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Religion Research: Buddhism

Best Databases & Websites

Finding Books and Articles in the Catalog

Search for subject terms:

Buddhism

Buddha (The concept)

Buddhism and <topic> for example:

  • Buddhism and art
  • Buddhism and culture
  • Buddhism and science

Buddhist <topic> for example:

  • Buddhist chants
  • Buddhist dance
  • Buddhist mantras

Search Buddhist concepts:

  • Karma
  • Nirvāna

This is a small sampling of subject headings in our catalog. As always, the OCC librarians are ready to help you find the best resources for your specific needs.

Finding Books on the Shelf

Books on Buddhism can be found in section: BQ1-9800

History of Buddhism: BQ251-799

Biography of Guatama Buddha: BQ860-939

Practice of Buddhism: BQ4911-5720

Modifications, schools, sects, etc.: BQ7001-9800

Zen Buddhism: BQ9250-9519

 

Buddhism

Buddhism, or Buddha Dharma began in India in the 5th or 6th century B.C.E. It is based on the teachings of the original Buddha, or "awakened one." Scholars disagree about whether he was an historical or mythical person. While Buddhism may acknowledge supernatural beings, it does not have a single creator-God like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Rather  it is a collection of spiritual and ethical teachings. One of the most central of these is "Do not harm."

Adherents to Buddhism are called Buddhists. There are approximately 487 million followers world-wide.

 

 

Image downloaded from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buddha_meditating.jpg

 

Prominent figures

Buddha seated on lion throne with hands in teaching positionThe founding Buddha, "awakened one," may have been named Guatama or Siddhartha. He was likely born in Nepal. He sought to achieve a state of "nirvana" or relief of all suffering. He used various forms of fasting, breath control, and meditation to achieve this.

 

 

image downloaded from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buddha_Vairocana_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg This image shows Buddha with hands in the teaching position.

Traditions and Sacred Works

For several hundred years, the teachings of the Buddha were transmitted orally. As Buddhism spread through Asia, different traditions and collections of sacred works were established. The two main divisions are Theravāda (mainly in south Asia) and Mahāyāna (main in north Asia)

There is a vast body of Buddhist texts. Each group has its own collection of canonical texts.

Gold Manuscript cover for a Kanjur (Tibetan Canon of Buddhist Texts)

 The Smithsonian Institute describe this cover as, "The gold that adorns the cover of this sacred Buddhist text reflects the purity and perfection of the teachings of the Buddha (dharma). Like most Tibetan covers, it is shaped to resemble the long, narrow format of ancient texts from India, where the Buddha lived and taught in the fifth century B.C.E. The cover depicts the enthroned Buddha surrounded by the teachers, lamas, and perfected beings of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism."

 

Image from the Smithsonian Institute https://www.si.edu/object/manuscript-cover-kanjur-tibetan-canon-buddhist-texts:fsg_S2004.8

Sample Books in our Collection

Here is a small sample of e-books and physical books in our collection.