Buddhism [Paperback]

This collection of essays examines ten core themes from a comparative perspective and thus provides an integrated introduction to the social and spiritual values at the centre of Buddhist thought. Following an introductory chapter, the themes covered are moral decision making, worship, myth and history, the role of women, attitudes to nature, sacred writings, beliefs about human nature, rites of passage, sacred place and the depiction of the divine. Each chapter concludes with a list of recommended further reading.

ContentsIntroduction Peter Harvey1. The Sacred Writings of Buddhism Ulrich Pagel2. Buddhist Visions of the Human Predicament and its Resolution Peter Harvey3. Portrayals of Ultimate Reality and of Holy and Divine Beings Peter Harvey4. Devotional Practices Peter Harvey5. Rites of Passage Christopher Lamb6. Making Moral Decisions Stuart McFarlane7. Women in Buddhism Rita M. Gross8. Attitudes to Nature Ian Harris9. Cosmology, Myth and Symbolism Christopher Lamb10. Sacred Space Martin Boord