Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction

Damien Keown

Very Short Introductions

• Remains one of the most accessible introductions to Buddhism
• Introduces the teachings of the Buddha and the integration of Buddhism into daily life
• Looks at the distinctive features of Buddhism and how it differs from other religions
• Examines how Buddhist thought has developed over the centuries, including the contemporary spread in to Asia
• Part of the best-selling Very Short Introductions series--over five million copies sold worldwide

New to this Edition:

• Incorporates recent new discoveries and new perspectives on Buddhist thought
• Includes up to date material about the spread of Buddhism and historical evolution of buddhism throughout Asia
• Looks at the material culture of Buddhism and its importance
• Incorporates new thinking on the ethics of war and peace, which have become part of a lively debate in recent years
• Updates to the interaction between Buddhism and the West, including topics such as ethnicity, class, and gender
• Updated further reading list including several recent publications