The Essential Guide to Buddhism - (Essential Guides to Religion) by Gwendolyn Gillson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Beginning with an overview of Buddhism, this book explores the religion's origins in northern India and Nepal, through to its development and spread across Asia, to its vibrant and sometimes contradictory present.

The book covers key topics in the study of Buddhism, including its rituals and its scriptures, meditation and monasticism, and death and afterlife. The book also includes contemporary issues such as Buddhism and economics and socially engaged Buddhism.

Over 70 illustrations are included throughout, and each chapter contains suggested further reading and a glossary of key terms and concepts.

The chapters in this book were first published in the digital collection Bloomsbury Religion in North America. Covering North America's diverse religious traditions, this digital collection provides reliable and peer-reviewed articles and ebooks for students and instructors. Learn more and get access for your library at www.theologyandreligiononline.com/bloomsbury-religion-in-north-america

Review Quotes

"This volume provides a broad yet detailed overview of Buddhist history, doctrine, and practice. As part of a larger series on major religions, it effectively balances historical context with contemporary developments, making it a valuable resource for students of religious studies." --Religious Studies Review

"This is sure to become an invaluable resource for the teaching of Buddhism at undergraduate level. Rather than limiting Buddhism to the conceptual categories of 'world religions' textbooks, each chapter presents clearly written explorations of key issues in the study of Buddhism including monasticism, ritual, economics, and engaged Buddhism." --Scott A. Mitchell, Rev. Yoshitaka Tamai Professor of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Studies, Institute of Buddhist Studies, USA

"It would be impossible to create an exhaustive guide to Buddhism, but somehow the authors have managed to truly gather the essentials into one readable volume. The balance of accessibility, detail, historical context, and nuance is beyond what I have found in other textbooks." --Jessica Starling, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Lewis and Clark College, USA

About the Author