A clear, well written, and informative account of Buddhism's history, and the basic concerns of Buddhists. Many surveys of Buddhism are unsuccessful because they either cater exclusively to specialists, or condescend to the general reader by presenting Buddhism as a kind of self-help alternative. Lopez presents Buddhism as a religion with a history, to which ordinary people have turned for the means to confront, control or even escape the exigencies of life. The emphasis is on actual lived practice, and the book is full of Buddhist stories: sometimes miraculous, sometimes humourous. Chapter include: The Universe; The Buddha; The Dharma (Buddhist doctrine); Monastic Life; Lay Practice; Enlightenment.
- ISBN10 0713994347
- ISBN13 9780713994346
- Publish Date 29 March 2001
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 3 September 2002
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Imprint Allen Lane
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 304
- Language English