Provides an overview of the historical development of Eastern traditions of religious and philosophical thought.

Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought engages students with anecdotes, primary and secondary sources, an accessible writing style, and a clear historical approach.

The text focuses on India, China, and Japan, while showing the relationships that exist between Eastern and Western traditions. Patrick Bresnan consistently links the past to the present, so students may see that Eastern traditions, however ancient their origins, are living traditions and relevant to modern times.

Learning Goals

Upon completing this book readers will be able to:

• Recognize the relationships among the traditions being taught
• Appreciate the relevance of these traditions to modern times
• Understand the major issues of interpretation regarding the traditions
• Speculate about the future of each tradition
• Evaluate the pros and cons of conflicting teachings