Buddhism: The Basics

The Basics

by Cathy Cantwell

Buddhism: The Basics provides a thorough and accessible introduction to a fascinating religion. Examining the historical development of Buddhism and its presence today, this guide covers:





principal traditions

practices and beliefs

ethical guidelines and philosophy

religious texts

community

With helpful features including a detailed map of the Buddhist world, glossary of terms and tips for further study, this is an ideal text for students and interested readers wanting to familiarise themselves with the Buddhist faith.



Cathy Cantwell is an academic researcher at the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford. She specialises in Tibetan Buddhism, and has worked on eleventh century manuscripts, an eighteenth century scriptural collection, and contemporary Buddhist ritual manuals and practice. She has taught widely in UK Higher Education and is joint author of Early Tibetan Documents on Phur pa from Dunhuang.

Genres: Religion, Buddhism, Nonfiction

204 pages, Unknown Binding

First published August 26, 2009

About the author

Cathy Cantwell is Research Officer, Buddhist Studies, in the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Wolfson College of the University of Oxford.

Reviews

[Devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good and comprehensive academic exposition of the evolution of Buddhism. I think the title is somewhat misleading or ambiguous in that it may attract the wrong kind of reader. If you are a new western student of Buddhism this, in my opinion, is not the best book for someone seeking "The Basics". For that I highly recommend Steve Hagen's 'Buddhism Plain and Simple' which presents the Buddha's teachings without the mythology, rituals, traditions etc. which were added later and are more relevant to the various Asian cultures. I did, however find this useful in enhancing my understanding of Buddhism from an anthropological perspective.

[Nrtashi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was hard to get into this book- especially since the author started, perhaps unwisely, with complicated doctrines and scripture interpretations. However, after that the book progressed to more down-to-earth aspects of the religion- it's historical spread, it's structural organization, it's political divisions, the 20th century persecutions etc.-which made it far more interesting to me, as a layman whose primary interest is in learning about Buddhism, not Buddhism itself.

[Adolfo Sevilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a very long time to finish simply because of how much supporting literature and information that I wanted to do. I recall in 2024 going to the library or going to a Starbucks and reading papers, essays from professors and practitioners of Buddhism those ,who have achieved nicherin. I took a very long pause because I was in basic training and tech school, but I finished it right before my tech school graduation. This book has a whole kind of just taught me. The fact that all religions are kind of very similar in one sense and that most of them don’t promote violence most of them, promote kindness, and love. I see all of this and I think to myself why do we limit this to just religion? Why can’t people just practice this? Throughout this whole rate reading, I kind of put that thought into my day of living. I try my best to be kind to people to be nice to be patient to treat other how I wanna be treated to spread love as much as I can.

[AH · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like a comprehensive overview of Buddhism than the basics. Still really worth the read.

[Nabilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for casual readers despite the title. Perhaps Wikipedia is more useful for that.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a dry overview of Buddhism, not suitable for those readers who like a bit of passion even in their non-fiction. While informative, the reader new to the study of Buddhism will be confused by the deluge of Pali and Sanskrit terminology. Not recommended for those whose attention easily drifts.

Note: the kindle edition is marred by scores of typos.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not well written, and very hard to follow. For example, she talks re the 8 Truths of the Noble Ones, but never does anything as helpful as give a list. Not recommended.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sound overview and introduction written by Oxford academic, no dumbing down, no patronising of the reader.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a nice comprehensive overview of concepts, practices, and history of various traditions. It's also a little more of an academic approach.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introductory work