Art of Buddhism an Introduction to Its History and Meaning Pdf

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 · 60 ratings  · 8 reviews

Outset your review of The Art of Buddhism: An Introduction to Its History and Meaning

3.5 stars.

This book had a few basic issues.
ane. No glossary. A glossary would take been extremely useful for a book like this.
2. At that place were a good number of typos and places where words were cutting strangely. It seemed like the text block had been re-sized at some point, and someone hadn't defenseless all the times when words needs dashes removed or added.
iii. There were a few times when the picture existence described didn't seem to exactly match the image in the book. It's not like a dissimilar image was being

3.5 stars.

This book had a few bones issues.
1. No glossary. A glossary would take been extremely useful for a book like this.
2. At that place were a good number of typos and places where words were cut strangely. It seemed like the text cake had been re-sized at some point, and someone hadn't defenseless all the times when words needs dashes removed or added.
iii. There were a few times when the picture being described didn't seem to exactly friction match the image in the volume. It'due south not like a different prototype was being described, more like the book would say "there are 5 figures in this painting," and I would only see 4. This happened enough times that I was very confused. Non sure if this is on me being very dumb, or on the volume. Merely I have to believe I tin can count the number of figures in a painting correctly.
4. Word usage was sometimes strange. I noticed this especially in the instance of the give-and-take "soul." Buddhists don't tend to believe in a soul, or atman. Anatman is a major tenant of Buddhism. I wish a unlike word had been used, or if the author really did mean that these artists had believed in a soul (unlike most Buddhists) that that had been discussed.
5. Often in that location just wasn't enough information given, either about the history, symbolism, or art itself. It felt very rushed. I was hoping for a volume that would explain the symbolism of Buddhist art, but instead it was often just description--"this statue depicts a bodhisattva holding a vajra, a skull cup, a sword, and a man skin," and so no explanation of what a skull cup or a flayed human pare symbolized in the context of the piece. Certain major symbols were explained (lotus, vajra). But the more circuitous ones that await stranger to Western eyes (like flayed homo skin) were not explained. The "why" also wasn't covered well. Why did one culture do things one manner, some other a different way? Sometimes there were very brief explanations, just frequently there weren't any.
half dozen. The order of the writing was odd. The chapters generally first off with a very brief history of the several hundred years covered in the chapter, then the images are generally given in chronological and geographical order. But the history is so briefly told that information technology gets confusing which art pieces were made during which times period. I thought it would have fabricated more than sense to tell the history as the art pieces were introduced.
7. More than charts would have been helpful. Charts of the various mudras and what they mean, a chart summarizing the diverse Bodhisattvas and Buddhas mentioned many times, more charts laying out the fine art work. There is one mandala that includes a line drawing with numbers for each figure, and the text refers to the numbers (number i is Manjushri, number v is a monk, etc.). That was extremely helpful, and I wish they had included more than charts similar that.

All that said, I did read the book straight through, it covers a not bad deal of info, and the images are great. I retrieve it would be a tough read for someone who had very little noesis of Buddhism, considering the background isn't explained very securely. The book did introduce me to a few art styles I didn't know much most, and I look forward to finding more in-depth books but roofing Zen art, or Tibetan art.

...more

Jan 09, 2018 Sierra rated it it was amazing

I loved this book!

As someone who was new to Buddhism, I constitute this (forth with some extra research) to be a wonderful tool for exploring the origins of Buddhism along with its different facets. Quality photos and works called. Highly recommend!

Jun 22, 2017 Kiely rated information technology actually liked it

For a textbook required for a course, this was a good reference and introduction to Buddhism and Asian art; I just wish that the explanations were sometimes a bit clearer.

This is a fantastic book that teaches people the cultural influences of Buddhism in Asia based on the time line of its development every bit well as its impacts geographically. In that location is not much content virtually the faith itself; it mentions some bones ideologies, but most of its emphasis is on the cultural representation, literature and art course that people in different Asian regions express almost the religion. For that reason, I recommend reading books on the religion itself, meaning its behavior and This is a fantastic book that teaches people the cultural influences of Buddhism in Asia based on the time line of its development likewise as its impacts geographically. In that location is not much content most the religion itself; it mentions some basic ideologies, only almost of its emphasis is on the cultural representation, literature and art form that people in unlike Asian regions express near the religion. For that reason, I recommend reading books on the religion itself, meaning its beliefs and principles, earlier reading this book. That mode yous can get a more than comprehensive picture of the history and influence of this dynamic and fascinating faith (or philosophy depending on how you wait at it). This books definitely sparks your want to travel to all these ancient countries to see all the beautiful sculptures of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Very pleasant read overall. ...more than

October 12, 2009 Belle rated it really liked it

not the kind of book you can read all the way through, but a very very good reference yet. fifty-fifty though i didn't know a lot nigh buddhism, the author was skilful at presenting plenty background data to exist able to explain the details in the artworks. would be a slap-up book to refer dorsum to as i learn more than about buddhism and get exposed to more buddhist art. not the kind of book you can read all the fashion through, only a very very good reference nonetheless. fifty-fifty though i didn't know a lot almost buddhism, the author was practiced at presenting enough background information to exist able to explain the details in the artworks. would exist a smashing book to refer back to as i learn more than about buddhism and get exposed to more buddhist art. ...more

A well written book filled with lots of beautiful pictures and many points of reference.

Nifty resource for fine art and history.

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