Tibetan Buddhism, Matthew T. Kapstein
Tibetan Buddhism, Matthew T. Kapstein
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Tibetan Buddhism
A Very Short Introduction

Author: Matthew T. Kapstein

Narrator: Matthew T. Kapstein

Unabridged: 4 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/14/2021


Synopsis

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition has known over thirteen centuries of continuous development. During that time, it has spread among the neighboring peoples—the Mongol, Himalayan, and Siberian peoples, Manchus and Chinese. At its height is has been practiced in regions as far west as the Volga river and to the east in Beijing. Its capacity for creative adaptation is demonstrated by its recent growth in Europe and America. At the same time, it is at the center of political contestation in ethnically Tibetan regions of China, while its best known exponent, the Dalai Lama, has become one of the most admired religious leaders in the world today. But what does this religion teach? Just what is the position of the Dalai Lama, and how will his succession be assured? Is it true that Tibetan Buddhism in entirely suppressed in China? Scholar Matthew Kapstein offers a brief account responding to these questions and more in this Very Short Introduction, in terms that are accessible to students, general readers, journalists, and others who are curious to learn the most essential features of Tibetan Buddhist history, teachings, and practice.

About Matthew T. Kapstein

Matthew T. Kapstein is director of Tibetan studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris and Numata Visiting Professor of Buddhist studies at the University of Chicago. He has published fifteen books, including The Tibetans, The Rise of Wisdom Moon, and Buddhism Between
Tibet and China, and is coeditor of the journal History of Religions.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Marsha on March 27, 2018

I didn't read this book because I'm meeting the professor next week, no siree. Also it's a very good book.......more

Goodreads review by Steve on January 02, 2016

This book's greatest strength is also its weakness: the dense information. I appreciate how in-depth it goes with origins and important historical figures, but it's just too easy to lose oneself in the walls of text. No visual timelines, very little highlighted passages, and not even a glossary of te......more

Goodreads review by Blair Hodges on December 19, 2013

I felt the author spent too much time with the obscure ancient origins (lots of genealogies of who taught who, etc.) and way too little time on contemporary Tibetan Buddhism.......more

Goodreads review by Joseph on September 29, 2024

Acceptable but too broad a subject matter......more

Goodreads review by Bernie on October 29, 2021

This book outlines the philosophy, theology, history, and future prospects of Tibetan Buddhism. It’s a big topic because Tibetan Buddhism is a unique amalgam of Buddhism, indigenous beliefs (e.g. Bön,) and adapted teachings from Yoga and Tantra. For a concise guide, the discussions of history and p......more