A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (Concise Encyclopedia of World Faiths)

Rating:
Summary: A very handy reference tool
Review: I found this an exceptionally reliable and useful one volume reference book for my studies. For its size, it has an impressive coverage of terms, history etc. It is also affordable. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A very handy reference tool
Review: I picked this book up in the bookstore and read the selections dealing with Nichiren Buddhism. They focus entirely on Soka Gakka and the Nichiren Shoshu as if they were the only two schools of Nichiren Buddhism. The book does not even mention the mainstream school of Nichiren Buddhism in Japan, the Nichiren Shu, or the other legitimate Nichiren Buddhist sects like the Kempon Hokke Shu, the Honmon Butsuryu Shu or others. It does not mention that in Japan the Soka Gakkai is regarded as a cult, and the Nichiren Shoshu is a very tiny fringe sect that is not really regarded as Buddhist even by the mainstream Nichiren groups. The discussions of the Gohonzon and Odaimoku are likewise very shallow and do not hint at the deep spirituality of Nichiren Buddhism. As one of the first ministers-in-training with the Nichiren Shu, I was very disappointed to see this. John Powers needs to talk to Professor Jacqueline Stone of Princeton U. before he writes another word about Nichiren Buddhism. If the other entries of this volume show the same lack of research and care then this book deserves negative stars. I will leave that for members of other schools of Buddhism to decide.

Rating:
Summary: Michael McCormack stupid and lazy.
Review: Michael McCormack, Your review of this book shows your ignorance. You state the author needs more research yet you admit you did not even read the entire book! This review shows you are both stupid and lazy. I found it had impressive coverage for a book this size. You should stick to watching those Buffy The Vampire Slayer reruns You love so much. That is obviously your intellectual level!

Rating:
Summary: short but thorough
Review: This is an impressive pocket resource for Buddhism. Unlike some earlier reviewers, I did read it from cover to cover, and am very impressed. Powers' explanations of basic Buddhist concepts is very clear and straightforward. Of course in a work like this he had to be selective, but the range of entries is staggering, with good choices of what to include as most representative/interesting. He covers all the main Buddhist traditions, including modern western Buddhist movements. My only complaints are that he puts disproportionate stress on the twentieth century and on Tibetan Buddhism. His coverage of southeast Asia and Sri Lanka is very light. But it's definitely a VERY good reference work for anyone interested in Buddhism.

Rating:
Summary: short but thorough
Review: This is an impressive pocket resource for Buddhism. Unlike some earlier reviewers, I did read it from cover to cover, and am very impressed. Powers' explanations of basic Buddhist concepts is very clear and straightforward. Of course in a work like this he had to be selective, but the range of entries is staggering, with good choices of what to include as most representative/interesting. He covers all the main Buddhist traditions, including modern western Buddhist movements. My only complaints are that he puts disproportionate stress on the twentieth century and on Tibetan Buddhism. His coverage of southeast Asia and Sri Lanka is very light. But it's definitely a VERY good reference work for anyone interested in Buddhism.