Studies in Buddhism ...

"Streams of Tradition: Buddhism, East to West"
by Rev. Dr. Al Bloom

"Streams of Tradition" is a summary account of the development of Buddhism from India through its arising in East Asia and Tibet. It provides some background for the appearance of Shin Buddhism in Japan and hopefully will be helpful to those seeking an orientation to Buddhism and its teachings.

Streams of Tradition (pdf file)

Also of interest:

Introduction: Religion in China (pdf file)
Introduction: Religion in Japan (pdf file)

SOURCE: "Religion and Man; India and Far Eastern Religious Traditions," by Alfred Bloom (NY: Harper & Row, 1971) pp. 139-282.

Scanned chapters offer a background for Buddhism in East Asia, along with information on the meaning and significance of the religious faiths of China and Japan.

Engaged Shin Buddhism (pdf file)-- a series of essays about Engaged Shin Buddism

Engaged Shin Buddhism: Quotations on Buddhist Social awareness (pdf file)-- This gathering of quotations from various sources in Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism concerning Buddhist Social Awareness is not exhaustive but hopefully will give some suggestion of the Buddhist perspective. If readers know of other quotations that would apply, please send them to me and I will enter them. Thank you for your assistance. -- Rev. Dr. Al Bloom.

Dr. Bloom's "Shin Buddhism in Modern Culture" Course

Explores Shin Buddhism -- also known as Jodo Shinshu -- historically and in modern context.

NOTE: To read Acrobat pdf files you will need Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded free of charge from Acrobat.

The Buddhist Perspective on Human Fulfillment: The Pure Land

Understanding Karma and Transmigration in Buddhism

The Central Concept of Buddhism

Sudhana’s Quest: Learning and Buddhism

Kannon and the Ideal of Compassion

Buddhism and Healing

The Cosmic Faith of the Japanese

Comparison