Buddhism A to Z

Compiled by a practicing Buddhist scholar, in direct and easy-to-understand language, Buddhism A to Z provides insights for the academic yet is not difficult for a beginner. 

It includes definition of terms such as bodhisattva, sangha, karma, dharani or mantra, skandhas or heaps, sharira or relics, anuttara-samyak-sambodhi or perfect and complete enlightenment. 

It contains brief biographies on great masters and monks, such as 

1. Kumarajiva, the translator of the Lotus Sutra 

2. Xuan Zang, the Chinese pilgrim who journeyed to India in search of Buddhist Sutra, whose life was fictionalized in Journey to the West or Adventures of Monkey King 

3. Bodhidharma, the Indian monk who is considered the first Chinese patriarch and the founder of Shaolin Kungfu 

4. Huineng, the author of the Sixth Patriarch Sutra 

as well as Mahamaudgalayana, Ananda, Hanshan, and more. 

It gives summaries of the major Mahayana sutras, including 

1) Amitabha Sutra, which describes rebirth in the land of Ultimate Bliss or Sukhavati 

2. Avatamsaka (Flower Adornment) Sutra, which details the bodhisattva path to Buddhahood 

3. Lotus (Dharma Flower) Sutra, the major text studied by the Tiantai school which unites all previous Dharma teaching into one ultimate teaching 

4. Surangama Sutra, the classic text for the Chan, or meditative school as well as the Heart Sutra, the Vajra (Diamond) Sutra and others. 

The book also provides background information on Buddhas and Boddhisattvas such as Amitabha, Sakyamuni, Maitreya, Samantabhadra, Universal Worthy, Nagarjuna, Vasubandhu and more.