Animal Biochemistry

Product Details

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Author: Timothy Richard

• Language: English and Chinese

• Pages: 115

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 22.5 cm x 14.5 cm

• Weight: 274 gm

• Edition: 2008

• ISBN: 8170308836

Book Description

From the Jacket
The Mahayanasraddotpadasastra – The Awakening of Faith is one of the most important texts in the world, with its doctrines forming the foundation of the Mahayana Buddhist faith, which is the dominant school of Buddhism. This Chinese version was translated by the Buddhist missionary Paramarth, who lived in China during the Liang dynasty (A.D. 502–555).

The book is divided into five chapters, each addressing crucial elements of the Mahayana Faith:

1. Reasons for writing the book

2. The fundamental doctrine of the Mahayana Faith

3. Exposition of the Faith

4. The practice of the Faith

5. Advantages of the Faith

Translator's Introduction
This text is crucial for understanding the Mahayana faith, which is considered by many to be an adaptation of Christian principles into Asian Buddhist philosophy. The text has had a profound influence in both Japan and China, where it is deeply respected by a large portion of the Buddhist community. With approximately 17,000 out of 26,000 Buddhist monks and nuns in Japan adhering to the Pure Land School, this book is a foundational text for their spiritual teachings.

The Awakening of Faith offers doctrines that diverged from the pessimistic and atheistic aspects of early Buddhism (the Hinayana School) to present a message of hope, immortality, faith, and the importance of sacrifice to help others. It proposes the idea of a divine helper for humankind, emphasizing the importance of faith in God, which in this context is seen through the lens of Mahayana Buddhism.

This book also shares strong philosophical parallels with Western thinkers like Hegel, Berkeley, and G. Gore, yet its practical wisdom makes it accessible to a wide audience. The ideas it presents are profoundly important for both Eastern and Western thought.

The Mahayana Faith is seen by some as an Asian form of Christianity, adapting core Christian doctrines to ancient Asian philosophies, offering a bridge for union between East and West. The universal acceptance of the doctrines in this book provides a remarkable foundation for a global religious unity rooted in compassion and charity.