An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism: The Essentials of Buddhist Spirituality (Perennial Philosophy)
This new illustrated edition, revised and enlarged a full generation after the first, provides a clear and succinct overview of Buddhist teachings and practices. . . . Stoddart’s work also pays tribute to the overwhelming beauty of Buddhist art—amply confirmed by the rich selection of color reproductions in this volume—in a wide variety of schools. An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism is thus not only useful, but moving and inspiring, and as such does full justice to a spiritual tradition that is unique and irreplaceable among the great religions of the world. (Joseph A. Fitzgerald, editor of Honen the Buddhist Saint)This book is a pocket encyclopedia. The explanations given by the author of many subtle and important doctrines are gratifyingly clear. (Alberto Martin, author of Sleeping, Dreaming, Awakening)A salient contribution to the study of Buddhism. The prestigious British author was able to produce here a clear, simple, and at the same time profound and comprehensive study of Buddhism, which puts first things first and each thing in its proper place. The book demonstrates that Buddhism is as much a religion as Christianity or Islam and offers a balanced panorama of the Buddhist religion, history, and culture. (Mateus Soares de Azevedo, author of Men of a Single Book: Fundamentalism in Islam, Christianity, and Modern Thought)Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one". The Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings end their suffering (dukkha) through the elimination of ignorance (avidya) by way of understanding and the seeing of dependent origination (pratityasamutpada) and the elimination of craving (ta ha), and thus the attainment of the cessation of all suffering, known as the sublime state of nirvana. "An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism: The Essentials of Buddhist Spirituality" by William Stoddart is an informed and informative history and introduction to a world religion with more than a billion followers and divided into numerous sects. Beautifully illustrated with eighty full color photographs, and enhanced with a number of maps, diagrams and charts, this compendium of expert commentary on Buddhism's essential features is an ideal introduction and is highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Buddhist Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. (Midwest Book Review)