Synopses & Reviews
An ideal introduction to the history of Buddhism. Andrew Skilton - a writer on and practitioner of Buddhism - explains the development of the basic concepts of Buddhism during its 2,500 years of history and describes its varied developments in India, Buddhism’s homeland, as well as its spread across Asia, from Mongolia to Sri Lanka and from Japan to the Middle East. A fascinating insight into the historical progress of one of the world’s great religions.
"..an excellent synopsis of current scholarship..."—Alan Sponberg, Professor of Asian Philosophy and Religion, University of Montana
Synopsis
Buddhism can appear to be a confusing variety of schools, teachings, and methods. Since its beginnings 2500 years ago in India it has undergone many changes. As the Buddha's message spread across Asia it encountered new cultures, and different ways to express its central teachings evolved, leading to the wide variety of methods and schools from which we can now choose. To help us explore this rich world Andrew Skilton, a practicing Buddhist and Buddhist scholar, presents a clear, concise overview of the teachings, schools, and methods of Buddhism and gives an excellent introduction to its history.