Buddhism: A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself

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Buddhism: A Complete Introduction is a comprehensive and easy-to-use introduction, designed to give you everything you need to succeed, all in one place.

Written by a leading expert, this book will help you if you are studying for an important exam or essay, or if you simply want to improve your knowledge.

It is structured to mirror the way in which Buddhism is usually taught, starting with the life of the Buddha through to the prospects of Buddhism for the next generation.

The book covers all the key areas that are considered central to Buddhism, including the Buddha's teachings, the scriptures and schools, the role of meditation and the moral and ethical context. It uses jargon-free English and includes features such as guided further reading and end of chapter questions to ensure that you understand all the concepts covered.

Buddhism: A Complete Introduction includes:

Chapter 1: Buddhists and Buddhism

Who are Buddhists

The Three Jewels

The Three Refuges

Buddhist Practice

In conclusion

Chapter 2: The life of the Buddha

The Buddha's significance

The Four Sights

Going forth

Self-mortification

The enlightenment

Turning the wheel of the dharma

The mission

The growth of the Sangha

Paranirvana

In conclusion

Chapter 3: The Buddha's teaching

The first Nobel Truth: all is suffering (dukkha)

The second Noble Truth: the origins of suffering (samudaya)

The third Noble Truth: the cessation of suffering (nirodha)

The fourth Noble Truth: the path to the cessation of suffering (magga)

Chapter 4: Buddhist scriptures and schools

The Theravada Scriptures

The Mahayana Scriptures

Pure Land Buddhism

The Ch'an and Zen Schools

The Tibetan Scriptures

In conclusion

Chapter 5: Meditation and devotion

1 Mind and heart

2 Heart and mind

3 Devotion as homage

4 Salvific devotion

In conclusion

Chapter 6: Ethical conduct

Sila skilfulness

The practicality of buddhist ethics

Working on yourself and others

The precepts and the dharma

Renunciation

In conclusion

Chapter 7: Moral Issues

The natural world

Human society

In conclusion

Chapter 8: The social order

Ordination

Celibacy

Weddings and marriages

Family life

Death and dying

In conclusion

Chapter 9: Festivals and ceremonies

Theravada festivals

Tibetan festivals

Japanese and Chinese festivals

Western Buddhist festivals

In conclusion

Chapter 10: Budhist today: East and West

The spread of Buddhism

Buddhism in India

The revival of Buddhism

Buddhism in South-East Asia

Missionary activity

Tibetan Buddhism

Buddhism in the West

In conclusion

Chapter

Author Bio

Clive Erricker was Chief Examiner in World Religions for the International Baccalaureate. A teacher of religious studies for over 30 years, he has written extensively on Buddhism and other world religions.