Jacobson presents Buddhism unen­cumbered by Western categories and concepts, free from the cognitive bias, from the concept-oriented, definition-minded preoccupations inherited from the ancient Greeks. It is an interpreta­tion of the central ideas that have charac­terized all forms of Buddhism for 25centuries.

“Understanding Buddhism is one of the most beautiful and least-known books on Buddhism in English, a series of fresh, often stunningly original, essays.” —Huston Smith and Philip Novak, Buddhism: A Concise Introduction

“Understanding Buddhism is at once historical, philosophical, dialogic, and humanistic. Jacobson’s approach is profoundly intercultural and universal.” —Kenneth K. Inada “Understanding Buddhism is an extremely well organized study, reflecting clear thinking and lucid style. . . . The scholarly approach is outstanding. . . . The width and depth of the author’s knowledge of both Western and Buddhist traditional ideas are far beyond what is often presented as a comparative study.” —Herbert Guenther

“Understanding Buddhism is an extremely well organized study, reflecting clear thinking and lucid style. . . . The scholarly approach is outstanding. . . . The width and depth of the author’s knowledge of both Western and Buddhist traditional ideas are far beyond what is often presented as a comparative study.” —Herbert Guenther