CHARLES B. JONES is an associate professor of Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He earned a PhD at the University of Virginia in 1996 and specializes in Pure Land Buddhism in China.
“This is the first book in English that covers the essential
elements of the overall development of Pure Land Buddhism—from
India to its spread in China and East Asia. This impressive work by
Professor Jones is based on the latest scholarship but is presented
to be accessible to ordinary readers who are not specialists. Pure
Land dispels the stereotypical image of Pure Land Buddhism as being
‘merely’ a devotional and popular belief. Instead, we learn that
its beginnings are reflected in the Sanskrit texts and were
nurtured through the two millennia of orthodox tradition practiced
by not only laypersons but also by monastics. The Pure Land
tradition probably offers the most egalitarian path to
enlightenment, which partly accounts for its ubiquitous presence
throughout the Mahayana Buddhist world. This book is certain to
expand the readers’ knowledge of the scope of what Buddhism offers
to the contemporary world.”—Kenneth K. Tanaka, past president of
the International Association of Shin Buddhist Studies and
Professor Emeritus at Musashino University, Tokyo
“Charles Jones presents Pure Land as having had a central role in
the history, thought, and practice of East Asian Buddhism. Despite
being one of the most popular streams of Mahayana, Pure Land has
long been marginalized in the West. It is sometimes seen as
simple-minded, when its simplicity results from the profundity of a
direct path to awakening. Unlike some other traditions, Pure Land
has for centuries been open to lay practitioners—making it
particularly relevant today when lay practice is increasingly the
norm. With this work, Jones demonstrates that not only is he one of
the preeminent scholars of Pure Land Buddhism in the world today,
but that he has the ability to make the Pure Land tradition
accessible for practitioners in our present world.”—Richard K.
Payne, Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies
“A compass to orient people to the Pure Land tradition, Pure Land:
History, Tradition, and Practice is a solid, clear, and
contextualized account that fills a lacunae in the field. Its
accessibility makes it an inevitable choice as a classroom resource
or for anyone seeking a clear path to understanding. It offers
insight into the dynamics that led to the Pure Land tradition
becoming pervasive in the East Asian Buddhist landscape.”—Paula
Arai, PhD, author of Women Living Zen and Painting
Enlightenment
“Charles Jones has written an eminently readable description of the
Pure Land form of Buddhism as it evolved—from an outline of its
core religious perspectives and the myths and teachings described
in its authoritative scriptures to a series of descriptions of the
many fascinating individuals who contributed to shaping the
tradition. This book will serve as a reliable source both for
students of Buddhism and followers eager to learn more about its
history and practices. From the ancient times to the present, this
is the first work that presents this tradition of Buddhism in such
a broad manner yet with such a detailed look at the issues
discussed within the tradition itself.”—Mark L. Blum, Professor of
Buddhist Studies and Japanese Studies, University of California,
Berkeley
“A comprehensive and engaging introduction to the Pure Land
tradition . . . Jones writes eloquently and appealingly, and his
analysis of Pure Land is a joy to read.”—Buddhistdoor Global
“An excellent reminder that viewing the whole forest is every bit
as important as investigating its individual trees. . . . This
synoptic book serves as a wonderful resource.”—Pacific World
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