Buddhism

This introductory guide surveys Buddhism as a whole, moving from the Buddha's teachings to the practical question of how someone might live a Buddhist life. It traces where the religion came from, what role it plays in society today, and the difficulties it faces now.

The opening chapter asks who counts as a Buddhist and explains the Three Jewels, the Three Refuges and everyday Buddhist practice. The second chapter follows the life of the Buddha, covering his significance, the four sights that drew him away from his former life, his going forth, the period of self-mortification, his enlightenment, the first turning of the wheel of the Dharma, his mission, the growth of the Sangha and his parinirvana.

The third chapter examines the Buddha's teaching, starting with the Four Noble Truths: the reality of suffering, its origins, its cessation, and the path leading to that cessation.