Buddhism and Its Religious Others: Historical Encounters and Representations

This volume collects studies of Buddhist literature and art that represent the religious other to their audiences, exploring how Buddhists have understood their place in shared religious landscapes and responded to the presence and influence of traditions other than their own. It examines the range of attitudes Buddhists have expressed with respect to other religions, and how they have used and reused stories, symbols, and other strategies to explain religious others and their value.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Buddhism, a multifaceted and ancient tradition, has evolved alongside various religious belief systems and practices throughout its history. In every era, region, and culture, Buddhism has faced rival systems that have challenged its teachings on the world, behavior within it, and the path to liberation. This comprehensive volume brings together scholarly studies on Buddhist literature and art, offering a profound exploration of the religious otherness that these works convey to their audiences. Contributing authors delve into the ways in which Buddhists in India, China, and other parts of Asia have understood their place within the broader religious landscape, as well as their responses to the presence and influence of traditions other than their own.

The studies in this volume examine a diverse range of "others" that Buddhists have encountered throughout history, and the diverse mechanisms they have employed to make sense of them. Chapters explore the spectrum of attitudes that Buddhists have held towards other religions, showcasing how they have either accommodated these other traditions within their worldview or deemed them redundant. Through these chapters, we gain insight into how Buddhists have employed and reinterpreted stories, symbols, and other strategies over centuries to explain religious others and their significance, with each representation of the other serving as a reflection of Buddhism's character and status.

This volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between Buddhism and other religious traditions. It provides a rich tapestry of insights into the ways in which Buddhists have navigated the challenges of religious otherness, employing creative and nuanced approaches to understand and appreciate the diversity of spiritual paths and beliefs. By exploring the intersections between Buddhism and other religions, this volume contributes to our understanding of the rich and dynamic tapestry of world religions and their enduring impact on human societies.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197266991