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Rupert Gethin
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The Foundations of Buddhism (OPUS) 1st Edition

by Rupert Gethin (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 259
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Buddhism is a vast and complex religious and philosophical tradition with a history that stretches over 2,500 years, and which is now followed by around 115 million people. In this introduction to the foundations of Buddhism, Rupert Gethin concentrates on the ideas and practices which constitute the common heritage of the different traditions of Buddhism (Thervada, Tibetan, and Eastern) that exist in the world today. From the narrative of the story of the Buddha, through discussions of aspects such as textual traditions, the framework of the Four Noble Truths, the interaction between the monastic and lay ways of life, the cosmology of karma and rebirth, and the path of the bodhisattva, this book provides a stimulating introduction to Buddhism as a religion and way of life.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0192892231
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0192892232
  3. Edition
    1st
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    September 24, 1998
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    7.74 x 0.79 x 5.12 inches
  8. Print length
    352 pages
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the best introduction to Indian Buddhism that I have seen. It makes extensive use of the most current scholarship."--David Carpenter, St. Joseph's University

Book Description

A compelling overview of the history, culture, and practices of Buddhism

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (September 24, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0192892231
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0192892232
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.74 x 0.79 x 5.12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 259

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Rupert Gethin

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
259 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Giordano Paredros
5.0 out of 5 stars I agree best introduction to Buddhist thought and practice.
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2021
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I have read nearly every introduction and history of Buddhism and Buddhist thought. Rupert Gethin has written in what I consider the best yet. Very well written; he evidences a very deep understanding of the tangled complexities. It is an excellent introduction, his bibliography will inform the reader to more specific facets of Buddhist thought and practice. He is very good explaining ambiguities of Buddhist philosophical terminology without getting bogged down in convoluted explanation. I highly recommend this book to one who is interested and wants to know something about Buddhism, as well as to those who are informed. My only criticism is that I think his discussion of Tibetan Buddhism was a little weak, while good at describing the schools of Buddhism in Tibet. He did not mention the reme movement that arose toward the end of the nineteenth century. to put it awkwardly, an unrestrictve approach to the teachings of all Buddhist schools. A lot can be said of this movement. I recommend the wikipedia as a point of departure for better a understanding.
3 people found this helpful
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Eric Van Horn
5.0 out of 5 stars One of The Best Overall Books on Buddhism
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2006
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While I do not have the pedigree of Mr. Taylor (who wrote another 5 start review), I have read several hundred books on Buddhism, including all of the Nikayas, and I also took one graduate level course in a Buddhist Studies program, and I agree whole-heartedly with his comments. This book was one of the two main sources for the Buddhist Studies course, and to this day it is one of the handful of books to which I refer regulary. In fact, my copy is so worn out that I am about to order another one. If I were to teach an introductory course on Buddhism this would be the textbook. Unlike the 1 start review of Mr. Martin, I find this book wonderfully engaging and well-written. Occasionally I will pick it up to look up a fact, and find myself reading the next 20 pages.

Mr. Gethin is also uniquely able to present the different traditions in an honest way without being disparaging about any of them. It is perhaps the fairest, most even-handed and factual account of the different traditions that I have read. I find this quite remarkable. I think that a fair reading of this text will let you appreciate the different schools of Buddhism, even if you don't necessarily buy into them.

I think this book is a hidden gem. I wish that everyone with an interest in Buddhism could read - and appreciate (!) - this fine piece of work.
74 people found this helpful
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Israel J. Lavi
4.0 out of 5 stars the most comprehensive, through book I have read on ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2015
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the most comprehensive, through book I have read on the topic of Buddhism, to certain degree some sections are over-detailed, yet its well written and interesting
5 people found this helpful
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Warr40
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Introduction to Buddhism for Western Academics
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2016
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Though Gethin's book is now a little old, it remains the best introduction to Buddhism for Western academics. He treats all topics within and divisions of Buddhism with respect and a scholar's eye for accuracy. He respects the tradition, and even goes so far as to dispel myths perpetuated by early Western scholars of Buddhism, while still giving an academic treatment that will be intelligible and accessible to those with no background in Eastern thinking.
This book may be slightly boring for those with a firm grounding and broad knowledge base, but I found myself picking up nuances and details that had not been covered by the other books I read on the topic. This is the only book on Buddhism that I have read so far that I feel does not require a teacher or extensive background knowledge to make it clear.
10 people found this helpful
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D. Connor
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2007
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The best introductory text I have read on Buddhism; beautifully written and very accurate as far as my ability to judge extends.

