Buddhism, according to the editor in chief of this encyclopedia,
"is one of the three major world religions, along with Christianity
and Islam." Unlike the other two, however, Buddhism lacks
substantial reference works in Western languages. The majority are
single-volume works, defining terms, concepts, deities, etc. The
Encyclopedia of Buddhism, on the other hand, "seeks to document the
range and depth of the Buddhist tradition in its many
manifestations."
The nearly 500 entries are alphabetically arranged, signed by their
authors, and conclude with see references and supplemental
bibliographies. Article length ranges from 50 to 4,000 words. There
are illustrations throughout, including three maps on the diffusion
of Buddhism in Asia as well as an eight-page insert of color plates
in each volume. The set ends with several time lines of Buddhist
history and a good index. Given the long history Buddhism has
enjoyed and the many different cultural regions and national
traditions in which it has developed, two volumes are not enough to
do the subject justice. Consequently, the entries tend to be
thematic and inclusive in nature, with specific mention of, say, an
individual or place being made within a broader survey article.
While the cosmological, doctrinal, and ritual aspects of Buddhism
are covered extensively, entries also treat the cultural, social,
and political contexts that have shaped and been shaped by Buddhist
thought (e.g., Economics, Education, Law). Entries for geographic
locations provide nice historical surveys of the development of
Buddhism to the present day and include the U.S and Europe.
Buddhism's interaction with other world religions and philosophies
(e.g., Christianity and Buddhism, Communism and Buddhism, Jainism
and Buddhism) is treated. Finally, recognizing that Buddhism is a
force in the world today, the editor has included entries that
provide Buddhist perspectives on issues of contemporary concern
(e.g., Abortion, Gender, Modernity and Buddhism).
The editor is correct to point out that covering Buddhism in its
entirety is impossible in so short a work. Nevertheless, the
Encyclopedia of Buddhism is a welcome addition to the reference
literature for the tradition itself and, more broadly, Buddhist and
Asian studies. Public and academic libraries serving readers with
interest in these areas would do well to acquire it.


Additional information:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0028657187/

MacMillan Library Reference Encyclopedia of Buddhism

$10

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