Buddhism
An Illustrated History and Guide
Will be published approx. on 1. December 2025
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-0-7548-3617-9 (ISBN)
Description
The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, lived in India in the 5th
century bce. His life and teachings have provided inspiration for
people around the world ever since. With an estimated 350 million
adherents, Buddhism is the fifth largest belief system in the world
today. This expert and accessible book introduces and explains Buddhist
history, philosophy and practice. It is illustrated throughout with over
500 magnificent photographs of paintings, statues, historical sites,
archaeological finds, festivals and rituals. The history of Buddhism is
explored in detail, beginning with the life of the Buddha. This is
followed by a chronological and geographical discussion of the
dissemination of the religion, and an examination of Buddhism's
interaction with new cultures and ideas. An exploration of core texts
and traditions provides insights into the Buddhist philosophies of
compassion, tolerance and non-violence, as well as key concepts such as
karma, samsara and nirvana. Special themed features deal with topics as
varied as Buddhist art, architecture and symbolism, ethics and political
engagement, and the practice of meditation. The story of Buddhism is
supported by a timeline, maps and a glossary. This book is the perfect
introduction to Buddhism for general readers, and a handy resource for
students.
The book provides a general introduction to Buddhist philosophy, from the life and teachings of the Buddha in the 5th century bce to modern-day interpretations.
Discusses the principal texts in the Buddhist canon, and explains key
concepts such as karma, samsara and nirvana. Describes the evolution of
the different schools of Buddhism, and the contemporary importance and
role of Buddhism across the globe. Special themed features focus on
Buddhist art, symbolism and architecture, as well as Buddhist holy days,
festivals and rituals. Illustrated with more than 500 photographs of
paintings, statues, important historical sites and archaeological finds,
plus informative artworks and maps.
century bce. His life and teachings have provided inspiration for
people around the world ever since. With an estimated 350 million
adherents, Buddhism is the fifth largest belief system in the world
today. This expert and accessible book introduces and explains Buddhist
history, philosophy and practice. It is illustrated throughout with over
500 magnificent photographs of paintings, statues, historical sites,
archaeological finds, festivals and rituals. The history of Buddhism is
explored in detail, beginning with the life of the Buddha. This is
followed by a chronological and geographical discussion of the
dissemination of the religion, and an examination of Buddhism's
interaction with new cultures and ideas. An exploration of core texts
and traditions provides insights into the Buddhist philosophies of
compassion, tolerance and non-violence, as well as key concepts such as
karma, samsara and nirvana. Special themed features deal with topics as
varied as Buddhist art, architecture and symbolism, ethics and political
engagement, and the practice of meditation. The story of Buddhism is
supported by a timeline, maps and a glossary. This book is the perfect
introduction to Buddhism for general readers, and a handy resource for
students.
The book provides a general introduction to Buddhist philosophy, from the life and teachings of the Buddha in the 5th century bce to modern-day interpretations.
Discusses the principal texts in the Buddhist canon, and explains key
concepts such as karma, samsara and nirvana. Describes the evolution of
the different schools of Buddhism, and the contemporary importance and
role of Buddhism across the globe. Special themed features focus on
Buddhist art, symbolism and architecture, as well as Buddhist holy days,
festivals and rituals. Illustrated with more than 500 photographs of
paintings, statues, important historical sites and archaeological finds,
plus informative artworks and maps.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Anness Publishing
Illustrations
500 colour images
Dimensions
Height: 282 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
1330 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7548-3617-9 (9780754836179)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Consultant editor Ian Harris was Professor of Buddhist
Studies at the University of Cumbria. Among his books are Cambodian
Buddhism and Buddhism Under Pol Pot. Helen Varley is a journalist and
author who specializes in history, religion, travel, Eastern spiritual
thought, and yoga. Peter Connolly holds a PhD in Comparative Religion
and Philosophy from the University of Lancaster. Stefania Travagnin
holds a PhD in the Study of Religions from the School of Oriental and
African Studies, University of London.
Studies at the University of Cumbria. Among his books are Cambodian
Buddhism and Buddhism Under Pol Pot. Helen Varley is a journalist and
author who specializes in history, religion, travel, Eastern spiritual
thought, and yoga. Peter Connolly holds a PhD in Comparative Religion
and Philosophy from the University of Lancaster. Stefania Travagnin
holds a PhD in the Study of Religions from the School of Oriental and
African Studies, University of London.
