Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides

This book will help you to appreciate the timeless wisdom of the oldest form of Buddhism in existence today, to understand what it means to be a Buddhist, to recognize the key practices and traditions of Theravada Buddhism, and to avoid faux pas in conversation, in traveling, and in personal relationships.

Access the world's religions with Simple Guides: Religion a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world's major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs, and practices of different faiths. Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world's great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs, and beliefs of different societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Diana and Richard St. Ruth were born in 1943, Richard in London, Diana in Leicester, and both developed an interest in Buddhism during their teens. They were married in 1969. In 1983 they founded the Buddhist Publishing Group, and in 1989 started the magazine Buddhism Now, of which they are joint editors. They also organize annual Buddhist summer schools. Other titles by the authors include: An Introduction to Buddhism, BPG, 1988; Zen Graffiti, BPG 1991; Experience Beyond Thinking: A Guide to Buddhist Meditation, BPG, 1993; The Little Book of Buddhist Wisdom, Element, 1997; Sitting: A Guide to Buddhist Meditation, Penguin, 1998; and in the Simple Guide series, Zen Buddhism. We would like to express our grateful thanks to Don E. Whitbread for his helpful comments on the manuscript.