Three Ways of Asian Wisdom: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zen and Their Significance For the West

Three Ways of Asian Wisdom is a classic that should have never gone out of print. I read it over the period of about a month, not at bedtime like a novel, but over morning coffee while my mind was at its most alert because I wanted to fully enjoy the fascinating interplay of ideas.This book is a perfect introduction to these great religions without oversimplifying them. Ross writes with clarity about the historical, philosophical and cultural influences that shaped Hinduism, Buddism, and Zen. Her impressive depth of research into each of the three subjects gives her the detail and anecdotes which keep the book from becoming dry, and undoubtedly her personal experience has given her an insight which gives the work its immediacy.The fact that she discusses these three "ways" under the same cover allows the author to explain their influences upon one another. She also touches upon the relationship of Confucianism and Taoism to Zen. Many photographs of Hindu, Buddist and Zen art are discussed at length and constitute an integral part of her explanation of these Three Ways of Asian Wisdom.A beautiful, eloquent and stimulating book.