the development of this "Buddhist modernism." McMahan examines and analyzes a wide range of popular and scholarly writings produced by Buddhists around the globe. He focuses on ideological and imaginative encounters between Buddhism and modernity for example in the realms of science mythology literature art psychology and religious pluralism. He shows how certain themes cut across cultural and geographical contexts and how this form of Buddhism has been created by multiple agents in a variety of times and places. His position is critical but empathetic: while he presents Buddhist modernism as a construction of numerous parties with varying interests he does not reduce it to a mistake a misrepresentation or fabrication. Rather he presents it as a complex historical process constituted by a variety of responses -- sometimes trivial often profound -- to some of the most important concerns of the modern era.

More books from Oxford University Press, USA

Cover of the book Aging Our Way: Independent Elders, Interdependent Lives by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book What I Believe by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book Social Injustice and Public Health by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Quantum Ten: A Story of Passion, Tragedy, Ambition, and Science by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Accidental Guerrilla : Fighting Small Wars In The Midst Of A Big One by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Pope's Daughter : The Extraordinary Life Of Felice Della Rovere by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Iron Curtain : Churchill, America, and the Origins of the Cold War by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Complete Euripides:Volume V: Medea and Other Plays by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book Lend Me Your Ears : All You Need to Know about Making Speeches and Presentations by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book Affective Neuroscience : The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Acadian Diaspora:An Eighteenth-Century History by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book Truth and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code:A Historian Reveals What We Really Know about Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Constantine by David L. McMahan
Cover of the book Exercise for Mood and Anxiety:Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being by David L. McMahan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy