The Essence of Buddhism

The life of Siddhartha Buddha (which means 'Awakened One') is that of one who awakened from the sleep of ignorance & saw conditions as they really were. Through his example every one of us can do the same - awaken from the sleep of non-awareness & understand the experience of 'sufferings' or birth, sickness, aging & death that ultimately lead to enlightenment. The Essence of Buddhism provides a clear, straightforward approach to the rich traditions of the Biddhist faith & its ideological foundations. It explains the power of karma, the practice of Zen, & the notion of nirvana, enabling us to acquire understanding of the life of the Buddha & his influence throughout the world. THrough its elucidation of the definitive Buddhist texts, this splendid introduction puts into perspective one of the world's most significant religions & reveals that it is as relevant now as at any time in its 3,000-year history.