Toward a contemporary understanding of Pure Land Buddhism : creating a Shin Buddhist theology in a religiously plural world / edited by Dennis Hirota.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Hirota, Dennis.

Series:

SUNY series in Buddhist studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shin (Sect)--Doctrines.

Shin (Sect).

Pure Land Buddhism--Doctrines.

Pure Land Buddhism.

Physical Description:

ix, 257 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, [2000]

Summary:

Toward a Contemporary Understanding of Pure Land Buddhism offers proposals for creatively reinterpreting the Pure Land path. Japanese Pure Land thought brought about a major development in Buddhist tradition by evolving a path to enlightenment that is pursued while carrying on life in society. It is rooted in the Mahayana ideal of compassion and in the bodhisattva, or being of wisdom, who vows to ferry all living things to the other shore of awakening.

In this book, three Buddhist scholars utilize hermeneutic thought, process theology, and the mandala contemplation of Buddhism to address issues of modernity and religious values in the world today. In addition, the work proceeds to offer a new model of interreligious dialogue. Gordon D. Kaufman and John B. Cobb, Jr. reflect critically on the Buddhist proposals, drawing on their long experience as religious philosophers facing questions concerning the contemporary applicability of Christian thought.

Contents:

Part 1 Contemporary Interpretations of Pure Land Buddhist Tradition

1. Images of Reality in the Shin Buddhist Path: A Hermeneutical Approach / Dennis Hirota 33

2. Understanding Amida Buddha and the Pure Land: A Process Approach / John S. Yokota 73

3. Mandala Contemplation and Pure Land Practice: A Comparative Study: A Buddhological Approach / Musashi Tachikawa 101

Part 2 Responses from Two Western Religious Thinkers

4. Pure Land Buddhism Today: Some Methodological Issues in Recent Revisionist Interpretations / Gordon D. Kaufman 127

5. A Christian Critique of Pure Land Buddhism / John B. Cobb, Jr. 147

Part 3 Reconsiderations of Buddhist Theological Reflection

6. Dialogic Engagement and Truth / Dennis Hirota 163

7. A Call to Compassion / John S. Yokota 199

8. The World and Amida Buddha / Musashi Tachikawa 223.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-251) and index.

ISBN:

0791445291

0791445305

OCLC:

41932600