Buddhism: A Complete Introduction

by Clive Erricker

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.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2015

Reviews

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows the word Buddhism, but not what it refers to exactly. This book is the perfect way to be introduced to the subject clearly. However, it gets very complex pretty quickly; all the terms that are in Sanskrit sound very unfamiliar and therefore it is hard to memorize the concept behind them. The more you get into the book, the more everything is mixed and so if you are reading this just for curiosity, it can be hard to follow, remember, understand. I kept plenty of inspiring quotes, and the fact that little stories were placed as examples really helped understanding the reasoning, illustrated in a poetic metaphoric way. I do not think I had the motivation and the concentration to get everything right and memorized but I am glad I know it more about the Buddhism and now I can appreciate it better.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to Buddhism- this is not a religious text but a non-fiction explaining origin, history, basic doctrine and prospect role of Buddhism in contemporary life.

I enjoyed reading Sanskrit words- many of Korean Buddhist terms are phonic translation of Sanskrit or Chinese adapted Sanskrit. Reading original Sanskrit terms brought odd sensation- both exotic and so familiar.

"The Buddha's path is simple and meant for ordinary people, and anyone with good will and determination can follow its steps toward freedom of heart and mind. Both heart and mind have to be involved in this journey toward liberation from the 'self'. The mind understands and concludes, connects and discerns, whereas the heart feels."

"I think in Buddhism, these two cannot be separated. To mediate is to be aware of what is going on in yourself and the world. If you know what is going on, how can you avoid acting to change the situation?"