Library Book Reviews
In the Library/Book Review section, we will review books that are in our library holdings or other books that are currently available in English on Buddhism and especially on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
Contents
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Library Book Reviews
Contents |
| An Introduction to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in America, A Dialogue with Buddhists and Others | |
Old Path, White Cloud: Walking In The Footsteps Of The Buddha |
The beginning of Old Path, White Cloud: Walking In The Footsteps Of The Buddha covers the early life of Siddhartha Gautama from the story of his conception and birth through his early childhood recognition of impermanence, his adult introduction into the depths of human suffering in society, his search for the way to end suffering and pain for all sentient beings, and finally his enlightenment and his choice to be called the Buddha (an enlightenment being). The story from this point is less familiar, but intensely interesting. |
 A Japanese
Classic that has been translated into English. Muyuge:
Flower Without Sorrow is a collection of poems
that helps to reveal the life lived in the Nembutsu. For
a sample of the contents of Muyuge: Flower
Without Sorrow please read the review or go to our "quotables" section of the home
page. |
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| The book "Mahayana Buddhism: An Approach to Its Essence" tries to communicate some of the more subtle nuances of the Mahayana. In a marriage of the graphic nature of the internet, and the contents of what "Mahayana Buddhism: An Approach to Its Essence" is trying to communicate we have a "graphic book review." | |
| Cocktails | Cocktails is a short book that defines various frequently used terms by Japanese-American Buddhists. |
| Critique of "Simply Jodo Shinshu", by Rev. Katsumi Yoshiyama, translated by the Northwest Minister' Association, 1994. | |
| Raising a mentally deficient son, after divorcing her husband in a strict, tradition oriented society of post-war Japan was an immense struggle for one woman. This is Mitsuko Ando's story. | |
| Return to Home Page | |
| Ocean An Introduction to Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in America, A Dialogue with Buddhists and Others Author: Rev. Dr. Kenneth Tanaka Reviewer: Esther Yonemura Availability: Future Library Holding |
Hurrah! A reader friendly book for the general
American audience on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.
"OCEAN" is an excellent resource book with
explanations of the teachings, historical development and
answers to "questions most often asked" in
dialogue form. This is a very thoughtful, mindful and compassionate book. You can sense the author is a true teacher by the format and organization of the book. It is complete with an in-depth appendix, index A & B, glossary and an annotated "further reading list." When reading the book, you get the feeling the author is conversing with you and genuinely wants you to understand the teaching. The tone is clear, direct and personal. One of our foremost Dharma School teachers, when asked what she thought of "OCEAN" answered, "Wow, this is a book I can read and really understand!" For those who have read many other Buddhist books, you can appreciate the joy of that answer. This is a wonderful book to have in your own personal home library. The VBT Library/Bookstore will have it available for sale within the next month ($14.95) - in time for the Holidays! |
| Old Path, White Cloud: Walking In The Footsteps Of The Buddha Author: Thich Nhat Hanh Publisher: Parallax Press, 1991 Pages: 572 includes a complete listing of Sutra sources by chapter and incident Reviewer: Maegan Prentice Availability: Future Library Holding |
The beginning of Old Path, White Cloud: Walking In
The Footsteps Of The Buddha covers the early life of
Siddhartha Gautama from the story of his conception and
birth through his early childhood recognition of
impermanence, his adult introduction into the depths of
human suffering in society, his search for the way to end
suffering and pain for all sentient beings, and finally
his enlightenment and his choice to be called the Buddha
(an enlightenment being). The story from this point is less familiar, but intensely interesting. Up until this point his path has been the path that many people in his time, and through history, have chosen: the search for enlightenment. His teachers were real people with real insights who were able to point the way to greater levels of understanding. Following his enlightenment his path became quite different and unique. There were no longer teachers to show the way; he understood the way. What he did not yet know was how he was going to communicate an understanding that had no foundations in the traditions of his past. As a teacher and therapist I was deeply drawn into the story at this point as he pondered how to bring his knowledge to the world of suffering. Throughout the rest of the book the teachings appear one by one in response to real life situations. He does not teach in a