Tibetan Buddhism by Matthew T Kapstein

Tibetan Buddhism by Matthew T Kapstein

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition has known over thirteen centuries of continuous development. During that time, it has spread among the neighboring peoples - the Mongol, Himalayan, and Siberian peoples, Manchus and Chinese. At its height is has been practiced in regions as far west as the Volga river and to the east in Beijing. Its capacity for creative adaptation is demonstrated by its recent growth in Europe and America. At the same time, it is at the center of political contestation in ethnically Tibetan regions of China, while its best known exponent, the Dalai Lama, has become one of the most admired religious leaders in the world today. But what does this religion teach? Just what is the position of the Dalai Lama, and how will his succession be assured? Is it true that Tibetan Buddhism in entirely suppressed in China? Scholar Matthew Kapstein offers a brief account responding to these questions and more in this Very Short Introduction, in terms that are accessible to students, general readers, journalists, and others who are curious to learn the most essential features of Tibetan Buddhist history, teachings, and practice.About the Series:Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects - from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series provides trenchant and provocative - yet always balanced and complete - discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.

"A splendidly lucid and insightful account of Tibetan BuddhismThe book surveys the full spectrum of religious ideas, culture, and practices, from everyday ritual to rarified philosophical doctrine and yogic states, all situated in their historical contexts and studded with clarifying charts and choice excerpts from the original texts. The perfect overview for layman and specialist alike." --Janet Gyatso, Hershey Professor of Buddhist Studies, The Divinity School, Harvard University

Director of Studies, Tibetan Religions, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, The Sorbonne and Numata Visiting Professor, The Divinity School, University of Chicago

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780199735129
ISBN 10	0199735123
Title	Tibetan Buddhism
Author	Matthew T Kapstein
Series	Very Short Introductions
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Oxford University Press Inc
Year published	2013-10-24
Number of pages	152
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.