Enlightenment has never been easier than with this updated guide to Buddhism.432 pp.

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." --Dalai Lama That's easy for the Dalai Lama to say--but for the rest of us, understanding this mysterious, multilayered faith can be very difficult. With this updated and revised edition of the classic Buddhist primer, you can delve into the profound principles of nonviolence, mindfulness, and self-awareness. From Tibetan Buddhism to Zen, you'll explore the traditions of all branches of Buddhism, including: The life of Buddha and his continuing influence throughout the world A revealing survey of the definitive Buddhist texts What the Sutras say about education, marriage, sex, and death Faith-fueled social protest movements in Tibet, Burma, and elsewhere Buddhist art, poetry, architecture, calligraphy, and landscaping The proven physiological effects of meditation and other Buddhist practices The growing impact of Buddhism on modern American culture In this guide, you'll discover the deceptively simple truths of this enigmatic religion. Most important, you learn how to apply the tenets of Buddhism to your daily life--and achieve clarity and inner peace in the process.

In this strikingly illustrated and authoritative volume, readers have an introduction to one of the world's greatest living faiths. 200 color photos, maps & drawings.

Four hundred million people call themselves Buddhists today. Yet most Westerners know little about this powerful, Eastern-spawned faith. How did it begin? What do its adherents believe? Why are so many Westerners drawn to it? Essential Buddhism responds to these questions and many more, offering an accessible, global perspective on the religion's past, present, and future. It identifies how the principal concepts and practices originated and evolved through diverse cultural adaptations into three basic formats: * Theraveda (including Vipassana, brought from Vietnam in the 1960s and including such practitioners as Jack Kornfield and Jon Kapat-Zinn) * Mahayana (including Zen Buddhism, originally brought to America by Japanese teachers after World War II and popularized by Jack Kerouac and Thomas Merton) * Vajrayana (including Tibetan Buddhism, from the teachers who fled the Chinese takeover of Tibet in the 1950s as well as the Dalai Lama, and embraced by Allen Ginsberg, Richard Gere, and countless others) Essential Buddhism is the single best resource for the novice and the expert alike, exploring the depths of Buddhism's popularity and illuminating its tenets and sensible approach to living. Written in the lucid prose of a longtime professional storyteller, and full of Buddhist tales, scriptural quotes, ancient stories, and contemporary insights, Essential Buddhism is the first complete guide to the faith and the phenomenon.

If you are thinking about practicing Buddhism or if you already do this book is a good starting place to learn about all of its most basic tenets. As you go through this introduction to Buddhism, you will find answers to the questions: - Where did Buddhism start? - Who is the Buddha? - Why did the Buddha find a need for this practice? - What are the most common Buddhist traditions? - What is the difference between Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana Buddhism? - What does Buddhism look like in different parts of the world? Buddhism explains inequality and injustice. It gives us the purpose of life, while providing a moral code and way to lead a life filled with zen and happiness. This book is aimed at people wanting to learning about Buddhism. In this book I'll discuss the basic principles and tenets of Buddhism, Buddhist teachings and Buddhist rituals, along with how you can incorporate Buddhism into your daily life.

Part primer, part personal history, part guide to spiritual practice, this book opens the door to an understanding of Buddhist spirituality, which engages more and more Westerners as the millennium approaches. Through personal anecdotes, lively explanations, and thoughtful discussions, Sandy Boucher presents a female perspective on fundamental Buddhist teachings such as compassion, detachment, and enlightenment. Includes a directory of women teachers in the United States, Canada, and abroad.

Contains material adapted from The Everything Buddhism Book, 2nd Edition.