Buddhism and Immortality

Buddhism and Immortality is a book written by William Sturgis Bigelow, a prominent American collector of Japanese art and a scholar of Buddhism. The book explores the concept of immortality in Buddhism, which is often misunderstood by Westerners. Bigelow argues that Buddhism does not believe in an eternal soul or a personal God, but rather in a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. He examines the different interpretations of the Buddhist concept of Nirvana, which is often equated with a state of eternal bliss or nothingness, and shows how it is actually a state of liberation from suffering and ignorance.The book also delves into the Buddhist view of death and the afterlife, which is based on the idea that everything is impermanent and constantly changing. Bigelow explains the role of karma in determining one's rebirth and the importance of meditation in achieving enlightenment. He draws on Buddhist scriptures and teachings from various traditions, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Zen, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Buddhist perspective on immortality.Throughout the book, Bigelow emphasizes the practical application of Buddhist teachings in everyday life, and how they can help individuals find meaning and purpose in their existence. He also discusses the influence of Buddhism on Western thought and culture, highlighting the similarities and differences between Buddhist and Christian concepts of immortality.Overall, Buddhism and Immortality is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of a complex and often misunderstood aspect of Buddhist philosophy. It is an essential read for anyone interested in Buddhism, spirituality, and the human quest for meaning and transcendence.1908. This work is taken from the Ingersoll Lecture series. The view of immortality of man is, broadly speaking, that of the Buddhist religion. Buddhism, like many other great religions, is divided into main churches and subdivided into sects. These divisions in Buddhism are commonly called the Northern and the Southern Buddhism. The Northern has its center in the north of India, in Nepal; while the Southern is centered in Ceylon.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.