The grandeur, simplicity, and freshness of the 2,500-year-old tradition of Buddhism are reflected in this collection of writings intended as a primer for newcomers to the subject as well as a reference for those familiar with Buddhism. The selections include: o The story of the Buddha's life. o A concise historical background. o Key writings of Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhism. o Meditation instructions. o A Buddhist explanation of reincarnation. o Simple explanations of terms. o A pictorial survey of Buddhist art and architecture.