Author Description

"Facets of Buddhism is a collection of essays written by one of the pre-eminent Japanese scholars in the fields of Buddhism and comparative religion. The ten essays are loosely linked together by the common themes of dependant co-origination (pratitya-samutpada); of the effect of Madhyamika and Yogacara ideas on Japanese literature and culture; and of the tensions and harmonies amongst different religious traditions and different Buddhist sects."--BOOK JACKET. "Scholars will be particularly interested in this work for the access it provides to a wide range of Japanese scholarly exchange and opinion, much of which has until now been available only in Japanese. They will also be interested in the presentation of the different Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese interpretations of important passages from classical Indian Buddhist texts, and in the comparison of meditation techniques described by Indian, Chinese and Tibetan writers."--BOOK JACKET. "Drawing on his experiences during a long and distinguished career as a teacher and scholar, Professor Iida provides new and valuable insights into the place of women and the feminine principle in Buddhism, the convergence of folk beliefs and philosophical Buddhism in Japan, the rise of the modern Japanese Buddhist sects and, through a comparison of Buddhist, Christian and Sufi-Yogic practices and modern psychology, the difference, similarities and interdependence of the different faiths of humankind."--BOOK JACKET.