Buddhism

by Malcolm David Eckel

Founded on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, the faith taught by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha, or Awakened One) spread rapidly across Asia and then across the globe, becoming one of the world's largest and most influential religions. Buddhism combines lavish colorful photography
and an authoritative text to provide a sweeping survey of this rich and varied religious tradition.
Eckel begins with an engaging portrait of the Buddha (who predated Jesus by 500 years), an Indian prince's son who embarked on an epic journey of enlightenment and discovered a way of overcoming suffering. The authors trace the flowering of Buddhist schools in his wake, from the major groups
(Mahayana, Theravada, Tantric) to the minor (such as the Pure Land sect in Japan). With helpful sidebars, boxed features, and numerous illustrations, they explain Tantric Mandalas (sacred circles), the Sutras (holy writings), the sacred landscape, celestial beings in some Buddhist mythology, the
path to Nirvana, and much more. They also discuss Buddhist temples, forms of worship and meditation, the cycle of rebirth, and roles and relationships in the Buddhist community (including Theravada, Buddhism's stress on the importance of becoming a monk for at least part of life). A helpful map
reveals the course of Buddhism's expansion throughout Asia.
As a belief system, as an influential way of seeing the world, as a unifying thread of Asian cultures, Buddhism remains vitally important. This lucid, eye-pleasing introduction explains and celebrates this major world religion, bringing to life the full variety of Buddhist tradition.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Spirituality, Buddhism

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Lin · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an older person listening to this, the professor had poor voice modulation often leading me to have to backtrack to catch what he said. As far as content, it was a mixed bag for me; I found some lectures more interesting than others.

[Sander Lemmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informatief boekje

[Kim Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to the library, this is a young adult title. However, I found it to be an excellent primer on the subject of Buddhism.

[Scriptor Ignotus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Browsing the bookshelves at the book borrowing building on my block, I beheld this brief brochure on Buddhism. Belatedly, I bargained to begin building my knowledge, brick by brick, of the beautiful and bounteous brew of Buddhist beliefs. I began with this bare-bones book on the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas.

Then I ran out of words to use for alliteration purposes, and resigned myself to telling you that this is a vey adequate primer on Buddhist history and thought for people like me, who are unfamiliar with the religion and want to learn more about it, but don't really know where to begin. It lays out the different traditions and their origins, and gives a very basic outline of Buddhist beliefs and practices. It makes for a good jumping-off point for those intending to learn more about Buddhism, and that's basically how I bode to use it...bro.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just don't think I can learn what I want to about Buddhism by just reading a book. It was informative but real boring to me. Guess I need a Buddhism spiritual advisor or something. My Lutheran minister probably wouldn't agree however.

[Angela Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slim but surprisingly informative book on the basics of buddhism: traditions, texts, history, spaces, etc. Good jumping-off foundation for further reading.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, but pithy, introduction to Buddhism. The book deals with the history, tenets, and many other aspects of Buddhism. Reads easily; very informative.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool religion, ok book.

[AliceinWonderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

- A good, concise introduction to Buddhism, with good illustrations and examples.