Philip Yampolsky (1920–1996)

This is a good historical overview of Buddhist thought, from its origin and how it evolved subsequently in India, China and Japan. The editors mainly quote from the primary sources of the important and influential Buddhist writings while giving their historical and social context. This is an accessible and good starting point and reference material if you are interested in studying Buddhism.

A good, basic introduction to the historical underpinnings of Buddhism.

A history of buddhism complemented with many translated texts from the Indian, Chinese and Japanese buddhist schools. Some of these religious texts probably lose a part of their meaning in translation, but they still provide a different approach to the history of buddhism than mere historical narrative does. However, the depth of the material indicates to me that this book was intended primarily for serious students of buddhism, it's certainly not an introductory book.

note book # 832