Beginning with the events immediately following the dark days after the death of Shakyamuni and continuing over a period of 1,000 years, this dynamic tome covers a vast and complex series of events and developments in the history of Buddhism. Through a thorough examination of its early development in India, a new light is cast on little-known aspects of Buddhist history and its relevance to the understanding of Buddhism today. Topics include the formation of the Buddhist canon, the cultural exchange between the East and West, and the spirit of theLotus Sutra.
Daisaku Ikedais the author and coauthor of more than 60 books on a wide range of topics, including the history of Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. He is the founding president and leader of the Soka Gakkai International, one of the largest lay Buddhist organizations in the world with members in more than 190 countries and territories. He is the recipient of the United Nations Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Humanitarian Award, and the International Tolerance Award of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.Burton Watsonis a translator of Chinese and Japanese literature. A former professor at Columbia, Stanford, and Kyoto Universities, his translations includeChuang Tzu: Basic Writings,The Lotus Sutra, andThe Vimalakirti Sutra, among others. He received the PEN Translation Prize in 1981.
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