Buddhism cover

Buddhism

by Huston Smith

"Smith and Novak respectfully cover the essential teachings, practices, and historical development of Buddhism in all its rich variety. Beginning with the life and legend of the Buddha, Buddhism explores core Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, nirvana, and emptiness. The authors go on to discuss the split between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Vipassana - the Theravadin Way of Insight, the continued divisions of Mahayana into Pure Land, Zen, and the quite distinct Vajrayana/Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The second half of the book follows the global migration of Buddhism and its continuing diversification and development in the West, especially in America. This compelling work by two great scholars - a legendary teacher and his long-time student and colleague - is the most insightful, up-to-date, and accessible introduction to this great and immensely appealing religious tradition available today."--BOOK JACKET

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Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?