Buddhism

A concise and up-to-date guide to the history, teachings, and practice of Buddhism by two luminaries in the field of world religions.

Authors Huston Smith and Philip Novak present an accessible exploration of foundational doctrine, examining the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path that define the core path of liberation.

The text traces the awakening of Siddhartha Gautama in ancient India, illuminating essential insights from dependent arising and anatta to the disciplined cultivation of mindfulness.

A second part chronicles the modern migration of the Dharma, following how monastic lineages and meditation practices established deep roots across Europe and North America.
Life of Buddha: Chronicles Siddhartha Gautama’s confrontation with the Four Passing Sights, his ascetic trials in the forest, and his decisive awakening beneath the Bo Tree.Eastern Philosophy: Explores the Great Divide between Theravada and Mahayana branches, contrasting the arhat’s solitary quest with the compassionate vow of the bodhisattva.Zen Buddhism: Details the Japanese contemplative discipline of seated zazen, private sanzen interviews with roshis, and paradoxical koan riddles designed to shatter conceptual thought.Tibetan Buddhism: Surveys Vajrayana Tantric technologies, highlighting multiphonic chanting, sacred mandalas and mudras, and the compassionate spiritual presence of the Dalai Lama.Also by This Author: Islam, The Illustrated World’s Religions and The Soul of Christianity.