River of Fire, River of Water - by Taitetsu Unno (Paperback)

About the Book

With great spiritual insight and unparalleled scholarship, the foremost authority in the United States on Shin, or Pure Land, Buddhism introduces readers to this popular form. Dating back to the sixth century C.E., Pure Land is the form practiced by the common people and its practice is harmonious with the workings of daily life.

Book Synopsis

With great spiritual insight and unparalleled scholarship, Dr. Taitetsu Unno--the foremost authority in the United States on Shin or Pure Land Buddhism--introduces us to the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. Unique among the various practices of Buddhism, this "new" form of spiritual practice is certain to enrich the growing practice of Buddhism in the United States, which is already quite familiar with Zen and Tibetan traditions. River of Fire, River of Water is an introduction to the practice of Pure Land Buddhism for readers with or without prior experience with it.

The Pure Land tradition dates back to the sixth century c.e., when Buddhism was first introduced in Japan. Unlike Zen, its counterpart which flourished in remote monasteries, the Pure Land tradition was the form of Buddhism practiced by common people. Consequently, its practice is harmonious with the workings of daily life, making it easily adaptable for seekers today. Despite the difference in method, though, the goal of Pure Land is the same as other schools--the awakening of the true self.

Certain to take its place alongside great works such as Three Pillars of Zen, The Miracle of Mindfulness, and Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind--River of Fire, River of Water is an important step forward for American Buddhism.

From the Back Cover

With spiritual insight and unparalleled scholarship, Dr. Taitetsu Unno - one of the foremost authorities on Shin, or Pure Land, Buddhism - introduces us to the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. The introduction of this unique form of spiritual practice is certain to enrich the growing practice of Buddhism in the United States, which is already well familiar with Zen and Tibetan traditions. River of Fire, River of Water is the first introduction to its practice from a trade publisher and is written for readers with or without prior knowledge of Buddhism. The Japanese Pure Land and tradition dates back to the sixth century, when Buddhism was first introduced in Japan. Unlike Zen, its counterpart, which flourished in remote monasteries, Pure Land was the form of Buddhism practiced by common people. Consequently, its practice is harmonious with the workings of daily life, making it easily adaptable for seekers today. Despite differences in method, however, the goal of Pure Land is the same as that of other schools - the awakening of the true self.

About the Author

Taitetsu Unno, Ph.D., lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he is Jill Ker Conway Professor of Religion at Smith College. He is active as a lecturer on Japanese Buddhism, religion, and culture.