Very short introductions looks at theatre in its various forms, from shadow puppetry used by buddhist monks and missionaries to the development of the noh theatre in. A very short introduction illustrates how buddhism might approach a range of fascinating dilemmas confronting the modern world, ethical moral issues ranging. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421. Written by richard lyman bushman, an eminent historian and practicing mormon, this compact, informative volume ranges from the history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints to the contentious issues of contemporary mormonism. The book does have a greater degree of editorial input, resulting in a tighter narrative. A very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the.
This book is intended for an audience of undergraduates, buddhist practitioners looking for an overview of the tradition, and readers with a general interest in the subject. A very short introduction very short introductions 1 by givens, terryl l. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an audience which shifts over the course of the history it unfolds. The book of mormon is a sacred text of the latter day saint movement, which, according to adherents, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the american continent from approximately 2200 bc to ad 421.
John arnolds addition to oxfords popular very short introductions series is a stimulating essay about how people study and understand history. The objective is not to find the most correct meaning for each passage of the book of mormon, but to find the most likely sources which joseph smith remixed to create the book of mormon. Damien keown looks at the distinctive features of buddhism, examining who the buddha was and what his teachings were. Givens is a member of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church. The lack of a liturgical function for the book in mormon worship reduces the need. Previous religionthemed subjects include buddhism, hinduism, catholicism, islam, sikhism, and protestantism, not to mention richard bushmans mormonism and terryl givenss the book of mormon.
Suggestions for nonfiction world religion books nonfiction. David cozy, japan times the tibetan book of the dead. How has buddhist thought developed over the centuries, and how can cont. Its a very small book, but its packed with information that as well as being written in. Oxfords very short introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from islam to sociology, politics to classics, and literary theory to history. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider buddhism one of the major.
Apr, 2020 featured resources are specialized or unique resources. He surveys some of the sites, including hazor, megiddo, gezer, lachish, masada, and. This very short introduction offers readers a superb overview of the teachings of the buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of buddhism into daily. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of. Through understanding the law of cause and effect, using practical tools like meditation to gain. Feb 28, 20 this very short introduction offers readers a superb overview of the teachings of the buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of buddhism into daily life. He is founding coeditor of the journal of buddhist ethics and a fellow of the royal asiatic society. Some very short books about buddhism the buddhist centre. A very short introduction by damien keown goodreads. Geshe kelsang gyastos book an introduction to buddhism, distills all the basic, essential components of buddhist thought and philosophy into a short, concise, clear, easy to read text that leaves the reader wanting to find out more about these beautiful teachings.
Givens, 9780195369311, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library. A very short introduction by damien keown words such as karma and nirvana have entered our vocabulary, but do we really understand their meaning. Terryl givens, a highly regarded english professor at the university of richmond and one of the finest book of mormon scholars, has written this brief introduction to the book of mormon for the oxford university press very short introduction series. Archaeologist cline discusses the origins of biblical archaeology as a discipline and what. Spirituality is the 336th volume of oxford university presss ongoing very short introduction series. Thus, one could say that to the extent the principles of mormonism overlap with the principles of buddhism, hinduism, taoism, or other religious faiths, one could say that a mormon is a buddhist, a hindu, or a taoist, and vice versa. Welcome to our project to crowd source the origins of the book of mormon, a controversial text published in 1830. A very short introduction, follows the same format as other texts in the very short introduction series it has fewer than 150 pages, is well indexed, has a useful glossary, accessible and enjoyable narrative, and captures the essence in a very short space the major points of its topic. The book of mormon as literature very short introductions. May 08, 2018 the buddhas teachings an introduction by. To bring us to this state, buddhism points us to lasting values in this impermanent world, and gives us valuable information about how things really are. The book of mormon is a religious record of three groups of people who migrated from the old world to the american continents. Mar 14, 20 part of a series by oxford university press, this book, buddhism.
A very short introduction 2005 and coeditor of encyclopaedia of buddhism routledge, 2007. A very short introduction by richard lyman bushman isbn. These books are located on the first floor of the macdonaldkelce library, on a spinner display rack located next to the reference desk. An account written by the hand of mormon upon plates taken from the plates of nephi. This book is a comprehensive introduction to buddhist tradition as it has developed in three major cultural areas in asia, and to buddhism as it is now developing in the west. The testimony of the eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. Terryl givens is a professor of literature and religion at the university of richmond, and wrote the recentlypublished the book of mormon.
Written by terryl givens, a leading authority on mormonism, this compact volume offers the only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work. Having read lopezs book, we will look afresh at the volumes of unmoored wisdom so many in the west have taken to heart. In this latter work givens gives greater prominence to the structure and content of the book itself while limiting. A concise and uptodate guide to the history, teachings, and practice of buddhism by two luminaries in the field of world religions. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential religious texts produced in the western world. With over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is. A very short introduction very short introductions. The book begins by inviting us to think about various questions provoked by our investigation of history, and then explores the ways in which these questions have been answered in the past. The book of mormon has less literary renown than the bible, as its militarypolitical clan chronicle format leaves less room for literary embellishment. The beauty of this book is that it is accessible at several different levels. A very short introduction from the worlds largest community of readers.
