Buddhism

It couldn't be simpler. It couldn't be more eloquent. One of the great religious philosophers of our times introduces the history and concepts of Buddhism. Even the relatively sophisticated reader will come away with new insight and understanding, not only of how Buddhism developed and what it is, but also of how it might work as a spiritual practice in her or his daily life. For the reader who knows nothing about Buddhism this book is invaluable. Watts traces the Indian beginnings, delineates differences between Buddhism and the Hinduism from which it sprang. He looks at the radical methods of Mahayan Buddhist, and reviews the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. If a reader is looking for only one book on Buddhism, this should be it.

Alan Watts was born in England in 1915. He was an Episcopalian priest who became the spokesperson for Eastern religions during the late 1950s and tumultuous 60s. His first book, The Spirit of Zen, however, was written in the 30s when Watts was just 20 years old. He went on to write more than twenty other books. He died in 1973.