Content
Introduction
Timeline
CHAPTER 1:
THE BUDDHA
India before the Birth of the Buddha The Buddha's Birth
Early Life
The Great Departure
The Awakening
Turning the Wheel of the Dharma The Buddha's Teachings
The Buddha's Passing
Stupas
Buddhist Pilgrimages
CHAPTER 2:
WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT
The Disciples
The Dharma
Representations of the Buddha
The Buddhist Universe Rebecoming
Cause and Effect
The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Eightfold Path
The Five Precepts
The Triple Refuge
The Gourmet Buddhist
The Three Cardinal Virtues Meditation
Enlightenment
Devotion
Buddhist Ethics
Buddhism and Pacificism
CHAPTER 3:
EARLY BUDDHISM
The First Buddhists
The First Buddhist Scriptures The Great Schism
The First Buddhist State Theravada Buddhism
Spreading the Dharma
The Vihara
The Monastic Community
Holy Days and Holidays
The Mahayana
Bodhisattvas
The Sanskrit Scriptures Mahayana Philosophy
Mahayana Schools
Cave Temples
Buddhism Crosses Borders Tibetan Buddhism
Mandalas
Tibetan Scriptures
CHAPTER 4:
WORLD BUDDHISM
The Spread of Buddhism
The Decline of Buddhism in India Buddhism in Sri Lanka
India's Buddhist Resurgence
The Bamiyan Buddhas
Buddhism in the Himalayan
Kingdoms
Buddhism in Kashmir and Ladakh Buddhism in Tibet
Buddhism in the Eastern Himalayas Prayer Flags, Wheels and Walls Buddhism in Central Asia
Silk Route Pilgrims
Symbolic Objects
Buddhism in East Asia
Buddhism in China
Chinese Interpretations
Women in Buddhism
Buddhism in Korea
The Pagoda
Buddhism in Japan
Buddhist Art in East Asia
New Buddhist Schools in Japan Zen Gardens
Buddhism in South-east Asia Militant Monks
Buddhism in Burma
Buddhism in Thailand
Ayutthaya
Buddhism in Laos
Buddhism in Cambodia
Angkor Thom
Buddhism in Vietnam
Buddhism in Malaysia
and Indonesia
Buddhism Suppressed
Buddhist Influences
Alexandra David-Neel
Buddhism in North America Monks, Nuns and Laity
The 20th-century Diaspora
CHAPTER 5:
BUDDHIST TRADITIONS
Buddhist Schools
Buddhist Schools in China and Japan Theravada Schools
Forest Schools
Meditation Schools
Chan Buddhism
Chan Texts
Chan Schools
Chan Master Xuan Hua
Son Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Zen Schools
Popular Buddhism
Burmese Teachers
Devotional Schools
The Pure Land Tradition
The Jodo Shu School
The Jodo Shinshu School
The Lotus Sutra
Nichiren Buddhism
Modern Japanese Buddhist Associations Chanting and Music
The Kagyu and Nyingma Schools The Sakya and Geluk Schools
The Dalai Lama
The Tiantai Movement
Esoteric Buddhism
Engaged Buddhism
Active Engagement
Glossary
Index Acknowledgements
Timeline
CHAPTER 1:
THE BUDDHA
India before the Birth of the Buddha The Buddha's Birth
Early Life
The Great Departure
The Awakening
Turning the Wheel of the Dharma The Buddha's Teachings
The Buddha's Passing
Stupas
Buddhist Pilgrimages
CHAPTER 2:
WHAT THE BUDDHA TAUGHT
The Disciples
The Dharma
Representations of the Buddha
The Buddhist Universe Rebecoming
Cause and Effect
The Four Noble Truths
The Noble Eightfold Path
The Five Precepts
The Triple Refuge
The Gourmet Buddhist
The Three Cardinal Virtues Meditation
Enlightenment
Devotion
Buddhist Ethics
Buddhism and Pacificism
CHAPTER 3:
EARLY BUDDHISM
The First Buddhists
The First Buddhist Scriptures The Great Schism
The First Buddhist State Theravada Buddhism
Spreading the Dharma
The Vihara
The Monastic Community
Holy Days and Holidays
The Mahayana
Bodhisattvas
The Sanskrit Scriptures Mahayana Philosophy
Mahayana Schools
Cave Temples
Buddhism Crosses Borders Tibetan Buddhism
Mandalas
Tibetan Scriptures
CHAPTER 4:
WORLD BUDDHISM
The Spread of Buddhism
The Decline of Buddhism in India Buddhism in Sri Lanka
India's Buddhist Resurgence
The Bamiyan Buddhas
Buddhism in the Himalayan
Kingdoms
Buddhism in Kashmir and Ladakh Buddhism in Tibet
Buddhism in the Eastern Himalayas Prayer Flags, Wheels and Walls Buddhism in Central Asia
Silk Route Pilgrims
Symbolic Objects
Buddhism in East Asia
Buddhism in China
Chinese Interpretations
Women in Buddhism
Buddhism in Korea
The Pagoda
Buddhism in Japan
Buddhist Art in East Asia
New Buddhist Schools in Japan Zen Gardens
Buddhism in South-east Asia Militant Monks
Buddhism in Burma
Buddhism in Thailand
Ayutthaya
Buddhism in Laos
Buddhism in Cambodia
Angkor Thom
Buddhism in Vietnam
Buddhism in Malaysia
and Indonesia
Buddhism Suppressed
Buddhist Influences
Alexandra David-Neel
Buddhism in North America Monks, Nuns and Laity
The 20th-century Diaspora
CHAPTER 5:
BUDDHIST TRADITIONS
Buddhist Schools
Buddhist Schools in China and Japan Theravada Schools
Forest Schools
Meditation Schools
Chan Buddhism
Chan Texts
Chan Schools
Chan Master Xuan Hua
Son Buddhism
Zen Buddhism
Zen Schools
Popular Buddhism
Burmese Teachers
Devotional Schools
The Pure Land Tradition
The Jodo Shu School
The Jodo Shinshu School
The Lotus Sutra
Nichiren Buddhism
Modern Japanese Buddhist Associations Chanting and Music
The Kagyu and Nyingma Schools The Sakya and Geluk Schools
The Dalai Lama
The Tiantai Movement
Esoteric Buddhism
Engaged Buddhism
Active Engagement
Glossary
Index Acknowledgements