Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought

by Patrick S. Bresnan

Overview

Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought engages students with anecdotes, primary and secondary sources, an accessible writing style, and a clear historical approach.

The text focuses on India, China, and Japan, while showing the relationships that exist between Eastern and Western traditions. Patrick Bresnan consistently links the past to the present, so students may see that Eastern traditions, however ancient their origins, are living traditions and relevant to modern times.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032122007
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/28/2021
Edition description:	7th ed.
Pages:	552
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Patrick S. Bresnan is a retired professor of history and philosophy at De Anza College, Cupertino, California, where he created a four-quarter course, Introduction to Eastern Philosophy, dealing with the historical development of the major philosophical traditions of Asian countries. That, plus extensive travel and study in Asia, resulted in the production of the college-level text Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. Other books by Patrick S. Bresnan include Them: The Adventures of a College Classroom Teacher (2012) and The Amazing Meditation Revolution: West Meets East (2013).

Table of Contents

Preface

Part I Hinduism and Related Traditions of South Asia

1. India Before the Vedas

2. Veda and the Vedas

3. Introduction to the Upanishads

4. The Bhagavad Gita

5. Ashtanga Yoga

6. Darshana

7. The Devotional Movement

8. A Millennium of Strife

Part II Shakyamuni Buddha and the Early Development of Buddhism

9. The Life of Shakyamuni Buddha

10. Basic Teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha

11. Theravada Buddhism

12. Mahayana Buddhism

Part III Non-Buddhist Traditions of East Asia

13. Confucius and Confucianism

14. Daoism

15. Shinto

Part IV Buddhism in China and Japan

16. Early Buddhism in China

17. Tibetan Buddhism

18. Chan Buddhism

19. Zen Buddhism

Works Cited

Index

Editorial Reviews

"The high praises attached to Awakening should not come as a surprise. This is the sixth edition of Awakening, and Bresnan has made significant changes in each edition—clarifying his presentations, honing the questions, and adding new elements. . . . [It] is truly a testament to a great educator who is well-versed in a wide range of Eastern traditions and philosophies."

– Paul J. D’Ambrosio in Teaching Philosophy

From the Publisher