Yet, a vsi a very short introduction is not a summary of by the hand of mormon, although those who have read both books will certainly identify common claims and themes and recognize the same voice throughout their pages. I often have said that i would be buddhist if i werent mormon, and i believe strongly that the overall eternal perspective of buddhism is so much closer to mormonisms than is any other christian denomination that its not comparable. Oxfords very short introductions series offers concise and original introductions to central issues in a given topic, written by expert authors. Must be on campus or have a com id to access off campus. Lds religion libguides at college of southern idaho. Words such as karma and nirvana have entered our vocabulary, but what do they. It looks at the distinctive features of buddhism, examining who the buddha was and what his teachings were. The goal of buddhism is a state of lasting, unconditional happiness known as enlightenment.
Oxfords very short introductions offer concise introductions that are balanced, demonstrating how it has developed and influenced society. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative yet always balanced discussions of the central issues in a given. The only concise, accessible introduction to this extraordinary work, which is too often overshadowed by the controversies that surround it. Short introductions to world religions, christian sects, and. Browse in religion very short introductions online very short. A very short introduction examines the book of mormon primarily in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an audience which shifts over the course of the history it unfolds. Mar 12, 2008 one of the grand fundamental principles of mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. The tibetan book of the dead princeton university press. This very short introduction offers listeners a superb overview of the teachings of the buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of buddhism into daily life. Damien keons very short introduction to buddhism is a wonderful book written in a wellstructured way, to cover all the historic, geographic, as well as the religious, philosophical, ethical and social aspects of the buddhist religionphilosophy. Givens examines the book of mormon first and foremost in terms of the claims that its narrators make for its historical genesis, its purpose as a sacred text, and its meaning for an. A very short introductionhereafter abbreviated vsi by oxford university press.
This is the first very short introduction that i have read and, based on the quality and concision of this book, i will be buying more of the series. Buddhism is a religion that was founded by siddhartha gautama the buddha more than 2,500 years ago in india. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The book of mormon records the visit of jesus christ to people in the americas following his resurrection. The noncanonical introduction to the 1981 lds church edition of the book of mormon states that the lamanites are the principal ancestors of the american indians.
A very short introduction an easy way to get any overview of western paganism. Browse in religion very short introductions online very. Written by historian richard lyman bushman, you have a near perfect balance as bushman is himself a practicing mormon, but is open to the problems that the movement faces and is honest about the issues that surround the history and policies of the church. Terryl givens with over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential. In the new edition of this lively and accessible very short introduction to buddhism, damien keown looks at all the distinctive features of the major world faith. A very short introduction explains who mormons are. Keown is a buddhist studies academic, and his book is like a condensed version of an undergraduate course entitled introduction to buddhism. The only compact introduction to one of the most influential religious texts in the western world, written by a leading authority on mormonism with over 140 million copies in print, and serving as the principal proselytizing tool of one of the worlds fastest growing faiths, the book of mormon is undoubtedly one of the most influential religious texts produced in the western world. Very short introductions vsi are a book series published by the oxford university press oup. It is intended to be a textbook for students of religious and asian studies, but it will also be of interest to those who want a general survey of buddhism and its beliefs. A very short introduction, which, being the flagship of the fleet, has just had a refit, the 2nd edition having come out in 20.
Traces five governing themes in particular revelation, christ, zion, scripture, and covenant and analyzes the books central doctrines and teachings. Browse in religion very short introductions online. Based on the earliest sources available, this corrected text represents the most accurate and readable edition of thebook of mormonever published first published in 1830, the book of mormon is the authoritative scripture of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints and its estimated million members. It was first published in march 1830 by joseph smith as the book of mormon. A very short introduction damien keown oxford academic oxford university press. A very short introduction very short introductions 8601404328893. I also have read a lot of good histories of protestantism in the us and a bunch of good sociological studies of religion if either topic should be of interest. The editor is also able to unfold a tragic history throughout the book. The book describes key concepts such as samsara, rebirth, the handful of leaves, the noble truths, nirvana and the importance of generosity in buddhism.
Ive been fascinated with buddhism for years and for years jokingly called myself a zen mormon. Part of a series by oxford university press, this book, buddhism. This very short introduction offers readers a superb overview of the teachings of the buddha, as well as a succinct guide to the integration of buddhism into daily life. Terryl lynn givens is a professor of literature and religion at the university of richmond, where he holds the james a. Words such as karma and nirvana have entered our vocabulary, but what do they mean. The buddhas techings an introduction a free pdf ebook. Naturally, as a member, i would also advocate careful study of the source material, the book of mormon. These groups were led by prophets who recorded their religious and secular histories on metal plates. A biography is an excellent short introduction to buddhism, and an intriguing analysis of how ancient texts are used or invented to give authority to ideologies.
A very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to the workings of buddhism in daily life. This very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to the integration of buddhism into daily life. A very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to the workings of. Maxwell institute of religious scholarship at brigham young university byu. Givens very short introduction to the book of mormon, i find myself somewhat interested in reading the book of mormon to see how it holds up as a fantasy epicwork of literature.
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