Buddhism : The Illustrated Guide

Buddhism is a major spiritual and ethical force in the world today--and certainly one of the fastest growing religions in the West. Its compelling insights into human existence offer an ancient and radical alternative to the materialism of the modern age. More and more people are turning toBuddhism to rediscover the human and the spiritual values they find lacking in traditional Western religions.Now, in this strikingly illustrated and authoritative volume, general readers have an illuminating introduction of one of the world's great living faiths. Based on the most recent scholarship, Buddhism provides a vibrantly written and marvelously illustrated overview of this ancient and yetstill vital religion. Each chapter is written by an acknowledged authority in the field. The book describes the origins and historic development of Buddhism as well as current trends. Perhaps most important, it explores the central, unifying principles of a religious and philosophical system thatfinds expression in an extraordinary diversity of forms, from the elaborate and esoteric rituals of Tantric Buddhism to the rarefied, minimalist refinement of Zen. A major section is devoted to an analysis of the religion's more important sacred writings. And throughout the book, magnificentillustrations capture the sacred art, architecture, daily practices, and symbols inspired by the Buddha and his teaching.Buddhism in the United States has grown dramatically. The Illustrated Guide offers a wealth of reference information that will deepen one's understanding and appreciation of this ancient Eastern faith.

To many, Buddhism is still something of a mystery, a great world faith involving much ritual, symbolism and sacred architecture yet somehow remote from daily living. This major illustrated work treads that difficult path between academia and accessibility and on the whole succeeds (not least by its exquisite paintings) in explaining the complexities of the key teachings and principles, including how they relate to ethics, to politics, even to vegetarianism and to sex. A heavyweight volume in a specialist area yet one with a long shelf life as an all-encompassing doorway for westerners into modern Buddhism and all aspects of its history.