Summary

Buddhism, Fifth Edition tells the story of Buddhism’s origins and its development into three major schools of thought—and presents the particular beliefs and practices of those schools of Buddhism that still flourish today. This fascinating title explores the concept of the “socially engaged Buddhist,” the growth and practice of Buddhism in America, and the recent revival of Buddhism in Asia. Engaging sidebars, recommendations for further reading, a list of websites for additional information, and full-color photographs add to the well-written text. A glossary and bibliography make research easy and enjoyable for students.

Coverage includes:

• Introduction to the modern Buddhist world
• The life of the Buddha
• The spread of Buddhism throughout Asia, and the world
• Differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
• The literature of Buddhism
• Buddhism and the arts
• The year in Buddhism
• Buddhism today and in the future.

Specifications

eBook

About the Author(s)

Madhu Bazaz Wangu has taught at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Ph.D. in religious studies, as well as at Rhode Island College and Wheaton College, Mass. She is the author of Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings and Models, among others. She has won several awards for her work as an artist.

Series editor Joanne O'Brien has an M.A. degree in theology and has written a range of education and general reference books on religion and contemporary culture. She is coauthor, with Martin Palmer and Elizabeth Breuilly, of Religions of the World and Festivals of the World, published by Infobase, and, with Martin Palmer, of Atlas of Religion. She is a consultant to WWF, the World Bank, the World Council of Churches, UNESCO, and UNDP.

Series editor and religious historian Martin Palmer is the founder of International Consultancy on Religion, Education, and Culture (ICOREC), in 1983, and the secretary-general of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC). He is the author of many books on world religions as well as a translator of ancient Chinese texts.