The British Discovery of Buddhism
Douban
Philip C. Almond
overview
This book examines the British discovery of Buddhism during the Victorian period. It was only during the nineteenth century that Buddhism became, in the western mind, a religious tradition separate from Hinduism. As a result, Buddha emerged from a realm of myth and was addressed as a historical figure. Almond's exploration of British interpretations of Buddhism - of its founder, its doctrines, its ethics, its social practices, its truth and value - illuminates more than the various aspects of Buddhist culture: it sheds light on the Victorian society making these judgements.
contents
Preface page ix
Introduction 1
1 The discovery of Buddhism 7
2 Buddhism and the 'Oriental mind' 33
3 The Buddha - from myth to history 54
4 The Victorians and Buddhist doctrine 80
5 Victorian precepts and Buddhist practice 111
6 'The heathen in his blindness'? 132
Conclusion 139
Notes 142
Bibliography 166
Index 181