Regarding the controversy in the reviews here, people need to remember that there are more components to Buddhism than the words of the Buddha. First, the worldview in India at that time included gods, demons, hellworlds, reincarnation etc, and it would be unrealistic to expect them to not be a part of Buddhist writings. Second is the the huge religion and tradition of writing that expanded upon the words of the Buddha. In the west, we have a wide variety of those Buddhist traditions available, and we have the luxury of being able to pick one that suits us best.
7 people found this helpful
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Richard G. Leonberger
5.0 out of 5 stars An introductory text both broad and deep
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2016
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I'm new to the study of Buddhism, but I have an academic background, and the style of this book very much addressed my learning style and needs. There is a lot of information, presented in such a way as to not disparage one sect or school, or favor one at the expense of another. This text presents information as straightforwardly as possible, making an attempt to share what is common to all Buddhists, and then delves into some of the differences between individual schools and practices without favoring one at the expense of another.
2 people found this helpful
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MyMusings
5.0 out of 5 stars There is a great deal of the history that I was less interested ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
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I'm about half-way through the book. So this is just what I wanted: unbiased overview of Buddhism that explained its background, beliefs, and philosophy. There is a great deal of the history that I was less interested in but probably necessary to get to the philosophy. I've found some psychological analysis on the beliefs that I found helpful. In general, I find it well-written and not too heavy. Mind you, I was a philosophy major in college. For me this book is right on the mark.
2 people found this helpful
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Aristo
5.0 out of 5 stars great intro to Buddhist thought
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2007
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I found this to be a fascinating general history of Buddhist thought, very dense with information and insights.(And I mean dense - this is not an "Idiot's Guide to..." by any means.) I am looking forward to reading it again in the near future.

P.S. Contrary to the (very puzzling) one-star review below, this book hardly has "page after page listing date after date"; it focuses on ideas, not events, and for a work of history lists very few dates at all. I have to conclude that the reviewer has not actually read the book and is criticizing it for reasons best known to himself.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Michele A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Consigliato NON SOLO ai novizi
Reviewed in Italy on December 1, 2022
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Studio gli insegnamenti buddhisti da anni e posso assicurare che questo testo non è soltanto per i novizi (questa era la mia principale preoccupazione prima dell'acquisto); anche chi studia Dharma da un bel po', riuscirà a trarre importanti informazioni da questo libro.
Due cose in particolare ho apprezzato (e tanto)
1) L'organizzazione degli argomenti nei diversi capitoli: si comprende che, da parte dell'autore, c'è stata una grossa riflessione al fine di rendere la stesura del lavoro quanto mai chiara, precisa e ottimale, evitando sovrapposizioni di temi e non linearità degli stessi
2) Una sincerità, nei confronti di specifici argomenti, non comune agli studiosi occidentali, specie se provenienti dal mondo accademico
Consigliato? ASSOLUTAMENTE SI. Sia per i novizi e i curiosi, sia per gli studiosi più avanzati
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J. R. Curtis
5.0 out of 5 stars A deep dive into the philosophical concepts of Buddhism
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2022
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I purchased this book after reading a footnote form Bikkhu Bodhi in his anthology of the Pali Canon. The footnote suggested this book as a deeper dive into the philosophical and psychological aspects of the Buddhist ontology and metaphysics, and this is exactly that it is.

Though the title may suggest otherwise, I would begin by clarifying what this book is, and what it is not. Though a suitably enthusiastic beginner would certainly learn a great deal by beginning with this book, I do not believe it is suitable for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of the main tenets of Buddhist thought. Whilst it certainly begins at the beginning, by chapter 5 or 6, the philosophical exposition of the deep and interconnected systems that make up the core Buddhist concepts read like the texts I was studying in my philosophy MA. I say this not to brag, but to try to give an idea of the tone of the book.

Potential readers should be under no illusions; this is an academic book that covers deeply academic topics. Philosophical concepts are posed like philosophical arguments, and the discourse is considered in the form approaching an academic essay.

That said, what this book does, it does very well. I have found it not only incredibly informative, but captivating to read. The topics, whilst deep and quite tricky to comprehend, are clearly laid out, and the author does not shy away from delving into the minutiae of the philosophical frame work.

The chapters on the link between the mind, consciousness, and reality itself, and how these underpin the twin concepts of karma and rebirth, are some of the finest philosophy I have ever read, and while this is, in part, due to the development of Buddhism itself over 2,500 years, credit must be given to the author for the way in which it has been presented.

I would recommend this book whole heartedly to those wishing to explore the deeper philosophical aspects of Buddhist thought, from both a practitioner's perspective and as an intellectual study. I would, however, urge caution for those with little or no prior knowledge. Bikkhu Bodhi's introductions are perhaps more gentle introductions to the very basics, whilst this is a much more specific and thorough survey of the philosophy which underpins the core concepts.
2 people found this helpful
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Rooster
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic introduction to Buddhist philosophy
Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2019
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Great introduction to Buddhist philosophy. Accessible, yet sufficiently detailed and sophisticated. Highly recommended reading to anyone wishing to get a sufficiently substantive appreciation for Buddhist thought. Clear and concise writing.
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Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars a big research into buddhism
Reviewed in Mexico on November 5, 2018
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This is not a book of how to practice Buddhism. This is more research and investigation about what Buddhism is.
Really good information inside.
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Bankim Raval
5.0 out of 5 stars Very appropriate book title.
Reviewed in India on June 28, 2017
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Whatever shape Buddhism has taken in later centuries as it flourished far and wide,one must not forget that it is all built up on a solid foundation of practice and philosophy.What is that solid foundation? I feel this well-researced book lays out facts about basic buddhism in a very sensible manner. Very appropriate book title here I must say.
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