Introduction The Journey from the Indian Roots to the Asian Lands of Buddhism

Omega Vietnam Book Joint Stock Company has just introduced to readers the book: "History of Buddhism - Journey from the origins of India to the lands of Asia". This is an important work by Professor Andrew Skilton (Oxford University), one of the world's leading experts on Buddhism.

The book “History of Buddhism: A Journey from its Indian Origins to the Lands of Asia” offers a comprehensive and concise look at the millennia-long journey of one of the world's greatest religions.

From its humble origins in India to its dramatic spread across Asia, Skilton deftly sketches a full historical picture, highlighting both doctrinal milestones and cultural transformations.

The book is divided into 2 parts with 28 chapters. Part 1 is titled "Buddhism in India" (18 chapters).

Part I begins with the ancient background and life of the Buddha, clarifying core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. The book describes the formation of the early Sangha, the councils, and the division into Buddhist schools such as the Theravada and Mahasanghika. Skilton also presents the Tripitaka and Abhidharma. A major turning point is the emergence of Mahāyāna with its Bodhisattva ideal, important scriptures, and schools such as the Madhyamaka and Vijñāptimātratāya, along with the Tathagatagarbha doctrine and the development of Vajrayāna. The section concludes with an analysis of the decline of Buddhism in India.

Part 2 is Buddhism spread outside India (10 chapters). Expanding the vision beyond India to the journey of Buddhism spreading and developing in other Asian countries. The author begins with Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, then leads the reader to Central Asia and Kashmir, two ancient and important Buddhist centers.

Not stopping there, the author also analyzes the introduction and transformation of Buddhism in China, Japan, Tibet and several other Asian countries, helping readers have a comprehensive view of the spread and development of Buddhism across the continent.

Throughout the book, the author does not simply list historical events but also focuses on the development of Buddhist concepts and doctrines.

The author clearly explains core teachings such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Dependent Origination, and then delves into the more complexities of Mahayana schools such as the Madhyamaka and Yogacara schools. This approach helps the reader understand why and how different schools and teachings arose, not just that they existed.

Skilton also gives readers an insight into Buddhism’s extraordinary adaptability, which has allowed it to take root and flourish in countless different cultures. Despite its academic and complex content, the book uses clear, coherent, and easy-to-understand language, making it an indispensable scholarly resource for anyone who wants to understand the journey and great influence of Buddhism through the ages.

The book belongs to the Religion-Buddhism book group of Omega+ and is part of the project "World's quintessence of Buddhism".

The project aims to select and translate up-to-date academic works from prestigious Buddhist researchers at major universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Princeton, Chicago, Berkeley, Stanford... The project hopes to convey Buddhist knowledge to a wide range of readers and contribute to building a foundation of Buddhist academic knowledge in Vietnam.

Professor Andrew Skilton was born in 1957. Skilton became interested in Buddhism a few years before becoming a monk in 1979 with the name Dharmacari Sthiramati. He contributed to the development of a Buddhist centre in Croydon, England, before moving to Bristol and initiating activities at the Bristol Buddhist Centre in 1980. He obtained his first undergraduate degree, in Theology and Religious Studies, in 1988 from the University of Bristol, then moved to Oxford in 1991 to complete his PhD.

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