{"product_id":"the-oxford-encyclopedia-of-buddhism-9780190256890","title":"The Oxford Encyclopedia of Buddhism","description":"The earliest examples of Buddhist studies originating in the Western world tended to frame Buddhism as a religion similar to Abrahamic monotheisms. This involved, among other things, an emphasis on philological, doctrinal, and textual studies, as well as an assumption that the Buddha compares directly to the messianic figures central to other traditions. Starting in the late twentieth century, Buddhist studies scholars have been creatively moving outside of this rubric, and indeed outside of the familiar boundaries of the academy. This movement has allowed them to examine subjects, perspectives, and methodologies not previously engaged by the mainstream of Buddhist studies. Such a wider approach fosters greater awareness of external versus internal critiques of the religion, inclusion of new disciplines and previously marginalized voices, and an appreciation of the decentralized nature of Buddhism and the varied personal experiences of lived practice. As a result, Buddhist studies has attracted a growing audience within the humanities and has been at the forefront of the discourse on cultural exchange, globalization, colonialism and postcolonialism, and the ongoing changes in the religious landscape. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eReflecting these innovations, \u003cem\u003eThe Oxford Encyclopedia of Buddhism\u003c\/em\u003e is a first-of-its-kind reference project: a systematic effort to identify and analyze the ways in which Buddhist studies continues to develop, the new sub-fields of inquiry, and the evolving relationships between the related disciplines. Consisting of 138 in-depth articles, the \u003cem\u003eEncyclopedia\u003c\/em\u003e covers several major thematic areas, including historical and historiographical studies, historical figures, buddhas and deities, regional studies, global and diasporic Buddhism, art and architecture, contemporary social and academic issues, rituals, philosophical and doctrinal studies, textual and philological studies, and the most influential educational institutions. Moreover, the \u003cem\u003eEncyclopedia\u003c\/em\u003e frames Buddhist studies as a field rather than as a discipline, meaning that it covers a rich variety of intellectual projects. This approach balances independent specialized studies with interconnected and interdisciplinary studies, inviting research that is both sharper and more nuanced. It is this perspective, gazing toward the future of the field, that marks the volume as an essential work of contemporary scholarship and an organically evolving encyclopedia for study and research.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard K. Payne \u003c\/strong\u003eis the Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies at the Institute of Buddhist Studies. He is founding Editor-in-Chief of\u003cem\u003e Oxford Bibliographies: Buddhism\u003c\/em\u003e. He also established the Pure Land Buddhist Studies Series, University of Hawai'i Press; the Contemporary Issues in Buddhist Studies Series, Institute of Buddhist Studies; and is Senior Editor for \u003cem\u003ePacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeorgios T. Halkias\u003c\/strong\u003e is the Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies at the University of Hong Kong. He has conducted research in inter-disciplinary projects with the University of Hong Kong, Ruhr-Universit?t Bochum, School of Oriental and African Studies, and the Warburg Institute. He is an Area Editor for \u003cem\u003eEntangled Religions: Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of Religious Contact and Transfer\u003c\/em\u003e, and has most recently authored Luminous Bliss: a Religious History of Pure Land Literature in Tibet (University of Hawai'i Press).\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50914454110482,"sku":"9780190256890","price":886.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_7976a842-3f21-4a05-9c31-4246f879b26f.jpg?v=1738817405","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-oxford-encyclopedia-of-buddhism-9780190256890","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}