vacuum; he is teaching into continually growing communities with a variety of different needs. He finds himself teaching those in serious quest and those leading everyday family and work lives. He manages to bridge these two separate communities through several different means including the practice of begging. We come to understand that both the bhikhus and the laity learn the lesson of interdependence through this practice. The bhikhus make themselves dependent, in reality, through this gesture. The giving of this teaching in such a manner extends to the laity as they are given the chance to thank the bhikhu for the example of this lesson. We also get to observe how difficult it is to absorb the teachings and accept them. Towards the end of the book, one of the Buddha's closest followers, Ananda, is surprised to realize that the Buddha is growing old, that change is happening, and that he is desiring to hold on to his teacher. For me personally the most beautiful lesson was found in the story of Angulimala, a mass murderer. By the virtue of the Buddhas respect for him as a suffering human being, the Buddha causes Angulimala to focus on the circumstances of his life and gives him the opportunity to experience and accept his grief. In doing so Angulimala is able to experience the reality of his own suffering and the basic suffering of all sentient beings. His repentance of his actions and the pain caused by the memory of those actions, transform this feared murderer into the bhikhu Ahimsaka (Gentle One) who was known as the gentlest in nature of all the bhikkhu. Briefly allowing ourselves to experience this situation we get to see how this lesson translates into so many situations in life. Acknowledging and respecting our own experiences, and the experiences of others, without any presumption of evil intent, allow us to reflect upon our own actions and feelings. The entire book is written in gentle and very human terms. Although the stories come from 42 different sutras that contain many "mystical" notes, the writer has chosen to present the Buddha's life as that of an enlightened teacher and leader who choose to live in the human realm of suffering, in the human form. That human quality is what brings all the profound lessons into our lives in an experiential way and prevents the lessons from becoming simple "facts" that we are unable to relate to. I highly recommend Old Path, White Cloud: Walking In The Footsteps Of The Buddha. |
Muyuge: Author: Takeko Kujo, translated from Japanese (English Copywrite held by Southern District Dharma School Teachers' League) Publisher: Nembutsu Press, Los Angeles, 1985 Pages: 112 Availability: Shoken-ji library and book store |
The Book Muyuge: Flower Without Sorrow is a collection of poems written by the late Takeko Kujo. Among her many activities she is perhaps best known for her charitable work in the Tokyo slums and for her relief efforts during the great Kanto earthquake of 1923. Although living under these conditions resulted in her untimely death in 1928 at the age of 41, her efforts lead directly to the founding of the Asoka Hospital, one of the great medical centers of Japan. Despite having lived in an era of great economic disparity, natural disasters, and where the prejudice against women was unmistakable, her strength of character became a source of inspiration, courage, and kindness for the women of her age. Having gone through over 400 printings in less than 15 years, she speaks of simple things in this collection of poems that has become a modern Japanese classic. She writes, for example, about women's tears: "Divorced from the cold objective world, they are drops from the limitless fountain of love." Although recognized as the founder of the Buddhist Women's Federation, her words speak of the universality of a life lived in the Nembutsu: a life that goes beyond the distinction of male and female. She reminds us, for example, that "Our grief is not that life is so short, but that we are unable to live our momentary life well." Muyuge is a book filled with the joy of living a life of gratitude, a life of the Nembutsu. The short passages that fill this small book help remind us of the extra-ordinary aspects of our lives, or to borrow the very last phrase of the book: "Without doubt. I receive this joy. Gassho of my heart." |
Mahayana Buddhism : Author: Yoshifumi Ueda, adapted by Taitesu Unno Publisher: Pure land Publications Pages: 69 Availability: Shoken-ji library and book store Reviewer: Hugh Moore |
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Author: Rev. Masao Kodani Publisher: Senshin Temple, Los Angeles, 1992 Pages: 108 pages with index, pictures, diagrams, original Chinese Characters with Romanized reading and English translation. Availability: Shoken-ji library and book store |
