Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia

Orzech, C.D., Payne, R. and Sorensen, H. (Eds.) (2011) Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia. Series: Handbook of Oriental studies: section 4, China. Brill: Leiden. ISBN 9789004184916

Abstract

Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in East Asia sets out an authoritative program, both historical and theoretical, for a new transnational approach to the study of Esoteric Buddhism. Esoteric Buddhism and the Buddhist Tantras were the final development of Indian Buddhism and ultimately had the greatest geographical spread of any form of Buddhism. This form of Buddhism left its imprint not only on its native India, but far beyond, on Southeast Asia, Central Asia, including Tibet and Mongolia, China, Korea and Japan. Not only has Esoteric Buddhism contributed substantially to the development of Buddhism in many cultures, but it also facilitated the transmission of religious art and material culture, science and technology. However, modern scholars who measure importance according to doctrinal production have mistakenly seen Esoteric Buddhism, with its emphasis on ritual and liturgy, as marginal. This volume seeks to address this misperception through a comprehensive treatment of Esoteric Buddhism and the Tantras in their Chinese, Korean, and Japanese contexts from the early centuries of the common era to the present.

• Item Type: Edited Books
• Additional Information: General editor: Orzech, C.D.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Orzech, Dr Charles
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion; B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BQ Buddhism; D History General and Old World > DS Asia
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Publisher: Brill
• ISBN: 9789004184916