Bloomsbury How Buddhism Began - Jordan Lectures in Religion

Explore the origins of early Buddhist thought with How Buddhism Began: The Conditioned Genesis of the Early Teachings. Part of the Jordan Lectures in Comparative Religion series, this book provides a fresh look at the earliest Buddhist texts to explain how these foundational teachings developed over time. The text examines the historical context of the Buddha by looking at his debates with other religious teachers, specifically the brahmins. By studying these interactions, the book clarifies complex concepts, such as the Buddha's denial of the existence of a soul, and what that denial meant in its original setting. Readers will also find analysis of canonical stories, including the famous encounter between the Buddha and a brigand wearing a garland of fingers. This specific chapter suggests that such stories may reflect real encounters with forms of ecstatic religion. This work is an essential resource for anyone studying world history, comparative religion, or the historical development of Buddhist philosophy.