"This superb collection of primary sources in translation drawn from all major schools of Buddhism explains clearly, and with great subtlety, the main Buddhist doctrines and developments in their Asian homelands. More wide-ranging than any previous edition of Buddhist texts, this is a very accessible book and most enjoyable to read. Carl Olson is to be congratulated on creating such an excellent resource for the study of Buddhism."-Ursula King, professor emerita of theology and religious studies, University of Bristol, England

Bringing together essential materials on the origins and development of Buddhist traditions from India, Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, and Japan, this anthology provides the broadest selection of primary source Buddhist literature available to date.

The volume is divided into two major parts: Theravada and Mahayana forms of Buddhism. The first section presents selections that explore major themes in Buddhist thought such as causality, Four Noble Truths, the doctrine of non-self, nibbana, meditation, and ethics, as well as literature about monastic life and regulations, women, and hagiography.

The second part includes selections from so-called wisdom literature and texts that represent the three major schools of Mahayana Buddhism: Pure Land, Madhyamika, and Yogacara. Selections also include sources from some of the major Chinese Buddhist schools such as Hua-yen, T'ien T'ai, Pure Land, and Ch'an. Readings by thinkers such as Tantric Buddhist reformer Tsong Khapa, Pure Land leaders Honen, Shinran, and Nichiren, as well as Zen Buddhists Dogen and Hakuin provide a perspective on regional and national traditions.

In addition to the general introduction, each major section is introduced by an essay that places the selections within the context of Buddhist history. This comprehensive reader stands on its own as an indispensable anthology of original textual sources for courses in Buddhism, while also serving as a companion volume to the text The Different Paths of Buddhism: A Narrative-Historical Introduction.

Carl Olson is a professor of religious studies at Allegheny College. His numerous books include Zen and the Art of Postmodern Philosophy: Two Paths of Liberation from the Representational Mode of Thinking and Indian Philosophers and Postmodern Thinkers: Dialogues on the Margins of Culture.

Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Selections from the Therav_da Tradition
Introduction to Therav_da Buddhist Literature
1. J_taka Tales (former lives of the Buddha)
2. Life of the Buddha
3. Teachings of the Buddha: Causality
4. Teachings of the Buddha: Four Noble Truths
5. Teachings of the Buddha: Non-self
6. Teachings of the Buddha: Nibb_na
7. Teachings of the Buddha: Meditation
8. Teachings of the Buddha: Ethical Issues and Virtues
9. Monastic Life and Regulations
10. Feminine Thread in Buddhism
11. Therav_da Hagiographical Literature
Part II: Selections from the Mah_y_na Tradition
Introduction to Mah_y_na Buddhist Literature
12. Praj_p_ramita Literature
13. Mah_ratnak_ta S_tra
14. The True Lion's Roar of Queen _r_m_l_
15. Pure Land S_tra
16. Mah_h_yana School of Thought: M_dhyamika
17. Mah_y_na School of Thought: Yog_c_ra
18. Tibetan Buddhist Tradition
19. Chinese Tradition: Hua-yen School, T'ien T'ai School, Pure Land School, Ch'an School
20. Japanese Tradition: Pure Land Buddhism, Zen Buddhism
21. Mah_y_na Hagiographical Literature
22. The Feminine Thread in Mah_y_na Literature
Index