How the Swans Came to the Lake: A Narrative History of Buddhism in America

by Rick Fields

Book Overview

The 40th anniversary edition of a modern classic unparalleled in scope. This sweeping history unfolds the story of Buddhism's spread to the West. Just a few generations since their introduction,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0877736316
• ISBN13: 9780877736318
• Release Date: July 1992
• Publisher: Shambhala
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

THE MOST DIVERSE AND WIDE-RANGING HISTORY OF BUDDHISM IN AMERICA

Rick Fields (1942-1999) has written several other books about Buddhism (e.g., Chop Wood, Carry Water, The Code of the Warrior in History, Myth, and Everyday Life), as well as served as editor of several Buddhist periodicals. In this book (the 3rd revised edition was published in 1992), he has revised and expanded what was already the finest one-volume history of Buddhism in America. Fields begins with a very helpful survey of Buddhism (including the life of Siddhartha Gautama; the migration of Buddhism from India to China, Japan, etc.), to its early days in England and this country, led by men like Sir William Jones (1746-1794), the founder of the Asiatic Society. The influence of Buddhism upon the Transcendentalist thinkers such as Emerson, Thoreau, and Alcott is covered in an entire chapter. The immigration of Chinese and Japanese immigrants to this country (to build the railroads, etc.)---along with the religion they brought with them---is covered in sympathetic detail. Then (perhaps somewhat surprisingly), Fields covers the rise of the Theosophical Society and its unique (and quite heterodox) version of "Esoteric Buddhism"; Theosophy, however, was a very influential factor if making Buddhism better-known in this country. Of course, the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 is surveyed, along with figures such as Paul Carus and particularly the Zen authority D.T. Suzuki. "Book Two" begins with the 1905-1945 period, covering the establishment of the first Zen Community in America, the London Buddhist Society and English expatriates like Alan Watts, the American Buddhist Brotherhood, etc. The "Beat Zen" period of the 1950s is covered in particular detail, as well as the more substantive movements of the 1960s (e.g., Shunryu Suzuki-Roshi, Philip Kapleau, Richard Baker and the San Francisco Zen Center). Another chapter is devoted to the forced emigration of the Dalal Lama from Tibet, and the emergence of Tibetan Buddhist scholars such as Chogyam Trungpa and Tarthang Tulku. The final chapters cover more recent figures such as the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hahn, and the changes made as a result of the various sexual and financial scandals involving prominent figures in American Buddhism, as well as the rise of a more indigenous "American Buddhism," influenced by feminism, psychotherapy, and social action. Fields does not flinch from reporting "messy" details (such as the AIDS that Chogyam Trungpa's successor died of), to his credit. If you are interested in Buddhism, American Buddhism, or contemporary spirituality in general, Fields' book is essential reading.

Priceless

Wow -- only five reviews for a uniquely priceless 400 page history of Buddhism in America? Not to mention what's likely the best 12 page summary in print of Siddhartha Buddha's life and legacy? Erudite American Buddhist author and old hippie character Rick Fields (1942-1999) left an enthusiastic storyteller's history that brings to life every remotely key player -- starting even far before the unforgettable English rogue scholar Sir William Jones (1736-1794) singlehandedly sent the first translations from the East to England and our American Transcendentalists. Chinese Buddhist monks in Mexico in A.D. 458, the real kindly Quetzalcoatl? If you think the history of Buddhism in America started at the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 and can be told largely through D. T. Suzuki, Jack Kerouac, Alan Watts, Shunryu Suzuki, Tarthang Tulku and Chogyam Trungpa -- think again. Here is every gossipy thing you ever wanted to know and more about how and why Buddhism came to America, up to and beyond the Roshi Baker scandals (that mercifully ended the "silent denial of lies and abuse" and pointed the way to practice increasingly integrated with psychotherapy and more). The author's note and acknowledgments are priceless in themselves. (I confess to a long time habit of reading acknowledgments and indexes first.) Very highly recommended.

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Though this book is currently out of print, I recommend it to all Buddhists; it is the best history book I've read about the Western Sangha and fills in alot of gaps between the centuries--Gassho All Beings!

Fascinating American history

A great read not only for those interested in Buddhim but in American social history as well. In a scholarly, yet engaging writing style, the author takes the reader from Pre-Columbian America to the Present with sharply-drawn and vivid characters and their searches. A subject that could easily be dry comes to life and kept this readers' pages turning.

Scholarly, exciting, immensely readable.

I had read Surya Das's Awakening the Buddha Within and several other books on Buddhism from a western/American perspective. By the time I got to this book I was ready for it, and I could not put it down (literally; I got out of bed in the middle of the night to read more chapters). I have so much respect for this author, for having provided us with such a thought-provoking and comprehensive study. If you are interested in Buddhism, you must read it.