Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought / Edition 5

by Patrick S. Bresnan

Overview

Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought engages students with anecdotes, primary and secondary sources, an accessible writing style, and a clear historical approach.

The text focuses on India, China, and Japan, while showing the relationships that exist between Eastern and Western traditions. Patrick Bresnan consistently links the past to the present, so students may see that Eastern traditions, however ancient their origins, are living traditions and relevant to modern times.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780205242986
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/31/2012
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	494
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Patrick S. Bresnan is a retired professor of history and philosophy at De Anza College, Cupertino, California, where he created a four-quarter course, Introduction to Eastern Philosophy, dealing with the historical development of the major philosophical traditions of Asian countries. That, plus extensive travel and study in Asia, resulted in the production of the college-level text Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought.

Table of Contents

Preface　

Part I Hinduism and Related Traditions of South Asia　

1. India Before the Vedas　

2. Veda and the Vedas　

3. Introduction to the Upanishads　

4. The Bhagavad Gita　

5. Ashtanga Yoga　　　

6. Darshana　

7. The Devotional Movement　

8. A Millennium of Strife　

Part II Shakyamuni Buddha and the Early Development of Buddhism　

9. The Life of Shakyamuni Buddha　

10. Basic Teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha　

11. Theravada Buddhism　

12. Mahayana Buddhism　

Part III Non-Buddhist Traditions of East Asia　

13. Confucius and Confucianism　

14. Daoism　

15. Shinto　

Part IV Buddhism in China and Japan　

16. Early Buddhism in China　

17. Tibetan Buddhism　

18. Chan Buddhism　

19. Zen Buddhism　

Works Cited　

Index　

Preface

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

We humans struggle to make sense out of a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless. In every age men and women—at least some men and women—have sought to go beyond the appearances of everyday life and discover a transcendent truth in which reality is seen as it really is. Such an experience is often called "awakening"—it is the opening of consciousness to the light of perfect understanding.

This great quest has been an important part of the history of both East and West, and in both worlds much attention has been given to uncovering a fundamental principle of unity that underlies the manifold expressions of nature. There has, however, been a difference in emphasis. Speaking very broadly, the West has emphasized the rational and scientific approach, whereas the East, again speaking very broadly, has tended to emphasize the introspective approach, an intuitive opening of consciousness that goes beyond the limits of the rational mind. Such a state of consciousness, in which the underlying oneness of Being is personally experienced, is known as the "unitive state." The search for a way of life that will result in this kind of awakening is at the heart of the history of Eastern thought.

This book tells the story of that search. It is a search that unfolds slowly over nearly four millennia. And, of course, it is still unfolding today; the present age is merely the cutting edge. There is something especially exciting about the present age, though. As the global village takes form, the traditions of East and West are coming together. Who can imagine what wondrous offspring may result from this marriage?

Theevolution of Eastern thought grows from many roots. Those of India and China are especially strong and deep, reaching back before the beginnings of recorded history. We will take up this study at the source of the tradition, in India. It is appropriate to begin in India because so much of the spiritual and philosophical foundation of Eastern thought is to be found there. And, it was out of the amazingly fertile Hindu tradition that Buddhism was born. From India, Buddhism would spread to all parts of the Eastern world, sometimes merging with other evolving traditions to create new directions of growth. In China, Buddhism would confront the already established traditions of Confucianism and Daoism, and in Japan, the ancient tradition of Shinto. These too are important parts of this study.

The history of the development of Eastern thought is far too vast to be reduced to the pages of any single volume. The purpose of this work, therefore, is not to tell everything; that would be impossible. Rather, in this book my primary aim is to help you form a comprehensive overview of the subject, a "Big Picture." In the pages that follow I will introduce you to this important part of the story of humankind's search for awakening. It is my goal to include all that is essential to a broad understanding of the subject and to clarify all major concepts no matter how complex they may be, in a way that is clear and engaging. It is my deepest hope that you, the reader, will come away from this book hungry for more, and that you will choose to become a lifelong student of this fascinating subject.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

In recent years the study of Eastern philosophical and spiritual traditions has become a very active field. Ongoing research is constantly generating new interpretations and understandings. And, my own involvement in the field has continued to grow as well. Out of this, a new edition of Awakening has emerged. It improves on the original by having a more accessible overall organization, by incorporating up-to-date scholarship, and by the addition of an expanded treatment of several topics, including the subject of Tantra, which encompasses a whole new section in this edition. In addition, I have used only my own photography for the photo illustrations. I believe that this will result in illustrations that fit more tightly with the text.

The growing threat of international mayhem in the present age underscores the need for greater understanding of and sensitivity for differing religious and philosophical traditions. By embarking on this study you are helping to achieve that goal. Thus, the overarching aim of Awakening remains essentially unchanged. If I may quote from the Preface to the First Edition: "It is my deepest hope that you, the reader, will come away from this book hungry for more, and that you will choose to become a lifelong student of this fascinating subject."

I am grateful to many people for their help in completing the second edition of Awakening. I wish to acknowledge before all else the valuable contributions of my students. They continue to be a rich source of insight and feedback. Everything is tried out on them initially; nothing goes into the book that doesn't pass the classroom test first. My wife, Elizabeth, also gets a special "thank you" for her patience and support. And, a big thanks to the folks at Nilgiri Press for their generous permission to quote extensively from Eknath Easwaren's excellent translations of the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

It's been my good fortune to work with some exceptional people at Prentice Hall, and no doubt the book shows it. Ross Miller, Senior Acquisitions Editor for Philosophy and Religion, has been very helpful to me, and I appreciate it. Editorial Assistant Carla Worner has been unfailingly gracious and efficient.

The critical analysis and suggestions of the Prentice Hall reviewers provided invaluable insights for this revision. My sincere thanks to Maxine Freed, Monterey Peninsula College and Carla D. Grady, College of San Mateo.

I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been able to work again with Barbara DeVries, the Production Editor for this book, who also steered the first edition through the complicated process of production. Thank you, Barbara, for your sound advice, your good will, and your skillful handling of the entire process.

As a final note I'd like to thank the many people who have used the book and have communicated with me about it. Your support for the book, and your suggestions, have made a big difference. This book is dedicated to all students with an interest in this fascinating subject. Don't be reluctant to send me an email; I'd love to hear from you.

Patrick Bresnan
Los Gatos, California
January 6, 2002

[e-mail]

Editorial Reviews

New edition of an introductory text for students of comparative and Eastern philosophic and religious thought. The 16 chapters deal with the human struggle to find a truth that transcends a world that sometimes seems chaotic and meaningless. Beginning with Hinduism, topics include India before the Vedas, the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Indian movements and eras, non-Buddhist systems of China and Japan, and Buddhism (the life and teachings of Buddha, and various forms of Buddhism in Tibet, China and Japan). Bresnan (DeAnza College) has provided new material on the Tantra, and has used his own b&w photographs for illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Praise for the Sixth Edition:

"The high praises attached to Awakening should not come as a surprise. This is the sixth edition of Awakening, and Bresnan has made significant changes in each edition--clarifying his presentations, honing the questions, and adding new elements. . . . [It] is truly a testament to a great educator who is well-versed in a wide range of Eastern traditions and philosophies."
Paul J. D'Ambrosio in Teaching Philosophy

From the Publisher