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Buddhist History of the West, A (Suny Series in Religious Studies)
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$ 17.56
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| Retail Value |
$ 19.95 |
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$ 2.39 (12%) |
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| Item Number |
146152 |
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Item Description...
Product Description
A Buddhist interpretation of Western history that shows civilization shaped by the self's desire for groundedness.
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Item Specifications...
Pages 260
Dimensions: Length: 6" Width: 8.9" Height: 0.7"
Weight: 0.8 lbs.
Binding Softcover
Publisher State University of New York Press
ISBN 0791452603
EAN 9780791452608
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Availability 100 units.
Availability accurate as of Feb 12, 2012 05:02.
Usually ships within one to two business days from La Vergne, TN.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Failed to meet my expectations Feb 27, 2008 |
As an expat who has lived and worked in Japan for over 15 years, I am a huge fan of both history (in general) and Buddhism. I was excited to pick up this well-designed text at the local bookstore in Tokyo. However, upon reading the first half of the book, I had some fundamental objections while reading this ambitious if not unique attempt. I don't know if these will help you in selecting the book, but I thought I should voice them nonetheless.
You see, even the title, A Buddhist History of the West, suggests that David Loy will attempt to codify a historical object, i.e., the West, in which he will position HIS Buddhist perspective in opposition. Simple enough. But what is this nebulous object, this enigmatic entity, that Loy refers simply as "the West?" Is it merely borders on a map, or is it a linguistic distinction born of normative academic discourse?
Well, Loy pinpoints a "beginning" of individualism with the Papal Revolution of Gregory VII in 1075; and more specifically, the Concordant of Worms in 1122, which marked "[...] a difference between the allegiance owed to spiritual authorities and that owed to temporal authorities,proclamations required a balanced respect for both Pope and King." (Loy, p. 46) In my mind, Loy makes the mistake of conflating Christian philosophy with his object "the West."
Contrary to Loy's argument, then, I do not see the Papal Revolution as the sole CAUSE of this dramatic change, but instead, as an EFFECT, one that reflects the onset of individualism - not vice versa. In my opinion, Buddhism served the same role in India and China before making its way to Japan as well.
Is any of this important? I think so. By positioning Buddhism in opposition to "Western" individualism, he creates a fictious Other, and thereby undercuts the very natrue of the universal message of Buddhism, one that goes beyond localized normative discourse.
I would argue, against Loy's perspective, that the supposed poles of "East" and "West" represent impulses already existing within EVERY cultural tradition. Generally, these are recognized as progressive and conservative; in the case of the former, those individuals disposed towards change, and the latter, those individuals seeking to maintain cultural conventions at all costs.
Therefore, any thoughts of a neatly packaged bifurcation between a logical and practical, logical "Western" tradition (where is the line drawn?) and an intuitive, Romantic Eastern tradition is (at best) spurious and (at worst) anachronistic - stereotypes that should join the bathwater, in my opinion. Indeed: so-called "Western" rationality can be found in "Eastern" countries, while elements of Eastern intuitioncan be found just as easily in Western countries.
I wanted to like this book. I really did, but...I just couldn't quite agree with all of Loy's points. I found it a bit arrogant and going against the grain of (what I perceive to be) Buddhist philosophy of accomodation and compassion.
| | | | Couldn't get too far into it. Nov 2, 2005 |
| There is a certain simplicity in writing that some people pass up in favor of a more literary/textbook style. That's what I found when I opened this book. While I'm sure there are many beautiful ideas within I could not bring myself to get past the first 20 pages. | | |  | Highly Recommended Jul 10, 2003 |
| This is an incredibly insightful contribution to our understanding of why Western institutions have become so destuctive of the world around us while generally failing to provide people with a sense of meaning, direction, or pleasure in life. As Loy so clearly articulates, Buddhism offers a perspective that can transform our lives and, perhaps, our self-destructive culture. | | | | Bringing Buddhism Back Home Feb 21, 2002 |
| For Westerners who've had a taste of Buddhist practice or insights, there comes a moment when we must look back on our own cultural heritage and wonder, "What the hell happened?" Why this long 2,500 year detour into dominating nature and building social empires? Why this absorbtion into disconnected individualism? Loy's book is exciting trailblazing into the emerging field of putting Buddhist concepts to work to decode history. Highly recommended. Gassho. | | | Write your own review about Buddhist History of the West, A (Suny Series in Religious Studies)
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