Gen Nakamura, Mitsunori Saegusa, "Bauddha [Bukkyo]" Summary and Comments - Recommended reference book for learning what the Agong Sutra is and the process of formation and propagation of the Mahayana sutras.
The book introduced here is "Bauddha [Bukkyo]" by Gen Nakamura and Mitsunori Saegusa, published by Kodansha in 2009.
Let's take a quick look at the book.
From the Emergence of Primitive Buddhism to Mahayana Buddhism
What is the truth of the Buddha's teachings - true Buddhist studies elucidates. The Complete Story of the Magnificent Buddhist ThoughtBauddha - Sanskrit for "a follower of the Buddha's teachings. This book explores from a vast collection of sutras the grandeur of Buddha's thought, which has been misrepresented by misunderstandings and prejudiced teachings throughout its 2,500-year history, and the process from the emergence of early Buddhism to the development of Mahayana Buddhism and esoteric Buddhism. This is an accomplishment of Japanese Buddhist doctrines that goes beyond the framework of a mere religion to vividly portray the real image of Buddhism as an ideology.
The book also examines the origin of Japanese Buddhism in the Buddhist schools of Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism that emerged several hundred years after the Buddha's death, as well as in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas that appear in these schools. The teachings of Buddha, the history and philosophy of Buddhism are explored in a vast collection of sutras. This is an introduction to Buddhism in the true sense of the word that elucidates Buddhism as an ideology and the uniqueness of Japanese Buddhism.
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This book is a reference to learn about the Agong Sutra, which is not very familiar in Japan, and the process of establishment and propagation of Mahayana Buddhism.
I am also interested in what the Agong Sutra is and how and when it came to Japan and how it was read, so I really appreciated this book. The detailed yet easy-to-understand explanations make this book an excellent read for those who want to learn more about Buddhism.
The process of establishment and propagation of Mahayana Buddhism will also be explained in an easy-to-understand manner. This book clarifies the nature of the Buddhism that was introduced to Japan and the differences between the Buddhism practiced in Japan and the primitive Buddhism of India.
There is no doubt that this is a wonderful reference book on what Buddhism is all about. I think it is safe to say that this is a must-read book for monks as well.
However, what struck me when I read this book was the severity of Dr. Mitsunori Saegusa's words.
The Japanese people in general vaguely believe that the Buddhism that came to Japan and has been handed down from generation to generation is directly the teachings of Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha), and that every word and phrase in the sutras that have been recited and respected are the words of Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha), and they actually believe this. In order to correct this fundamentally mistaken and distorted Japanese view of Buddhism and, in turn, to clarify what exactly Buddhism was that the Japanese accepted, it is first and foremost necessary to have an accurate understanding of the Agong Sutra, followed by an overview of Mahayana Buddhism from an outline of Indian Buddhist history.
Kodansha, Nakamura Gen and Saegusa Mitsunori, Bauddha [Bukkyo], p. 52-53.
It is a "corrective to the fundamentally mistaken and distorted view of Buddhism held by the Japanese and, in turn, a clarification of what exactly Buddhism was that the Japanese accepted."
Dr. Saegusa's"A fundamentally erroneous and distorted view of Buddhism among the Japanese."I was afraid that his words were a little too harsh, but I was afraid that they were a pep talk because of his own expectations for Buddhism.
How do we, the Japanese Buddhist side, respond to this question after studying the teachings of primitive Buddhism? I think this is an urgent question that cannot wait. Who are we? We live as monks as a matter of course, but what is it that makes us monks in the first place? This is an even more difficult question, especially in the Jodo Shinshu sect, which has left the precepts behind. This book is a frightening book that makes us question our own way of being once again. Dr. Saegusa's harsh words are just like those of Meio. But there is nothing more gratifying than such frank scolding. I strongly felt that I would like to face Buddhism with a renewed mind.
The above is "Gen Nakamura, Mitsunori Saegusa, "Bauddha [Bukkyo]" - a recommended reference book for learning what the Agong Sutra is and the process of formation and propagation of the Mahayana sutras.
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