This book brings together the studies of Jeaneane Fowler in Taoism, Chinese popular religion, and the broader canvas of Chinese cosmogony, along with those of Merv Fowler in Confucianism, Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, and Pure Land Buddhism. Chinese Religions requires no previous knowledge and thereby serves as an introduction to the religions of China, placing them in the wider context of Chinese history and philosophy. The facets of Chinese religions are as broad, multilayered, and varied as the geographical vastness of China itself, yet so many Chinese beliefs have found their way into the West - the theory of yin and yang, the I Ching, the Tao Te Ching, etc. One of the greatest characteristics of Chinese religions is that they encompass virtually every avenue of religious thought throughout the long span of Chinese pre-historic and historical pathways.

Chinese Religions: Beliefs and Practices (The Sussex Library of Religious Beliefs & Practice)

Religion & Spirituality

Fowler, Merv

Fowler, Jeaneane D

Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts

Liverpool University Press

In 1983, a tiny group of people in Cardiff, Wales, and a married couple in Aberporth, West Wales, were the only Welsh members of Soka Gakkai International, a Japanese movement based on the beliefs and teachings of the 13th century Buddhist, Nichiren Daishonin. Today, there are hundreds of members in Wales and the Borders. This book examines the history of the movement in these two areas and draws on original research gleaned from the members themselves. The research elicits facets of their faith, practices, and study, as well as their testimonies to the success of such beliefs and practices in their daily lives. The book combines the twin goals of academic analysis of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin in general with the warmth of its expression in the lives of its adherents in Wales and the Borders. Contents include: the philosophy and history of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism; the history of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism in Wales and the Borders; the human revolution for a universal humanity; practices, experiences, and ceremonies; and the Lotus Sutra.

Chanting in the Hillsides: The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonim in Wales & the Borders

History

Fowler, Jeaneane

Europe

Bhagavad Gita: A Text and Commentary for Students (Beliefs & Practices)

This student textbook provides a detailed commentary on the important Hindu scripture of the Bhagavad Gita, which is a dialogue between Arjuna the man and Krishna the God. Major Hindu concepts are examined in depth, and the background to the Gita is presented in a comprehensive introduction. Yoga is the key feature of the Gita, but it has its own interpretation of what that yoga should be. Thus, yoga features not only in each of the pathways of knowledge, desireless action, and devotion, but also in the way in which the divine is understood. The chapters of the Bhagavad Gita therefore describe Arjuna's despondency, followed by: The Yoga of Sankhya * Action * Knowledge * Renunciation * Meditation * Knowledge and Realization * The Imperishable Brahman * Royal Knowledge and Royal Mystery * Manifestation * The Vision of the Universal Form * Devotion * The Differentiation of the Kshetra and Kshetrajna * The Differentiation of the Three Gunas * The Supreme Purusha * The Differentiation of the Divine and the Demonic * The Differentiation of the Threefold Shraddha * The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation. This book also contains detailed notes to the Gita chapters, a Further Reading section, a combined Glossary and Index of Sanskrit terms, and an Index of English words. (Series: A Sussex Library of Religious Beliefs and Practices)

Hinduism

There is an immense diversity and richness in the matrix of belief systems commonly known as "Buddhism". And it is the enormity of this richness that makes the study of Buddhism such a fascinating and enthralling journey. Assuming no previous knowledge, issues such as the legacy of India and the life of the Buddha are discussed. Later section include: the beliefs and practices of the Mahayanna and Theravada schools, with particular emphasis on the four main Mahayana schools of Nicheren, Tibetan, Zen and Pure Land: the Four Noble Truths: the Buddhist councils: rebirth: meditation: festivals: concepts of reality: and Yoga.

Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices (The Sussex Library of Religious Beliefs & Practice)

Politics & Social Sciences

Philosophy

Informed by almost two decades of dialogue, research and teaching, this book refutes the mistaken premise that Zen Buddhism is more suited to people who lived years ago. Beginning with the annotated "ox path" pictures, the gradual development of the wayward mind away from aimless wandering and towards Buddhahood is depicted and examined. Ever mindful of the legacy of India, the life and teaching of Sakyamuni Buddha are revisited as are the scriptures themselves. At every point, this book presents Zen Buddhism, not as some esoteric mystery cult, accessible only to the eastern mind, but in an animated, meaningful manner that demonstrates its purpose and function in today's world.

Zen Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices (Beliefs & Practices)

Buddhism