Buddhism: An Introduction: Teach Yourself

Covering all aspects of this fascinating faith, from the teachings of the Buddha to the practicalities of pursuing a Buddhist way of life, Buddhism - an Introduction is an informative and accessible introduction to this major world religion. Learn about the origins of Buddhism, its place in society today and the challenges it faces for the future.nnBuddhism: An Introduction includes:nnnChapter 1: Buddhists and BuddhismnnWho are Buddhists?nnThe Three JewelsnnThe Three RefugesnnBuddhist PracticennIn conclusionnnChapter 2: The life of the BuddhannThe Buddha's significancennThe Four SightsnnGoing forthnnSelf-mortificationnnThe enlightenmentnnTurning the wheel of the dharmannThe missionnnThe growth of the SanghannParanirvanannIn conclusionnnChapter 3: The Buddha's teachingnnThe first Nobel Truth: all is suffering (dukkha)nnThe second Noble Truth: the origins of suffering (samudaya)nnThe third Noble Truth: the cessation of suffering (nirodha)nnThe fourth Noble Truth: the path to the cessation of suffering (magga)nnChapter 4: Buddhist scriptures and schoolsnnThe Theravada ScripturesnnThe Mahayana ScripturesnnPure Land BuddhismnnThe Ch'an and Zen SchoolsnnThe Tibetan ScripturesnnIn conclusionnnChapter 5: Meditation and devotionnn1 Mind and heartnn2 Heart and mindnn3 Devotion as homagenn4 Salvific devotionnnIn conclusionnn.nn.nn.nn.nnChapter 6: Ethical conductnnSila skilfulnessnnThe practicality of buddhist ethicsnnWorking on yourself and othersnnThe precepts and the dharmannRenunciationnnIn conclusionnnChapter 7: Moral IssuesnnThe natural worldnnHuman societynnIn conclusionnnChapter 8: The social ordernnOrdinationnnCelibacynnWeddings and marriagesnnFamily lifennDeath and dyingnnIn conclusionnnChapter 9: Festivals and ceremoniesnnTheravada festivalsnnTibetan festivalsnnJapanese and Chinese festivalsnnWestern Buddhist festivalsnnIn conclusionnnChapter 10: Budhist today: East and WestnnThe spread of BuddhismnnBuddhism in IndiannThe revival of BuddhismnnBuddhism in South-East AsiannMissionary activitynnTibetan BuddhismnnBuddhism in the WestnnIn conclusionnnChapter 11: Transition, adaptation and influence: prospects for Buddhism in the twenty-first centurynnInto the twenty-first centurynnViews from the WestnnTransmitting Buddhism to a new generationnnIn conclusionnnnLearn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features:Not got much time?nnOne, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.nnAuthor insightsnnLots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.nnnTest yourselfnnTests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.nnExtend your knowledgennExtra online articles to give you a richer understanding of psychology.nnFive things to remembernnQuick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.nnnTry thisnnInnovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.