Dwight Goddard (1861–1939)

In his introduction to A Bhuddhist Bible, Huston Smith-professor of philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of The Religions of Man, among other works-describes the distinctive character and continuing value of this book, first published over thirty years ago. 'In view of the merit of a number of (recdent Buddhist ahthologies).' Professor Smith writes, 'some may wonder if Goddard's somewhat pioneering compilation warrants reissue. It does. Historical reasons alone might suffice, for Goddard's was one of the books that stimulated the Western interest in Buddhism which in turn called forth the spate of books that followed. 'The real reason for restoring the book to print, and for making it available to a wider audience through paperback, is not historical, however, but contemporary. No other collection quite takes its place. Some of its companions have individual virtues which Goddard's collection cannot boast, but for the reader who is looking for scholarship and meaning, coverage and control-all four-I know no alternative that is its equal... 'The book's prime virtue is the way it puts the scholarship it does not claim yet appreciably possesses to the service of communciation, specifically religious communication.'

Contents Introduction by Huston Smith Editor's preface 1 Selections from Pali sources The historic Buddha, Narasu The word of the Buddha, Nyanatiloka Tevigga Sutta, Rhys-Davids 118th discorse, Chao Kung 2 Selections from Sanskrit sources Maha-Prajna-Paramita-Hridaya, Goddard The Diamond Sutra, Wai-tao The Surangama Sutra, Wai-tao Lankavatara Scripture, Suzuki and Goddard The awakening of faith, Wai-tao 3 Selections from Chinese sources Tai-teh-king, Wai-tao Dhyana for beginners, Wai-tao Sutra spoken by the Sixth Patriarch, Wong Mou-lam 4 Selections from Tibetan sources The life and hymns of Milarepa, Evans-Wentz The supreme path, Evans-Wentz 5 Selections from modern sources Homeless brothers, Yamabe Practising the Seventh Stage, Goddard 6 Summary of Buddha's Dharma 7 Appendix… (more)

A wide selection of readings from Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, and modern sources intended to provide the reader with a foundation in classical Buddhist thought.

The first book to bring together the key texts of modern Buddhism.

In the last hundred years, the world, especially the West, has increasingly embraced the teachings of Buddhism. A modern Buddhist Bible is the first anthology to bring together the writings from Buddhists, both Eastern and Western, that have redefined Buddhism for our era.

Forging a universal doctrine from the divergent traditions of China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Burma, Thailand, and Tibet, the makers of modern Buddhism saw it as a return to the origin, as renowned scholar Donald Lopez shows. Modern Buddhism is for them a homeward journey to the vision of Buddha himself. Putting far more stress on meditation and spirituality than on ritual and relics, it embraces the ordination of women and values of science, social justice, tolerance, and individual freedom.… (more)