Cocktails is a short book that defines various frequently used terms by Japanese-American Buddhists. Cocktails, however, goes beyond simply defining terms and often gives the historical origin and the background of the usage of the terms it defines. For the student of Japanese culture, Cocktails may prove to be a valuable book as it often describes the Buddhist meaning behind the many common Japanese expressions used today. The following is an excerpt from the Preface of Cocktails, as well as one of its 237 entries: From the Preface: This booklet is a collection of terms, bits of information, and historical facts--cocktail facts that might be of interest to Japanese-American Buddhists and Jodoshinshu Buddhists in particular who have often heard these terms but were never quite sure what they meant in English. Example of Entry: Chochin carrying-lantern: These are lanterns made of paper and split bamboo used in festivals and special services. The Buddhists trace the Chochin to Shakyamuni Buddha who devised a lantern made of bamboo and paper to put over an open flame to protect flying insects from harm. The lantern was carried by monks when traveling at night, hence the name "carrying lantern." Large Chochin often decorate the Yagura* at Bon Odori* festivals with smaller Chochin strung from or around it. Large cylindrical Chochin hung from special stands are also placed at the entrance to a temple on special occasions. For Buddhists, the Chochin is a symbol of Ahimsa or the non-harming of living things. [* also defined in Cocktails] |
Author: Rev. Katsumi Yoshiyama (translated into English by the Northwest Minister's Association of the Buddhist Churches of America) Publisher: Northwest Minister's Association Availability: Shoken-ji library and book store |
A readers writes: Critique of "Simply Jodo Shinshu", by Rev. Katsumi Yoshiyama, translated by the Northwest Minister' Association, 1994. The forward states the "desire to effectively convey the teaching of Jodo Shin Buddhism in a simple and concise way. Hopefully, our efforts will deepen your appreciation of the Nembutsu teachings." This opening statement is indicative that the material which follows is reserved for an already informed reader. The use of the terms "Jodo Shin Buddhism" and "Nembutsu" need definition and explanation for the un-informed. The opening paragraph on the first section of the book entitled "True Teaching" refer to several terms which are also not defined: sutras, Shinran Shonin, Larger Sukhavativhuha, Sakyamuni Buddha, dharma. The use of terms which are foreign to many readers prevent easy digestion of the remaining sections. Even assuming a more informed reader, the text emphasizes several concepts which need to be accepted by the reader in order for the reader to move on to more important conclusions. Statements are made without support and the reader necessarily has to assume the role of acceptor/believer if he or she is to continue reading. For instance in section 2, the leading statement "Sakyamuni Buddha is the only one who has physically become a Buddha in this world" has to be taken on faith. If one pursues this alone, one has to question the validity of this statement and ask for a supporting argument which, unfortunately, is not forthcoming. In an attempt to be simplistic, the book has become extremely complex and difficult to grasp logically. An uncritical, sympathetic review of the book leaves a more informed reader enjoying the anecdotes and examples. However, the chief limitation of this book is that it does not avail itself as a reference source or as study material without access to a more extensive library to define terms and to extract the necessary supporting rationale. I applaud the attempt, and the brevity of the book, however, the need for a reference book which explains Jodo Shin Buddhism simply remains unsatisfied. |
Author: Mitsuko Ando Publisher: Daishinkai Press, 1996 Availability: Both Japanese and English versions are available at the Vista Buddhist Temple bookstore for $15 each Reviewer: Esther Yonemura
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Raising a mentally deficient son, after divorcing her husband in a strict, tradition oriented society of post-war Japan was an immense struggle for one woman. This is Mitsuko Ando's story. This is the one life. Mitsuko Ando candidly reviews her life and came to realize that in order to be self-reliant and build a successful real estate business, she often took extremely bold measures which simultaneously brought out her angry, resentful and, determined nature. It is a rare person indeed, who could honestly reveal herself in this way. Remarkably, with the encouragement of many dedicated & compassionate Dharma (teachings) teachers (sensei or ministers), she discusses how writing her story brought about a catharsis and deep appreciation for the Dharma and Nembutsu. Mitsuko Ando also awakens to the fact that one of her greatest teachers has been her mentally deficient son. Originally written in Japanese, "Gumyo No Tori," it was so well received that it has subsequently been translated into English so many more people can share and learn from her story. Perhaps, by reading this biography, one can see that the Nembutsu path is there for everyone. ...Reviewed by Esther Yonemura |
| If you would like information on how you can get a
copy of this or any other book found in our Library/Book
Review section, please e-mail us at vbt@cts.com |
